They provide a reliable low-latency connection with reduced network costs essential to organizations. They provide a reliable low-latency connection with reduced network costs essential to organizations.
Meet-me Room Meaning
A meet-me room (MMR) is a secure place where customers can connect to one or more carriers. The area allows cable companies, ISPs and other providers to connect with tenants within the data center. A MMR is a cabinet or rack that contains the hardware of carriers to allow for fast and reliable data transfers. MMRs are used to physically connect ISPs and companies located within the same facility. The peering process makes internet exchanges possible. The packets don’t have to go to the ISP main network, and then back. Data Exchange and how it works
Sending out data to the Internet requires that you have a connection with an Internet Service Provider. When two organizations are geographically far apart, data exchange occurs through a global ISP. The ISP then routes the packets towards the target system. In cases where two systems are in different continents or countries, this process is required. In these cases, a global ISP is crucial for the uninterrupted flow of traffic between the parties.
However, when two organizations are geographically close to each other, they can physically connect. A meet-me room in a data center or carrier hotel enables the two systems to exchange information directly.
Benefits of a Meet-me Room
All colocation data centers house an MMR. The majority of data centers are neutral in terms of carrier. It means that tenants can choose from a variety of network providers. Customers are more likely to choose a data center with multiple carriers when there are many. The main reason is that by having multiple choices for providers, customers can improve flexibility, redundancy, and optimize their connection.
The benefits of meet-me rooms include:
Reduced latency: High-bandwidth, direct connection decreases the number of network hops to a minimum. By eliminating network hops, latency is reduced substantially.
Reduced cost:
By connecting directly through a meet-me room, carriers bypass local loop charges. Customers may be able to find better rates with multiple carriers all in one location. Carrier neutral data centers can bring more carriers and expand their offering.
- Security and Restricted Access Meet-me rooms are monitored and secure areas within a data center typically encased in fire-rated walls. Unaccompanied visits are not allowed in these areas. They have restricted access. Multi-factor authentication prevents unauthorized personnel from entering the MMR space.
- Cameras record every activity in the room. Security breaches are rare with a 24/7 monitoring system and biometric scanners. MMRs may not have AC and DC power options. If the facility only provides one type of power, the design should offer more space for additional carrier equipment. Cooling is an essential part of every MMR. Colocation providers and data centers consider what equipment carriers will use in the MMR. High-performance cooling units make sure the MMR temperature always stays within acceptable ranges.
- Entrance for Carriers Network carriers enter a data center’s meet-me room by running a fiber cable from the street to the cross-connect room. Meet-me vaults (also known as meet-me box) are one way to do this. These infrastructure points are crucial for secure carrier entry to the facility. When appropriately designed, each plays a significant role in bringing a high number of providers to the data center.
Vaults
A meet-me vault is a concrete box for carriers’ fiber optic entry into the facility. Achieving maximum redundancy requires more than one vault in large data centers or carrier hotels.
Meet-me vaults are dug under the surface located at the perimeter of a data center. The lower the cost of connecting to the facility infrastructure, the closer the meet me vaults are located to the cable network. The presence of multiple points of entry, as well as meet-me vaults that are strategically placed, will attract more providers. The design allows for dozens of service providers to provide high bandwidth connections without sharing ducts. From meet-me vaults, cables go into the cross-connect room through reinforced trenches.
Cross-Connect Room
A cross-connect room (CCR) is a highly secure location within a data center where carriers connect to customers. The fiber can be routed from the cross-connect room to the carrier equipment in the meet me room or another place in the data centre. The primary purpose is to establish cross-connects between tenants and different service providers.
Access to cross-connect rooms is minimal. With carriers’ hardware located in the meet-me rooms, CCRs are a strong fiber entry point.
The Most Critical Room in a Data Center
Meet-me rooms are a critical point for uninterrupted Internet exchange and ensure smooth transmission of data between tenants and carriers Enterprise benefit by establishing a direct connection with their partners and service providers.
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