NetSource Data Center

NetSource is a full service datacenter providing Chicago and Chicago suburbs with enterprise hosting services. NetSource's datacenter is located in Naperville, IL with additional cage space in Chicago. NetSource has been in business since 1995 and is a full SSAE16 Type 2 hosting facility. NetSource works with small, medium, and companies as large as Fortune 500.

NetSource offers colocation rack space (single U, 1/3 rack, 1/2 rack, full racks), and other managed hosting services including custom dedicated hardware like private cloud setups. NetSource can rent rack space month to month or with longer terms for additional savings.

Overview

NetSource is a Chicago area (Naperville, IL) hosting company that owns and
operates a world class datacenter. NetSource hired an engineering company
specializing in the construction of ANSI / TIA 942 datacenters to build the center
described in this document. This provided NetSource a unique opportunity to
build the center from the ground up according to the most recent standards
available. In particular NetSource referred to the ANSI/TIA 942 standard for
datacenters, the only approved standard in existence at the time of construction,
PCI-DSS standards for security, and most recently SSAE16 Type 2 / SAS70
Type 2 compliance. These standards call for rigorous procedures in all facets
of datacenter operation. Plus, we were able to leverage 17 years of experience in
the Internet business.

The current SSAE16 Type 2 audit verifies and tests our operations and
procedures to conform to the highest standards. See the NetSource engagement
letter from The Moore Group that specializes in SSAE16/SAS70 audits of
datacenters for more information. The audit report is available to a customer's
auditors upon request.

Security

Security is one of the most important aspects of datacenter operation to
NetSource and its customers. NetSource provides a secure facility that has
passed, first time, many customer audits. NetSource maintains a security policy
according to the PCI-DSS standard. NetSource provides locked access to the
building and to the main datacenter. Only qualified staff are allowed in the
datacenter. NetSource provides video surveillance throughout the facility and
stores digital video for at least 120 days. Customers are required to read and sign
data center procedures before NetSource allows entry to the datacenter.
NetSource enforces sign-in procedures and logs all entry to datacenter rooms
electronically. Once inside the datacenter all server and network equipment is in
closed and locked cabinets, there are no open racks.
NetSource secures critical networks with firewalls and/or intrusion detection
systems. Special software monitors the logs from firewall and IDS systems to
report events that need attention. This is a brief summary of the security
procedures enforced at NetSource. See the data center specifications for more
information.


Reliability

Reliability is another key goal of the NetSource datacenter. NetSource considers
itself a tier 3 datacenter according to the uptime institute definitions. Measured
uptime of the NetSource backbone network over the last four years is 99.997%.
Achieving this uptime over a long four year period is due to NetSource's
knowledge, network architecture, and procedures.

NetSource maintains at least an N+1 architecture in power, cooling, and
networking. NetSource utilizes physically diverse Internet connections and
network entry points into the building. The APC UPSs are configured as N+1
with automatic bypass and with generator backup. The generator(s) also support
the cooling systems. The computer room air conditioners are maintained with
N+1 redundancy and maintain the room at the temperatures and humidity
required by the ANSI 942 standard.

Customers have the option to connect to the NetSource backbone with redundant
network connections and use redundant A/B power going through separate
circuit breakers for the highest level of reliability all the way to the customer's
equipment.

Performance

To keep peak performance, NetSource uses full 10 gigabit per second fiber
connections to the Internet and supports at least gigabit speeds in its backbone
network. Customers have the option to connect to the backbone at 1 gbps, 100
mbps, 10 mbps, or custom speeds as needed. NetSource monitors its connections
for low packet loss and low latencies and provides appropriate SLAs to customers
to ensure high performance. Packet loss is effectively zero with latencies in the
backbone on less than 1 millisecond.

NetSource also monitors connections on the general Internet to make sure its
Internet providers continue with a high performance service. Key destinations
around the USA are measured between 20 and 30 milliseconds on average.


Maintenance and Monitoring

NetSource constantly monitors and maintains its datacenter. Every piece of
equipment has a maintenance plan. All key networking elements including
routers, firewalls, CRACs, UPSs, servers are monitored by automated systems
that send alerts on failure. This includes customer's network connections and
optionally their systems. NetSource has contracts with third party vendors to
maintain certain equipment like CRACs, generators, and fire suppression
systems. NetSource has documented emergency recovery procedures that cover
every kind of datacenter failure and it focuses first on prevention. NetSource
uses redundant systems to keep mean time to failure low. NetSource keeps spare
equipment for fast repairs to keep mean time to repair low.
See the data center specifications for more information.

Summary

This document has provided a brief summary of some of the key elements of the
NetSource datacenter specifications and procedures. This document is not
intended to provide all information regarding procedures but provides enough
information to give the overview. For more information, see the other documents
that NetSource provides publicly as listed below.

