Data centre storage (from £0.005p to £0.05 per GB)
Quick explanation
Developers and technology Entrepreneurs tell us time and time again the best way for them to make use of cloud or data centre based storage is via a front-end server on the same network as their storage which they can control. With this in mind we provide connectivity via a Windows 2008 R2 front-end server and unlimited storage on our SANs via gigabit iSCSI connections. Servers are virtualised and run Windows 2008 R2. Physical dedicated servers and clustered physical servers are also available.
This allows you to stream data to and from your server using the application and technology of your choice.
Unlimited storage is available in 16TB LUNs from our SAN networks in Maidenhead, Croydon and Edinburgh with no limit on the amount of LUNs available to you. With cost in mind we deliver the required platform at the right price to allow developers and IT experts to compete on a technological and pricing level with major corporates and cloud providers without compromising on service.
Should you have more than one server with us we can VLAN your servers into their own private network within any of our data centre facilities. This allows you to share your storage and resources with your customers in a secure and highly available manner.
We can also provide a VLANed \ point-to-point static VPN connection between our core switches and your own infrastructure if you are using Cisco appliances (extra fee applies).
Who uses this service ?
Our online data storage facility is used by:
Online backup service companies
Online backup companies using their own software require a low-cost and robust backup platform such as ours. Because we don't place any restrictions on the amount of storage data available and don't charge for data transfer outside of our 'fair usage' policy we are the preferred SaaS platform provider in the UK for companies who don't want the overhead of building and maintaining their own backup platform. Typically online backup companies use applications such as Vembu's StoreGrid, Ahsay, FTP and WebDav.
Hosted and dedicated Exchange service providers
Private and public hosted Exchange platforms must be available 24x7 and be able to grow seamlessly. Our managed network provides both and because of its low cost is a popular choice for providers. Because of Microsoft's licensing agreement we have to provide all Microsoft licenses when used on our platform. We have a SPLA agreement which allows us to rent Microsoft licensing at a low cost. The result is a platform which is managed by us at the hardware and license levels, leaving the technical expert free to run their business.
Where High Availability is required we can cluster virtual and physical servers as required or host your own equipment for you.
Website hosting companies
Web hosting is the ultimate servant of low cost computing and as such must produce the maximum ROI for the hosting company. Our servers and storage are competitively priced and our servers come with a standard build which allows you to add only the Windows features you require.
Hosted application and SaaS providers
DR recovery and failover sites
Managed email providers
Application and development testers
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) are bespoke systems and are configured around specific customer requirements. These are in effect Cloud terminologies which we can discuss if you require a private cloud constructed and managed by us.
Third party virtual servers
Have you pre-built a VM and want it hosted in a data centre? Contact us for further details.
Features
Complete control - You will have full root access via RDP or another application of your choice to your server so you can connect to it as you would any server.
Latest technology - Our baseline virtual server configuration utilises Windows 2008 R2 and has 2GB of RAM. You can easily upgrade any virtual server to a maximum of 48GB RAM and 4 processor cores. If you require a physical hardware server we can supply one to your specification. We currently use HP or Dell servers. Server clustering is also available.
Security and connectivity - If you have more than one server with us we can VLAN all of your servers into one virtual private network. This is a managed layer 3 service which will not only secure your server but will also improve performance.
Network connectivity and speed - Fast 100Mbps internet link. Private circuits up to 1Gbps available.
Persistent and highly available - Our service runs on Microsoft's Hyper V platform and utilises high availability clustering.
Inexpensive solution - If you can find a like-for-like service that is more competitively priced, we will match it and give you 3 months free of our service.
Import and export of bulk data
If you need to upload or download a large amount of data to your server we recommend using a portable or removable USB drive.
What do we mean by large amounts of data?
Example You have 2TB of data you want to transfer and assume an overhead of 5%.
1.54 Mbps connection (T1), the upload will take 126 days.
10 Mbps connection, the upload will take 19 days.
We can receive and send out bulk data on removable media the same day.
.
Connection type
Power connections: Standard UK 3 pin (kettle lead), IEC (UPS lead) or USB powered. Non UK devices must be switchable to 240v.
Data connections: USB (any type)
Size and weight: Any normal portable media disk.
