Software Carrier Interconnect

Software Carrier Interconnect (SDI) is a service that uses software-defined networking to provide fast, secure, and automated connections to its Private IP network and cloud providers, like those in Equinix data centers. It allows businesses to quickly provision virtual connections without the need for physical circuits, reducing setup time and costs. The service integrates with customer-ordered or Masslocal-ordered access via APIs to create a seamless connection to cloud services and data centers. 

Key Features & Benefits

• Automated Provisioning: SDI leverages software-defined networking (SDN) technology to automate the setup of network connections, eliminating manual configuration and the need for physical equipment installation ("truck rolls").

• Private & Secure Connectivity: Connections bypass the public internet, using Masslocal's private IP network or Ethernet services for enhanced security, performance, and reliability.

• Scalable Bandwidth: Customers can access scalable bandwidth up to 10 Gbps, with options for consumption-based or fixed-rate pricing plans, allowing them to pay for what they need and adapt to changing demands.

• Global Reach: The service allows access to over 200 cloud service providers (CSPs) globally, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, largely through partnerships with colocation provider Equinix and its Equinix Fabric service.

• Simplified Management: A single management console provides visibility and control over cloud connections, making it easier to manage complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments. 

In essence, SDI acts as a virtual on-ramp, providing businesses with a flexible and high-performance way to integrate their existing network infrastructure with cloud services and other data centers, all managed through a software-centric approach

What triggers the need for an automated network connection through Masslocal's SDI?

The need for an automated network connection through Masslocal's Software Defined Interconnect (SDI) is typically triggered by business demands for speed, agility, scalability, and efficiency when connecting to cloud services and data centers. 

Key triggers include:

• Rapid Application Deployment: Businesses deploying new applications, especially those that are cloud-based or use generative AI, need network connectivity provisioned in minutes or hours, not the weeks or months often required by traditional manual methods.

• Dynamic Workload Demands: When network traffic and computer workloads increase unexpectedly or fluctuate (e.g., seasonal spikes, large file transfers, new product releases), the automated, on-demand scalability of SDI allows businesses to quickly adjust bandwidth without needing physical upgrades.

• Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Strategies: Companies moving IT resources and workloads to a hybrid environment, which includes a mix of on-premises data centers, private clouds, and multiple public cloud providers (like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud), need a simplified, secure way to connect them all.

• Reducing Human Error and Downtime: Automating network provisioning helps eliminate manual configuration errors, which are responsible for a significant percentage of network downtime and failures in data centers.

• Connecting to Colocation Centers: When a business decides to place IT resources in colocation data centers (like those run by Equinix), SDI offers a fast and secure way to establish private connections to those resources.

• Improving Performance and User Experience: For applications where latency and consistent performance are critical (e.g., real-time analytics, video conferencing, IoT applications), an automated, dedicated connection ensures a high-quality experience.

• Global Expansion and Reach: Businesses with geographically dispersed operations can use SDI to quickly establish reliable connections between sites and cloud resources globally, often through a single, central management console. 

In short, the trigger is usually the desire to remove the bottlenecks of traditional, slow, and manual network provisioning to keep pace with the fast-evolving demands of the digital business world.