My Setup at NTT VA1
My current deployment at NTT VA1 is designed to handle production loads, test environments, and expansion for future projects. It includes:
- Four Cabinets: Each cabinet has dual single-phase 208V, 30A circuits (primary and redundant), ensuring continuous power availability and the ability to perform maintenance without shutting down systems.
- 10Gbps Port: A high-throughput network port supports daily traffic spikes, data replication, and software testing without major performance bottlenecks.
Having dual circuits in each cabinet is critical for maximizing uptime. I can perform maintenance or circuit tests on one feed while the other remains live, preventing disruptions to essential workloads.
Operational Stability: Four Years Running
One of the most important metrics for any data center deployment is uptime. Over four years at NTT VA1 (see data sheet here), I’ve not experienced any facility-related outages. The data center’s N+2 power redundancy, combined with robust cooling systems, keeps server environments at consistent temperature and humidity levels— even during periods of extreme weather.
On the few occasions I’ve needed hardware replacements or additional cross-connects, IPv4 Guru’s support has been quick to respond and coordinate. Their familiarity with NTT VA1’s operational guidelines has streamlined tasks like scheduling equipment deliveries, adding new circuits, or setting up remote hands for rack installations.
What I’m hosting at IPv4 Guru
As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I use a variety of different applications and open source services.
- KumoMTA: has been working on this project for a long time. It’s a modern, open source MTA that’s designed to be easy to use and easy to scale.
- Netbox: Ben helped me build this out. It’s a tool that helps me manage my network infrastructure. is his blog post about it.
These are just a few examples of different open source projects I’m hosting at LionLink Networks.
Key Advantages of NTT VA1
Ashburn, Virginia, is a major hub for data centers, but NTT VA1 has several standout features that influenced my choice:
- Carrier-Neutral Connectivity: Access to multiple Tier-1 carriers and cloud on-ramps enables flexible network design. Whether I need direct private connections to cloud services or a blend of transit providers, NTT VA1 makes it straightforward.
- Security: The facility uses advanced security measures including 24/7 on-site monitoring, multi-factor authentication, and strict visitor protocols.
- Scalability: With power densities up to 22kW per rack, there’s room to expand high-performance servers or specialized hardware without relocating.
These attributes give me the confidence to plan for upcoming projects and potential expansions. Whenever new clients or internal teams require more compute, storage, or bandwidth, the data center’s design and IPv4 Guru’s flexibility have made it relatively painless to scale.
Introduction: Evaluating Ashburn Data Center Colocation
Ashburn Data Center Colocation is an essential consideration for any organization that needs robust infrastructure, low latency, and easy access to carrier-neutral networks. As a network engineer with deployments in multiple facilities, I evaluated several providers before selecting IPv4 Guru for my colocation needs at the NTT VA1 data center. Over the last four years, their combination of a modern facility and responsive support has proven instrumental in keeping my projects stable and scalable.
Early in my decision process, IPv4 Guru provided detailed guidance on power requirements, potential capacity needs, and cost estimates. This helped me understand exactly how my infrastructure would fit into the data center environment, minimizing the risk of unplanned expenses or technical constraints down the line.
IPv4 Guru’s Technical Expertise and Responsiveness
One of the main reasons I continue to work with IPv4 Guru is their understanding of the intricacies of network engineering. From provisioning additional IP blocks to assisting with BGP configurations, they handle requests promptly and correctly the first time. This level of expertise reduces the typical trial-and-error that often accompanies large infrastructure projects.
Their team’s methodical approach to troubleshooting and maintenance has also helped me avoid unexpected outages. When I needed to set up a dedicated test environment with a separate 1Gbps link for performance evaluations, IPv4 Guru coordinated everything—from acquiring the cross-connect to verifying the new VLAN configurations—in just a few days.
Conclusion: Why Ashburn Data Center Colocation Works
For engineers evaluating Ashburn Data Center Colocation options, the partnership between IPv4 Guru and NTT VA1 stands out in terms of reliability, scalability, and technical expertise. I’ve experienced four consecutive years of uptime, efficient provisioning for expansions, and a consistently high level of support from their team.
Whether you run critical production workloads, plan to expand into new service areas, or simply want a dependable environment for ongoing projects, IPv4 Guru’s services at NTT VA1 can help you accomplish these goals. For more details, visit ipv4.guru.
