Dedicated Hosting

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Dedicated Server Hosting- FAQ's

These questions have been asked by clients in the past. If you have a specific questions that is not answered here please email dedicatedhostingexperts@localweb.com or call toll free 1.800.525.0031 (outside USA call 919.544.4101 ) to speak to a professional dedicated server hosting expert.

Dedicated Server: Reliability
Dedicated Server: Hosting Capabilities
Dedicated Server: Security
Dedicated Server: Backups
Dedicated Server: Scalability
Dedicated Server: Data Transfer
Dedicated Server: Tools Available
Dedicated Server: Track Record

Dedicated Server: Reliability

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We guarantee 99.999% network reliability by the following means:

• Triple redundant backbone carriers (UUNet, Digex and Time Warner)

• Dual redundant architecture of all network components such as routers, switches etc.

• Continuous and automated monitoring 24/7/365, with alarm notifications. All our servers and routers are monitored automatically every 2.5 minutes. We also incorporate monitoring from multiple geographical locations for additional reliability.

• 100% uptime of clean power is assured via a bank of large capacity battery-backed UPS system, which in turn is backed by a dual 650kw diesel generator with an automatic transfer switch which is capable of switching on within 15 seconds, and running the data without refueling for 5 days (and indefinitely while fuel is available).

Dedicated Server: Hosting Capabilities

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Network topology: how direct is your connection to the Internet backbone?

Coming into the data center, we have triple redundant OC3 and OC12 connections from independent providers (UUNet, Time Warner, Digex, UUNet, and/or Sprint, Qwest). Each provider's OC3/OC12 connection comes in over a separate fiber connection and a different entry point into the building. From there, the connections go into a dual redundant mesh of Cisco routers and switches so that there is no single point of failure for any connection, cable, router or switch. The routers operate BGP 4 so that the connection to the Internet is maintained independently and transparently over the best available path over the three providers.

Bandwidth: what kind of Internet connections do you offer for hosting (i.e. T-1, T-3, Oc-3, Ds-S, etc?) Please explain your cost structure for bandwidth allocation and also how do you determine usage.

The data centers have triple redundant OC3 connections (155Mbps). Each server has a 100 Mbps connection to this OC3 backbone, and can burst up to 10Mbps.

The OC3 (155 Mbs) connections are less than 60% utilized, i.e. there is sufficient spare capacity for most applications. A typical web server uses anything from a few Gigabytes per month to 300-500 gigabytes per month, which is less than 1-2 Mbps per server for the busiest servers. Most servers use a small fraction of 1 Mbps bandwidth.

 

Dedicated Server: Security

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Systems Security

As an Internet and Web Service Provider we are very cognizant of the insecure nature of the Internet. We have numerous security practices in place, such as:

• Security coded into the border routers for IP address spoofing

• Firewalls placed at strategic locations throughout the network. We have several hardware firewalls such as Cisco PIX, NetGear, Sonicwall, and others.

• Network Intrusion Detection devices to detect suspicious activity

• Daily scanning of key servers by an independent organization ("HackerSafe.com") for the latest vulnerabilities for all our operating systems i.e. Windows, Linux, etc.

• Applying vendor security patches promptly as and when they are announced. For example we just upgraded over 60 Windows servers yesterday with the latest Windows security patches.

• Ensuring that our system administrators and technicians are up to date with the latest security techniques and issues.

Data Center Security

The data centers have physical security (24/7 on site security and surveillance cameras) as well as environmental security (temperature controlled, raised floors) and biometric as well as photo identification. The data center is manned 24/7/365. All cabinets are locked and keyed, and each customer has access only to their own individual cabinet(s). Cabinet keys are kept in our possession at all times, i.e. we do not distribute any cabinet keys to any customers.

Dedicated Server: Back ups

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Back ups: please explain methods used and back up frequency.

Back up Frequency

Full backups are done weekly on every server, and differential backups are done every night, on every server.

Back up methodologies which can be provided and supported by ADTI are as follows:

• Internal server backup : The server's system, data and user disk drives would most likely be configured in RAID arrays (RAID1, RAID5, RAID10 etc.) to protect against hardware failure of individual disk drives. In addition, the server has an additional volume of suitable size where daily and weekly backups can be stored on an automated basis. Restoration is manual, and could be either controlled by the Customer or by ADTI staff on request.

