Cloud Hosting: What is it?

Cloud Computing: What is it?

 

The new buzz word in the technology industry these days is “Cloud Computing” or “Cloud Hosting.” But what is the Cloud? Can you explain to someone what Cloud Hosting is all about?  We will use the terms Cloud Computing and Cloud Hosting interchangeably in this article.

Companies both small and large seem to be embracing the concept of Cloud Hosting.  Most people including yourself are already utilizing this new technology on a daily basis without even realizing it.  Cloud Hosting is projected to account for a third of annual IT expenditure growth this year.

I find that Infographics are an amazing way of explaining figures, facts, and concepts. Infographics have a great way of turning textual data into easy-to-read an understandable format that is both visually appealing and fun. Below is an Infographic that delves into the ins and outs of cloud computing. You can get a good idea of the difference between traditional hosting and come to a better understanding of cloud computing technologies. Here is a brief summary:

Cloud Hosting – what is it?

Cloud computing is a really basic concept and like I said you have probably been utilizing this technology for some time now without giving it much thought. Cloud computing just means utilizing Internet based rather than software based technologies, simply put you access the information whether it be email, saved photos, or an application via remote servers instead of your personal computer. That’s right, pretty much anything that you access via the web when it was traditionally on your end user platform is consider  ”in the Cloud.”

In theory the data and information is accessible to as many people as necessary, at anytime necessary from any location that has access to the internet. In truth the data is still residing on physical hardware at some location typically within a datacenter but the data may be distributed over multiple hard drives. What really defines the Cloud is the implementation of software that works in conjunction with various essential pieces of hardware. In most cases the Cloud consists of multiple hard drives, multiple switches, multiple processing servers, and multiple load balancing servers.

How do you determine if you are already using cloud based services?

You probably fall within the fifty percent of all Internet users that currently use the cloud to access their email through services such as Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, and Hotmail.  These email services are referred to as web-based-email as opposed to something like Thunderbird or Microsoft Outlook which pulls the emails off the server and stores the information on the computer you are using that email application on. Web based email is popular because you can access your email from anywhere you have connection to the internet from a laptop, tablet, or any other mobile device. Another familiar and widely used service is sharing and storing photos online through websites such as Flickr, Shutterfly, and Snapfish. Google Docs is a widely popular easy to use web based service which allows you to store and share critical documents from anywhere in the world to anyone in the world.

Google Drive, Microsoft Skydrive  and Dropbox are other examples of cloud computing that people use to backup, store, or share their files. YouTube is a great example of video based cloud computing that specializes in the storage and dissemination on video online.

What are the different types of cloud computing ?

While all cloud computing follows the same general principle of storing and accessing data online, there are four different categories, including:

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) – includes space for data centers, network equipment, servers, and software for businesses.

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) – allows applications to run through full hardware architecture and software framework.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) – commercially available software applications are accessible through the Internet.

What are the benefits of Cloud Hosting?

Cloud computing has many advantages, which is why many people especially in the IT industry are embracing it as an alternative to traditional hosting. cloud computing has:

Greater security. The vast majority of current cloud users believe that cloud computing keeps their data and applications more secure.  What is massively appealing is the capability of storing data in the cloud which means you do not have to worry about accidentally deleting or misplacing files, or losing data because of a virus or damaged machine.

Less IT performance challenges and issues. Cloud computing removes many of the variables associated with traditional hosting on dedicated, VPS, and Shared hosting platforms.

The capability to share data seamlessly. When data is available online anyone can access it, from any device anywhere in the world as long as they have access to the internet and a browser.

The cost is less. Two thirds of Cloud users have reported their IT costs and been reduced since the advent of Cloud computing.

With all of these benefits, it is clear that cloud computing is here to stay and is only going evolve and integrate into more aspects of your life. Most business that are staying up with the curve of technology are using some form of Cloud based service. I recommend embracing this cutting edge technology and leveraging the Cloud to your benefit otherwise you risk being left behind.

 

 Blog picture courtesy of Infographic World

If you are interested in learning more about Cloud Hosting or have questions about any other QuadraNet services please contact our Sales department or drop us an email.

QuadraNet, Inc.
QuadraNet.com

sales@QuadraNet.com

1-888-578-2372 – TollFree

1-213-614-9371 – International

 

 

Cloud Hosting: What is it?

QuadraNet Awarded As One of The Top cPanel Partners

QuadraNet Awarded As One of The Top cPanel Partners!

 

 

QuadraNet is proud to be recognized as a top cPanelNOC Partner. QuadraNet has been a partnered with cPanel since 2008 and we are honored to receive this award of recognition. Our very own Chris Gotzmann who is Vice President of QuadraNet had a wonderful dinner in downtown LA this past week with cPanel team members Linda Schmidt, Eric Ellis and Mario Rodriguez to receive this prestigious award.

