Managed Private Storage
Managed Private Storage (MPS) is a Storage as a Service solution with consumption-based pricing, offering flexible file and block storage for a range of business needs. It reduces routine infrastructure management tasks for IT teams while maintaining security, performance, and high availability in a standardized and globally consistent environment. MPS supports quick deployment with a low initial volume requirement, removing the need for upfront storage purchases.
MPS offerings include a monthly recurring charge (MRC) for reserved capacity and performance, a non-recurring charge (NRC) for installation, and overage charges if utilization exceeds the reserved capacity in a given month, with the service allowing bursting of up to 25 percent of the reserved capacity.
For MPS deployments, Equinix is responsible for the initial installation and for making the capacity available. This includes 24x7 support for the Managed Private Storage product.
Main Features
- Global reach to allow customers to choose data storage locations based on business and data sovereignty requirements.
- Scalability through reserved capacity with additional bursting of up to 25 percent to remove upfront hardware costs and support capacity growth.
- Replication and redundancy with Inter-IBX protection for automatic regional replication to reduce data loss and application downtime.
- Encryption using software-based technologies to secure data at rest if media is repurposed, returned, misplaced, or stolen.
- Service level agreement defining availability commitments.
- Instant global connection through Equinix Fabric or direct links for private access to the storage platform, supporting colocation, customer-premises environments, and other managed services, with access available locally or across regions.
- Selectable types and tiers to choose between block storage and object storage.
- Multi-protocol support to accommodate diverse application needs with multiple supported protocols.
- Cloud-adjacent architecture with direct connectivity via Equinix Fabric and no egress fees for private connections to colocation and Managed Private Cloud, supporting predictable OPEX-based cost models.
- Fully managed operations 24x7 to allow teams to focus on priorities, innovation, and growth.
- Fast provisioning with minimal commitment and the ability to scale up or down based on demand.
Service Options
Managed Private Storage provides different storage types, each with varying performance and availability levels.
- Block Storage
- Object Storage
Block Storage
Block Storage is an approach for storing structured data by dividing it into fixed-size blocks and storing them separately. It offers performance and reliability suitable for critical business applications. Block Storage supports high-speed access and precise control, making it appropriate for databases, virtual machines, and transactional systems.
Why Choose Block Storage
- High performance for structured data, supporting databases and other applications that require consistent speed and reliability.
- Flexibility and scalability to expand storage capacity as data requirements increase without affecting performance.
- Integration with existing environments, with MPS – Block currently supporting iSCSI connectivity.
Block Storage Use Cases for MPS Block
- Databases that require fast data processing and high transaction throughput.
- Virtual machine storage where quick boot times and consistent application performance are required.
- Transactional workloads with high read/write demands that benefit from low latency and dependable throughput.
MPS Block provides management capabilities, protection against data loss through replication and backup methods, and a scalable infrastructure that adjusts to changing requirements, including these key features:
- Scalability to handle storage needs ranging from terabytes to exabytes.
- High-performance connectivity with iSCSI support for efficient data transfer.
- Security features that include encryption and controlled access to protect sensitive data.
- Data protection with synchronous and asynchronous replication options to support business continuity.
- Inter-IBX replication available in certain markets to improve fault tolerance and availability.
- Data sovereignty controls to keep data within a chosen geographic location unless configured otherwise.
- Proactive maintenance and monitoring with 24x7 operational support to help maintain system performance and reduce downtime.
Block Storage Service Demarcation and Enabling Services
Service demarcation defines the boundary between the customer environment and the Equinix environment. With MPS, Equinix provides Storage as a Service by supplying and managing the platform, including the operational console, servers, and storage components. Equinix also provides platform licensing and support. Equinix is not responsible for any client software or for Internet connectivity required to manage or use the service.
Onboarding
During the Managed Block Storage onboarding process, the following information is provided:
- Local administrator account with root permissions for each contracted tenant (MPS virtual machine).
- MPS virtual machine management URLs or IP addresses.
- The ordered quota.
- Service VLANs assigned to the customer for iSCSI connectivity.
Performance Targets
| Service Tier | Performance Target IOPS/TB (SLO) | Average Latency (SLO) | Profile | Protocols |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block (High-performance) | 2048 | < 1 ms | 60% Read / 40% Write; 32 KB Block Size | iSCSI |
| Block (Performance) | 1024 | 1-2 ms / 3-5 ms | 60% Read / 40% Write; 32 KB Block Size | iSCSI |
| Block (Standard) | 512 | 2-4 ms / 5-7 ms | 60% Read / 40% Write; 32 KB Block Size | iSCSI |
Object Storage
Object Storage is designed for handling and storing large volumes of unstructured data, including emails, multimedia files, web content, and data generated by IoT devices. Each data element is stored as an independent object with associated metadata, providing simplified management and access.
Why Choose Object Storage
- Versatility for unstructured data, supporting a wide range of data types and both short‑ and long‑term storage requirements.