• Backup to an external storage array network ( SAN ) : All servers requiring backup could be connected to a central SAN (over a high-speed gigabit network), which in turn consists of RAID disk arrays to protect against disk drive failures, and is also backed up regularly to tape. This has the advantage that each server does not need to have additional internal storage space for backups, and the backup storage is saved on a secure, protected device independent of the server. ADTI can make SAN space available in chunks of 25GB, up to 4 terabytes of space on an EMC Clarion CX400, as well as other smaller SAN devices and arrays.

• Backup to an external tape drive or array library : This will provide a similar level of backup and recovery as an internal server backup, but with the difference that the storage media is a tape which can be removed, cataloged and stored separately for indefinite storage.

• Backup to tape with off-site storage : ADTI can arrange to have tapes saved and shipped to a secure, off-site facility for safe storage and recall, on a daily, weekly, monthly or other schedule as desired by Customer.

• Backup to a clustered server, in a "fail-over" configuration : The cluster could be configured in "active-passive" or "active-active with load balancing". This would provide rapid recovery from server failures.

Dedicated Server: Scalability

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Scalability: how quickly can you provide our organization with more processing power, storage space, and bandwidth?

ADTI is able to provide scalable solutions on demand.

ADTI's data center space has about 3000 - 4000 square feet of available space. The total data center space is 8000 square feet. ADTI has space available in a second, independent 10,000 square foot facility that is geographically distant from the first facility (about 10 miles away), which operates on a completely independent network infrastructure. More bandwidth can be added as desired.

Dedicated Server: Data Transfer

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Data Transfer: please explain the types of accesses available to clients (i.e. FTP, Telnet, etc.)

Customers can access their sites through a variety of methods:

• FTP: all accounts (virtual, dedicated, Linux, Windows), password and directory protected. This allows customers to upload and download their content. FTP access is unlimited.

• SSH (secure shell): Linux accounts, dedicated and virtual. Access is password protected, and the session is encrypted.

• Remote Desktop / Terminal Server: Windows 2003 dedicated servers only. Customers can access their server as if they were standing at the console at the server. This is for server administration access only. Dedicated server "users" will need additional terminal Server licensing.

• Root /administrator access: This is available to dedicated server customers only. Linux customers have root access via SSH. Windows customers have "Administrator" access via Remote Desktop / Terminal Server.

Dedicated Server: Tools available

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Please list and explain the type of programming tools, databases, and applets you make available.  

• Java (J2EE, JSP, Servlets, Javascript, SDK, Jakarta Tomcat)

• HTML, PHP, Cold Fusion, ASP, CGI, Perl

• Ecommerce: IBM Websphere, Miva, AbleCommerce, Interchange

• SQL: Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, MySQL

• Hosting: IIS 4.0 and 5.0, Apache, Linux, Windows 2000/NT, SUN Cobalt RAQ

• Email: MS Exchange, UNIX sendmail, qmail, iMail

Dedicated Server: Track Record

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Your track record: indicate your company history, how long you've been in the Web hosting business, and the financial stability of your company.

American Data Technology, Inc (ADTI) has been providing web services since 1995. The company was formed on 12/28/1990 . ADTI was one of the first hosting companies on the East coast. ADTI's customers benefit from its experience and technical expertise in the areas of web hosting, web design dedicated and managed hosting, email services and e-commerce.

Web hosting industry is a volatile one - where the companies come and go or merge. This directly affects the web hosting clients who are often left stranded, not knowing where to get technical support. ADTI is a stable company with no outside investor funds or VC money injected to jump starts the operations. This distinct advantage places consumer confidence in ADTI and directly accounts for less than average "churn rate." Churn rate in web hosting industry refers to the number of cancellations per month. Furthermore, the company has steadily increased its revenues despite the slow economy and the bursting of the "internet bubble."

The success of ADTI is indicative in the numbers. The company had zero clients in 1995 and currently has over 2,500 in 42 countries. This success comes from:

• Extensive knowledge of Internet - Our Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Mike Salim worked on the Internet backbone project in 1989-1993 (National Science Foundation Project).

• Excellent customer service - 24/7/365 tech support, servers monitored every 2.5 minutes from three different geographical locations.

• Talented staff - Fully trained systems administrators, programmers, accounting and web designers.

We have experience in providing web hosting services to an educational and/or governmental institution. For example, for the last several years we have been providing dedicated web hosting solutions to an educational institution overseas. We know that educational and governmental institutions' web sites require maximum security and monitoring and can provide this. We are also an approved erate provider for web hosting and email services and also have been awarded Federal government contracting vehicles: GSA Schedule 70. We can provide anti-spam and anti-virus protection to save time and money for the above-mentioned institutions.


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