Managed Cloud Connect

With Managed Cloud Connect you have secure and direct access to various Cloud Service Providers (CSP). Equinix connects your organization end-to-end, from your locations to the cloud. The service guarantees high availability, low latency, and guaranteed bandwidth.

Managed Cloud Connect is part of the Security & Network services from Equinix Managed Servicesand consists of a combination of the following standard Equinix services:

• Equinix Fabric

• Customer Connect

• Managed Router or Managed Firewall

By combining these separate services, managed by Equinix, one integrated end-to-end service is provided; to manage the connection from its environment to the CSP, on your behalf.

Service Parts

Equinix Fabric

Equinix Fabric (ECXF) connects direct, secure, and dynamic, distributed infrastructure and digital ecosystems together via Platform Equinix. The most current and complete information can be found on the Equinix website.

ECX Portal

The ECX portal provides a web-based user interface for clients and suppliers of ECX to order connectivity, modify, delete and manage it.

Customer Connect

Customer Connect connects the ECX port in a data center of Equinix with your location. Equinix provides one or more connections via one or multiple carriers that have direct presence in the Equinix data center.

Managed Router

Managed Router is optional and provides managed (virtual) routing functionalities to those who need to unlock their cloud infrastructure towards external IP networks or connectivity. This allows the infrastructure to be linked and routed at an IP level (OSI layer 3) with other external or partner networks.

Managed Firewall

As an alternative to a Managed Router, the serviceManaged Firewall can be used. This shields the infrastructure environment securely through firewall rule sets (filters). These filters can be configured by the user (Self-service), or on request by qualified Equinix personnel (Fully Managed). With this service, Equinix delivers scalable firewall functionality and capacity. This protects infrastructure against cyber-attacks and can prevent data from ending up in the wrong hands.

Service variants

Managed Cloud Connect uses connections with a capacity up to 10Gbit/s and is available in the variants, Basic or Managed. The Basic variant offers a choice for a Single or Redundant version. The Managed variant is available exclusively in a Redundant version, to guarantee that the equipment at the user site is always remotely managed and maintained, even in the event of a malfunction.

In the Basic variant, you supply and manage the router / firewall at your site.

In the Managed variant, Equinix supplies and manages the router / firewall at your location; and monitors up to your location.

For both variants, the demarcation point at your location is the Network Termination Equipment (NTE) of the line supplier, and the demarcation point at the Equinix data center is the Cloud Exchange gateway. You are responsible for configuring the specific Virtual Circuits to the CSP via the ECX portal using your account. If desired, Equinix can provide necessary support.

Basic – Single

This variant provides a single Equinix Cloud Exchange port to your location. You are responsible for the delivery and management of the router or firewall at your site and thus configuring any required BGP sessions with the CSP.

Basic – Redundant

This variant provides redundant Equinix Cloud Exchange ports to your location. If you choose, the service can be delivered to two different locations. You are responsible for the delivery and management of the routers or firewalls at your site and thus configuring any required BGP sessions with the CSP.

Managed – Redundant

This variant provides double Equinix Cloud Exchange ports to your location. The service can also be delivered to two different locations. To ensure redundancy and automatic failover, both routers or firewalls must be able to communicate with each other over the Customer LAN at your location.

Equinix supplies and installs the routers or firewalls on location and manages them remotely. Management consists of configuring (including any required BGP sessions with the CSP), monitoring and maintenance.

The Managed variant provides (end-to-end) monitoring by checking both the accessibility of the routers as well as the BGP sessions on the Managed routers/firewalls with the CSPs.

Operation

Together with the user, there will be alignment on matters such as ECX port speed, connection type and bandwidth to the user location as well as firewall / router type.

Equinix supervises the supplier of the Customer Connect connection and delivers a working connection from the data center up to your location. When this is realized, you receive a delivery document containing the tuned variables. Based on this document, you can further accomplish the service by creating the Virtual Circuits (VC) to the CSP through your account on the ECX portal.

Settlement units

The rate of Managed Cloud Connect is calculated per month and depends on:

• ECX ports – port speed

• Customer Connect connection – bandwidth and customer location

• Managed Routers/Firewalls – type or capacity of Routers/Firewalls

The variable costs of the VCs on the ECX port will be billed separately. You can scale up or down during the contract period in consultation with Equinix.