VIVAnet DC

VIVAnet DC is a carrier-neutral facility (in other words, a data center that is independent of telecommunications and internet service providers), which means that it is not tied to a single internet service provider (ISP) or telecommunications company, but provides access to multiple service providers.

Operators of server rooms operating under the traditional business model primarily offer their customers service packages in which, in addition to the placement and operation of equipment, telecommunications, IP, and internet services can only be obtained from them or from their preferred providers.

However, this traditional solution does not guarantee the best prices and services for customers, as the lack of competition between providers means that prices are higher and the quality of services available in such server rooms can vary.

In contrast, a carrier-neutral data center allows customers to freely and flexibly choose from among the various providers available. This allows them to take advantage of competitive benefits, lower prices, and even better service levels.

For this reason, in VIVAnet DC's service packages, internet access is only listed as an option for rack and server colocation services. As a result, our customers can choose the solution that best suits their needs from the offerings of any provider located in or accessible from our server room.

This business approach has many advantages for our customers, the most important of which are as follows:

• Competitive advantage: Our customers are free to choose from among the available service providers, which strengthens competition between them. This results in more favorable prices and more flexible service packages.
• Redundancy and reliability: ISP-independent redundancy can be achieved through multiple network connections, so if one provider's network goes down, the connection can continue to operate through the other. This dramatically improves uptime and network security.
• Scalability: Our customers can easily expand their bandwidth or switch to another provider as their needs change, without having to move their equipment to another server room provider.
• Complete control in the hands of the customer: Our customers can choose their network strategy according to their own needs and are not dependent on the business model or technical limitations of a single provider.
• Easier international connections: The presence of multiple telecommunications and IP providers makes international transit and peering connections cheaper, which is ideal for both locally and globally operating companies.
• Lower latency: Direct connections between providers enable faster, more direct data transfer. This is a critical factor for internet services, gaming platforms, and streaming, for example.

In summary: The carrier-neutral data center offers competitive prices, independence, redundancy, flexibility, and better network performance, ensuring more reliable and cost-effective operation for our customers in the long term.

The closed cold aisle containment cooling system is a modern and efficient solution for cooling server rooms. Its essence is that it physically separates the cold air intended for cooling from the warm air in the room, thus optimizing cooling efficiency. The main advantages of this solution are:

More efficient cooling

• The cold air reaches the servers' intake vents directly and does not mix with the warmer air in the room.
• The load on the cooling system is reduced, as it is not necessary to maintain the same temperature throughout the entire room.

Energy savings

<>Less energy is required to operate air conditioning systems, as they can operate with a smaller temperature difference. Electricity consumption for cooling can be reduced by up to 20-40% compared to conventional solutions. This allows VIVAnet DC to offer low electricity rates.
• Lower electricity consumption contributes to more sustainable operation and environmental protection.

Greater cooling capacity, denser IT equipment placement

• It also allows for the cooling of more powerful and densely placed servers, as it provides targeted heat removal.
• This means that VIVAnet DC can also meet the cooling requirements of artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Predictable airflow, more stable ambient temperature

• The enclosed cold aisle ensures that airflow is directed and controlled, which facilitates precise temperature control.
• Stable spatial and temporal temperature distribution in the server room. More uniform temperatures reduce thermal stress on hardware, which increases its lifespan and reduces the chance of failure. This means lower long-term maintenance costs for equipment housed in VIVAnet DC server rooms.

Easier up-scaling

• A well-designed enclosed cold aisle system can be more easily expanded with new racks or higher-performance equipment without significantly altering the cooling system.
• This allows our customers to use their own rack cabinets in VIVAnet DC server rooms.

Low PUE value (Power Usage Effectiveness)

• Reducing PUE (closer to 1.0) is an important goal in energy-efficient data centers, and enclosed cold aisles can contribute to this.
• This ensures VIVAnet DC's low PUE value, which is currently 1.39

Remote hands services refer to the remote assistance required to operate customer equipment located in the server room, which VIVAnet DC also provides to its customers. These services enable remote operations to be performed without our customers having to be physically present on site.

