Network Edge FAQs

Infrastructure and Architecture

The Network Edge stack includes the CPU, memory, storage, and other elements of the service. You can't customize or make changes to the stack that is provided as part of the Network Edge package. Additionally, the raw compute specs (CPU, memory, storage) are pre-determined per device selected.

No, Network Edge is not a managed service. We do have many partners to whom we can refer you for management of this service. For more details on what we cover and do not cover, see our Deployment and Configuration documentation.

Like any other network service, Equinix personnel are empowered to see certain information about your device and assist with basic troubleshooting. Our systems continually monitor your device for certain statuses and conditions to ensure optimal performance. Anyone who wants to directly access the device and operate on it must have explicit permission to do so. You control your devices just as you would for a physical device deployed in a data center.

Connectivity Options

Yes. A baseline amount of throughput using the Equinix Connect service is provided with every Network Edge instance. In most cases, a customer can also upgrade that amount to the size of their device throughput.

The connection allows outbound secure methods. A secure way to connect to the device is through IPSec VPN and SSH, both of which you can configure on your device and then allow IP addresses that the device will recognize.

Currently, only the Equinix Connect-based service is offered. It’s automatically included with every device. However, if your ISP, NSP, or other vendor is present on the Equinix Fabric, you can connect to them and direct your traffic there instead. You can also Bring your Own Connection (BYOC) to the Equinix Fabric from your NSP. Just order a port that connects to their demarcation point, and connect to that port.

See more details in our deployment documentation for these scenarios.

Equinix provides a publicly routable IP space (/32 - 1 IP address) per virtual device, with the ability to add your own registered public address space through a Network Service Provider (NSP). Several NSPs are available for connection on the Equinix Fabric. The bundled publicly routable IP space is designed for some features such as administrative functionality, IPSec VPN, and SD-WAN tunnels. The IP space is automatically bound to a predefined interface on the virtual device. We encourage you to allocate pools that belong to you and that you manage for other purposes or when routing traffic in and out.

Redundancy and Diversity

Every Network Edge market includes two planes with separate compute and top-of-rack infrastructure. These two planes are used for primary and secondary deployments.

Learn more in our Architecting For Resiliency.

Yes, Network Edge is meant to complement physical colocation solutions. Customers can always manually duplicate their setup from additional devices. Virtual deployments can always be a duplicate of a physical deployment as well, which we encourage as a use case.

See Architecting For Resiliency for more information

Yes. The administrative ports that connect between the Network Edge platform and Equinix Fabric infrastructure are in a LAG structure. Users can’t, however, operate on or make adjustments to the structure, as this is a back-end infrastructure setup for Equinix.
See Platform Architecture for more information.

Network Edge Cost Structure and Licensing

Network Edge includes the following priced elements. Each invoice will include these items:

  • Network Edge Instance (required) – Monthly recurring charge (MRC) (and possibly non-recurring charge (NRC)) dependent upon the device you are deploying and its resource requirements, ranging from small to extra-large.
  • Edge Device License – A Network Edge device will always be listed on your invoice. There will only be a charge for the Edge Device License if you have a subscription license that Equinix is managing on your behalf (Sub). This is required if you do not provide your own license from the vendor.

Depending on what the virtual device is connected to, additional charges will apply from the other Interconnection products used.

For example, a connection from your virtual device to AWS through the cloud exchange would incur normal pricing for Equinix Fabric. The Equinix pricing guide has further details.

A complete solution could include:

  • A Network Edge Instance to house devices and services
  • A Juniper vSRX Firewall subscription license
  • An Equinix Fabric Connection to AWS
  • An Equinix Fabric Connection to Microsoft
Invoice Item Description

Network Edge Instance

The virtual equivalent of the cabinet you'd lease inside a Data Center. It provides the compute, storage, virtual port, internet access, and IP addressing needed to get started.

Network Edge Device: License

This item is on the invoice, but is only charged if Equinix provides the license (aka Subscription).

Network Edge Instance – Additional Bandwidth

This item displays if you need more bandwidth than the minimum that's included in the instance.

Network Edge Instance – Additional IP Allocation

We can lease additional public IP address space for an additional fee.

Equinix Fabric Virtual Connections

Pricing is per standard Equinix Fabric rates and rules.

Confirm pricing either online or with your account representative. If you have an account or create one, you can build a sample device with desired settings and save it before you buy and print a summary of the proposed charges. The pricing model operates the same way as the Equinix Fabric pricing model, replacing a port with a Network Edge device. As a result, the A-End, or connection requester pays for the connections, regardless of other factors including the destination, local or remote port, or other options.

Customers have three options for onboarding and support questions:

  • Use the live chat feature to chat with a customer support representative while going through the device creation and billing account creation process in Network Edge.
  • Submit a trouble ticket by clicking Support and selecting Report an Issue in the Equinix Fabric Portal.
  • Send an email to support@equinix.com.

All devices require a license.

We offer two licensing options: Bring Your Own License (BYOL) or Subscription. All components of the Network Edge platform that are purchased through a subscription are billed in monthly increments, and one month is the minimum commit for a customer.

Note: Not every vendor and image supports both license types.

Because all devices are fully enabled, branded vendor images, all customers must have a license to operate any deployed device. BYOL allows users to use an existing license or purchase one directly from the vendor. We also offer an ongoing subscription on some vendors and devices. This option allows an immediate start to creating devices without consulting with the vendor first.

Data Availability and SLAs

Each device is covered by an SLA of 99.99% availability. If any redundancy settings are included, the SLA increases to 99.999%.

Important: When a device is changed directly through SSH or other methods, Equinix can't guarantee the SLA or supportability of the device once the records are not in sync.

Quotes, Order Processing, and Provisioning

Customers can use the live chat feature to chat with a customer support representative while going through the device creation and billing account creation process in Network Edge. Customer support is also available by emailing support@equinix.com. All facets of the Network Edge product are ordered online using the Equinix Fabric portal or the Network Edge API. The system will update the pricing in real-time as you make changes to your solution. A summary will be presented before placing the order. You can also save and download or print a summary before committing to buy. All facets of the Network Edge product are ordered online using the Equinix Fabric portal or the Network Edge API. The system will update the pricing in real-time as you make changes to your solution. A summary will be presented before placing the order. You can also save and download or print a summary before committing to buy.

For onboarding and support questions, customers have three options:

  • Use the live chat feature to chat with a customer support representative while going through the device creation and billing account creation process in Network Edge.
  • Submit a trouble ticket by clicking Support and selecting Report an Issue in the Equinix Fabric Portal.
  • Send an email to support@equinix.com.

You can't save a device image and then use it as a backup, copy or reload. Multiple ways to accomplish this are on our roadmap for future releases.

Changes can't be implemented on provisioned devices, regardless of whether the changes are price impacting or not.

Trial Program Support

For information about our trial program, see Network Edge Free Trial or email customer support at support@equinix.com