Connectivity solutions: in and to the Data Center, Office and Cloud

What is connectivity?

In the context of colocation, connectivity refers to network connections and internet connections: 1) between network infrastructure in data centers, 2) for to the office and 3) for to the cloud. With this, connectivity provides connection of servers and computers to the internet, hybrid IT and business networking. For the latter, consider office networks, and communications between autonomous networks for using services from other organizations and companies.

Connectivity solutions
The aforementioned three connectivity solutions – for in and to the data center, to the office and to the cloud – are normally indispensable for the business that is renting rack space. Therefore, renting a server room in a professional data center includes arranging connectivity. In other words, colocation and connectivity are closely linked. There are specific technical standards and infrastructure options for each connectivity solution. These range from business internet, fiber optic connections and cloud connect to a variety of network connection options with associated protocols. Examples include IP Connect / IP Transit, Cross Connect, Metro Connect, WDM Connect, Dark Fiber, VLAN, IPv4 / IPv6 addresses and BGP. We explain these connectivity tools one by one later on this page. These tools are customizable for constructing internet and network connectivity as efficiently as possible (cost-effectively, reliably and at high speed), focusing on desired goals and applications.

Connectivity:

• Is inseparable from colocation
• Relates to 1) data center connections
• Relates to 2) the office network
• Relates to 3) cloud connect / hybrid IT
• Establishes high-quality connections to the internet
• Forms and links local computer networks
• Connects autonomous network (services) with each other
• Uses business internet, fiber optic and dark fiber
• Uses established infrastructure tools and protocols

Connectivity of DC1.AMSTERDAM

DC1.AMSTERDAM provides colocation and hybrid connectivity (from 1 or 10Gbps) in one; with low latency connections and redundant network routes, on a strong, autonomous base.

The benefits of getting connectivity through DC1.AMSTERDAM

The answer to the question: “What is connectivity?” has already been provided. We talked about connectivity in the context of renting rack space, in a professional data center. Colocation and connectivity belong together: they are not functional without each other. The company renting a server room also wants, or rather must, have the solutions for internet and network connections immediately and properly arranged.

What does colocation service provider DC1.AMSTERDAM have to offer as a solution to the business internet and networking problem? What are the advantages of DC1.AMSTERDAM when it comes to connectivity? We will explain that to you now.

DC1.AMSTERDAM offers colocation and connectivity in one. That’s a first, major advantage. With us as a colocation provider, you have only one partner, one point of contact, for both essential data center services. This saves a lot of hassle, research and time. Importantly, our connectivity services are also of the highest level. That you pay a favorable price for it. And that we always actually offer the best solution. And we do. With custom connectivity. Indeed, we are fully autonomous in this.

Autonomous connectivity provider
DC1.AMSTERDAM is an autonomously organized connectivity provider. We perform all associated services and (connection) work in house. So in addition to our colocation services, we also work independently in our connectivity services. In doing so, we are fully familiar with the market of business internet providers and other relevant parties for data center connectivity.

In short, outsourcing connectivity to DC1.AMSTERDAM is interesting for multiple reasons, precisely because of the combination of our knowledge and expertise with an excellent network. This manifests itself in custom solutions for high-quality connectivity. We will explain this in the following paragraphs. Moreover, as a customer, you benefit from an attractive price advantage as a result of our market knowledge, our good contacts, contracts and the economies of scale we achieve.

High-quality connectivity: here’s why
DC1.AMSTERDAM offers reasonably priced (internet) connectivity. And we set it up according to your needs. We do this in accordance with the company’s requirements: scalable, carefully tailored to its IT equipment, with reliable connections and, of course, with the required capacity. But there is more we can tell you about the high quality of our mission-critical, stable, fast and therefore cost-saving data center connectivity.

Because of our autonomy, our offer is independent. And that makes us different. Unlike many other providers of business (internet) connectivity, we are not tied to one vendor. We work with the well-known Dutch providers and global TIER-1 providers (carriers). As mentioned above, that means we offer a wide choice and are also independent. So we always have the best value for money within reach, focused on the specific situation.

It’s not just about the best fiber optic, VLAN or DSL connections with high availability and within redundantly built networks. Thanks to our own autonomous network, we also respond flexibly to additional services and needs. For example, we help think about the layout, to achieve the fastest connection from the office to the nearest internet point.

