Data Center Features

Connectivity

From UUNET, Verio, Genuity, Quest, AT &T & Yipes

The use of non-blocking gigabit devices throughout the network ensures regional latency of a few milliseconds or less, suitable for the most demanding delay-sensitive traffic. Use of redundant fiber rings ensures network reliability and availability.

The data center has connections to many different Internet backbones including Qwest, AT&T, Level3, Genuity, Time Warner and Yipes. By connecting to multiple tier 1 backbones, the data can be distributed through many sources. This architectural design also means that the network connections are not dependent upon an single Internet backbone. Thus when probems occur, traffic rerouting is automatic, thereby ensuring the integrity of the network and continued access for our high-speed servers.

Network Redundancy

DoomShell WEBHOSTING uses intelligent end-user routing software called Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) between there OC-3's. BGP identifies which path is the most efficient for each data packet and then routes the packet to its destination on the fastest path. This increases the speed at which web pages sent from our NOC arrive at their destination.

Studies have shown that the most common reason for downtime is circuit failure on Tier 1 provider backbones, the major data highways. To guard against this potential problem, we have two Tier-1 providers. If one experiences problems, we can route traffic down another one. Furthermore, because we are OnNet with Level(3) and Qwest, we share their digital distribution architecture, which includes private peering network connections to major Internet carriers such as MCI, Sprint, UUNET, EUNET, AT&T, AOL, Best, Erols, @Home, IBM Advantis and others. These private peering arrangements allow DoomShell WEBHOSTING to quickly and efficiently exchange packets of data with every major backbone carrier in a one-to-one environment.

Network Reliability

Industry analysis reveals that 70% of downtime of over 10 hours with any ISP is caused by telephone circuit failure. With DoomShell WEBHOSTING, circuit failure is virtually eliminated as we are with Level(3) and Qwest.

DoomShell WEBHOSTING's providers also have peering connections with other major Tier 1 providers that allow traffic to be switched to alternate backbones should the need arise.

DoomShell WEBHOSTING recognizes that downtime is not an option for your servers. That's why we invest heavily in hardware and facilities that ensure that your clients are up and running on the web 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

DoomShell WEBHOSTING's Network Operations Center (NOC) features raised flooring. This enables a constant flow of conditioned air and helps to maintain uniform room temperature at all times. In addition, raised flooring reduces static and ensures a professional, computer-grade environment for your servers.

Finally, the NOC is located in a secure, monitored, class A building with a minimum number of approved personnel allowed access to highly sensitive areas and equipment. A detailed record of employee and visitor entry is maintained at all times.

Uninterruptible Power System

To guard against local power failures, DoomShell WEBHOSTING has two industrial-grade, three-phase Liebert UPS systems. These act as back-up batteries, maintaining uninterrupted power in case of surges or power outages. With these back-up systems in place, we can keep our network up and running indefinitely without relying on external power.

Industrial-Grade Air Conditioners

DoomShell WEBHOSTING's NOC has two Liebert 10 ton industrial air conditioners that condition our computer rooms and operations center. Air temperature is maintained at an optimal 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Custom Web Servers

DoomShell WEBHOSTING's web servers are custom-built industrial machines designed for a 24/7 web serving environment. All DoomShell WEBHOSTING servers are equipped with dual-redundant, 400-watt power supplies, hot swap Seagate Baracuda/Cheetah drives and force-filtered cooling systems. In addition, our NOC is equipped with an inventory of identically configured, burned-in standby servers.

Force Filtered Cooling

All of DoomShell WEBHOSTING's custom web servers are equipped with a positive-pressure filtered-air system. Four large fans pull filtered air into each server's protective case, and the components within are cooled by fans that circulate this purified air. This constant introduction of clean air into the case creates a positive pressure environment ensuring that dust and particles remain outside the server.

Redundant Hot Swap Power Supplies

Each server employs dual-redundant hot swap power supplies. If a power supply were to fail, the server would continue running with power from the alternate supply. Meanwhile, alarms would alert a technician, who would quickly restore redundancy. In the meantime, servers and client sites would experience no downtime.

Standby Servers

We keep spare servers online of all CPU configurations. If a server were to experience a hardware failure, we would turn a key, grab the handle on the drive, pull it out and insert it into an identical standby CPU. We would then reboot the second machine, and the server would be up and running again in a matter of minutes.

Server Details

Our managed dedicated servers are a completely turnkey, relatively maintenance free dedicated server solution. We provide all of the necessary hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance to keep your server running as smoothly as possible. Additionally, we also monitor your server and the various software packages running on it on a 24/7 basis.

Hardware

We provide all hardware and are responsible for maintaining the hardware. Should any piece of hardware fail, we replace it at no cost to you.

Software

All of our servers come with equipped with a completely secure version of Windows 2000. Your server will utilize IIS for Web and FTP servers, Microsoft's DNS Server, and a shared version of iMail server for POP3 / IMAP4 / SMTP services. We are responsible for the initial configuration, ongoing maintenance, and we proactively will install any vendor patches, updates and security workarounds as they are released. We will also assist you and in troubleshooting any issue related to Windows 2000, IIS or iMail.

Security

Initially, we configure your server to be as secure as possible. Additionally, we also ensure that your server remains secure by installing any vendor security fixes as soon as they are released and by using Microsoft's URLScan to detect and reject and malicious requests to IIS. All of our managed dedicated servers are placed behind our ICSA-certified hardware firewall for additional protection.

Monitoring

We monitor the health of your server and the individual software components running on it (DNS Server, IIS, etc) every 60 seconds. When we detect a problem, technicians are emailed immediately and paged if the problem isn't resolved within 8 minutes. Upon being notified, our technicians begin working immediately to fix the problem. We provide this level of service on a 24x7 basis, 365 days a year.

Backup

All of your data files are backed up on a daily basis. Should you ever need us to restore a file, there's no charge! Currently all files are backed up to a server that has a 110GB mirrored array for redundancy.

Other Services

We also provide a number of additional managed services, including log file rotation and providing you with real-time data transfer information for your server. Additionally, we are always more than willing to provide you any advice you need!