One of the key areas where performance is critical is Primus’ network.

Primus’ network is one of only a few "multi-homed" ISP networks in Canada, consisting of redundant backbone connections to five major backbone providers and two Internet Exchanges, the Toronto Internet Exchange (TORIX) and the Ottawa Internet Exchange (Ottix).

Definition: Multi-homing is the situation in which an organization such as Primus has more than one connection to the Internet. The goal of multi-homing is to improve reliability and speed. Multi-homing improves reliability by providing Primus with redundant backbone connections. If one connection fails or one of the backbone providers is having problems, network traffic is automatically redirected to the other backbone connections. Multi-homing improves speed because the entity's routers have a "map" (called a routing table) of the entire Internet. The routers are able to select the most appropriate (i.e. fastest) path to send the data.

The backbone connections include:

1. a 1000Mbps connection to MCI (formerly Worldcom).
2. a 1000Mbps connection to Allstream (formerly AT & T Canada).
3. a 1000Mbps connection to Cogent.
4. a 300Mbps connection to Bell.
5. a 100Mbps connection to Primus.
6. a 100Mbps connection to Bell.
7. a 100Mbps connection to Allstream (formerly AT & T Canada).
8. a 100Mbps connection to TORIX.
9. a 100Mbps connection to Ottix.

The combination of these backbone connections provides Primus with aggregate backbone bandwidth of over 3800 Mbps (3.8 Gbps)!

The Canadian connectivity provided by these backbone connections is significant. Many providers (even large backbone providers) DO NOT peer with other Canadian providers. In these cases, the following scenario is usually plays out:

You are a customer of Internet provider A (in Ottawa) with a single backbone connection to backbone provider B. You want to access the website of a company who is using Internet provider C (also in Ottawa) to host their website. Provider C has a single backbone connection to backbone provider D. The problem is that backbone provider B and backbone provider D DO NOT PEER IN CANADA. This means that your packets have to be routed into the US to one of the major peering points to switch backbones. This means that for your IP packets to get from your provider to the provider 2 km down the street, your packets have to be sent thousands of kilometers across North America!

Primus’ direct connections into all major backbones means one thing: SPEED!

Primus uses high-end Cisco 6500 series switches for backbone routing. These Cisco routers receive FULL routing tables from all of our backbone providers. Primus announces its routes to all of its backbone providers.

The importance of multi-homing CANNOT be over-stated. If a provider has only one backbone connection and that connection fails, the provider (and you, the customer) is effectively cut off from the entire Internet. When choosing an Internet Service Provider, you should ALWAYS inquire about redundancy. Note that the redundancy issue can also impact larger backbone providers. Although a provider may have a large, countrywide backbone with a point of presence in many cities, you should ask if each point of presence has redundant network connections.

To see Primus’ multi-homing in action, try running a traceroute to a few sites.

Infrastructure

In addition to multiple, redundant, backbone connections, Primus has invested significant resources in all facets of its operation. All of Primus’ network equipment is protected by high-capacity, uninterruptible power supplies and a diesel generator at both our datacentre locations. The significance of this backup strategy means Primus will never be down due to a power failure of any length of time.

Primus’ server rooms are cooled by redundant, dedicated, high-capacity air-conditioning units.

All systems are monitored 24 hours per day, 7 days a week by Primus network engineers.

The Future

Primus foresees ever-expanding bandwidth and service demands from clients hungry for more speed and the latest in technology. Primus has positioned itself for long-term growth and stability. We invite you to join us!