Zero-Downtime Network™
The Rackspace network has been engineered from the ground up to
accommodate the high-availability demands of our customers'
mission-critical Web applications. Our Cisco-powered,
Zero-Downtime Network™ has unique self-healing attributes that
allow us to deliver on our 100% infrastructure availability
guarantee.
Rackspace doesn’t rely on any single connectivity provider.
Instead, we employ a multi-provider strategy. This offers
benefits over simply partnering with one network carrier.
Working with multiple network carriers creates natural
redundancy in our network architecture and ensures that packets
can leave our network from multiple points. Additionally, if one
or more providers experience congestion or downtime, traffic can
be rerouted through other network partners until the issue is
solved.
Beyond simply providing redundancy in case a particular provider
experiences downtime, our proprietary networking technology
allows our network operations team to actively probe the public
Internet for packet loss and latency and automatically reroutes
traffic around these areas. This ensures that traffic leaving
the Rackspace network is not bound for a part of the public
Internet that is heavily congested.
Guaranteed Packet Delivery
Our providers are paid to make sure that packets of information
are delivered quickly and efficiently to your end users. This
offers significant advantages over simply peering with the major
backbones. Peering agreements rarely include Service Level
Agreements (SLAs) so no one is accountable for lost packets at
congested exchange points. Because Rackspace has SLAs with all
of our network partners, we are able to guarantee that all
packets will leave our network at full speed.
Bandwidth Utilization
Rackspace substantial bandwidth capacity allows us to
accommodate even the largest spikes in traffic. To ensure rapid
delivery of content, we continuously add network connectivity
and new routes. Low bandwidth utilization allows for maximum
uptime, even if multiple transit partners experience
simultaneous outages.
Network Providers
We work closely with leading telecommunications providers to
build and maintain our world-class network.
Data
Centers
Rackspace Managed Hosting owns and operates four Tier-1 data
centers located in Texas, Virginia and London, England. Each
data center is engineered to the highest levels, with extensive
systems to address security and network redundancy, enabling
Rackspace to offer our 100% infrastructure availability
guarantee.
Security
Access to data centers is restricted by two-factor
authentication including Biometric hand scanners. Rackspace data
centers are physically isolated from everyone but level three
technicians. Public access is strictly forbidden. All entrances
and common areas are monitored 24x7 via closed-circuit cameras.
Precision Environment
Our data centers’ HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning)
systems are 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. All air is circulated and filtered every
90 seconds to remove dust and contaminants. 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.
Conditioned Power
Power systems in Rackspace data centers are designed to run
uninterrupted even in the unlikely event of a total power
outage. All servers are fed with conditioned UPS
(Uninterruptible 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, on-site diesel generators can
run indefinitely. Generators are regularly tested to ensure
functionality in the event of an emergency.
Core Routing Equipment
We use only fully redundant, enterprise-class routing equipment
housed in its own secure, core routing room and fed with its own
redundant power supply. Our fiber carriers enter the facilities
at disparate access points to ensure that there is no service
failure, even in the unlikely event of a fiber cut.
Network Technicians
At Rackspace, we realize that a Tier-1 data center is more than
hardware and software. That's why we employ a certified
networking and security team with years of experience in
managing and monitoring enterprise-level networks. Our certified
Rackspace network technicians are trained to the highest
standards to ensure that we are able to meet our 100%
infrastructure availability guarantee.
Web Hosting
In keeping with our philosophy of providing
value to our customers, LK &
Associates has developed hosting plans to
meet the growing needs of customers that
require more from their hosting provider.
LK & Associates offers customers a competitive selection of
web hosting packages, all managed by a 24 hour, 7 day a week
Network Operations Center (NOC).
Customers are provided with a choice of pre-configured
packages, and with the flexibility to upgrade to additional
packages at will.
