Metro Connect
Metro Connect is one of Equinix's inter-IBX connectivity services. It provides dedicated, point-to-point connectivity between IBX data centers within the same metro area, such as NY4 and NY9, and in some cases between metros within the same country, such as LD4 and MA3. Metro Connect is available in most metros that have multiple IBX data centers.
Use Metro Connect to connect a deployment in one IBX data center to a partner, customer, or your own infrastructure in another IBX data center. It supports network services such as Internet Exchange and Cloud Exchange in select metros, connects customer demarcation points, and offers bandwidth options of 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, and 100 Gbps. Metro Connect also includes the optical equipment required to transmit traffic over long-distance fiber connections between IBX data centers.
Metro Connect provides simple, efficient connectivity between select IBX locations where Campus Cross Connect or Fiber Connect is not feasible because of distance requirements. You can extend your network infrastructure to customers, partners, and deployments in other IBX data centers. In most cases, Metro Connect operates over dedicated leased fiber to deliver highly reliable, low-latency connectivity between customer demarcation points.
Other Equinix connectivity services include Fiber Connect, Extended Cross Connects (dark fiber media only) and Fabric (Layer 3 connectivity).
Choose from two Metro Connect offerings: Fabric Metro Connect (FMC) and Optical Metro Connect (OMC).
Fabric Metro Connect (FMC)
- Utilizes Ethernet switching and routing technologies
- Provides Layer 2 point-to-point connectivity
- Connects Equinix IBX locations through the Equinix Fabric infrastructure
Use FMC for:
- 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps point-to-point connectivity
Optical Metro Connect (OMC)
- Utilizes Layer 1 transport platforms
- Provides wavelength-based point-to-point connectivity
- Connects selected Equinix IBX locations
- Optimized for high-capacity optical transport, including 100G service
Use OMC for:
- 100 Gbps point-to-point connectivity
- In a limited number of metros, OMC also supports 10 Gbps connectivity.
- Customers who require optical transport technology can select OMC. Verify whether 10 Gbps OMC service is available in the target metro.
- If 10 Gbps OMC is available, use OMC.
- If 10 Gbps OMC is not available, use FMC for 10 Gbps connectivity.
Media Type
Equinix supports only Single-Mode Fiber (SMF), which carries a single ray of light (mode) for long-distance and high-speed transmissions.
Service Types
Metro Connect provides optical Layer 1 service or packet-based Layer 2 services. All Metro Connect service types include the following:
- End-to-end connection with a cross connect at the customer demarcation in the IBX data center, typically at the customer cage fiber distribution panel. For Extended Metro Connect, the connection terminates in a Building Meet-Me Room (BMMR).
- Media converters where necessary. In the Asia-Pacific region, an additional charge might apply.
Patch cables from the patch panels to customer equipment are not included. Order patch cables through Smart Hands.
All service types support a minimum Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size of 9100 bytes. All interfaces are configured for full-duplex operation. Layer 2 Ethernet services support 802.1ad (QinQ) in most locations.
Metro Connect offers these port speed options:
| 1G | 10G | 100G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layer 1 DWDM optical-based | – | 10G Base-LR single-mode optical fiber Local Area Network Physical layer (LAN PHY) only (10G Wide Area Network Physical layer (WAN PHY) and other 10G protocols might be supported). Supports LACP and MACsec. | 100GigE single-mode optical fiber LR4 customer handoff. Unprotected and dual-diverse options are available, depending on the metro. Supports LACP and MACsec. |
| Layer 2 Packet-based | Gigabit Ethernet single-mode fiber Supports Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) and Media Access Control security (MACsec) on some platforms | 10G Base-LR single-mode optical fiber. | – |
Layer 1 Services
Equinix uses Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) transport platforms to offer point-to-point wavelength-based connectivity between select IBX locations. Metro Connect services over wavelengths allow you the ability to choose bandwidth within the specified range, regardless of your Layer 2 protocol.
Metro Connect Layer 1 services are provided over carrier fiber and are available in various port speeds.
| Port Speed | Media Type | MTU Size | Transceiver Module | Encapsulation Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gpbs* | Single Mode fiber (SMF) | 9124 | 1 Gpbs BASE-LX /1G BASE-LR (1310 nm) | LAN-PHY |
| 10 Gpbs | SMF | – | 10 Gpbs BASE-LR (1310 nm) | LAN-PHY |
| 100 Gpbs | SMF | – | 100 Gpbs BASELR4 (1310 nm) | LAN-PHY |
* 10G is available as a packet-based Layer 2 service in some metros. All interfaces are set to full duplex.
Layer 2 Services
Equinix employs several Ethernet switch and router technologies to offer point-to-point Layer 2 connectivity between IBX centers. Bandwidth is not guaranteed, but Equinix actively manages network utilization to avoid oversubscription and to ensure frame/packet delivery.