Installation and connection of equipment

• Receipt and dispatch of equipment and components arrived by post or courier
• Installation and connection of servers, racks, and network devices
• Cabling (power cables, network cables)
• Replacing network connections/cables or power cables
• Packaging and returning devices, if necessary

Diagnosing and troubleshooting hardware faults

• Monitoring LEDs and fault indicators and, based on these and after consultation, taking appropriate action (e.g. replacing RAM or HDD)
• Restarting servers if necessary
• Replacing parts in servers and network devices if the customer does not wish to be present

Handling connection errors

• Device connections (patch cables): connecting Ethernet or optical cables, configuring network devices and switches
• Rebooting device modules, reconnecting or checking network cables to restore the connection

Remote commissioning and configuration

• Modifying BIOS settings or performing hardware startup settings
• Installing or preparing the operating system
• Performing firmware updates or other basic configuration changes

Troubleshooting assistance

• Physical inspection: device status, layout, secure connection/fastening of power cables
• Remote diagnostic assistance: the server room operator can help identify the source of the error
• Physical restart or power shutdown/restart of devices, power supply disconnection/reconnection
• Connection of remote console device
• Assistance with access management, e.g. configuration of alarm thresholds

Backup system management

• Initiating or checking data and security backups
• Replacing backup devices or managing removable media (e.g., tape cards, external drives)

Other on-site interventions

• Disconnecting or removing faulty devices or performing minor on-site maintenance
• Minor component replacements (e.g., power supply, fan, SSD/HDD drive, memory module)

Documenting related tasks

• Documenting workflows and events for traceability
• Logging configuration states and changes for later troubleshooting

are management services important?
Our remote hands services help our customers save time and money by eliminating the need to be physically present in the server room. They also reduce operational risks, as our expert staff can quickly and professionally handle any issues on site.

For services with individually measured electricity consumption, the fee proportional to electricity consumption is invoiced monthly in addition to the monthly service package fee, based on individually measured electricity consumption. The unit price proportional to electricity consumption indicated for the service package always includes the costs of cooling and uninterruptible power supply.

In a flat-rate package, the monthly fee is fixed and the amount already includes the full cost of cooling and uninterruptible power supply.

The power consumption model for server placement (flat monthly fee or individually measured power consumption) can have a significant impact on costs. To make the right decision, consider the following factors:

Server or Network device power consumption and planned load

• For low-power servers and switches, a flat-rate system is often more favorable, as you don't have to monitor consumption and costs can be planned in advance.
• For variable or high-performance servers or routers, individually measured consumption may be more accurate and cost-effective, as you only pay for the energy you actually use.

Cost predictability and flexibility

• Flat monthly fee model
  • Advantage: Cost stability, simpler cost planning.
  • Disadvantage: With lower energy consumption, regular payments may be higher than actual usage.
• Individually measured power consumption
  • Advantage: Can be more cost-effective if your server's energy consumption is variable or low.
  • Disadvantage: With high fluctuations, monthly costs are more difficult to plan.

Load and scaling

• A flat-rate model is advantageous if your energy needs are expected to increase or if you plan to install more devices in the future.
• Individually measured consumption is ideal if you only want to pay for the energy you actually use.

Operational and administrative considerations

• Flat-rate model: Simpler administration, no need to monitor and plan electricity consumption separately each month.
• Individually metered electricity consumption: More accurate billing, but requires continuous monitoring.

Energy efficiency and optimization

• Individually metered electricity consumption can help improve sustainability and cost optimization if you use energy-efficient equipment.

Summary: Which model should you choose?

• Choose the flat-rate monthly model if:
  • You need predictable costs.
  • Your devices' energy consumption is relatively constant.
  • You want to simplify administration.
• Choose individually measured power consumption if:
  • Your energy consumption varies or your servers' load is not constant.
  • You want to improve energy efficiency and cost optimization.
  • You need more flexible cost accounting.

Both models have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the solution that best suits your needs and business goals. The decision largely depends on the type of equipment you operate, your business model, and your long-term scaling plans. If you are unsure about your choice, it is worth consulting with us in advance.

For both subscription models, we send a monthly energy report on the deployed devices, which includes actual power consumption. In the case of a flat-rate monthly package, the report is for informational purposes only, while in the case of individually measured power consumption, monthly billing is based on the report.

You can switch between the two modes at any time during the contract period, but the change will only take effect at the beginning of the following month.

Four different telecommunications providers currently offer dark fiber leases for access to VIVAnet DC. The optical fibers arrive at the server room via two redundant, independent routes, ensuring high availability and network redundancy.

Two providers also have pre-installed optical settings in the room. This allows them to offer our customers a working connection within days.

In addition to the above, we have our own pre-built optical fibers in the main server rooms in Budapest, which allow us to offer DWDM-based 1/10/25Gbps connections quickly and cost-effectively and reach additional service providers. If required, we can provide service on these optical connections within hours.

Beyond the Hungarian and European Union legal frameworks, VIVAnet DC does not impose any restrictions on the devices operated by customers or the software and applications running on them. The same applies to devices leased by VIVAnet DC.