The FirstServed network

Our network is built with great care: scalability, quality and reliability are returning factors at every adjustment or extension of the FirstServed IP network.

Datacenters

FirstServed has opted for a professional datacenter infrastructure provided by KPN (now Mobistar) Belgium and Interxion. KPN has multiple datacenters in Belgium with as main data center the facility in Nossegem (Brussels). The majority of the FirstServed network infrastructure is installed in this facility.

Additionally we have a direct link with our routing equipment and infrastructure in the Interxion datacenter at Zaventem (Brussels).

The modern infrastructure of the KPN Belgium datacenter in Nossegem – ready for the high-end hosting demands of the future, in combination with the flexible offer of several major connectivity providers, excellent connectivity with for example the Belgian National Internet eXchange (BNIX) and the Metropolitan Area Networks at Interxion in Zaventem guarantee a reliable connectivity with the most important European and transcontinental network operators.

IP connectivity

We have our own AS (Autonomous System) number and are registered RIPE (Réseaux IP Européens) member. Our network is entirely redundant and uses a dual high-end Juniper router setup.

Naturally, our network is built with great care. This means a fast, performing and guaranteed connection to the Internet is always available. The secured professional infrastructure gives the necessary guarantees for the future.

As for connectivity, FirstServed relies on the fiber networks offered by Tinet (former Tiscali), Mobistar and Cogent Communications.

Both operators have a global IP network with excellent connectivity worldwide. They deliver services at several industry branches spread amongst a broad spectrum of sectors.

Network infrastructure

The FirstServed routing equipment is connected to seperate network operators by using redundant uplinks. The Juniper routing equipment determines the best path towards the Internet by using BGP and ensure the perfect connectivity at all times. Both routers are connected to several Cisco enterprise layer 3 gigabit switching setup - the FirstServed backbone - by using optical cabling. From there connectivity is taken to the distribution network and the access layes, where the FirstServed customers are located.

The access network takes care of the gigabit connections for FirstServed rack housing customers. Every FirstServed customer receives two uplinks within an own secured VLAN (Virtual LAN) so the assigned IP address range can be defined as a standalone network without being influenced by other configurations and other FirstServed customers.

Through VRRP ( Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol ), FirstServed offers two redundant uplinks with one IP address. VRRP ensures the connectivity is guaranteed by picking the correct uplink.

The secured VLAN and usage of VRRP guarantee an extra connecvitity and security level on top of the already redundant network.

Security

The FirstServed Dedicated Server and Server Housing (Co-location) customers are connected to the access layer in the FirstServed network.

A Cisco ASA based firewall setupin a redundant active/standby mode ensures a permanent firewall protection and secure VPN access to the FirstServed distribution network. The stand-by unit automatically takes over in case the active unit goes offline for some reason. The firewall takes care of intrusion detection, network attacks and active protection of dedicated servers and co-located servers.

The Cisco access switches - redundantly connected to the ASA firewalls - take care of the connections for our dedicated server and co-location customers. Each customer receives two ethernet connections. By using link aggregation ( NIC bonding ), FirstServed guarantees a redundant connection at the physical network interface of the dedicated server.

Whenever the FirstServed network is managed or extended, Cisco and Juniper equipment is chosen: quality and reliability are two imporant pillars for our infrastructure.

This ensures FirstServed can guarantee you a redundant, flexibel and performing connectivity experience!