InstaHost Network Information

We understand the importance of speed, security, and stability, and have invested heavily in hardware and facilities that ensure your sites are up and running on the web 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We have conducted many hours of research looking at all of the top network providers and have given special attention not only at their current network topology, but also their financial outlook and past financial performance.  With the telecommunications market fluctuating constantly, we so must be evaluating the top telecommunication companies that play a pivotal role in the design and operation of the internet.

AT&T provides us with a Tier 1 Internet backbone for all of our internet servers.  AT&T offers a diversely high speed network with optimal peering points into secondary networks around the world.  Of all the Internet hosting providers around the world,  AT&T's networks, customer support and facility infrastructure places AT&T as the leader for internet connectivity.   Some hosting companies would probably disagree with the above statement, putting costs in front of service. There are hosting companies which are cheaper than AT&T. However none have the redundancy and network infrastructure comparable to AT&T. It is for this reason that we have chosen AT&T as our network service provider.  They are clearly the best!

AT&T Internet Data Centers

AT&T has a network of world-class quality web hosting centers around the world. AT&T  Internet Data Centers (IDCs) are optimized to provide an industry-leading web, data, and applications hosting environment. These centers are designed to stay up and running, protected from power failure, physical intrusion and network outages by extensive back-up power and cooling systems, multi-layered security, and network redundancy and diversity.

AT&T IDC network includes 18 centers operating on three continents and in 11 different major U.S. markets. All of these locations were carefully selected to be on or near a central network peering point to ensure the greatest geographic diversity and to maximize reach and performance.

AT&T is setting the stage for the next generation of Web hosting and business Internet solutions. Here’s why:

Network
AT&T IDCs have network access capacity of 7.2 Gigabits on an AT&T Local Services ring that is redundant and diverse. Dual access routers connect IDC to multiple AT&T IP backbone nodes via dual OC-48 connections. Back-end connectivity and network services options available include ATM, Frame Relay, private line, IP and local-switched, and circuit-switched services with local access provided by both AT&T and the incumbent local service provider.

Security
Security is provided 24X7 and includes guards, closed-circuit monitors, alarmed doors with secure card-key access, biometric scanner, “man-trap” restricted access to the data floor and options for locking equipment enclosures (cabinets or cages). Guards maintain access to the loading dock and access requires a card key. Security personnel also monitor the building. Building and environmental alarms are monitored locally by a 24X7 maintenance staff and also remotely by the AT&T Network Operations Center.

Power
AT&T IDCs are designed for 90W/sq ft of raised floor. Most have dual (2N) Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), each with multiple modules synchronized to work in unison or independently. UPS systems receive power from both commercial power feeders and standby generators and are designed to support a fully loaded center for 15 minutes via its internal battery plant.

In case of a commercial power failure, banks of diesel generators in an N+1 design (at full load) provide power to the center within one minute of a commercial power outage. The one-minute gap is covered by the UPS battery system to ensure no impact on equipment. During an extended commercial power outage, the diesel generators provide power using the fuel stored in underground tanks. The diesel generators provide power using fuel stored on site. Fuel suppliers are on standby to provide additional service.

Fire Suppression & Detection
Smoke detection is via a state-of-the-art VESDA (air sampling) smoke detection and alarm system. Fire suppression is via a pre-action dry pipe system. VESDA systems are 100 times more sensitive than conventional fire detection systems. Detectors are grouped into zones. When one or more detectors detect smoke, the fire alarm panel opens the deluge valve to fill the sprinkler piping with water. In case of an actual fire, the seal on the sprinkler head will melt and discharge water on the affected area.

Risk Assessment
AT&T IDCs undergo an extensive set of AT&T standards-based risk assessments to ensure that they are at low risk of outages, as well as flood, earthquakes, wind, and other physical risks. Several sites have (San Diego) or are undergoing (Chicago area & Secaucus) SAS-70 certification (type 2 test - most strenuous). All AT&T IDCs adhere to these same standards of reliability and resiliency.