When choosing a data center, it’s important to do an in-person tour of the premises. Getting familiar with the facility, access protocol, and having an opportunity to meet staff and ask questions will help you make the right choice for your hosting needs.
Below is an overview of what to expect on a tour of ifonica’s state-of-the-art data center. When you’re ready, you can book an in-person data center tour.
Arrival
Parking and Registration
When you arrive at the data center, you’ll find free parking available at the front and rear of the building. There is also a truck level loading dock and drive-in warehouse access available.
Once you enter the building, please visit reception. One of our data center experts will meet you there to help you register for your tour and answer any questions. As part of our user authentication and authorization process, you will be asked for a piece of government-issued ID and to provide some personal information. Once registered, your tour will begin.
Security measures
In addition to encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and security audits, we have implemented the highest standards in physical data center security. On your tour of ifonica’s data center, you will see:
- Biometric scanners that provide 24/7 data center access
- A mantrap entrance that uses biometric authorization (fingerprint recognition) to prevent unauthorized access to high-security areas. ifonica’s mantrap is also equipped with an anti-tailgating system to ensure only one person enters the facility with every biometric scan.
- On-site security guard present after working hours
- Perimeter fencing with electronic gates that require passcodes to enter
- Electronic locks that provide secure access to server cabinets, racks and other sensitive areas
- Remote control room with 24hr CCTV monitoring
- Surveillance cameras installed at the building entrance and throughout the facility
- Access logs tracking visits to the facility are recorded and kept for a minimum of 10 years
Power/Hydro room
The power room has multiple systems in place to ensure the servers and networking technology are operational around the clock, especially in the event of an outage.
- Dual diesel backup generators as a failsafe system
- Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units for service continuity
Server room
The server room is the heart of our data center, where rows of server racks are arranged to optimize space and efficiency. ifonica’s server room features a sophisticated cable management system with color-coded cables and ensures seamless connectivity between servers, network, and in-house managed power sources. The server room has a dual ceiling and raised flooring and is equipped with humidity sensors as an additional safety feature.
Cooling system
Temperature control is a top priority inside a data center as overheating can hurt equipment and efficiency. ifonica has a state-of-the-art, multi-layered, cooling system, and on your tour, you will see:
- A state-of-the-art room cooling unit that uses filtered frigid air from Canada’s winter climate to pass on energy efficiencies
- Liquid cooled hot/cold aisle containment that keeps temperatures in the racks consistent
- Overhead ducts and floor vents to create constant air circulation
Fire suppression system
ifonica’s data center has a state-of-the-art 3M Novec 1230 clean-agent fire suppression system, which extinguishes fires without causing damage to electronics or leaving harmful residue. This system manages fire risk while protecting equipment, reducing potential downtime and without harmful environmental effects.
Network operations center (NOC)
Our technicians and administrators supervise and maintain the data center’s overall health and performance from our network operations center (NOC). As an essential part of the data center’s integrity, the NOC serves as the control center to quickly respond to business-critical tasks for troubleshooting, management, and performance of the network. ifonica’s NOC features:
- Firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS)
- 24/7 monitoring with both internal and external tools that notify our team of any errors
Amenities
We provide white-glove service to our data center clients. On the tour, you can expect to see our:
- Conference rooms
- Storage space
- Tool cart
- Staging area
- Loading dock (both a truck level and drive-in warehouse)
And of course, we have complimentary on-site Wi-Fi.
Accreditations
ifonica maintains strict compliance with industry best-practice for data protection, privacy, and security. ifonica’s data center compliance standards include:
- SOC II Type II certified
- PCI DSS certified
- SO27001 compatible
- Tier III compatible
- Protected B ready
Take a tour of ifonica’s Markham, ON Data Center facility
While we’ve covered the main features of our data center above, seeing is believing. We’d love to learn more about your company and show you how we can help manage the safety and integrity of your data.