Establishing short, fast network routes for the connectivity needs in question is a specialty that DC1.AMSTERDAM has mastered. So we aim for direct connections or else only for the better quality transit providers. If there are delays on the internet, we can also route data traffic through another, more efficient route at the time. In addition, in our data centers, we offer flexible connectivity to top cloud providers, connectivity between data centers, direct connections to internet exchanges, BGP support, internet (IP Connect / IP Transit), IP addresses (IPv4 and IPv6) and more. We will now explain each of these individual connectivity solutions in more detail. In doing so, we divide these services into connectivity for the data center, for the office and for the cloud.

Connectivity solutions (1): in and to the data center

As described, connectivity services are closely related to renting a server room. Company servers and related network equipment are located in the data center. The question arises: what do connectivity solutions – in general and from DC1.AMSTERDAM in particular – consist of in terms of internet and network connections in the data center? The answers are about IP Connect / IP Transit, Cross Connect, Metro Connect, WDM Connect, Dark Fiber, VLAN, IPv4 / IPv6 addresses and BGP.

We describe these data center connectivity solutions item by item in the following paragraphs. We will tell you what they entail and what DC1.AMSTERDAM can do for you – and what makes them stand out.

IP Connect / IP Transit

Are you renting a server room? Then you can request an IP connect for high-quality business internet with extra capacity: data center internet. To do this, you request IP transit for in your rack, and this is possible with DC1.AMSTERDAM. With this, you obtain a more advanced internet connection than standard business internet such as for the office. IP connect offers higher port speeds and connections of at least 1 or 10Gbps.

Cross Connect

Want to establish a direct connection between your rack and another party’s rack in that same data center? We call that a cross connect. You use it to establish a private connection to that other party’s facilities, usually via fiber, over a relatively short (indoor) route. Cross connects are widely used. This is because it is less expensive than building a longer connection to a data center further away.

Therefore, it pays if your rack is located in a data center that also houses the IT infrastructure of organizations offering the desired services. In advance, you may not always know which businesses and facilities these will be. This reinforces the added value of placing your (server) equipment in one of our data centers where many other organizations are also housed, with their potentially interesting services.

You can easily outsource the installation of a cross connect to DC1.AMSTERDAM. With a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the owner of the other rack, we obtain permission to make the necessary connections to your rack for this. Then you can patch yourself: custom configuring the new network connection, including plugging in the necessary network cables.

Metro Connect

A direct connection between your rack and that of a party housed in another data center, if still within the same metropolitan area, is called a metro connect. As with a cross connect, you obtain a direct connection from your (server) equipment to that other party’s services. But with a metro connect, their server rack is elsewhere. This requires a connection going out of the building, usually to another data center. So a metro connect literally goes further than a cross connect. You also easily outsource a metro connect to DC1.AMSTERDAM. With an LOA, just as with a cross connect, we can prepare the rack for the necessary connections, after which you can patch the further physical connection(s) yourself.

WDM Connect

Do you need a fiber optic pathway for a new connection? Then you can ‘hitch a ride’ on an already existing Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) fiber. WDM is an efficient and therefore economical solution for those who need multiple, or even many, separate connections. After all, apart from an investment in the connection equipment, via WDM, you purchase one physical fiber optic pathway – instead of a separate pathway for each individual connection.

In a WDM connect, one fiber optic cable consists of different wavelengths of light, each with a color. The input color is the same as the output color. On the input side, light from each individual wavelength is given a unique source of information each time. This way, a WDM fiber, over a single cable can provide multiple, independent connections.

With WDM connect, there is a distinction between CWDM (Conventional/Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing) and DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing). With CWDM, a maximum of 18 colors can pass through the fiber cable. With DWDM, up to 160 colors are possible. DC1.AMSTERDAM provides both WDM connect capabilities.

Dark Fiber

For connectivity in a data center, dark fiber is possible in addition to a WDM connection or a VLAN connection (see below). That is an exclusive fiber optic connection over a long-distance route, directly from the starting point to the end point. These connection points do not necessarily have to be in a data center.

The name dark fiber comes from the fact that there is literally no light on it. It is an extension of a metro connect which, as described above, is a direct connection between two points within the same city or metropolis. So dark fiber goes beyond those boundaries, as is the case with a network pathway from one city to another.