Please contact us if you want use a NAS or any other type of device.
See pricing below.
Pricing (monthly)
| SERVER - front-end server pricing | |
| Server specification - Virtualised Windows 2008 R2, 2GB RAM, 50GB OS partition, 1 x IP, 1 x processor core on an Intel 64bit processor, 100Mbps shared connectivity. | £45 per month |
| Dedicated and clustered dedicated servers | Contact us for a quote |
| Extra server resources | |
| RAM (maximum of 48GB per server) | £4 per GB |
| Processor core (maximum of 4 per server) | £3 |
| Extra IP address | £2 (justification required for RIPE) |
| STORAGE - production (persistent SAN storage) | Up to 3TB | 3TB – 50TB | 50TB – 200TB | Over 200TB |
| Per GB | £0.05 | £0.03 | £0.01 | £0.005 |
| STORAGE - backup (used for backing up production storage). FTP or Windows share |
Up to 50TB | Over 50TB |
| Per GB | £0.03 | £0.01 |
| Security and firewall services | |
| Hardware firewall (shared Cisco ASA device) | £4.5 |
| VLAN your server into a private network (used for 2 or more servers) | £15 per server |
| CA signed SSL cert (12 months) | £12 (annual price) |
| Cisco point-to-point static VPN to your server(s) | £95 per connection |
| MCSE \ CCIE software and networking services | £90 per hour |
| Import \ export of bulk data | |
| Bulk import \ export using removable disks (2 disks) | £75 (based on customer supplying and shipping disk(s)) |
| Per hour loading (per disk) | £0.67 |
| Extras | |
| Windows 2008 R2 persistent cluster services | Contact us for a quote |
Working scenarios (prices correct at October 2011)
Managed private Exchange provider with 75 mailboxes and 2TB of customer data.
Requirements
Environment
: Windows 2008 R2 front-end server with 6GB RAM running in a data centre facility.
Storage
: Highly available, durable and unlimited capacity.
2TB required.
Backups
: Must have access to a secondary server or storage device within another facility for backups.
Recommended Solution
Price
: £161 per month. Comprises of 1 x virtualised Windows 2008 R2 server with 6GB RAM and 2TB of SAN storage.
Environment
: Windows 2008 R2 front-end server (virtualised) running in a data centre facility with access to unlimited computing
resources.
Storage
: Highly available, durable and unlimited SAN storage connected via iSCSI.
Backups
: Optional 2TB of secondary storage attached to the primary server running within another facility.
Options
: You can specify your own physical dedicated servers and choose to cluster two servers using Windows 2008 R2 for high availability.
Hosted Exchange provider with 1000 mailboxes and 16TB of customer data.
Requirements
Environment
: Windows 2008 R2 front-end server with 12GB RAM running in a data centre facility.
Storage
: Highly available, durable and unlimited storage capacity.
16TB required.
Backups
: Must have access to a secondary server or storage device in another facility for backups.
Recommended Solution
Price
: £625 per month. Comprises of 1 x virtualised Windows 2008 R2 server with 12GB RAM and 16TB of SAN storage.
Environment : Windows 2008 R2 front-end server (virtualised) running in a data centre facility with access to unlimited computing
resources.
Storage : Highly available, durable and unlimited SAN storage connected via iSCSI.
Backups : Optional 16TB of secondary storage attached to the primary server running within another facility.
Options : You can specify your own physical dedicated servers and choose to cluster two servers using Windows 2008 R2 for high availability.
Online backup provider with 16TB of customer data.
Requirements
Environment
: Windows 2008 R2 front end-server running in a data centre facility.
Storage
: Highly available, durable and unlimited storage capacity.
16TB required.
Backups : Must have access to a secondary server or storage device in another facility for backups.
Recommended Solution
Price : £585 per month. Comprises of 1 x virtualised Windows 2008 R2 server with 16TB of SAN storage..
Environment
: Windows 2008 R2 front end-server (virtualised) running in a data centre facility with access to unlimited computing
resources.
Storage : Highly available, durable and unlimited SAN storage connected via iSCSI.
Backups : Optional 16TB of secondary storage attached to the primary server running within another facility.
Options
: You can specify your own physical dedicated servers and choose to cluster two servers using Windows 2008 R2 for high availability.
