Security is a central concern of data center operators. This is shown by the large investment in multi-ringed security features such as fences and walls around buildings to multiple man-traps with biometric scanners before entering key parts of the facilities. This approach works by putting systems in place to minimize or control access to high-value areas within data centers.
For a multi-tenant data center (MTDC), one of the highest value parts of the building is the meet-me-room (MMR). While MTDCs earn most of their revenue from renting space and power, the main value of the MTDCs is the interconnected network of customers and service providers that can be accessed through the MMR. Yet while this is the highest value area in the MTDC, access to the meet-me-room is required by a technician every time a customer requests a cross-connect or a reconfiguration – a manual approach that hasn’t change in 30 years. Isn’t it time to offer customers a new approach that offers a controlled, consistent, high-quality, fast, and secure interconnection?
The Telescent Network Topology Manager (NTM) lets MTDC operators bring an automated cross-connect solution into the MMR, removing the need for technicians to access this high-value area. The NTM is a software-defined automated patch panel that uses a robot to change the connectivity of any enterprise or service provider connected to the system. The NTM allows any-to-any connectivity at any time between all the ports connected to the NTM, not just for the initial connection but for any reconfiguration request in the future. The NTM also offers proven reliability with NEBS Level 3 certification plus a design that offers latched connections in the case of a power outage. Because all the reconfigurations are done inside the NTM, the external fibers connected to the Telescent system are static and never need to change – so after the initial structured cable is connected to the Telescent NTM, the system never needs to be touched again.
By providing an automated approach to managing cross connects, the Telescent NTM removes one of the largest security risks – human access. Increasing the security in this way also has the benefit of removing human errors. This can be cases where the technician rolls the polarity of the connections (reverse Tx/Rx) or when the technician connects to the wrong port either due to a mistake on his part or due to an inventory error. Errors are also caused when a technician is making the correct connection, but bumps or disturbs a neighboring port on the patch panel. This becomes all the more likely as the patch panel becomes a chaotic jumble of reconfigurations over time. Clearly, automating the cross connect and removing the need for a person to enter the meet-me-room improves the security of the meet-me-room while also improving performance.
However, the Telescent NTM offers security benefits beyond just reducing the need for physical access to the MMR. First, access to which ports can be accessed on the NTM is controlled by administrative rights. Using this approach, the NTM can be segmented by user or customer account to only allow access to the correct ports on the system. Also, since the request to make a connection on the NTM requires confirmation in the system, this creates an equivalent to 2-factor authentication. Just like 2 factor authentication strengthen the security on personal accounts, requiring a second independent authorization for the Telescent system to make a connection increases the security of the system. The Telescent NTM also keeps a log of all activity on the NTM. This has the benefit of creating a machine-accurate inventory of connections but also provides security since all access is recorded by user ID and configuration request. Finally, all communication with the Telescent NTM Is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access to the system.
Since data centers house critical infrastructure for many companies that rent space in the building, security is a key concern. The Telescent NTM allows MTDC operators to bring automation into the meet-me-room to improve both security and performance and replace the outdated manual process. Contact Telescent today to learn how to implement the Telescent NTM in your data center.