Background:
Earlier this morning we experienced a spanning tree recalculation in DC-1 (Derby) Hall-1 – specifically the VLAN supporting 83.166.160.0/24, 83.166.161.0/24, 83.166.162.0/24 networks.
Impact:
Colocation customers on those affected networks, including DSL customers, may have experienced some transitory connectivity issues during spanning tree convergence which occurred between 06.55 & 07.10 on Friday 27th August.
Additional Information
Initial investigations of this incident have identified that it occurred as a result of planned maintenance on our MPLS Layer-2 Edge Ethernet Switches at Derby and Wakefield Data Centres. We are continuing our investigations. Following this we will likely implement configuration changes to prevent any re-occurrence of this issue. Any changes required will be performed during a planned maintenance window.
While it is important for Node4 to perform maintenance such as this to ensure the quality of our network, we do everything possible to minimize any inconvenience to our customers. We appreciate your patience and welcome any feedback.
Regards,
Node4 Support
Please be aware that all call tariffs are due to change from 25/08/2010.
Our call charges are determined by what is set by the relevant carriers and we always aim to be consistent in our pricing to our customers. In the past we have managed to absorb many of the rate changes into our existing tariffs, however this time there have been so many we are not able to and therefore have to re-calculate many of our charges.
Although the competitive rate for local and national calls is not going to change, all mobile rates as well as the majority of international rates are affected. In the case of mobile rates there has been a lot of fluctuation in the market driven by OFCOM conversations with the mobile operators. Other providers have already passed these changes on, but we have managed to hold off until now. We are expecting some further changes in the next few months, so if there are reductions we will work hard to pass these on.
Updated tariffs are available to download from the portal (www.node4.co.uk/portal). If you do not currently have portal access, please contact your Account Manager who will be able to create an account for you. We try to give as much notice as possible so these tariff changes will take effect on 25/08/2010.
We still continue to offer extremely competitive pricing and with our highly resilient SIP platform and focus on delivering excellent customer service we are confident you will still be able to enjoy the highest levels of service at the best possible prices.
Should you wish to discuss any further please contact your dedicated Account Manager.
Update 27/08/10 07.20 - Maintenance has been completed
Background:
Node4 engineers plan to perform maintenance on our “MPLS Access” Layer-2 Edge Ethernet Switches at DC-2 Derby and DC-3 Wakefield Data Centres. This planned maintenance will require a software upgrade and configuration changes on the switches in order to bring them in-line with standardised software versions and configurations we have deployed elsewhere in our network.
Impact:
Layer-2 MPLS Ethernet Interconnects, between our DC’s or DC to a POP, terminating on a “MPLS Access” Switch at Derby and/or Wakefield Data Centres will be impacted during this maintenance work. We expect three service outages, with each being up to 5 minutes. However these services will be deemed “at risk” until the maintenance work is completed. Colocation customers directly affected by this work have been notified via email (13/08/10).
Maintenance Window
Friday 27th August 06.50 – 07.50
The time of the planned maintenance has been chosen as historically this is when network traffic to the switches is at its lowest.
Our network operations engineers closely monitor the work and will do everything possible to minimize any inconvenience to you. If you have any problems with your connection after this time, or if you have any questions regarding the maintenance at any point, please call Technical Support at 0845 1232229 or visit www.node4.co.uk/support
While it is important for Node4 to perform maintenance such as this to ensure the quality of our network, we do everything possible to minimize any inconvenience to our customers. We appreciate your patience and welcome any feedback.
Regards,
Node4 Support
After previously announcing the location of our fourth site in Northampton, we are pleased to release details of the purchased site which is due to launch in early 2011.
The data centre will be around twice the size of our Wakefield site at approximately 41,000 sq ft making it our biggest site to date with an impressive planned capacity of 720 racks.
Specifications
The Northampton data centre will follow and build on the same high standards set at our existing Derby and Wakefield sites.
Power
- 4MVA of incoming mains power, split into 4 x 2MVA HV supplies (N+N).
- 4 x 2MVA transformers (N+N).
- 5 x 1MW generators (N+1), with dual fuel tanks.
- 12 x 500KVA UPS (N+N), with 8 minute autonomy (at last full load).
- Dual 32A feeds to all racks from separate transformers, panel boards and UPS sub-systems.
- Advanced power monitoring technology.
Cooling and Humidification
- N+N free cooling glycol based chillers.
- N+N high efficiency CRAC units.
- N+N humidification.
- Cold aisle containment system.
Fire Control
- Centralised fire suppression system, with double knock detection in data halls and plant room areas.
- VESDA early detection system.
- Monitored fire alarm.
Building Core and Layout
- 720 racks at 3.5KW per rack, fully redundant power split over 4 x 180 rack independent data halls.
- ISOClad fire rated construction of data halls.
- 800mm high specification 12kN/m2 raised access floor.
- Flexible room layout for low/high density racks with caged areas (if required).
- Onsite NOC.
- Hot desking facilities.
Security
- Fully managed IP CCTV system.
- Multiple swipe card access system.
- Overhead secure network cabling.
- Anti-tailgating devices.
- Secure build area.
- Secure caged storage.
- 24/7 onsite security.
Networking
- Multiple network fibre entry points.
- Carrier neutral.
- Part of the Node4 MPLS cloud.
- 10Gb (expandable) of redundant network connectivity.
