Technology
CWCS Managed Hosting, is committed to operating its own autonomous data centre facilities in Nottingham. We currently have 2 data centres based in Nottingham. We host shared, dedicated and co-located servers.
As standard our Data Centres feature:
- Two or more connections to the Internet
- Advanced Fire Suppression
- 24/7/365 Site Monitoring
- Network Operations Centre
- Multiple Uninterruptable Power Supplies
- Backup Generator
Nottingham Data Centre Facility
Our connectivity is delivered through three separate providers,
enabling CWCS Managed Hosting to guarantee redundancy and high
availability:
- BT NET
- NTL:Telewest
- Verizon Business
What is BGP4 and do we use it?
BGP4 is a protocol that allows two (or more) Internet connections to work together. Its two main advantages are that it offers a high level of redundancy, so if one line should fail the other automatically takes over without the customer ever knowing there was a problem, and that it improves the speed of connection to our servers for the end user, as BGP4 can calculate the best and fastest route to its destination and take that specific route.
Why we choose our bandwidth providers
All three providers have invested millions of pounds in building reliable, sophisticated and redundant networks which allow us to offer a high web site availability to our clients. BT has their own fibre network, with fibre entering our building at different points to offer high levels of redundancy. NTL:Telewest is delivered on their own fibre based network, again entering the building at a different point to increase redundancy.
We review and monitor our bandwidth 24 hours a day, and have the ability to increase it with ease. We are currently using less than 40% of our bandwidth, even at peak times.
Data Centre Highlights
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Power
Our 400 KVA dedicated electricity supply was designed and installed to meet our diverse electrical needs. Power is routed through our lightning protection system, Generator changeover panel and redundant UPSs before getting to the servers. This ensures that all power to the servers is supplied at a smooth rate.
UPS
Two 200 KVA Uninterruptible Power Supplies protect our network in case of power failure. Should the power to our network fail, our high power UPS automatically kicks in to take the load of all the servers and network hardware
Generator
As our second line of defence against power failure we have installed three industrial generators, capable of supplying enough electricity to our entire data centre and office area for an indefinite period of time. This means that in the event of a major utility power failure your web site will still be available.
Lightning Protection
To guard against the threat of lightning (which could send spikes through the electricity supply and damage servers) we have installed a Furse lightning protection system. If an illegal spike is detected the system automatically takes this spike and destroys it. This system provides protection between all sets of conductors (phase to neutral, phase to earth and neutral to earth) ensuring total protection and closing all transient paths to equipment.
Fire Protection
Fire Alarms are in place with very early smoke detection apparatus (VESDA) installed. Should a fire break out in the data centre then our FM200 Fire Suppression System will be triggered, in seconds FM200 gas will be released into the room extinguishing the fire. FM200 is a computer friendly gas that will not harm computers or leave a residue.
Air Conditioning
Our data centre is equipped with powerful air conditioning systems to maintain a consistently controlled environment.
Water Detection
In the unlikely event that water leaks into the data centre then sensors throughout the area will detect the leak and sound the alarm to our network operations centre staff.
High Security
The data centre was built with security in mind, equipped with the latest in access control and intruder protection systems fully protected and linked to the RedGuard system that will notify the Police automatically in the event of a security breach. We have five levels of security from entering the building to the data centre, it is restrict by pin number access, key and motion sensors. It is also monitored by CCTV recording systems at all times.
Replacement
We maintain a storage "buffer" of replacement hardware onsite to support all clients's system components, such as hard drives, network cards, memory and power supplies. We offer free hardware replacement on hardware that we supply.
