We use only Dell servers in our web hosting platform. Utilising state-of-the-art technology we have built a web hosting platform that is second to none. Our platform is designed in such a way that if any server fails another server automatically and without delay takes over that server's workload. For example, if one of our mail servers breaks down another server automatically comes online, with all the correct configuration, and takes over the work of the failed server. During this period no email is lost. As well as this, all data is stored in two large network disk arrays. Data is automatically synchronised between the arrays so that in the event of an array failing the remaining array continues to serve data to the servers with no downtime.
Our network arrays operate RAID, a way of configuring a system so a disk can fail with no impact to data. As explained above we also operate our network arrays in mirrored pairs so a whole array can fail with no impact. Each array is also backed up each night to a separate backup cluster which is then written to tape and stored offsite. Our backup procedure goes above and beyond the majority of web hosting companies.
The following diagram represents our web hosting infrastructure.
Our current server specification is:
Our network operates on industry-leading network equipment from Cisco Systems. All our switches and routers are developed by Cisco. Our network is based on gigabit technology, which means that it runs at a speed of 1000 Mb per second - most web hosting networks are limited to 100 Mb per second. Our network also utilises 100% CAT6 network cable, which contains four pairs of copper wire and, unlike CAT5, utilises all four pairs. CAT6 supports Gigabit (1000 Mbps) Ethernet and supports communications at more than twice the speed of CAT5e, which is the other popular standard for Gigabit Ethernet cabling.
CentOS is the leading provider of Linux open source software. For many years now CentOS Linux has been the number one choice for web hosting companies, not just because of CentOS's amazing scalability but also because of its track record as the most stable operating system available in the market today. Our systems utilise the latest CentOS server technology to allow our servers to be continually up to date with CentOS system & security patches. Unlike many of our competitors we run CentOS Enterprise Linux, the most stable release of CentOS Linux available and the only version that keeps completely up to date with security patches.
Our system operates a multi-homed network utilising BGP4 technology. Simply put, we have multiple connections to the Internet with different backbone providers, should any connection fail our other connections automatically take all the traffic. Not only does this mean that we are very unlikely to lose connectivity to the Internet, but it also means that traffic moving to and from our network can choose from a range of paths to get to its final destination. This means that we have been able to configure the network always to take the fastest paths.
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