Consume Multiple Data Center Services through One Cross Connect
Hybrid IT, Colocation, Connectivity, Marketplace in Data Centers
In the first part of this series on why and how we developed the Cyxtera Extensible Data Center (CXD), we discussed the need to modernize the colocation experience. In part two, we discussed on-demand connectivity.
In part three, we focus on some feature functionality of the CXD known as the CXD Unified Services Port (or CXD Port).
Specialized connectivity solutions within a data center may be supported in a number of ways. The primary ways to interconnect to others or to specific services are through a traditional hardwired cross connect and physical port, or virtual connections via a platform-based solution.
Platform-based solutions take on many forms, and data center operators deploy platforms to support services such as an Internet Exchange, a Cloud Connect platform, or even an Ethernet Exchange. In most cases, customers need a separate connection for each platform to consume the service provided by that platform. Whereas with the CXD Port, our customers can consume multiple services through one cross connect and one port, eliminating the need to purchase separate connectivity into many different platforms.
As we discussed in the last post, connecting colocation into CXD is fast and simple – customers simply purchase a CXD Port (which includes a redundant, layer 1 fiber cross connect) in either 1Gbps or 10Gbps options, which is then hard wired to the colocation space and power environment. This is a standard connection methodology and employed within all data center environments. Once connected, customers can then take advantage of the ecosystem of services and/or connection opportunities available across CXD via the provisioning of secure layer 2 VLANs, or ‘virtual cross connects.’
Unlike other providers, Cyxtera customers can access any service available over CXD through one unified port without the need to provision and manage multiple cross connects and ports. New VLANs can be provisioned and existing VLANs can be managed through the web-based portal – the CXD Command Center – or through the CXD API. All of this saves time and money while allowing connections to be deployed in near real time.
A high-level diagram of what we are describing can be seen here:
In our next segment we will discuss the CXD Compute Node infrastructure and how customers may take advantage of that exciting service to help virtualize and develop their colocation environment over the CXD, taking advantage of the CXD’s Unified Services Port and powerful compute architecture.
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Learn more about Cyxtera CXD and how we deliver on-demand network connectivity.
Views and opinions expressed in our blog posts are those of the employees who made them and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Company. A reader should not unduly rely on any statements made therein.
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