Direct Answer
Data-center interconnection is a network-design decision before it is a circuit purchase. The right architecture depends on the applications crossing the link, capacity growth, latency, availability, physical diversity, security, operating responsibility and long-term economics.
Begin with the traffic and recovery model
Replication, backup, storage, active-active applications, workload mobility and user traffic create different bandwidth and latency requirements. Define normal operations, peak conditions and what must continue during a failure.
Select transport around control and scale
Managed Ethernet can simplify operations. Wavelengths provide dedicated high-capacity transport without customer-operated optics. Dark fiber provides the greatest control and scaling potential when the route, term, technical staff and economics support it.
Engineer physical diversity
Primary and backup links should be evaluated for common conduit, carrier facilities, building entrances, meet-me rooms, equipment and power. Logical redundancy cannot overcome a shared physical cut.
Account for cloud and ecosystem access
Interconnection plans may also need cloud on-ramps, Internet exchanges, financial venues, customer networks and carrier-neutral meet-me rooms. These dependencies should be mapped before selecting facilities or routes.
Plan operations before activation
Define monitoring, change control, encryption, failover behavior, escalation, maintenance coordination and capacity thresholds. A fast circuit without an operating plan can still create application risk.
Frequently asked questions
What is data-center interconnection?
It is the network architecture and transport connecting two or more data centers, colocation sites, cloud on-ramps or critical facilities.
Which services can connect data centers?
Common options include managed Ethernet, private lines, wavelengths and dark fiber, selected according to capacity, control, route availability and economics.
Why is route diversity important for DCI?
Data-center services may depend on both links continuously. Shared conduit, entrances or carrier facilities can turn two circuits into one failure domain.
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