At Virgo Networks, we work hard to deliver a reliable service platform upon which our customers can depend. Doing this involves a carefully designed blend of hardware, software and facilities, continuously evolving to meet the requirements of upcoming applications and demand.

Servers

Virgo Networks only use high quality, branded server hardware. High quality hardware provide increased reliability, resulting in a reduced requirement for hardware maintenance and replacement. Should the need for replacement components arise, we keep stock of all of the common parts used in our servers to ensure that any problematic hardware can be replaced immediately without interruption to service.

We use a combination of Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems on our servers, with our shared and reseller hosting packages being served from Linux systems running the Interworx control panel.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Using Cisco Systems and 3Com (now part of HP) network hardware, our network has been designed with scalability and performance in mind. Our network has been designed to eliminate single points of failure, with redundant hardware and diverse cabling topologies. We make use of multiple upstream providers, including Level 3, KPN, Global Crossing, TATA, AboveNet and Virgin Media.

Datacentre Facilities

Most of our hardware is located in the NE5 Datacentre, just outside of Newcastle upon Tyne. The datacentre is situated within easy reach from the city centre, with excellent road links to the A1 and Newcastle International Airport. The site is secured with an extensive CCTV system, 24 hour security presence and centralised digital access control.

The NE5 Datacentre has a dedicated connection to the local Northern Powergrid electricity substation, ensuring the highest levels of availability for power from the grid. In the unlikely event of a power failure, the datacentre features an on-site backup generator which can be used to provide power to the datacentre and its associated hardware indefinitely. A high capacity UPS is provided in an N+1 configuration to supply power whilst the generator is starting.

Inside the datacentre hardware is cooled with the use of multiple DX air-conditioning units, with racks arranged in a "hot aisle, cold aisle" topology. A dual ionisation/smoke detection system is installed throughout the datacentre, with Tyco Inergen "clean-agent" fire suppression technology to protect vital hardware and infrastructure.