•Data center procedures for working in an active data center, for customers
•Acceptable use policies
•Data center specifications
•SSAE16 Type II / SAS70 Type II audit report
•The NetSource website at http://www.ntsource.com

NetSource owns and operates our own Chicago area datacenter providing us
complete control over the quality of the hosting service we provide. NetSource
can host your web site, business application, and mission critical data in our
state-of-the-art data center. You will get the highest reliability and performance
with 100% network availability including our redundant gigabit fiber bandwidth
connections to the Internet. Please review our data center specifications below
and see why our Chicagoland (Naperville) data center has some of the highest
customer ratings in the midwest.



Data Center Overview Document 2013

Main Network Specifications and Datacenter Features:
NetSource's datacenter was build using the TIA-942 datacenter standards and
provides you with a fully redundant hosting solution for your business. NetSource
maintains the datacenter with scheduled maintenance on all critical datacenter
systems. NetSource has many years of experience (since 1995) managing a
complex hosting environment for businesses. Our Network is made up of 10
gigabit fiber connections coming from multiple providers to ensure your
connection is always available. Call NetSource at 866-778-1212 with your
questions.

•New data center was built to ANSI / TIA 942 DATACENTER STANDARDS
•Customers have been audited and passed HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley, Gramm-Leach-Bliley
•NetSource is SSAE16 Type II / SAS70 Type II Compliant which documents processes
•Data center is PCI compliant for credit card handling and handling of financial data
•Quality APC datacenter components including racks, cooling, and backup UPS systems
•Multiple Physical POEs (points of entry) for fiber inputs into center
•Capacity Planning - No fiber optic link will ever peak at more than 33% of its capacity
•10 GBPS fiber connections for high bandwidth needs – redundant carriers
•100 MBPS connections (or better) to NetSource's routers from your server is standard
•Instant growth and scalability - Potential to install additioan bandwidth at any time.
•Redundant bandwidth carriers means no single point of provider failure
•BGP4 is being used on border routers to ensure the quickest path between every request
•42 U, 21 U, 14 U, locking cabinets supporting standard 19" mounting rails
•20-amp 120 volt AC circuits, 3-phase 208V circuits available. 60 Amps in each rack
•Custom dedicated hosting, colocation, and managed services available
•We can work with you on creating a disaster recovery plan using trained specialists
•Geographically stable (low disaster occurrence location in USA)
•Located 35 mi west of Chicago, Illinois. Located 1/2 mile off I-88
•Senior Level system administrators on call 24/7/365 with emergency phone numbers


Datacenter Power System Specifications:

The datacenter electrical power system contains fully redundant uninterruptible
power systems (UPS) with Cummins diesel backup generator. NetSource has
regular scheduled maintenance checks on all power systems to ensure they will
work when they are needed. You can trust NetSource's power system because we
have proven the success of our infrastructure with zero failures and regular
checks via our SAS70 Type II audits. NetSource is also located in a new section of
Naperville and our physical location has some of the most reliable power in the
state of Illinois.

•Redundant APC UPS's - uninterruptible power supply batteries, powers equipment
•Cummins generators - Hospital-grade diesel generators provide for all datacenter operations with N+1
•Dense high capacity circuit distribution to prevent circuit failures or load issues
•120 VAC and 208 VAC (single and three phase power availability) - 60 amps possible in each rack
•24/7 Electrical circuit load monitoring and management by trained professionals
•N+1 Power Redundancy on all systems. No single point of failures possible
•APC valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries providing backup at full load
•Generator backup - 24 hours of on-site fuel plus emergency refueling with N+1 generators
•Uninterrupted transfer of power using high capacity UPS and Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
•Transfer of power is completely automatic and transparent in the event of an outage
•Regularly scheduled maintenance with certified power generator contractors
•24/7/365 monitoring of generator systems at Network Operations Center - NOC



Datacenter Cooling / Environmental Specifications:

The NetSource datacenter has redundant HVAC systems, so at maximum cooling
events a system can be completely down and it will not affect room conditions.
NetSource keeps the front of our racks at between 69-70 F to ensure your server
equipment runs as efficiently as possible. NetSource also controls the humidity in
the center to ensure a long life for your equipment. As a third level of safety,
NetSource has fully mobile 8 ton air units that can be used during maintenance.
Our setup ensures a cool environment for your equipment.

