Advantage of Colocation Bandwidth
Colocation is locating your servers in a colocation facility,
also known as a carrier hotel. Advantages of this approach include
ready availability of low cost bandwidth including 10 Mbps Ethernet,
100 Mbps Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet options. These data
centers also offer backup power, environmental control and high
levels of security.
What does Convergence mean?
Convergence is the merging of voice, data and often video onto
a single network. Most often that network is a company LAN with
enough bandwidth to accommodate all users and QoS or Quality of
Service control to ensure high quality voice and video transmissions.
Where does a VPN make sense?
A VPN or Virtual Private Network is a security technique to allow
public networks, like the Internet, to be used for secure private
data transmission. Since Internet access is almost universally
available, using VPN software to encrypt data into private tunnels
is more cost effective than building a fully meshed network to
connect many locations.
What is PoE?
PoE means power over the Ethernet. It is a way to provide a DC
power supply over network lines to energize security cameras,
VoIP telephones, badge readers, wireless access points and other
devices that might not have an AC outlet nearby.
Will Carriers "Light Buildings"?
Some will if their closest point of presence (POP) is within a
mile or so of your location. The farther away you are, the higher
the bandwidth commitment needs to be in order to justify the carrier's
construction costs.