Metro Connect
Equinix Metro Connect allows you to connect to a partner, a customer, or one of your separate deployments at a different IBX facility. Metro Connect services carry other network-based services, such as Internet Exchange or Cloud Exchange, between IBX data centers in certain metros.
Metro Connect includes:
- Connections between customer demarcation points
- Multiple bandwidth options of 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, and 100 Gbps
- Extensions from your infrastructure to your customers and partners located in different Equinix IBX data centers within the same metro
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. For both service types, Equinix supplies:
- An end-to-end connection that includes a cross connect at the customer demarcation in the Equinix International Business Exchange (IBX) data center (typically, at the customer cage fiber distribution panel). For Extended Metro Connect, this connection terminates in a Building Meet-Me Room (BMMR).
- Media converters where necessary. In the Asia-Pacific region, an incremental charge might be applied.
Patch cables from the patch panels to a customer’s equipment are not included. They can be ordered using the Equinix Smart Hands service.
Both service types support a minimum Maximum Transmission unit (MTU) size of 9100 bytes. All interfaces are set to full duplex. 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
Three Metro Connect products are available.
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. This offering provides resiliency for WAN connections using two diverse fiber paths. In addition, protected Metro Connect uses a single switch at each IBX to provide you with a single physical connection to your demarcation on each side.
Protected Metro Connect includes:
- Path protection using two diverse fiber paths
- Availability SLA 99.99%
- 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, and 100 Gbps port speeds (100 Gbps available in select markets only)
- Available in optical Layer 1 (10 Gbps, 100 Gbps) or packet-based Layer 2 service options (1 Gbps)
- 10 Gbps available as packet-based Layer 2 service in some metros
Note: Protected Metro Connect does not provide node protection.
Unprotected Metro Connect
Unprotected Metro Connect allows customers in one IBX to connect to customers, or to their own networks in another IBX. No redundancy is provided. If required, you can arrange for redundancy through a network service provider.
Unprotected Metro Connect includes:
- Availability SLA 99.9%
- 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, and 100 Gbps port speeds (100 Gbps available in select markets only)
- Available in optical Layer 1 (10 Gbps, 100 Gbps) or packet-based Layer 2 service options (1 Gbps)
- 10 Gbps available as packet-based Layer 2 service in some metros
Note: Unprotected Metro Connect offers no path protection or node protection.
Dual-Diverse Metro Connect
Dual-Diverse Metro Connect allows customers in one IBX to connect to customers, partners, or their own networks in another IBX. This offering provides resiliency for WAN connections using two diverse fiber paths. Dual-Diverse Metro Connect uses two switches at each location to provide you with two physical connections to your demarcation on each side.
Dual-Diverse Metro Connect includes:
- Two end-to-end diverse fiber paths
- Node protection
- Availability SLA 99.999%
- 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, and 100 Gbps port speeds (100 Gbps available in select markets only)
- Available in optical Layer 1 (10 Gbps, 100 Gbps), or packet-based Layer 2 service options (1 Gbps)
- 10 Gbps available as packet-based Layer 2 service in some metros
See the Metro Connect data page for data sheets.
Use Cases
Bilateral Peering
In a bilateral peering configuration, two participants set up peering with each other according to their requirements and business relationships. Here, Metro Connect supports bilateral peering between two different Equinix IBX data centers that are more than 10 km apart.
Hybrid Computing
For this use case, Metro Connect supports a hybrid computing configuration that includes the following:
- A data hub in the suburb – to lower the cost
- A performance network hub – for low latency connectivity
Backup Connectivity for Network Service Providers
This use case ensures diverse routes if the primary fiber connection between IBX data centers is interrupted. In addition, network service providers (NSPs) can use Metro Connect as a backup connection.
Encrypted Interconnection Between IBX Data Centers (MACsec)
Because Metro Connect supports end-to-end MACsec encryption, secure interconnection between IBX data centers is available. This feature is handy for businesses related to financial services, the Cloud, travel, and government..
However, Equinix Fabric virtual connection (VC) services don't support MACsec encryption (pseudo-wire is required). An exception is Fabric Ethernet Private Line (EPL), which supports MACsec.
Third Party Data Center Connectivity
Extended Metro Connect connects to third party data centers through the Building Meet-Me Room (BMMR) feature for this use case.
