With IT workloads spread across distributed networks, data centre interconnection (DCI) has become a crucial part in an enterprise’s IT strategy.
The key challenge for businesses today is how they can efficiently connect multiple data centres across the globe.
Data centres have traditionally operated as standalone facilities or as closed ecosystems.
To interconnect outside an operator’s ecosystem, it will require a physical cross-connect managed by the data centre operator or a third-party service provider.
This means having to stitch together multiple service providers for interconnections between data centres across different markets.
Cloud-centric DCI is changing the way businesses interconnect.
Using software-defined networking (SDN) fabrics, interconnection is simpler, more accessible and ready-to-scale.Â
It is important to find the right connectivity partner when looking to build a cloud-centric DCI ecosystem. This makes the process as straightforward and time efficient as possible.
Here are five key factors you should consider when choosing a connectivity provider to partner with:
1. Planning
The starting point is looking at the diversity of the data centre infrastructure in use and determining how your IT estate is going to evolve in the  future.
How quickly can the service provider adapt and scale-up and or down to new requirements? Are the data centres present in unique markets?Â
DCI is a long-term strategy and you would want to be able to scale whenever and wherever needed. Â
2. Partnering
Finding the best SDN-based service provider will be crucial to building a robust hybrid infrastructure.Â
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Not all platforms are created equal in terms of bandwidth capacity, flexibility and connectivity options. The underlying core network is also an important factor to consider – whether it is a carrier-grade or industry-certified.
3. Building
An SDN fabric allows you to link data centres, public clouds, IXPs and a variety of networks.Â
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You can use a single SDN platform to provision these connections with high levels of automation. This should enable you to build a network of cloud-centric data centres with direct access to the cloud and IXPs.Â
4. Managing
An SDN platform must be able to offer real-time visibility into your network. Regardless of whether it is metro or long-haul DCI, you should be able to manage and monitor your network services on the fly.
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Being able to continually adapt your network means you can optimise its performance and quickly troubleshoot any issues.
5. Expanding
A cloud-centric DCI ecosystem should be one that is always growing. Each data centre site has to continually offer new connectivity options via an SDN-enabled model that allows you to control where and how you connect your business.Â
It is an ecosystem that is ready to adapt, change and grow to new global destinations.
In retrospective, traditional DCI ecosystem lacks the agility, scalability, flexibility and visibility to support modern applications and business growth.
Our cloud-centric DCI ecosystem brings you further and faster with a powerful SDN platform, giving you on-demand access to a high-density network fabric of over 220 data centres globally.
Get in touch with us to learn how we can expand your network infrastructure via our Infiny SDN platform.