For redundant Layer 2 paths, the particular failover mechanism (such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Fast ReRoute (FRR), Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), or Ethernet Automatic Protection Switching (EAPS)) varies, depending on the network equipment used between sites. Where non-MPLS failover is employed, there is no Layer 2 Control Protocol (L2CP) transparency. While Equinix policy is to not oversubscribe bandwidth, Layer 2 services are provided over a shared network infrastructure.
Switch-based Options:
| Port Speed | Media Type* | MTU Size | Transceiver Module | Encapsulation Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gbps | SMF | 1,522 b and up** | 1000 BASE-LX | All encapsulation types supported |
| 10 Gbps | SMF | 1,522 b and up** | 10 Gbps BASE-LR (1310 nm) | All encapsulation types supported |
* The availability of media types varies by region.
** Most locations support jumbo frames (9032 bytes). All interfaces are set to full duplex.
Product Offerings
Equinix offers three Metro Connect variations.
Download the Metro Connect data sheet for details about these product variations and their configurations.
Protected Metro Connect
Protected Metro Connect allows customers in one IBX data center to connect to customers, partners, or their own networks in another IBX. It provides WAN resiliency through two diverse fiber paths. It also uses a single switch at each IBX, giving customers a single physical connection to their demarcation point at each location.
- Provides path protection through two diverse fiber paths.
- Delivers a 99.99% availability SLA.
- Supports 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, and 100 Gbps port speeds (100 Gbps is available in select markets only).
- Supports optical Layer 1 (10 Gbps, 100 Gbps) and packet-based Layer 2 service options (1 Gbps).
- Supports 10 Gbps packet-based Layer 2 service in selected metros.
Protected Metro Connect does not provide node protection.
Unprotected Metro Connect
Unprotected Metro Connect connects customers in one IBX to customers or their own networks in another IBX. The service does not include redundancy. Customers can obtain redundancy through a network service provider if needed.
- Delivers a 99.9% availability SLA.
- Supports 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, and 100 Gbps port speeds (100 Gbps is available in select markets only).
- Supports optical Layer 1 (10 Gbps, 100 Gbps) and packet-based Layer 2 service options (1 Gbps).
- Supports 10 Gbps packet-based Layer 2 service in selected metros.
Unprotected Metro Connect offers no path protection or node protection.
Dual-Diverse Metro Connect
Dual-Diverse Metro Connect connects customers in one IBX data center to customers, partners, or their own networks in another IBX. It provides WAN resiliency through two diverse fiber paths. It uses two switches at each location, providing two physical connections to the customer demarcation point at each end.
- Provides twodiverse end-to-end fiber paths.
- Provides node protection.
- Delivers a 99.999% availability SLA.
- Supports 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, and 100 Gbps port speeds (100 Gbps is available in select markets only).
- Supports optical Layer 1 (10 Gbps, 100 Gbps) and packet-based Layer 2 service options (1 Gbps).
- Supports 10 Gbps packet-based Layer 2 service in selected metros.
See the Metro Connect data page for data sheets.
Deployment Scenarios
Bilateral Peering
Use Metro Connect to establish private peering connections between participants located in different IBX data centers within the same metro area. In a bilateral peering configuration, two participants establish peering relationships based on their business and technical requirements. Metro Connect supports bilateral peering between IBX data centers located more than 10 km apart.
Hybrid Computing
Use Metro Connect to connect latency-sensitive workloads in one data center to applications, storage, or infrastructure in another location. Metro Connect supports hybrid computing environments by:
- Connecting a lower-cost data hub to the network.
- Connecting a performance-focused network hub for low-latency connectivity.
Backup Connectivity for Network Service Providers
Use Metro Connect as a secondary path between IBX data centers to maintain connectivity if the primary connection becomes unavailable. This configuration provides route diversity and helps minimize service disruptions for network service providers.
Secure Interconnection with MACsec
Use Metro Connect to provide encrypted connectivity between IBX data centers when workloads require Layer 2 MACsec encryption. This capability is commonly used for financial services, cloud, travel, and government workloads that require secure data transmission.
Metro Connect is fully Layer 2 Control Protocol (L2CP) transparent, allowing customers to establish MACsec relationships between networks connected through Metro Connect. Customers are responsible for creating, managing, troubleshooting, and maintaining MACsec relationships. Equinix does not participate in the MACsec connection.
Fabric virtual connection (VC) services do not support MACsec encryption (pseudo-wire is required). Fabric Ethernet Private Line (EPL) supports MACsec encryption.
Third-Party Data Center Connectivity
Use Extended Metro Connect to connect Equinix deployments to third-party data centers. In supported metros, Extended Metro Connect terminates at a Building Meet-Me Room (BMMR), enabling connectivity beyond the Equinix IBX.
Extended Metro Connect orders cannot be expedited because Building Meet-Me Room (BMMR) connectivity is outside Equinix operational control.