A dark fiber is the most exclusive network connection, followed by a WDM connection and then a VLAN (see the explanation later on this page). DC1.AMSTERDAM regularly receives requests for setting up a dark fiber. With our knowledge of the market and contacts with the supplying parties in the region, we offer not only a high-quality, but also affordable dark fiber solution for every location and situation.

VLAN

A LAN (Local Area Network) is a shielded, local computer network within which connected devices can quickly exchange data and files. To create multiple LANs on a larger scale in one go and thus cost effectively, there is VLAN: a Virtual Local Area Network. In this virtual partitioning, each separate LAN is given its own digital attribute. Each LAN is separated digitally instead of physically through the actual cabling.

A VLAN also provides rapid expansion capabilities for LANs. As a business, do you want to connect a LAN in your data center rack, with attached data and files, to your office elsewhere in the country? Do you not have your own IT department or would you rather not burden it with this expertise? As a colocation provider, DC1.AMSTERDAM can assist with this without having to do all kinds of physical wiring work. Instead, within our network in the Netherlands, we assign a VLAN that traverses the requested route quickly and efficiently.

QinQ
Does your business need a multitude of new VLANs? Then DC1.AMSTERDAM uses QinQ technology. This allows a range of identical VLANs to be combined in a single network transport, without interference between them. For example, have you rented two racks, in two of our data centers? And do you want to establish a large array of VLANs from one rack to another? You can. With QinQ, we then give the identical VLANs an overarching ID so that we can actually send them as one information package. Then the VLANs in the rack of final destination get their own ID again. So through us as an intermediary, you only need to register one ID for multiple VLAN transport.

IPv4 / IPv6 addresses

The Internet Protocol uses a standard address format: the IP address. Each IP address forms a unique, numeric identity based on which systems can communicate with each other. Do you rent rack space through DC1.AMSTERDAM? Then you can rent IP addresses through us with each uplink – a connection from the rack to the internet.

DC1.AMSTERDAM rents out IPv4 addresses (Internet Protocol version 4) and offers free IPv6 addresses (Internet Protocol version 6). The newer IPv6 offers a vastly larger range of unique addresses (a 128-bit range for hexadecimal combinations separated by a colon) than IPv4 addresses, which are starting to run out. Another advantage of the updated internet protocol standard IPv6 is that it establishes faster, more efficient connections between unique devices, thanks to the possibility of direct communication between them. However, IPv4 is also still widely in use.

DC1.AMSTERDAM offers both IPv4 addresses and IPv6 addresses. You can also purchase your own IP address(es) independently and move them anywhere. This limits the sometimes cumbersome administrative and communication actions when switching. Many businesses, however, choose the convenience of leasing a larger range of IP addresses, partly for security, software redundancy and for differentiating their online services. This can be done affordably, as we rent out IP addresses (IPv4, in addition to free IPv6), in blocks of ranges, for only a small amount per address per month.

BGP

The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is the routing protocol of the internet. BGP also allows independent, autonomous networks from different network providers to communicate with each other. Without BGP, no reciprocal routes between these providers would be possible, and their networks could only operate in isolation.

Multi homing
What can DC1.AMSTERDAM take off your hands when it comes to the Border Gateway Protocol? This brings us to multi homing. As a renter of rack space, you want to be able to (pretty much) guarantee your accessibility with this. You do this by using different internet connections, through different vendors.

If you opt for multi homing, then you automatically engage in BGP as well. By being BGP accessible, you increase control, stability and vendor independence. With independent internet connections through not one, but two transit providers, you play it safe. Sometimes it is even necessary, such as for compliance reasons. This is about redundancy at the transit provider level.

Configuration advice
DC1.AMSTERDAM can advise customers who opt for multi homing on the underlying network infrastructure, among other things. We can help you figure out the configuration and thus help find a workable multi homing solution.

DC1.AMSTERDAM AS
We offer the ability to advertise the customer’s prefix (group of IP addresses housed in an AS number) under our own AS number. In the case of the so-called BYOIP (Bring Your Own IP), the customer then only needs to perform an administrative action with the IP address manager such as RIPE. The AS (Autonomous System) number of DC1.AMSTERDAM can then be used for this purpose, after which the desired route can go through our own independent network.

