HOSTING SERVICES
First Source Consulting's state-of-the-art datacenter is located within a 400,000 sq. ft. facility owned by Sterling Network Services. The datacenter itself and the entire network is monitored and supported by onsite network administrators 7 days-a-week, 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. Sterling Network Services is a premier provider of reliable and secure datacenter facilities for mission critical operations. In addition, they are the largest Point of Presence in the State of Arizona and arguably one of the top 3 in the Western United States.
Along with its partnership with Sterling Network Services, First Source Consulting's infrastructure features the latest technologies and security precautions, including:
Battery Backup
Phoenix has the benefits of a stable climate with virtually zero risk of natural disasters (e.g. earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, etc.). In addition, the Sterling Network Services building has maintained a 55-year record of zero unscheduled power outages.
The datacenter is fed from multiple grids through loop-fed transformers and diverse entry vaults with 2 x 3,000 Amp (480v) A/C feeds. Top-of-the-line UPS systems protect against power spikes and outages. If power is ever lost, the datacenter is backed by on-site back-up power generation from dual 1.5MVA diesel generators with 80,000 gallon diesel reserves.
Network Infrastructure
The network is built upon a 22 GIGABIT fiber optic backbone and is broken down into segments to eliminate data saturation. By creating segments, delays aredrastically reduced from server to server operations. For example, a website hits a SQL server that resides on the same fiber-connected segment making for faster and cleaner data transfer. Cisco is the vendor of choice for all switching and routing equipment on the network.
Network Infrastructure
Housed within an industrial-grade, blast-resistant concrete structure, the Sterling Network Services Tier 4 2N+2 datacenter facility conforms to the strictest physical security standards. Security measures include state-of-the-art biometric, physical and other access control devices, manned 24/7/365 security and video surveillance. For enhanced protection, the facility features advanced fire detection and suppression which includes state-of-the-art pre-action fire protection and life safety systems. The datacenter utilizes a temperature and particulate controlled environment with Liebert HVAC units, arranged in redundant paths with 18 foot ceiling heights for superior heat loss and airflow.
Other enhanced internal security measures are used as well to protect customer data from potential Internet fraud or theft. Only network administrators have access into the datacenter which requires badge, keypad and fingerprint scanning to gain entrance.
Network Redundancy
Having backup systems in place is critical in the web hosting industry. Hot and cold standbys are utilized for all network equipment. The Cisco switches utilized even have internal redundancy, so the hot and cold standbys are built into the hardware itself. With one at the head of the network, as well as a separate failover, provides quadruple redundancy. From network connectivity to service providers, the entire network is thus covered.
Network Redundancy
The speed of which your site displays lies most importantly on the Internet connections of your provider. First Source Consulting follows this same methodology to provide the highest level of service for hosting your site by using only Tier 1 providers that cover 95% of the Internet. By covering such a significant amount of the Internet, you and your customers in 95% of the places you log in will not cross other networks to reach your site. Carriers of choice include TimeWarner Telecom and 120Connect (Cox, Wintel).
The Sterling Network Services facility provides GigE (Gigabit Ethernet) connections to the internet and provides access to almost 40 different Internet carriers, including over 20 different fiber providers, for a superior level of thru-put and adequate failure protection.
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