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Create a Digital Letter of Authorization

A Digital Letter of Authorization (LOA) is a digital document which replaces letters of authorization that were created manually. Currently, you can create a Digital LOA to support the Cross Connects ordering process.

Consider the following:

  • The a-side partner ordered the connection and pays for it, seeking to create a connection inside an IBX data center.

  • The z-side partner creates a Letter of Authorization (LOA) and authorizes the use of the assets needed to establish the connection between the z-side partner and the a-side partner.

  • An LOA must be generated and approved before a Cross Connects connection can be created.

This document is for z-side partners creating a Digital LOA. If you are an a-side partner seeking a Digital LOA from a z-side partner, see Requesting a Digital Letter of Authorization

For instructions on using the digital LOA to order a new connection, see the steps for uploading an LOA file when ordering a Cross Connect.

Creating a Digital LOA​

  1. Sign In to the Customer Portal.

  2. From the Orders and Tickets menu, choose Digital LOA Manager.

  3. In the Digital LOA Manager, in the Create LOA (Z-side) card, click Create LOA.

If you received an email request for an LOA from an A-side partner, the provided link takes you this step.

Important: In the following steps, the Digital LOA Manager filters your options based on the assets that are assigned to your organization and account.

Partner Selection​

  1. Choose a Z-side IBX and an A-side Partner from the drop-down lists.

  2. (Optional) If your A-side partner is not included in the drop-down list, choose Add a New Partner.

    1. Type the new name in the A-side Partner Name field.

    note

    To add a new A-side partner, two-step authentication is required.

    • The A-side partner receives email that contains an authentication request. The A-side partner must click the authentication link in the email and sign in to the Customer Portal.
    • After the A-side partner is authenticated, you will receive email with details and a link to sign in to the Customer Portal to make the LOA ready for use.

  3. Enter an expiration date for the LOA in the LOA Expiry Date field.

    • Enter a calendar date that is within 100 days.
    • Allow enough time for your A-side customer to approve the LOA and use it to order Cross Connects.

Connection Details​

  1. In the Z-side Connection Details section, click Add Connection.

  2. Provide your connection details in the Z-side Details (You) form. The Digital LOA reserves the specified assets. This ensures that the ports are available to complete the connection process.

    • If the patch panel identification number is available, enter it in the Search by Patch Panel field.

      The fields for IBX, cage, patch panel, and port information are automatically populated.

    • If you do not know the patch panel number, from the drop-down lists, choose a Cage, Cabinet, Patch Panel, Connection Service, Media Type, Protocol Type, Connector Type, and ports A and B.

    • Enter a Circuit ID.

    After you reserve a port using this form, that port is no longer included in the drop-down list for future LOA use. Also, the number of ports available in the Patch Panel drop-down list is reduced.

  3. Click Add. The new Z-side Connection Details are listed.

  4. Repeat steps to create up to 10 additional connections.

  5. Enter any Additional Details that might be helpful to an Equinix technician.

  6. Click Next.

Contact Information​

note

A blue bar is displayed across the top of the page. Mouse over the bar to view a drop-down list that shows your progress in creating the LOA.

A check mark shows that you completed the previous page, Prepare LOA. To return to the previous page to make edits, click Prepare LOA.

  1. In the A-side Contact List section, enter an A-side Contact Email.

    To add more additional contacts, click Add Additional Email. Once the LOA is created, it's emailed to all the A-side contacts.

  2. Click Next.

Review and Create​

  1. In Review Your Digital LOA Details, verify that the Z-side Connection Details and the Contact Information sections are correct.

    To edit this information, you can click the pencil in the form, or mouse over the blue progress bar at the top of the page. In the drop-down list, click Prepare LOA or Prepare LOA Contacts to return to the previous pages to make edits.

  2. Click Create and Send to A-side.

  3. Click Create Authorization in the Confirm Create LOA with port allocation window.

The confirmation message contains the LOA Token number. The LOA Token is a unique ID for the Digital LOA across the PDF, email, and in the Customer Portal. Your A-side contacts receive an email notification that includes the new Digital LOA as a PDF attachment.

LOA Summary​

Once the confirmation message is displayed, you can view details about this new LOA in the Z-side Authorizations page.

In the LOA Summary window, click Track LOA to see this new LOA listed in the Z-side Authorizations page. Depending on the output, the Digital LOA status is set to Ready for use or Pending Requestor Acceptance.