Web Hosting
UNEARTHED® HOSTING SOLUTIONS
USA-BASED HOSTING SOLUTIONS | AUSTRALIAN-BASED HOSTING SOLUTIONS
Since launching our first web presence in the late 90's, we have used the services of myriad web hosting providers in Australia and across the globe. We also have significant exposure to internetworking solutions for the "big end of town" through our work on Government and Corporate projects. Very early on in our respective careers we were unable to uncover a host who offered the level of reliability and support we demanded for the business needs of our clients. This included services provided by some Australia's 'leading' hosting providers.
To meet the needs of modern day online tourism enterprises, we have developed an offering with Pair Networks, one of the planet's largest and most capable hosting firms.
Listed below are some of the key points of difference that make this service incredible value, as the already robust Pair offerings are coupled with local implementation, management and support by Unearthed®.
Contact us for an all inclusive annual quote specifically suited to your business needs.
KEY POINTS - UNEARTHED® HOSTING (USA)
The majority of hosting plans we recommend are offered in the following environment. From time to time we may recommend alternatives based on your specific business needs and budget.
Experience and Expertise
Pair's hosting services were founded in 1996, making it one of the true long-term players in the global hosting marketplace.
Unearthed® adds its local implementation and management services to ensure this global offering is seamlessly integrated with your online business needs. We provide unlimited email support for any hosting issues you may encounter.
World Class Network
The network connectivity provided to Unearthed's client sites is second to none. Multiple fibre-optic connections to six backbone providers ensure that Web sites enjoy the ultimate in redundant accessibility. Industry-leading routing and switching hardware from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Foundry Networks, and Extreme Networks keep data flowing quickly and efficiently on a fully switched, collision-free, congestion-free network.
Connectivity providers are:
AT&T - OC-12c
Sprint - OC-12c
Global Crossing - OC-12c
Level(3) - GigE
SAVVIS (C&W) - GigE
TeliaSonera - OC-3c
PitX peers - up to GigE
Unearthed's network of personnel remain online via a secure Virtual Private Network with full redundancy - including local Uniterruptible Power Supply at all locations, alternative switched internetworking connections, and a policy of same business day hot-swap hardware replacement. This strategy ensures your support personnel have the best possible chance of remaining accessible in even the most 'technically trying' times.
Top of the Line Web Hosting Servers
Our client sites are hosted only on top of the line, custom-built Intel and AMD servers running the ultra-stable and secure FreeBSD UNIX operating system. The security, stability, and reliability of these security-hardened servers is passed on to Unearthed® and clients as a direct benefit. The host's specialization in one platform ensures the best possible service and support.
Unearthed® has a corporate policy of renewal and currency of all core technologies, including all hardware and components involved in the support of your web presence.
Uptime and Reliability
The hosting network is monitored and maintained 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Server and network uptime is well in excess of 99.9%. Data is backed up daily to ensure full recovery in the event of a network wide disaster. The entire hosting facility is protected by multi-stage security, FM-200 fire suppression systems, Powerware battery backup systems, and a massive back up power generation capability.
For clients utilising database technologies in delivery of their services, Unearthed offers (optionally) a full database backup service (snapshots of database are generally taken as often as once per week and stored locally and remotely).
FreeBSD UNIX Operating System
Unix operating systems have been proven stable and reliable through decades of enhancement and improvement. Our sites are based on the open-source FreeBSD UNIX operating system exclusively for all of our Web hosting services. This added reliability, scalability, and security is a benefit to your site.
Our local network also leverages the power of Open Source applications wherever possible, meaning the lowest possible Total Cost of Ownership is passed on to clients. We consciously control all overheads, to maintain our operation running as lean as possible, without sacrificing the quality and attention to detail for which Unearthed® is well known.
Security
Data is kept safe with a combination of multi-layer physical security and comprehensive network security. Only authorized systems administrators are permitted to access the datacenter facility. All restricted areas are protected by video surveillance as well as on-site personnel, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Our FreeBSD UNIX servers are extensively hardened and tested to protect data from compromise. Systems administrators actively maintain awareness of new security developments, and as an open-source system, FreeBSD is easy to update with new protections. We work hard to keep your site operational and your data secure.
Client applications developed by Unearthed® pay attention to all current standards and security advisories to limit any potential compromising of online systems.
