If you are committed to doing business on the Internet, choosing to use a co-location centre will greatly assist you. These are some of the questions we are frequently asked when customers are deciding to use our centres.
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If you have a question that’s not covered here, call an AAPT representative on 1800 675 666 or send us an email. We’ll be pleased to help you.
What is a UPS?
A UPS is a piece of hardware, which takes power in from the grid, stores it in batteries, and issues it out to mission-critical equipment. Most serious UPS's also "condition" the power - which means they iron out the surges and spikes that can come through the power grid, and deliver a smooth 230V supply to prevent damage to delicate processors.
UPS's are essential to protect systems from uneven power, and failures such as "brown-outs" (when the lights flicker) and blackouts (power failures of several seconds or more). Power failures can cause major software problems, and data corruption, resulting in hours of downtime.
Customers supplying their own racks in the caged area may choose to install their own UPS or use ours at their option.
What type of power is delivered to my Racks/Cabinets?
One DC power circuit is included with each cabinet/rack rental. Each Cabinet/Rack has a 10amp power breaker. Additional breaker can be purchased on request.
How fast is Ethernet?
10 Megabits per second
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What size connection do I get with my Cage/Cabinet?
All secure Cabinets are provided with a 10Mb Ethernet connection as standard. This can be upgraded to 100Mb on application (Charges apply)
All Secure Cages are provided with a 100Mb Fast Ethernet connection as standard.
Note: Minimum monthly charges apply to all connections.
Additional connections can be taken if required.
What is an SRU? And how many useable SRU's do I get with my Cabinet?
This stands for Standard Rack Unit.
A Standard Rack Cabinet is 600mm Wide x 900mm Deep x 45RUs High (or Rack Units high). To complicate things further, racks are often described in US brochures as 19-inch cabinets. Luckily the SRUs are pretty standard. They are a horizontal strip within the cabinet approximately 4 cms high.
Most hubs and Cisco 2500 routers are one SRU. Servers designed for installation within racks (and most are, nowadays) can be anything from 3 to 10 or more SRUs.
You must also ensure there is sufficient clearance for equipment required for ventilation or heat dissipation. (eg a Cisco 3600 requires 2 SRUs plus another on top for cooling
NB. Cages are supplied with labracks i.e. Frames with shelves. Please see
"what type of racks do I get?"
How can you tell how many SRUs a piece of equipment will occupy?
The manual, brochure or the equipment manufacturer or supplier will tell you. Most IT Managers will know how many SRUs their equipment is.
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How can you tell if a piece of equipment is rackmountable?
It will say so in the manufacturer's literature.
You may need to purchase a "rackmount kit", a set of rails and screws to enable tower or desktop hardware to be rackmounted. Ideally the rackmounting will enable the piece of equipment to be slid out of the rack for easy connection of cables, etc.
If the equipment cannot be rackmounted there is no need to worry - we have extra shelves for the racks just in case!
What are the benefits of Cages over Cabinets?
If you require more than 2 cabinets then you should consider taking a secure cage, especially if you expect to be adding more equipment in the future. You can supply your own rack (of the approved dimensions and style), or we can arrange one for you.
A cage provides more flexibility to cross connect into other servers and equipment.
Do I have to supply a screen, keyboard and mouse for my NT server?
AAPT will have a trolley with keyboard, mouse and monitor available for use as required. If you need to do onsite diagnostics the trolley is available but should be reserved.
Alternatively AAPT has a Customer Working Room where you will be able to connect into your servers via a Ethernet connection.
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Can I have several Ethernet connections?
Yes, you can connect an additional piece of equipment to a separate switch port, for a reduced installation cost. However we will need to issue separate Customer IDs for each connection, in order to measure traffic and bill for each connection each month.
How do I contact Support?
AAPT's Customer Service team can be contacted directly 24 hours a day 7 days a week, by calling 1 800 357 597. If you prefer, you may also contact us by filling out our
online form.
Our core network and your connection is monitored proactively 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will automatically notify our Operations Centre Network Engineers should a problem occur.
How do I arrange to come and install our equipment?
As a new customer of the AAPT Co-Location Centre we invite you to attend a site induction visit. During this visit you will receive a tour of the building. You will also be required to complete a security form and register the handprints of any staff you wish to have access to the Centre. Handprint scanning is used to control access to the IDC machine room . To arrange your site induction please call our Customer Service Team on 1800 675 666. Once the site induction is complete we will arrange a suitable time for the installation of your equipment.
