Data centres & high capacity

Backups running late? Start with volume and route.

Connecting data centres means sizing traffic and deciding who operates transmission. Compare Ethernet, Wave, Spectrum and Dark Fibre against your transfer window, equipment and need for control.

Let’s talk
Racks and optical fibre in a data centre setting.

Colt capabilities to consider

Connection inside the data centre

The service may be delivered in an interconnection room (MMR, Meet-Me Room) or a shared equipment area (CEA, Common Equipment Area). Internal cabling (a cross-connect) connects this point to the customer’s equipment cabinet (rack).

External network

Data centre

Interconnection pointHandover point
Internal connection to validate
Customer equipment cabinet

Optional private enclosure (cage)

The handover point, internal connection and responsibilities must be validated. A Colt-connected data centre is not necessarily operated by Colt.

When it matters

More capacity helps when the connection is the bottleneck.

Backups miss their window
Compare volume, available time and storage performance before upgrading the circuit.
More traffic between centres
Measure peaks and growth to decide whether to retain Ethernet or consider optical transport.
More optical control
Identify available equipment and expertise before taking responsibility for transponders or all transmission.
Equipment at another centre
Specify space, power and interconnections to compare a rack with a private enclosure.

Criteria for your project

Who operates transmission?
Wave, Spectrum and Dark Fibre divide responsibilities differently; compare them with your equipment and operating capability.
Do routes share a risk?
Review paths, building entries and common points: two circuits can fail for the same physical reason.
What should happen on failure?
Define priority traffic and tolerable recovery time to choose protection and test the alternative path.
Can you use the capacity?
Check volume and transfer window against interfaces, equipment and storage; circuit speed alone does not explain performance.
Where is service delivered?
Identify the interconnection room, internal connection and rack; assign who orders and operates each segment.

Who takes responsibility?

ServiceColt scope to validateCustomer scope to validate
Ethernet
Colt scope to validateLayer 2 connectivity
Customer scope to validateCustomer interfaces and network
Wave
Colt scope to validateWavelength / optical service
Customer scope to validateEquipment and handover interface
Spectrum
Colt scope to validateSpectrum and managed line system
Customer scope to validateTransponders and compatibility
Dark Fibre
Colt scope to validateUnlit fibre
Customer scope to validateOptics, capacity and operation

Demarcation, equipment and maintenance are specified in the offer; this is not a better-to-worse ranking.

Questions worth asking

Is Dark Fibre always better?

No. Dark Fibre supplies unlit fibre and requires you to operate transmission; Wave provides a managed optical service. Spectrum is another option if you retain your own transponders. Bring routes, capacity and equipment details to compare responsibilities and compatibility.

What does a Colt-connected data centre mean?

Colt connectivity does not mean Colt operates the centre. Agree the handover, internal cabling, space and power with the party responsible for each segment.

The service may be delivered in an interconnection room (MMR, Meet-Me Room) or a shared equipment area (CEA, Common Equipment Area). Internal cabling (a cross-connect) connects this point to the customer’s equipment cabinet (rack).

External network

Data centre

Interconnection pointHandover point
Internal connection to validate
Customer equipment cabinet

Optional private enclosure (cage)

An isolated product is rarely the complete answer.

Replication between centres

Illustrative case: a nightly backup exceeds its window. Compare Ethernet or Wave against volume and interfaces, with internal connections at both ends. Measure storage too, and test recovery over the planned alternative route.

Controlled optical scale

Illustrative case: you own transponders and need to grow. Spectrum lets you consider Colt’s line system; Dark Fibre means taking responsibility for transmission. Compare compatibility, maintenance and routes with managed Wave before deciding.

Explore Colt’s sources

Availability, coverage, capabilities, SLAs and timelines are subject to technical validation and contract. No diagram is a service guarantee.

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