•Redundant HVAC cooling capacity controlled to (+/-) 2 degrees of 70 degrees
•Liebert and APC datacenter grade air conditioners in N+1 setup to ensure 100% up-time.
•Leak detection system - upon detection of any water near system,
•Equipped with high capacity HVAC data center grade systems installed by datacenter specialists
•N+1 Redundancy on all cooling systems means we have no single point of failure
•Data center environment maintained at optimal temperature and humidity levels for equipment
•N+1 Power Redundancy on all systems. No single point of failures possible
•24/7/365 HVAC emergency service contracted by certified professionals with years of experience
•Contracted maintenance with certified HVAC contractors specializing in APC Equipment
•Computer controlled humidification system takes the guess work out of the controls
•10 foot ceiling height contributes to maintaining ambient air temp of 70 degrees F
•2 foot raised floor for under floor cooling is very efficient for cooling datacenter


Fire Detection and Suppression System Specifications:

The NetSource data center is protected by dual fire protection systems.
NetSource maintains both FM200 water-less fire suppression and Fike dry pipe
pre-action fire protection systems, thus allowing NetSource to offer the best
available fire protection in existence today. NetSource has also placed the entire
data center inside of a fire protected area to prevent fire from entering the center
from an outside source. Careful planning and high end equipment ensures that
your expensive investment is safe with NetSource.

•Full fire detection systems installed above and below racks in datacenter to address issues
•Photoelectric early warning smoke detectors installed for early warnings
•Heat detection warning systems act as secondary system to smoke detectors
•FM-200 fire suppression system - safe gas based fire removal system addressing issues
•Dual interlock pre-action dry pipe fire suppression systems for added protection
•Water held outside critical equipment areas and is not directly above equipment
•Fail-safe alarm system to prevent false discharge or tampering of system when armed
•Server room has been fire-protected on all 4 walls to prevent fire creep from outside source
•Zone-specific discharge of pre-action systems to limit negative effect of a discharge


Security Specifications for Datacenter:

NetSource is committed to providing the highest level of security to safeguard
your equipment 24 hours a day. With multiple levels of security, entry into the
data center is restricted by proximity cards and access codes. Video surveillance
and stringent data center escort requirements protect server access and our
client's equipment. NetSource maintains over 90 days of electronic video
coverage that can be reviewed at any time. Come in for a tour and find out why so
many businesses choose NetSource to safeguard their equipment.
•Cement building with no windows in datacenter prevents entry or viewing of equipment

•No signage describing NetSource's data center services on outside building
•Intrusion detection alarm systems in place throughout the datacenter
•Event driven, fixed mount digital Closed Circuit (CCTV) with digital archive
•All entry, exit, and datacenter locations under video surveillance 24/7
•Fail-safe alarm system to prevent false discharge or tampering of system
•Key card and Code Access required to enter datacenter at all times
•Database of individuals authorized to access the facility is used and monitored
•Every individual rack in the datacenter is always locked with access code and key
•Emergency pager and phone support to all clients for emergency priority
•All access is electronically logged into a NetSource client database via keycards.


Datacenter Operations Control Center Specifications:

NetSource has a state-of-the-art NOC to view and monitor our entire system.
NetSource employs professional system administrators that have been trained on
emergency techniques and management of both Windows and Linux servers. The
core of NetSource's main technical team has been with the company for over 10
years. NetSource provides all of our clients 24/7/365 technical support in person
or on the phone, and we also have a support ticket system for non-emergency
issues. NetSource has experience with small, medium, and Fortune 500 clients.

•State-of-the-art high resolution data audio/video screens to monitor data
•Command consoles for control of local and remote systems in datacenter
•Secure, highly restricted access to operations center by trained staff only
•Monitor and control of environmental systems - ex. electrical and cooling
•Network systems 24/7/365 monitoring and management to ensure up time
•Remote systems for backup service monitoring during non business hours
•NetSource has highly trained system administers on staff at all times
•Control Center (NOC) built from the ground up as a datacenter control room
CVS:Processes/Marketing/datacenterOverview.odt NetSource Public 7 of 8


Misc. Datacenter Conveniences For NetSource Customers:

NetSource offers items like roof access for customer equipment, customer
convenience rooms, and other features that provide an added level of service to
our customers. For example, NetSource has a customer convenience room that
will allow you to work quietly, eat lunch, or make a cup of coffee. We even have
conference room space if you need to have a company meeting at NetSource. If
you have specific questions about our datacenter, please feel free to call us at any
time. You can schedule a tour at anytime by calling 866-778-1212.

•Full roof rights for antenna installations if your hosting environment needs access
•We can mount most types of antennas with proper documentation and advanced planning
•Roof portals for waterproof cable entry so that installation is easy and effective
•Satellite or Cable TV can be brought into our center for specific needs
•Special customer convenience room with kitchen, bathrooms, and quite areas to work
•On-site office space setup room that can be reserved without charge for current customers
•Conference room with audio / visual facilities that can be reserved for special meetings
•Fully functioning crash-carts in the datacenter so you don't need to bring your own equipment
•Staffed system administrators to answer your questions or meet with you on your setup
•Access to all major telecommunications providers in the building. We offer Cross-Connects
•Datacenter is kept clean and dust free to ensure proper equipment functionality