On May 5th 2010, ICANN will complete the upgrade of the last DNS Root server to support DNSSEC. This upgrade will attach a digital signature to every response from the root servers where the DNS resolver is configured to request a signed response. More information on DNSSEC can be found at http://www.dnssec.net/
Twelve of the thirteen root servers have already been upgraded and ICANN have not identified any harmful effects of the DNSSEC upgrade.
Node4 have carried out tests on their DNS servers and are confident that customers should not experience any problems using this service. Node4 are encouraging all their customers to perform their own checks on equipment that DNS traffic will flow through on the way to and from their equipment to ensure the larger packet sizes do not cause any problems. Particular attention should be paid to any devices that perform traffic inspection such as firewalls or security enabled routers.
An easy to use tool to check for any issues that might arise as part of the DNSSEC upgrades can be found at http://labs.ripe.net/content/testing-your-resolver-dns-reply-size-issues
If you experience any problems with regard to the DNSSEC upgrade please contact the helpdesk via email at support@node4.co.uk
The Wakefield Data Centre, DC3 which is just outside Leeds is now open and welcoming new customers in.
The Mayor of Wakefield, Councillor Heather Hudson cut the ribbon alongside Node4’s MD, Andrew Gilbert, at the official opening event in July which was attended by around 100 invited customers and friends of the company, including special guests from the world of British Superbikes, Chris Walker and his team from Rob Mac Racing.
We are pleased that a substantial amount of the 450 rack capacity has already been sold.
DC3 is the next step in the development of Node4’s vision to be recognised as a leading data centre provider in the UK. The location of DC3 just outside the large city of Leeds helps us to expand our ever-growing customer base into the north of the UK.
The Wakefield data centre also allows us to provide a reliable and resilient disaster recovery solution not only to new customers, but also to existing customers at our Derby site to take advantage of the two locations.
DC3 is one of the first in the country to combine 2 of the latest energy saving technologies throughout the site: cold aisle containment and free cooling chillers. By using these methods, we hope to make DC3 one of the most energy efficient data centres in Europe.
Cold aisle containment is still a new but relatively simple idea to get the best efficiency from air conditioning units, ensuring that air at the most optimum temperature flows through the servers. Ultima Compact Freecool air conditioning units from Airedale International have been chosen to ensure that sound and vibrations are kept to a minimum, which in turn maximises the energy efficiency of the units without compromising the capacity.
You can find more details on the facility at http://www.node4.co.uk/products/dc3
If you would like to arrange a tour of the facility please contact the sales team on 0845 123 2222.
We would like to advise you of the upcoming 21CN (21st Century Network) upgrade works which will be affecting customers BT IP Stream DSL connections over the coming weeks and months.
The work is required to allow DSL customers to benefit from developments in next generation technologies including higher bandwidth speeds.
Whilst we will aim to make the change-over as smooth as possible, there will be some disruption to the Broadband service on the day of the upgrade. This will typically mean that end users may be unable to connect to their Broadband service for between 15 to 30 minutes. Unfortunately we are unable to specify any specific timings of when exactly this will be happening on the day itself.
From the time the customers broadband automatically reconnects to the service, the new 21CN line will be rigorously tested to ensure it will deliver services of the highest quality both now and in the future. During this period customers may experience drops in connection or a slower line speed for the first 4 to 10 days. Once the stabilisation period has been completed the Broadband service will continue to work as normal.
Regards,
Node4 Support
The next 2-3 weeks will see the final commissioning work at our new state of the art datacentre in Wakefield. The exterior of the building and the compound are now complete.
We will complete the battery and UPS installation this week and commission the airconditioning shortly after that. We will be kitting out our new NOC and reception area next week.
The building will be cleaned by a team of specialist data centre cleaners to recognised ISO clean-room standards and the initial batch of comms equipment will be installed and configured ready for the first customers to move in
Here are some pictures of the cold aisle pods we have installed in the rooms. We have 2 rooms completed, but we have only installed the pods in one room for now, the other will follow shortly.
It’s been a little while since we posted any updates on the Wakefield Project, but things are progressing well.
The site now has a mains electricity supply and construction of all the internal rooms have been completed. The raised access floor is fitted throughout the first 2 rooms and the service corridors
The images above show some of the switchgear in our plantroom (this controls the power into the building including the UPSs, generators and mains feed). The Purple Gear is for our A feed and the Orange Gear is for the B feed.
Also shown are the raised access floor being laid in one of the smaller data halls and a completed floor.
There is also a picture of our security pod situated in reception. All visitors to the DC will have to go through the security pod to gain access to the data halls. This device prevents tailgating and allows us to track all customer and staff movements in and out of the data centre.
Ongoing tasks in the build now include:
- Failover testing of mains / generator power
- Connection of power into the data halls
- Installation of CCTV and other security measures
- Installation of FM200 system and VESDA
- Installation of Comms Fibre
Our first set of racks are being installed on Monday in our Cold Aisle Pods. Click here for more information on Cold Aisle Containment
We thought we would give you a quick update on the progress of DC3.
The site is on track to open at the end of April and things are now moving on very quickly. 2 out of the 4 generators were delivered last week along with the fuel tanks. Now they are all in position the contractors are working on the cabling ready for the arrival of the mains distribution pannels which are due to be installed W/C 23rd March. As you can see below the panels are currently being built and will be going through acceptance testing next week.
The brick built substation is also nearly complete ready for the installation of the dual HV switches next week.
