networking

Why Does the Network Matter?

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As companies adapt to a new reality, they are increasingly relying on multiple IT service providers to replace traditional infrastructure and meet ever-changing IT needs. For many, this means transitioning to new platforms and providers, and to cloud and colocation services for more reliable storage, operations and security. So what does this mean for the network in 2021 – and beyond?

Why the Network Matters in 2021

Both in-house and cloud computing needs are growing and changing – and connectivity and bandwidth needs are shifting too. According to Megaport, organizations that rely on public internet connectivity will find themselves at a disadvantage, plagued by security and reliability issues.

the network
photo credit: @brett-sayles accessed 6/9/21 via CC0

At the same time, migrating company data into cloud environments – and establishing the connectivity required to support them – is growing increasingly complex as demand increases. In order to maintain a fast, secure connection that supports employee needs and company operations, IT managers must understand the network options. Further, they must choose a reliable, scalable solution that meets company needs.

How to Choose the Right Network Connectivity

To streamline and simplify IT, many companies are turning to IT as a Service, or ITaaS, models to operate and maintain their IT platforms, products and services. Not only does this simplify IT management, but it also improves performance and increases security.

One service under the ITaaS umbrella is Network as a Service, or NaaS. This provides on-demand, dedicated connections to cloud providers and networks, as well as software and integration with cloud providers. NaaS providers can also – and perhaps most importantly – help you determine the right network connectivity solution for your company’s unique needs.

Need help finding the right network for your business? Contact Vaultas today.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

The Benefits of Internet Exchange Points

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In our last blog post, we provided an introduction to internet exchange points and peering, discussing the basics and general benefits of internet exchange points. Today, we’ll continue with a more detailed discussion of IXPs, and who and how they can benefit. Curious about whether an IXP is right for your business? Read on!

To recap: Internet exchange points, or IXPs, are access points through with providers connect their networks and exchange traffic. They are not internet service providers, but act as a switch that directs internet traffic to different networks.

Internet exchange points can be especially beneficial for local and small businesses, universities, and similar institutions. This is because the majority of their traffic is local. Therefore, by exchanging traffic with other local providers in the internet exchange point, the internet will become less congested and more efficient, leading to improved performance on apps and websites. Further, businesses won’t have to upgrade their internet networks nearly as often. This is a win-win for everyone on the IXP!

To further illustrate the benefits of internet exchange points: imagine that your internet service provider is located in New Jersey. So if you’re forwarding an email to your neighbor, it will first go to New Jersey before it goes across the street. Wouldn’t it be faster if your email was sent to a network in your city rather than a faraway location? Of course, all internet traffic eventually gets where it needs to go. But IXPs help it get there faster and more efficiently, improving the performance from the user’s standpoint.

Still not sure if an IXP will benefit your business? Give Vaultas a call – we’re happy to go over the details with you. Vaultas is a premier provider of IT solutions, providing data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage and more. Get in touch to learn more about how our services can benefit your business.

An Introduction to Internet Exchange Points and Peering

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The needs and potential uses of the internet continue to shift among businesses in Minnesota and around the country. In response, the internet itself is changing, with more opportunities for connection, agility and security. At Vaultas, we’re always working to stay at the forefront of trends, determining whether they’re just that – trends – or whether they represent ongoing and long-term changes in how Minnesota companies are doing business online. Internet exchange points and peering are two such developments.

So what are internet exchange points, or IXPs? Here’s a brief definition, courtesy of Techopedia:

“An internet exchange point (IXP) is a physical network access point through which major network providers connect their networks and exchange traffic. The primary focus of an exchange point is to facilitate network interconnection through an exchange access point instead of third-party networks.”

While IXPs allow network operators to exchange traffic, they are not internet service providers and cannot, on their own, connect a user to the internet. Instead, they function as a sort of “building block” of the internet. In more relative terms, an IXP is usually an Ethernet switch to which networks connect one or more routers, thereby sending traffic across the switch to other networks.

So who connects to IXPs? Generally, internet service providers (ISPs) connect in order to allow their customers to communicate. In addition, content providers or advertisers may connect to IXPs in order to spread their content to customers of other ISPs.

Peering is an essential aspect of IXPs. But what is peering? DrPeering defines it as:

“Internet Peering is a local routing optimization, a way to exchange some of your traffic with neither party incurring Internet Transit fees.”

So while IXPs are the point at which ISPs connect and share information, peering is the process by which that sharing occurs. Peering allows networks to connect and exchange traffic without having to pay a third party to move the traffic across the internet. Peering is often less expensive than similar information sharing processes, and it gives network operators greater control over traffic flows.

Vaultas offers a wide variety of network connection options, and because we’re carrier– and vendor-neutral, we’ll work to find the best hybrid IT solution for you and your business. To learn more or get started, contact us today.