Redundant Systems
Websites are kept online through a diversely connected redundant network, ensuring your website will be available on demand regardless of most network problems or circuit failures. Data is protected by multi-stage security, fire suppression systems, on-site and off-site data backup systems, and a 750,000 watt diesel generator that can keep your Web site up and running indefinitely. Our systems are designed to always stay online.
Unearthed's personnel also remain current in all areas of programming to limit the likelihood of any external intrusion into client systems. Our expertise in online security is well developed with many clients sites safely and securely serving mission-critical data across the world wide web.
Price and Performance
No matter how large or small your Web site is now, our hosting solutions offer the affordable upgrade path that will meet those needs for years to come. Regardless of how quickly your needs may evolve, Unearthed's web hosting solutions are there to allow your business to grow online.
Redundant Climate Control
The custom-built datacenter employs four redundant Liebert 30-ton climate control units, utilizing two completely separate air duct systems which are interleaved throughout the datacenter. Each system is capable of controlling temperature and humidity for the entire datacenter. Two 10-ton units also contribute to crosswind airflow.
Automatic failover systems ensure that in the event of hardware failure, environmental cooling is preserved. Temperature monitors placed throughout the datacenter ensure that we have early warning of any change in conditions.
All local points of presence are climate controlled with physical security in place, providing robust services to the Unearthed® client base at all points in the distribution channel.
Uninterruptible Power Supply
Providing continuous clean power is a significant challenge for modern datacenters. All of our power is delivered through the massive Powerware 9315 Hot Sync online Uninterruptible Power System . Weighing in at more than nine metric tons, this unit can operate the entire facility for more than four hours on battery power alone.
The UPS conditions power, but rarely needs to provide power from battery, as our Automatic Transfer Switch ensures that our standby generator comes online promptly in the event of an outage.
All network devices and hardware within the Unearthed® network are also run via local conditions UPS systems, ensuring integrity of hardware and smooth delivery of all services.
Standby Generator
The factory-new 750,000 watt Caterpillar diesel generator provides emergency power for our facility, in the event of utility outages. Started by Automatic Transfer Switch, and fueled from a sizeable base tank, this generator can power our datacenter indefinitely.
The generator is tested weekly and is maintained rigorously. Multiple refueling contracts ensure continued operation even during extended outages.
In the unlikely event all means of alternative power are exhausted in Pittsburgh, Unearthed® holds copies of all client data and applications inhouse, for migration to alternative hosting services if required.
In the event of massive natural disaster within Australia affecting one or more of our network points of presence, our offsite backup strategy also provides the best possible chances of immediate recovery.
Fire Suppression
An automatic fire suppression system uses distributed sensors to determine when hazardous fire or smoke conditions exist in the datacenter. After appropriate warning, including notification to the building alarm system and local fire department, the FM-200 fire suppression agent is dumped to extinguish fire or smoldering within the datacenter.
Contact us for an all inclusive annual quote specifically suited to your business needs.
KEY POINTS - UNEARTHED AUSTRALIAN BASED WEB HOSTING
Realistically, the highly developed and competitive offshore hosting options make it diffcult to go past US-based infrastructure. However, for bandwidth intensive applications or those requiring low latency between domestic locations, it can be advisable to seek solutions closer to home.
At Unearthed® we host some of our own applications which are servicing the Queensland and Australian tourism industry onshore, to provide the quickest possible response times for certain 'mission critical' tasks. With a background in large scale Government and Corporate infrastructure projects we have exposure to most of the leading hosting specialists in the country. 
Our chosen location, with good reason, is Equinix IBX (Internet Business Exchange) centres, who serve as core hubs for critical IP networks and Internet operations across the globe. Our servers are housed in the world-class Equinix Sydney-based IBX facility which occupies 69,000 square feet in total and offers :
- bandwidth from Telstra, MCI/Verizon and NTT/Verio
- enterprise-grade Cisco switches/routers
- air-cooled, chilled water and cooling tower system maintaining approx 22 degrees celcius
- 24 x 7 x 365 security and CCTV Surveillance / biometric hand readers and PIN codes / photo ID compulsory
- backup power from Caterpillar diesel generators
Compare the Equinix fact sheet (PDF 331KB) and see how the physical attributes alone stack up to any solution you might be considering.
Contact us for an all inclusive quote for your Australian hosting needs specifically suited to your business.