Website hosting provider with 500GB of customer data.
Requirements
Environment
: Windows 2008 R2 front-end server running in a data centre facility.
Storage
: Highly available, durable and unlimited storage capacity.
Backups
: Option to have access to a secondary server in another facility for backups.
Recommended Solution
Price
: £70 per month. Comprises of 1 x virtualised Windows 2008 R2 server with 500GB of SAN storage.
Environment
: Windows 2008 R2 front-end server (virtualised) running in a data centre facility with access to unlimited computing
resources.
Storage : Highly available, durable and unlimited SAN storage connected via iSCSI.
Backups : Optional 500GB of secondary storage attached to the primary server running within another facility.
Options
: You can specify your own physical dedicated servers and choose to cluster two servers using Windows 2008 R2 for high availability.
VFAQs
General
Q. How is the service different to that offered by other hosting companies and cloud providers?
Your server will be built and stress tested by a real person before it is released for operation. All of our services are provided on a fixed-price basis and we never bill for one-off overuse of resources. All resources are directly connected to the underlying server hardware with no grey areas around shared resources. All storage is directly attached to your server via an iSCSI connection running at gigabit speeds.
Q. Do I have to build my own Window server?
No. Your server will be pre-built for you and your storage attached, you can install other Windows components such as IIS. If you choose to use a hardware firewall to protect your server(s), this will be configured before your server is release into production. If you have specific requests such as installing Microsoft Exchange or SQL, our in-house team can do this for you if you prefer.
Q. Do I have full control of my server?
Yes. Your server can be accessed immediately via RDP.
Q. Can I upload \ export storage?
Yes. We can import and export storage using removable disks (charges apply).
Q. How much storage data is available?
We have unlimited capacity available in 16TB sizes LUNs of which there are no limits on quantity. LUN sizes of over 16TB are not recommended by Microsoft when using NTFS.
Q. What about support?
Support is available on the phone, email and trouble ticket system.
Q. Can I upsize my server(s)?
Yes. You can increase your server’s storage, processor and RAM.
Billing
Q. How does billing work?
We will ask for a pro-rata payment up to the end of the current month before we build your server. All other invoices will be issued on 30 day terms and payable by BACs. International payments are received via PayPal only.
Q. Cloud providers charge for the time my server is running. If I leave it on and it isn’t being used will I still be charged?
No. You will only be charged for your regular fixed monthly price and there are no hidden extras.
Q. Do you charge for bandwidth used?
No. There are no restrictions on your bandwidth. All we ask is that you transfer in\out no more than 50% of your purchased storage. This keeps undesirables off our network such as SPAMMERS and illegal file sharers.
Q. Will I be compensated for any downtime?
Yes. We refund 100% of your monthly fee for any unscheduled downtime incurred outside of our 99.99% SLA.
Reliability and performance
Q. Do you monitor my server and update me when it is not responding?
We monitor our own network 24x7 and respond to incidents which will affect your server. We can automatically monitor the internal processes of your server and alert you to internal issues in your server (charges apply).
Q. My application works better on Intel 64 bit processor which processors do you use?
All of our servers exclusively use Intel 64 bit processors.
Q: Is my data backed up by the data centre?
No. Whereas our systems are highly available and have multiple layers of redundancy we recommend you back up or replicate your critical data to another facility. We offer low cost backup facilities for this purpose.
Q. Can I get a true public IP address?
Yes. Your server will come with one public IP address and more can be supplied on request (subject to RIPE approval).
Security
Q. Is my server secure?
Yes. Your server will only accessible by you. If you add extra servers to your account we can VLAN those so they communicate with one another within your own private network. You also have the option when ordering your server to incorporate a hardware firewall in front of your server. This will permit you to specify which Internet based devices can communicate with your server(s) and on which ports.
Q. Can I establish a site-to-site hardware-based VPN straight to my server?
Yes. We can configure a hardware VPN on our gateway which will communicate with your router on your premises. Or if you prefer we can host your own hardware router on our network (fee applies).
Infrastructure
All data is stored in one of the UK’s leading Blue Square data centres, see here.
Terms
Terms will be issued depending on your server specifications, please contact us for
more details here.
