As with every web host, the location of the servers really matters, primarily for the overall uptime reliability. This requires diverse internet connections, power and air cooling. We also require multi-level security and fire suppression to ensure uptime protection. All of this requires millions in capital, something only a few web hosts can achieve.
We co-locate in other data centres such as TeleHouse, SOTA & UKDSL who meet our gold standard, We require set assurances to ensure our servers remain up and operational.
What Power Assurances are provided?
We have A & B mains power ensuring no single point of failure, Both circuits are connected to N+N backup batteries, which keeps the servers powered up while the N+N generators start. This needs to provide at least 48 hours of off-grid power with refueling SLA’s to ensure a continued power.
What about Internet Connectivity?
We have at least two fibre connections via diverse routes over separate providers to ensure no single point of failure.
What about Cooling?
A consistent temperature and humidity, with a backup cooling solution to ensure continued environmental control during hardware failure. As an extra standard, we require hot and cold alses for optimum cooling.
Are the servers physically secure?
From fire, flood and theft, Yes! Very secure – VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection System) enables instant overheating alarm with a gas suppressant causing no additional damage. Moisture monitors will alarm if water enters the data floor and multiple access restricted doors, CCTV, locked racks and on-site security.
Why don’t you build your own Data Centres?
We co-locate in other data centres to maximise our capital usage, by limiting how much we spend on deployment, we’re able to maximise what we spend on hardware.This means faster servers, increased rich features and better planning of end of life maintenance, thus better control over unplanned outages.
More information on the data centres we use?
DC1 – Sittingbourne
The original tier 3 data centre, approximately 40 miles from London and consistently reliable. It’s high-specification 8,000 sq ft sealed, fire-proof pod is home to quite a few of our servers. It’s purpose-built data hall is optimised for air flows providing a stable temperature of 21°C ± 2°C plus relative humidity kept at 50% ± 10% – Powered by N+N Denco units. It’s N+N UPS units are backed up by N+N on-site diesel generators for seamless power on blackout. There is also a VESDA system with an FM200 gas based fire retardant that is environmentally friendly. It has a resilient 10Gbps of backhaul configured in a ring to Telehouse North & East over separate suppliers for diversity.
DC2 – Coventry
Strategically located in the Midlands and away from London & the South East, perfect for disaster recovery solutions. By utilising the latest technology evaporative cooling system and transformer less UPS, this data centre achieves a PuE or power usage efficiency of just 1.19. This low ratio makes this facility one of the most energy efficient in the UK thus reducing our environmental impact. It’s N+N UPS units are backed up by N+N on-site diesel generators for seamless power on blackout. There is also a VESDA system with an FM200 gas based fire retardant that is environmentally friendly. It has a resilient 10Gbps of backhaul configured in a ring to Telehouse East & Equinix Harbour Exchange over separate suppliers for diversity.
DC3 – Telehouse Campus (West, North & North 2)
Our latest location is based across the Telehouse docklands campus, Europe’s first purpose-built neutral colocation facility and the primary home of the London Internet Exchange. It’s N+N UPS units are backed up by N+N on-site diesel generators for seamless power on blackout. There is also a VESDA system with an FM200 gas based fire retardant that is environmentally friendly. The campus also has ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standard & ISO/IEC 27001:2005 Information Security Management. We use dual diverse connections to our other data centre locations plus further points of presence in Digital Reality’s Sovereign House, Equinix’s Harbour Exchange & Telehouse’s East, North and West.
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