Border Gateway Protocol, AS and IP addresses: the current overview

Connectivity solutions (2): to the office

We will now describe the network services when it comes to connections to the office. ‘Connectivity for the office’ is a broad term. But whatever this means for you; we can help make it happen. Not just internet connectivity, but a wide variety of other connectivity issues as well. All the way down to exceptional, customer-specific requirements. We have both a best-effort solution and a SLA solution for every situation. We offer office connectivity via business internet, VLAN and dark fiber.

Business Internet

DC1.AMSTERDAM offers business internet in the form of fiber and DSL. What are our digital flavors, for a customized solution for each customer?

Fiber optic
Fiber optic connections are available at the regular level and at the guarantee level through a SLA (Service Level Agreement). To start with the first: we offer broad access to regular, standard and thus more affordable business internet connections. As a best-effort network service, we offer fiber optic connections via WBA (Wholesale Broadband Access) on KPN’s reliable network. The independent networks Coanet (Odido, formerly Cambrium) and Open Dutch Fiber (also Odido) are also easily and affordably accessible via DC1.AMSTERDAM.

In any case, the fiber optic lines with guarantee that we use are those of Ziggo, DCspine, Eurofiber and Odido, formerly Tele2 / T-Mobile. These labels offer the ‘true’ business fiber optic connections (mostly with VLAN). Not only because of the associated SLA/guarantee, but also because of the often greater available capacity.

DSL
A business internet connection via DSL – the slower copper – is also still available. DSL is still provided over KPN’s reliable WBA network.

VLAN

As a provider of connectivity to the office, we are also able to ‘bridge’ VLANs; from data center locations to office and retail locations. This network bridging does not necessarily have to be an internet connection. In this flexible form of business connectivity, we establish a network link from one location to another, based on a VLAN from Ziggo, Eurofiber or other vendor.

Dark Fiber

DC1.AMSTERDAM can also provide a dark fiber for (internet) connectivity to the office. Our suppliers, with delivery commitment, are primarily Relined and Eurofiber, in addition to several regional parties. With this, we provide direct fiber optic connections between the office and multiple data centers, e.g. in triangular form.

We offer a great deal of flexibility in connectivity to the office. It certainly doesn’t always have to be a connection with internet access. We can, for instance, have connectivity from various office or retail locations lead back to a data center rack, and only then connect to the internet from there, for security reasons.

So as a customer, you stay in control of your internet access with your own IP addresses, but for the underlying physical connections, for example, let DC1.AMSTERDAM set up the additional dark fiber connections. It’s all possible; physical connections are the starting point, and then the applications are very broad.

Connectivity solutions (3): to the cloud

As a colocation connectivity provider, taking the burden of hybrid IT off your hands is a given for us. Quickly arrange a direct connection to the public cloud via DC1.AMSTERDAM; via cloud connect or VPN (tunnel).

Cloud Connect

For hosting, backups and storing files and data: the public cloud is indispensable. We have direct, low latency cloud connections to Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud, Salesforce Cloud, SAP Cloud Platform and Nutanix Enterprise Cloud. We can establish this for you by means of a flexibly configurable VLAN.

We provide and manage these direct, global network connections to the cloud under an SLA. In this process, the continuity of network traffic is guaranteed through redundant connections.

VPN (tunnel)

Of course, you can also use a VPN to establish a cloud connect. This ‘entry-level’ model is also possible using the independent (!) network of DC1.AMSTERDAM. With that, you already benefit from our secure, proprietary, direct connections to the mentioned public cloud global players, including Google and Amazon.

What makes DC1.AMSTERDAM autonomous as a connectivity provider?

The term ‘autonomous’ has come up before. And for good reason. In order to provide the best quality of connectivity for every requirement and situation, it is crucial to be able to independently choose the most suitable one in all cases. But what exactly does this autonomy look like for us? How do our connectivity services come about?

In our philosophy, autonomy is an undeniable part of the internet. The internet consists of a huge collection of networks – and we contribute to that internet connectivity as well. We do so according to that core value of the internet: autonomously. To their very core, all of our internet services and facilities are designed as follows.

