Network Operation Center

Since the travel industry relies on timely email delivery and reliable websites with sensitive information, we partner with a dedicated company to manage our servers. We have complete access to all the data and functions as if we were sitting in front of the system ourselves. Our Network Operations Center (NOC) is a world-class datacenter with the impressive specifications.

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 clientèle are only allowed on-site if escorted by Datacenter staff. The entire Datacenter is monitored, ensuring prompt response and thorough coverage to fire or security alarms. We supply all our Datacenter customers with advanced firewall, encryption, intrusion detection and other security measures. Our NOC maintains a full digital video surveillance system of the Network Operations Center, with full on-site and off-site recording.

Failsafe Power Supply

Our Datacenter currently has 800amps 3-Phase AC 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. 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. HostForWeb Corporation has plans for facility-wide enterprise UPS coverage for implementation in 2002.

Backup Systems

Our NOC automatically provides backup data services utilizing backup hard drives on each individual server to store backups offsite. Linux systems store zipped copies of server system files and client data files, for simple server rebuilding.

24×7x365 Monitoring

The Datacenter 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 are 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.

Hardware

The Datacenter utilizes ONLY top name brand hardware. The facility is centered on a Cisco™ 7206VXR Router, with the newest Processor (CPE400), connecting via Gigabit Ethernet to the Hewlett Packard™ Procurve™ 4108GL primary switch. Hewlett Packard™ Procurve™ 4000M, 2524M, 2424M managed switches comprise the power and stability of the network, operating at 100mbps switched ethernet speeds. An additional Cisco™ 7200 series router is currently planned for install 4th quarter 2001, as a fail-safe for the primary router. Servers utilize Intel™/Asus™/Abit™/SuperMicro™ motherboards, Intel™ Processors, 3Com™/Intel™ network cards, Adaptec™/Tekram™ SCSI controller cards, name brand PC-100/133 SDRAM, & IBM™/Maxtor™/Western-Digital™/Seagate™ hard drives. APC™, Tripp-Lite™ & 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™ CCTV cameras.

Software

The Datacenter 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.

Connectivity

The Datacenter is connected via a OC192 fiber connection to Verizon™ (Formerly Bell Atlantic PA). Our NOC utilizes redundant DS3 (45mbps) connections thru Sprint™ (http://www.sprint.com) and AT&T™ (http://www.att.com). A third DS3, thru MCI/UUNet/Worldcom™, was installed January, 2002. That helped us to keep our network in blazing fast condition. The Sprint connection was upgraded to OC3 (155mbps) connectivity during the 3rd Quarter 2002. Now we are peering (sharing capacity) with major backbones, to exchange connectivity. For redundancy, our NOC 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. Our NOC recently contracted with PPL Telcom™, a sub-division of Pennsylvania Power & Electric™ (PPL™), to install additional fiber lines (2GBPS+) to the building and is currently negotiating with major backbone providers to open POPs (Points of Presence) in the Scranton PA facility. This will increase speeds tremendously due to on-site peering arrangements. Such would allow fiber connections directly to major US peering points/hubs like MAE-EAST, MAE-NYC (8th Avenue), & Halsey Street, avoiding RBOC/CLEC Telco loops. Our NOC 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.