 

QuadraNet believes cPanel really sets the bar when it comes to control panels in the hosting industry. cPanel provides an accessible interface to help website owners manage their sites, while WHM automates server management tasks for server administrators. Together, they reduce overhead by simplifying complex tasks and allowing customers to manage their own accounts. cPanel offers web hosting software that automates the intricate workings of web hosting servers. QuadraNet provides cPanel and WHM as an option in all three of our datacenter locations Miami, Dallas,  and Los Angeles. You can purchase a full license to cPanel/WHM for as little as $25/Month.

 

 

QuadraNet’s Dallas Datacenter is an unparalleled data center environment built for security, high availability, connectivity and redundancy. Benefit from an industry-leading power-to-space ratio and technicians who work on-site around the clock safeguarding your IT assets and supporting the management of your computing systems. Our 68,000 square feet of state-of-the-art, ground-level floor space gives you the freedom and flexibility to scale seamlessly.

 

Infrastructure Specifications Include:

- SAS 70 Type II Audited

- Cold and Hot Row Architecture for optimum airflow

- 30″ Raised Flooring

- N+1 Redundant Power Backup Systems

- Automatic Transfer Switching

- Four Backup Diesel Power Generators

- Libert HVAC’s each with independant condensors

 

QuadraNet’s Los Angeles facilities total a whopping 50,000-plus square feet of privately owned and operated datacenter space. We operate one of the largest footprints in Los Angeles which is specifically dedicated to an end-user colocation provider. Each of our datacenter suites features independently operated infrastructure including UPS Battery Backup Units, HVAC and CRAC cooling units, and distribution routers. This compartmentalization of our resources limits risk and liabilities to only specific groups of equipment, as opposed to wholesale outages.

Los Angeles Datacenter with conduit to One Wilshire.

 

Infrastructure Specifications Include:

- Capacity for over 15,000 dedicated servers

- Equipped with 2 x 150KvA UPS Battery Backup Units

- Each datacenter suite cooled by multiple Liebert and APC CRAC’s

- 1200Amps 480v 3phase Input Power per suite

- All suites backed by 3 x 2000Kw Caterpillar Generators

- Every suite secured by keycard authorized entry

- Direct access via conduit to 1 Wilshire Meet-Me-Room

 

Miami was chosen for its distinct advantage in providing higher performance network connectivity to the East Coast regional USA, South America (with a focus on Brazil) and the Caribbean. It will also serve to provide lower latency to European customers and traffic for customers of QuadraNet in the USA due to increased proximity.

 

The QuadraNet facility in Miami features the following benefits:

- SAS70 Type 2 Certified

- SSAE16 Certified (NEW cert, this replaces SAS70)

- Redundant Datacenter HVAC

- Redundant Power Systems with UPS Battery Backup and Diesel Generators

- 24×7 On-Site Security Personnel

- Full CCTV Monitoring and Camera Recording 24/7

 

Again, QuadraNet is excited to be a strategic cPanel Partner. We find value in offering cPanel to all of our customers both Dedicated and Colocation clients can take advantage of cPanel & WHM which provides hundreds of features to help you easily manage your website or server.

Thanks cPanel!! QuadraNet is proud to be an authorized cPanel Partner.

If you are interested in adding cPanel to your existing service or you would like to puchase new service with QuadraNet you can contact the sales department.

QuadraNet, Inc.
QuadraNet.com

sales@QuadraNet.com

1-888-578-2372 ext. 136 TollFree

1-213-614-9371 ext. 136 International

QuadraNet Awarded As One of The Top cPanel Partners

Sold State Drives (SSD): Why Use One

Solid State Drives (SSD): Why Use One

 

Modern day desktops, laptops, and tablets are now equipped with solid state drives and the hosting industry with providers such as QuadraNet  also starting to embrace this technology. Solid state hard drives (SSD) have been available and used in the market for quite awhile but only recently has this type of storage been embraced by the hosting industry and the consumers as a preferred alternative to the traditional hard drives like SAS and SATA. Most hosting companies are now offering the option to add SSD in the build out this option is seen most in dedicated server configurations. But what exactly is a solid state hard drive (SSD) and how does it compared to a traditional hard drive?

 

If you are concerned with the speed and performance of your dedicated server, and have upgraded all other components of your server, then you might want to consider a Solid State Drive (or SSD). Solid State Drives are more expensive than your traditional SAS and SATA hard drives (HDD) but they will get the job done and get it done much faster. SSD refers to the fact that the primary storage medium is through semiconductors rather than a magnetic media with moving parts and a motor which is the case in traditional hard drives (SAS and SATA).

 

What Is A Solid State Drive?

Solid State Drives are distinctly different than the typical hard disk drive (or HDD). SSD has no moving parts, while an HDD involves a rotating magnetic disc. HDDs have been used in modern electronics since the early days of the technology. Most older hard drives are either SATA or SAS and in most models especially when they get older you can hear the hard drive spinning. SSD’s have much faster input/output speeds and the data being stored on the device can be accessed almost immediately. Since hard drives have traditional needed to constantly be moving they tend to be the first piece of hardware that needs to be replaced. Anyone in the hosting industry will tell you that hard drives the one piece of hardware commonly needs to be replaced. Sold state drives are very attractive for several reasons.

