Network

Ascent Data is a carrier neutral data center with resilient connections to multiple providers.

  • Multiple fiber optic carriers with dual entrance facility to the building
  • Redundant network components for ISP and network connectivity
  • Diverse and protected fiber optic rings for resilient Ethernet, SONET, and TDM communications to carrier hubs
  • Multiple fiber based, and traditional TDM or copper based carrier service providers
    • Level 3
    • ATT
    • Fibertech
    • Verizon
    • DQE Communications
    • Salsgiver Networks
    • Met Net
  • Communications presence in multiple carrier hotel, collocation, and hub facilities
    • ACM – Allegheny Center Mall
    • DQE Communications
    • Fibertech
    • Salsgiver Networks
  • For Internet Service Ascent Data has resilient high speed connections to multiple upstream Tier 1 Internet providers
    • ATT
    • Level 3
    • Global Crossing
  • Network Monitoring at the NOC – Network Operations Center
    • 24 by 7 by 365 Coverage
    • Certified SAS70 compliant Network Management systems, procedures and controls

Network Redundancy
The Technology Center is a state-of-the-art hosting facility, with the following characteristics:

  • A network built with a high performance switched architecture to provide reliable Internet access
  • Multiple network providers with fiber extended into the facility - 35Mbps burstable to 245MB bps
  • High Availability - Fail over CISCO powered firewall infrastructure
  • BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) – allows multiple paths into network
  • HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol) – allows multiple paths going out of network

Network Security

  • Firewall protection – The connection between client and Ascent Data includes firewall protection and secure solutions designed to meet the needs of the client. Ascent Data has established network tools to monitor and maintain system security
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) use advanced encryption and tunneling to establish secure, end-to-end, private network connections over the Internet. Ascent Data offers a range of VPN products, from VPN-optimized routers and firewalls to dedicated VPN concentrators, to create VPN solutions that meet the requirements of any organization
  • SSL (Secure Socket Layering) is used for Web-based applications
  • SSH – a file transfer that encrypts all traffic (including passwords) to effectively eliminate eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other network-level attacks. Closes several security holes associated with ftp.
  • Commercially available and Ascent Data developed tools are used to for accurate monitoring of each system
  • No dial-up modems are configured in the Technology Center. Secure access via SSH and VPN is permitted only on approved systems
  • Monitors include, but not limited to:
    • Network monitoring
    • Database- allows verification that a query can be processed by the database
    • URL- verifies availability and access time for specified URL
    • Ping- verifies the specified hosts are available via the network to ensure continuous availability
    • DNS- verifies that the DNS server is accepting requests and that the address for a specific domain name can be found
    • Port- determines whether a service on a port can be connected to
    • CPU- reports the percentage of CPU in use
    • Disk space- reports the percentage of disk space in use
    • Service- verifies that specified processes are running