Our own autonomous network
First, we ourselves, DC1.AMSTERDAM, have set up our own network fully autonomously. We have two main physical locations for this purpose, each with a (Juniper) core router. The (Amsterdam) locations of the main routers in our network are Equinix AM7 and Nikhef. In terms of network infrastructure, these data centers are among the best accessible in the Netherlands, and Nikhef even in the world. For each router, mirrored left and right, we have redundant one-to-one links to world-leading TIER-1 providers (carriers), internet exchanges and content providers.

The crux for a good connectivity provider? That is to be present with one’s own network wherever there are many, preferably hundreds of other parties with their networks and online services. This ensures potential low-threshold access to numerous facilities. But even more important is the quality of those networks and the low latency associated with direct, in-house access to them. After all, the closer (as the end user of the internet connection) to the source, with few or even no intervening other parties, the faster and better the transmission. Moreover, the smaller the chance of interruptions, the greater the stability and often the greater the capacity.

DC1.AMSTERDAM provides direct connections and the shortest physical and redundant network routes. These can be divided into routes to 1) parties providing online content and services, 2) peering routes and 3) transit routes.

1 Content service providers
Private Network Interconnect (PNI) gives our core networks direct connectivity options with the world’s largest content providers. We are directly connected to Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix, Twitch, Megaport and T-Mobile (Odido). This does not require the detour of IP transit (see below). This produces very low latency, as to Google: with a connection speed of under 1 millisecond.

2 Peering
Through so-called peering, we can provide network connectivity through multiple internet exchanges spread across several data centers. DC1.AMSTERDAM has central, physical, redundant links with AMS-IX, SpeedIX, InterIX and Frys-IX.

3 Transit
To the extent that no PNI or peering is possible for direct access to major providers of online services and networks, there are the IP transit connections. DC1.AMSTERDAM is connected to the best transit providers, including GTT and NTT. These are transatlantic network parties, TIER 1 network providers, which are effectively the aorta / backbone of the internet.

Connectivity prices and specifications

See the price overview of the colocation and connectivity solutions of DC1.AMSTERDAM here. As you can see, one of the things we offer is a redundant internet uplink (1Gbps or 10Gbps) with full racks. Internet data traffic and bandwidth are always included (flat fee). Also included as standard are IPv4 (8x) and IPv6 addresses. The same applies to redundant power supply (A + B feed), in each package. Power costs are based on consumption, except for the shared rack package. Also inquire about our advice, network and operational work when it comes to customized connectivity solutions.

“Our office is now directly connected to both of our data center locations, via dark fiber. DC1.AMSTERDAM helped us turnkey with both colocation and 100Gbps connectivity, between a total of three locations. In fact, we now have 100Gbps internet access in the office. With this integrated solution, we are, absolutely, very pleased.”

Data center locations for connectivity

As a colocation service provider, DC1.AMSTERDAM is located in three high-quality data centers in Amsterdam, through our strategic data center partners Digital Realty and NorthC. The three locations are Data Center Business Park (AMS18), Data Center Science Park (AMS17, Data Tower) and Data Center Fokker Logistics Park (OUM01) in Oude Meer.

In addition to professional colocation, we also offer connectivity, tailored to specific customer requirements. You can read all about it on this connectivity information page. As a rack space customer, this gives you multiple assurances through a single, affordable deal. You combine an excellent spot in a great data center with a turnkey connectivity solution. So you don’t have to look for an external partner for business internet. Moreover, we offer this customized and also more affordably!

Even more locations for connectivity
In addition to a colocation spot in one of three professional data centers, containing the facilities you need, we have an even larger number of locations where these connectivity services can be provided. The starting point is our own autonomous main network with two core routers, in the best network data center locations: Equinix AM7 and Nikhef. As part of those two network locations, DC1.AMSTERDAM already provides direct, low-latency access to the online content and services of several hundred global players. In addition, we have access to the locations of about five internet exchanges through peering: AMS-IX, SpeedIX, InterIX and Frys-IX. Finally, for IP transit connectivity, we are connected to best transatlantic TIER 1 network providers, including GTT and NTT.

DC1.AMSTERDAM: contact us

Autonomous solutions for colocation and connectivity! Do you have questions in response to the above information? Want to meet someone from our cooperative company in person? We are happy to help you find the right connectivity.