- Flexibility and scalability to accommodate growing data volumes.
- Integration using the Simple Storage Service (S3) protocol, providing an API for direct access and management.
Object Storage Use Cases for MPS Object
- Backup data storage for securely retaining and accessing backup datasets from multiple vendors, supporting efficient backup and restore operations.
- Ransomware protection through immutable storage features and geo‑redundant replication.
MPS Object provides data management capabilities, protection against data loss using replicated or erasure‑coded copies, and a scalable infrastructure that adjusts to changing requirements, including these key features:
- Scalability supporting data growth from terabytes to petabytes.
- S3 compatibility for integration with applications that rely on S3 APIs.
- Security features including encryption, Transport Layer Security (TLS), and identity and access management.
- Data protection through erasure coding for resilient storage with minimal overhead.
- Inter‑IBX replication for geo‑redundant asynchronous replication across multiple sites to improve fault tolerance and availability (optional add‑on).
- Data sovereignty to ensure data remains in the selected geographic location unless otherwise configured.
- Proactive maintenance and monitoring for consistent performance and availability.
Object Storage Service Demarcation and Enabling Services
Service demarcation defines the boundary between the customer environment and the Equinix environment. With MPS, Equinix provides Storage as a Service by supplying and managing the platform, including the operational console, servers, and storage components. Equinix also provides licensing and support for the MPS platform. Equinix is not responsible for any client software or for Internet connectivity required to manage or use the service.
Onboarding
During the Managed Object Storage onboarding process, the following information is provided:
- One root account with root permissions within the tenant environment.
- Tenant name and account ID.
- Tenant portal and Managed Object Storage URLs.
- Username and password.
- API keys.
- The ordered quota.
- IP addresses included on the allow‑list.
Performance Targets
| Service Tier | Performance Target IOPS/TB (SLO) | Average Latency (SLO) | Profile | Protocols |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Object (Standard) | N/A | N/A | 4 MB | S3 |
Purchase Units
The MPS service is charged monthly based on baseline values or baseline with overage charge types.
- Baseline: The specific volume of the service, defined in the order, measured in the unit of measure (UoM).
- Overage: The quantity of the service consumed above the contracted baseline volume.
MPS is billed per terabyte, based on the total volume of data written. Access is provided up to the baseline volume ordered. If data usage exceeds the contracted amount, storage access continues without disruption. An overage charge is applied according to the overage price defined in the quote.
| Category | Purchase unit | UoM | Install fee | Billing method | Overage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPS Service | Block | TB | No | Baseline | Yes |
| MPS Service | Object | TB | No | Baseline | Yes |
Calculation of Overage Values
MPS consumption is measured multiple times per day. Each day, the maximum consumption reading is used for overage calculation. The monthly overage value is calculated as the sum of daily maximum consumption values above baseline divided by the number of days in the billing month.
The number of days in a billing month is defined as the period from two days before the start of the month to two days before the next month. For example, consumption for October is measured from 29 September through 30 October.
If a customer orders 100 TB of Block Storage, the daily maximum consumption is recorded as the following:
| Day of the month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | … | 30 | 31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usage | 70 TB | 75 TB | 85 TB | 110 TB | 111 TB | 110 TB | … | 98 TB | 98 TB |
The subscribed limit is exceeded on days 4, 5, and 6. After these days, the customer reduced the overall volume, bringing usage back below the subscribed limit.
Monthly overage: (10 TB + 11 TB + 10 TB) / 31 days = 1 TB overage
- Overage volume is capped at 25 percent of the committed volume.
- In this example, the customer can burst up to 125 TB (100 TB baseline + 25 TB burst capacity).
Roles and Responsibilities
Onboarding
Once the MPS order is received by the Equinix fulfillment team, onboarding tasks are started.
| Activity | Equinix | Customer |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule and execute project kickoff meeting | RA | CI |
| Schedule and execute customer onboarding | RA | CI |
| Connectivity (order and setup) | CI | RA |
| Selection of policies for data buckets | CI | RA |
| Configure customer tenant including capacity | RA | I |
| Solution documents and user guides | RA | CI |
| Infrastructure licensing and use rights | RA | I |
MPC customers do not require Equinix Fabric to connect to MPS Object.
Acceptance Into Service
After onboarding activities are completed, testing confirms whether the product was delivered successfully and is ready for billing.
| Activity | Equinix | Customer |
|---|---|---|
| Test access to MPS product page on Managed Solutions Portal | CI | RA |
| Create access key and access key password | RA | CI |
| Change initial password | RA | CI |
| Password management and additional users | RA | CI |
Operational
Once the MPS service is active, the following operational activities apply.
| Activity | Equinix | Customer |
|---|---|---|
| Install software and firmware updates and patches for storage infrastructure | RA | I |
| Create storage buckets | RA | CI |
| API management and key management | - | RA |
| Change management and schedule changes | RA | CI |
| Confirm changes to the customer | RA | CI |
| Configure IAM policies for data management and customer isolation | RA | CI |
| Tenant capacity management | I | RA |
| 24x7 platform management (incident/event management) | RA | I |
| Data life cycle management | I | RA |
| Platform capacity management | RA | I |
| Infrastructure life cycle management | RA | I |
| Performance management | RA | CI |
RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.
