
Network Redundancy
MILESTONE HOSTING 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 MILESTONE HOSTING 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 MILESTONE HOSTING, circuit
failure is virtually eliminated as we are with Level(3)
and Qwest.
MILESTONE HOSTING'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.
MILESTONE HOSTING 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.
MILESTONE HOSTING'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, MILESTONE
HOSTING 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
MILESTONE HOSTING'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
MILESTONE HOSTING's web servers are custom-built
industrial machines designed for a 24/7 web serving
environment. All MILESTONE HOSTING 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 MILESTONE HOSTING'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.