 

 

Who Benefits From SSD?

Solid state drives have several advantages over the magnetic hard drives. If down-pipe speed is essential for your business, an SSD is going to offer a distinct advantage over HDD. The speed factor comes from the fact that the drive does not have any moving parts. While a traditional drive has drive motors to spin up the magnetic platters and the drive heads, all the storage on a solid state drive is handled by flash memory. This provides several distinct advantages:

• Less Power Usage


• Faster Data Access


• Higher Reliability


• Less Fragmentation


• Higher Durability


• More Speed


• Less Noise

 

Most noticeably, an SSD performs calculations much faster than a traditional hard drive. Where an HDD spins at anywhere from 5,400 RPM up to 15,000 to be productive, an SSD simply delivers the data. Because the moving parts have been removed, electrons can be shuffled much more efficiently, removing the need for unstable rotating discs. Therefore, SSD is less prone to skipping during its encryption, as there’s nothing to be knocked around or popped out of place. In essence, an SSD provides improved stability, as well as drastically increased speed.

 

What Is the Major Disadvantages to SSD?

To sum it up in one word COST! Opting to use SSD in your server over a traditional HDD is going to cost a considerable amount more for markedly less storage space but in recent years the cost has come down to about $1 per GB. An SSD also can’t write data nearly as fast as a hard drive disk, on the other hand its downloading speeds are several times greater. The industry and the technology is moving towards the use of more and more SSD based infrastructure especially with the advent of Cloud Hosting another exciting topic that will be covered in other articles. For more information on a custom configuration contact sales@quadranet.com for special pricing.

 

Sold State Drives (SSD): Why Use One

The Importance of Datacenter Location

Our goal at QuadraNet is to provide the best in datacenter connectivity and technology at an excellent price but we are also here to help educate the consumer as well.

If you happen to be the person answerable for the IT operations of a thriving business, there will come time housing your own equipment in the corporate office will no longer be sufficient as your datacenter. You are going to face a challenging task to evaluate and choose a datacenter that is secure, redundant, reliable and cost effective. The intent of this article is to highlight the importance of datacenter location and to offer a recommendation of our services.

 

To start off with what is a datacenter?

A datacenter is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. The datacenter generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls including UPS Battery Backup Units, HVAC and CRAC cooling units, and distribution routers not to mention security devices including biometric fingerprint scanners, internal surveillance systems,  manned security check points etc..

Datacenter location is of paramount importance when deciding where to host your dedicated servers or where you choose to setup collocation services.

Location is important but what about the type of Internet Service Providers your datacenter is connected to?

Having a datacenter that is connected to multiple Tier 1 network providers is ideal. Tier 1 ISPs are large national or international ISPs. They are directly connected to the Internet backbone and can be considered part of the backbone itself. They have the highest speed connections and very reliable networks

The larger and more network providers the data center allows access to the better chances you have of bypassing network issues. Internet Exchange Points or IXP’s are peering points where major network providers come together to share network connectivity. QuadraNet is located ideally next to one of the largest Internet Exchange Points in the world.

 

In this new decade with rapid advancement in telecommunication technology the One Wilshire Building has emerged as the premier communications hub of North America and the whole of the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Argentina. The Wilshire building and the surrounding area is renowned internationally within the telecommunications industry as the single most vital point of connectivity in the Western United States.

 

One Wilshire is home to practically all of the market leaders in the telecommunications industry. The structure currently houses over 240 telecom service providers such as: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Level 3 Communications, Worldcom, Zayo Group, Century Link (Qwest), Sprint, Time Warner, Global Crossing and Cogent.

QuadraNet’s headquarters is located in the heart of one the largest and most well known of these major Internet Exchange Points. QuadraNet is one of the very few data centers that has direct connectivity to the 1 Wilshire Meet-Me-Room which houses the world’s most densely populated Meet-Me-Room with hundreds of telecommunication providers offering connectivity.

 

When selecting a datacenter provider, companies should pay particular attention to the flexibility in carrier choice, but also to the number of carriers a provider has if a provider works with many major carriers, companies have a better chance of receiving the exact data center connectivity they require.

 

QuadraNet is the ideal datacenter location which can provide the same connectivity at a fraction of the cost. QuadraNet’s Los Angeles facilities total a whopping 50,000-plus square feet of privately owned and operated datacenter space. We operate one of the largest footprints in Los Angeles with direct access via conduit to One Wilshire Meet-Me-Room.

QuadraNet is located at 530 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, California 90014. We are one of the few datacenters that has direct connection to 1 Wilshire meet-me-room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Importance of Datacenter Location