Network Operations Center Features

Environment
Precision-controlled air conditioning systems protect and cool mission-critical servers and equipment in the Network Operations Center. The facility is controlled by York™ quad-compresser / dual-blower redundant systems. These systems provide a virtually dust-free and particle-free computing environment, with temperature, humidity, and air-quality regulation.

Security
Restricted access to the Network Operations Center is monitored by qualified personnel 24 hours a day, every day. Visitors and clientele are only allowed on-site if escorted by Network Operations Center staff. The entire Network Operations Center is monitored, ensuring prompt response and thorough coverage to fire or security alarms. We supply all our Network Operations Center customers with advanced firewall, encryption, intrusion detection and other security measures. BurstNET™ maintains a full digital video surveillance system of the Network Operations Center, with full on-site and off-site recording.

Failsafe Power Supply
Our Network Operations Center currently has 800amps 480V (3200amps 110V) 3-Phase power currently available from PP&L™ (Pennsylvania Power & Electric). The facility is backed up and protected by UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems on each individual rack, as well as a facility-wide APC Silcom™ (http://www.apc.com) 500KVA Enterprise UPS. In a very rare case of utility outage, our Cummins™ 250KW deisel generator starts automatically, taking over for the UPS systems and supplying all necessary power for the facility. The generator interfaces to the power grid thru a Cutler-Hammer™ automatic transfer panel. The generator is powered by a 500 gallon fuel tank, capable of running without refueling for approximately 80 hours.

Backup Systems
BurstNET™ automatically provides backup data services to all shared hosting solutions clientele. Services are also optionally available to all dedicated and co-location clientele. BurstNET™ utilizes backup hard drives on each individual server to store backups. Linux systems store zipped copies of server system files and client data files, for simple server rebuilding. Windows™ NT/2000 servers store full image backups (identical copy of operating system and data at time of backup), for full system restoration. Off-server and off-site backup services are available as well.

24x7x365 Monitoring
The Network Operations Center uses industry-standard SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and provides round-the-clock monitoring of all hardware, including routers, switches, UPS systems, and servers. The Network Operations Center also monitors power, environmental factors (such as temperature and humidity), generator status, and network connectivity. All critical services/ports can be monitored, including FTP, HTTP, SMTP, HTTPS, SSH, TELNET, and POP3. We provide network monitoring of the Local Area Network, Internet connectivity (all routers, switches, and wiring), and the Internet backbone via MRTG. Our close and constant communication with our upstream backbone providers ensures that our customers have constant access to high-performance Internet connections. Failure on any monitoring service results in audible alarms, LAN messages, and alerting our staff paging system. BurstNET™ offers remote cold boot hardware for dedicated server and co-location clients, with private, password protected, web based access.

Hardware
The Network Operations Center utilizes ONLY top name brand hardware. The network is centered on a Cisco™ GSR12000 Border Routers, and Cisco 7206VXR Core Routers, connecting via Gigabit Ethernet to the Hewlett Packard™ Procurve™ 4108GL & Cisco™ Catalyst™ primary switches. Hewlett Packard™ Procurve™ managed switches comprise the power and stability of the network, operating at 100mbps switched ethernet speeds. Hardware utilized in the facility is comprised of name brands, including the following: Intel™, Asus™, Abit™, AMD™, 3Com™, Hewlett Packard™, Adaptec™, Cisco™, Tekram™, Kingston™, Micron™, Crucial™, IBM™, Maxtor™, Western-Digital™, Seagate™, Quantum™, Fujitsu™, Realtec™, Belkin™, & Lucent™. APC™, Tripp-Lite™, Compaq™, & Liebert™ UPS Systems provide the power backups, along with a Cummins™ generator system. Facility monitoring is provided by a Panasonic™ WD-500 Digital Video System over Sony™ & Panasonic™ CCTV cameras.

Software
The Network Operations Center utilizes the Red Hat™ Linux operating system on the majority of servers present. Red Hat™ Linux is a highly configurable system, and well known for speed and stability. Red Hat™ Linux servers have been documented to remain operating for up to one year at a time without even requiring a reboot. The Apache™ Web Server nicely compliments the Red Hat™ Linux Operating System. The majority of remaining servers operate on the Microsoft™ Windows™ NT/2000/2003 operating systems, with Internet Information Server™ Web Server. Microsoft™ Windows™ NT/2000/2003 provides a system that simplifies database, application, and visual effect programming. BurstNET™ also supports FreeBSD™, Mandrake™, Slackware™, Turbo Linux™, & Debian Linux™.

Connectivity
The network is connected via OC-Level fiber connections to Verizon™ (Formerly Bell Atlantic PA) & Cambrian™, as well as gigabit fiber from PPL Telcom™, (a sub-division of Pennsylvania Power & Electric™ - PPL™) and Commonwealth Telephone™ (CTSI™), NorthEast PA's 2nd largest Telco. The network currently connects BurstNET POPs (Points of Presence) in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Philadelphia, & New York City, with others to be completed shortly. BurstNET™ utilizes 100MBPS Gigabit Fiber from Global Crossing (http://www.glbx.com), and 100MBPS Metro Fast Ethernet drops from Level3™ (http://www.level3.com), Verio™ (http://www.verio.com), XO™ Communications (http://www.xo.com), MFN™/AboveNET™ (http://www.mfn.com) (3rd QTR), & Cogent™ (http://www.cogentco.com). For redundancy, BurstNET™ is currently running BGP4 (border gateway routing protocol) to maintain the speed and uptime. If one backbone line goes down, it will balance the load to the other(s). If one line gets congested, it will load balance the traffic. BurstNET™ is currently negotiating with major backbone providers to open POPs in the BurstNET™ Scranton PA facility. BurstNET™ is currently the only major data center/co-lo facility within 60-75 miles of the Tier-3 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre PA USA Metro Area.