Incident Management
Incident management is included as part of service support. All incidents are handled according to priority. Priority is determined after the issue is reported and assessed by Equinix based on the information provided.
| Priority | Impact/Urgency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| P1 High | Unforeseen unavailability of a service or environment delivered and managed by Equinix in accordance with the service description due to a disruption. The user cannot fulfill obligations towards users and suffers direct demonstrable damage due to the unavailability of this functionality. | The service must be restored immediately. The production environments are unavailable, with platform-wide disruptions. |
| P2 Medium | The service does not offer full functionality or has partial functionality or reduced performance, impacting users. The user suffers direct demonstrable damage due to unavailability of the functionality. The service may be impacted due to limited availability. | The service must be repaired the same working day. The management environment is not available. |
| P3 Low | The service functions with limited availability for one or more users and a workaround is in place. | The moment of repair is determined in consultation with the reporting person. |
This classification does not apply to disruptions caused by user-specific applications, user actions, or dependencies on third parties. Incidents can be submitted in the Customer Portal under Managed Solutions. P1 incidents must be submitted by phone.
Service Requests
Customers can raise a Service Request for configuration changes that cannot be implemented through self-service in the Operational Console or when assistance is required for changes made in the Operational Console. Support is available 24x7x365 for the Managed Private Storage service.
There are two types of Service Requests:
- Included: Service Requests within the scope of the service, with no additional charges.
- Additional: Service Requests outside the scope of the service, with additional charges.
Guidance is available for all service requests that can be executed through self-service. In these cases, Equinix provides procedural instructions and oversees execution by the customer.
Customers may request changes not listed in the table by selecting Change in the Service Request module in the Managed Solutions Portal. Equinix will conduct an impact analysis to determine feasibility, associated costs, and lead time.
Any charges related to service requests are deducted from the Premier Support Plan balance. If the balance is insufficient, charges are invoiced in arrears at the prevailing rate. Changes to baseline capacity, the amount ordered, or any other change affecting the monthly service fee must be initiated through the Sales team.
General MPS Service Requests
| Type of change | Self-service | Request type |
|---|---|---|
| Initial installation and configuration¹ | No | One-time charge |
| Add/Delete capacity | No | Included |
| Add/Delete a service tier | No | Additional |
| Add/Delete Inter-IBX protection | No | Additional |
| Add service in a new IBX² | No | One-time charge |
MPS Object Service Requests
| Request name | Included/Additional |
|---|---|
| Initial installation and configuration¹ | Additional |
| Add/Delete capacity | Included |
| Add/Delete Inter-IBX protection | Additional |
| Add service in a new IBX² | New order |
| Activate/Deactivate object versioning | Included |
| Activate/Deactivate object locking | Included |
| Add/Remove user | Included |
| Add/Remove/Modify host mapping | Included |
| Add/Remove/Modify/Failover replication management | Additional |
¹Initial installation and configuration includes setting up the storage environment (size/volume, storage type, tier, protocol, and replication status), enabling connectivity (switching, VLANs, IP assignment, zoning), creating LUNs, applying SAN masking, and granting access to the environment. ²Expansion to a new IBX requires a business case assessment on a site-by-site basis, driven by financial and technical requirements. A feasibility study is required.
Reporting
As part of the service, customers have access to monthly service reporting covering the following topics:
- SLA reporting (available via Service Request)
- Capacity
Service Levels
The Service Level Agreement (SLA) defines the measurable performance levels for the MPS service and specifies the remedies available if these levels are not met. The service credits described in this section are the sole and exclusive remedy for failure to meet the stated thresholds.
The SLA for support applies to incident registration and resolution.
| Priority | Response time¹ | Resolution time² | Execution of work | SLA³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | < 30 min | < 4 hours | 24x7 | 95% |
| P2 | < 60 min | < 24 hours | 24x7 | 95% |
| P3 | < 120 min | < 5 days | 24x7 | 95% |
¹ Response time is measured from the moment a trouble ticket is submitted until a formal response is sent by an Equinix Managed Solutions specialist. ² Resolution time is measured from case registration until the ticket is closed, cancelled in the ITSM tool, or handed over to IBX Support. ³ SLA applies to response time. Specific SLA terms are defined in the product policy.
Availability
The MPS service is considered Unavailable when the customer cannot access the storage environment due to Equinix-caused reasons. The SLA applies only to the storage environment; unavailability caused by connection issues is not included.
| Availability Service Level | Description |
|---|---|
| 99.95%+ | Achieved when total monthly unavailability of the storage service is less than 22 minutes. |
| Service option | Availability |
|---|---|
| Managed Private Storage – Block / Object | 99.95% |