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How and when can I get access to the Facility?
When you require access to your equipment you will be required to contact the AAPT Customer Service team to make a booking. You will be issued with a job number, which you will need to gain access to the AAPT Co-Location Centre.
On arrival at the Facility you will be asked to:
- Provide the job number issued by the Customer Service team
- Present a photo ID such as a driver's licence.
To gain access to the different areas of the Facility you will need to: • Use a swipe card and pin issued to you by the Security staff
To gain access to your equipment cabinet(s) you will need:
- A set of keys issued to you by the Security staff
- To scan your handprint using a Hand Geometry reader (only if machine room access is required)
N.B. In the event that staff whose handprints are registered at the Co-Location Centre leave your company it is your responsibility to advise AAPT. This will ensure that handprints can be removed from the register and unauthorised staff cannot gain entry to the Centre. Handprints for new staff can be added by calling the AAPT Customer Service team to arrange an appointment.
What services are available in the Equipment Staging Area?
The AAPT Co-Location Centre is equipped with staging areas where customers can work on their equipment prior to entering the co-location area. Each staging area has access to network connectivity, power, and storage lockers.
Equipment can be stored overnight in the lockable cabinets It is recommended that customers book the facility to ensure they have full access to the facility when required. (Charges apply)
What services are available within the Customer Working Rooms?
The AAPT Co-Location Centre has cubicle workstations where customers can set up their laptops to check email, connect to co-located equipment or get onto the Internet. It is recommended that customers book the facility to ensure they have full access to the facility when required. Charges apply
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What is the procedure for booking the above customer facilities?
The Centre includes a range of facilities for your use. These are listed above. We accept bookings for the Equipment Staging Area and Customer Connections Facility. Booking a time will guarantee you priority access to these facilities. Customers without bookings can make use of these facilities if space is available. Please note, however, that customers with reservations will take priority over those without. Booking charges apply to the Equipment Staging Area and the Customer Connections Facility.
What other services can we utilise within the AAPT Co-Location Centre?
Staff Services
AAPT Co-Location Centres are staffed with professionals who are highly trained in Internet AND Telecommunications. These proficient professionals are on duty twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. The following staff services are available:
Installation
AAPT staff handle the installations of cross connections and associated equipment. Customers may also opt to use staff for installations of routers, servers, or other equipment, and for assistance when they are on-site for their own installations. Charges apply.
Remote Hands
Customers can be assured of continuous, trouble-free operations in remote locations by utilising the AAPT Remote Hands service. Delivered by highly trained technical staff, Remote Hands services range from power cycling equipment to performing emergency equipment replacement. Remote Hands services are available on demand. (Charges Apply)
Consulting Services
Customers requiring assistance with the design and implementation of their infrastructure have access to Network Engineers. An hourly fee is applicable.
What are Cross-Connections?
Cross Connections allow customers to connect their Cabinet or Cage to other cabinets or cages in the facility. Customers can also cross-connect into other customers’ racks that they have business partnerships with.
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How do I get AAPT Engineers to reboot my equipment?
You should contact AAPT's Customer Service team directly 24 hours a day 7 days a week, by calling 1800 675 666. They will organise for your equipment to be rebooted or power-cycled ASAP. Charges Apply.
Can I reserve space beside my Cabinet or Cage?
This is available however not recommended. Cross-connections within the facility alleviates problems with customers having to locate their cabinets together. However if a customer wishes to locate their racks together they can be reserved Charges apply.
What are the specifications of the Cabinets supplied?
The full Cabinets are 600mm wide by 900mm deep by 45Ru's high. ½ a Cabinet is 22RU high and1/3 Cabinet is 14RU high.
Our specifically designed Cabinets provide the ideal environment for customers to securely host their equipment. Each cabinet is individually locked with separate power and data runs that are also protected from any interference.
These racks are fully welded in construction allowing for weights up to 500Kgs
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Can I put my own racks in the Co-Location Centre?
Yes - Customers wishing to supply their own racks can do so in our caged area. Customers should consult with their Account Manager to ensure the racks they intend to install are compatible with our cage specifications.
What are specifications of the Lab Racks you supply in the caged area?
The Labs Racks provide a highly efficient method of housing standard 19" computer equipment. The two pole design of the Lab Rack allows for the rack to be floor mounted and provides easy access for cross-connections and interconnections. The Lab Rack sizing is 528mm Wide 2200mm high.
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