Hosted Solution Network Center

Novo Solutions' server(s) are housed in a network center that has been engineered from the ground up to accommodate the high-availability demands of the internet's most popular web sites.

This center utilizes multiple backbone telecommunications providers including: AT&T, Broadwing Communications, Qwest Communications International, SAVVIS Communications, SBC Time Warner, UUNet (an MCI Company). The current network consists of: seven DS-3 lines, three OC-3 lines and one OC-12 line.

BGP4 Routing
The network runs the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP4) for best case routing. The entirely switched, Cisco powered network employs Cisco GSR 12000 class routers running HSRP (N+1 hot failover) to ensure that data can be routed even in the event of a router failure. The BGP4 protocol is a standard that allows for the routing of packets of information sent out from the Network. Each packet of information is evaluated and sent over the best route possible. Because of our redundant network architecture, packets may be sent via alternative routes even if they are being delivered to the same end user. Should one of our providers fail, packets leaving our network are automatically redirected through another route via a different provider.

Bandwidth Utilization
The network currently has plenty of excess capacity, even during peak hours. This allows for us to accommodate even the largest spikes in traffic that are often associated with the most popular Web sites. We are always adding network connectivity and new routes in an effort to make sure content is delivered to your users as efficiently as possible. A low bandwidth utilization also allows for maximum uptime, even if one of the backbone network providers has an outage.

Physical Security
The data center is physically isolated from everyone but level three technicians. Public access is strictly forbidden. Access to the floor the data center resides on is restricted to those holding military-grade passcards. Furthermore, access to the data center itself is restricted by Biometric hand scanners.

Location
The data center is located in San Antonio, Texas. It is an ideal location for the data center because of the absence of natural disasters. San Antonio is on the most seismically stable soil in the US. In fact, San Antonio is one of only two places in the US that Lloyd's of London will underwrite for earthquake insurance. Additionally, the absence of hurricanes and tornadoes make the data center the perfect location for your mission-critical data.

Conditioned Power
Power systems in the data centers are designed to run uninterrupted even in the unlikely event of a total power outage. All servers are fed with conditioned UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) power that will run if utility power fails. The UPS power subsystem is N+1 redundant with instantaneous failover in case the primary UPS fails. In the event of an extended power outage, an on-site diesel generator can run indefinitely. The generator is regularly tested to ensure that it will continue to function in the event of an emergency.

A Precision Environment
Our server(s) are housed in meticulously tidy data centers. All air is circulated and filtered every 90 seconds to remove dust and contaminants. The data center's HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) system is N+1 redundant to ensure that - even in the event of an entire HVAC system failure - there is a duplicate system on standby to take over. An advanced fire-suppression system is in place to prevent any fire from spreading - in the unlikely event that one could start. All cables to servers and routing equipment are securely tied down, and cable racks suspended from the ceiling provide dual routes for all cables. In the event that all cables on a cable rack are cut or burned, packets of data will automatically be routed to a second set of cables on the other side of the data center.