What is a cross connect?

A cross connect is a point-to-point connection between two endpoints in a data centre. These could be two devices, networks, or data centre environments within a facility.

The aim of a cross connect is to create private network connectivity between these two entities. It avoids public internet exchanges while establishing seamless data transfers within the business ecosystem. This ensures that transfers happen quickly, more efficiently, and privately — improving performance and boosting data security.

As businesses rely increasingly on data generation and rapid transfers, cross connects are becoming more crucial than ever. An Amazon report showed that the cost of latency is 1% of sales per 100 milliseconds. A cross connect can help lower latency, saving costs in the process. There are also many IT infrastructure and disaster recovery advantages. In this blog, we’ll explore the basics of a cross connect. Then, we’ll cover the types, their key benefits, and what the future holds for data centres.

What are the types of cross connects?

Data centre operators create connections using different types of cross connect cables. These cables can connect various endpoints, such as:

• Data centre environments

• Cloud service providers

• Internet service providers

• Telecommunications carriers

• Devices

• Network providers

No matter the cross connection, the aim is to allow rapid, secure, and reliable data transfers. For example, colocation data centres use meet-me rooms for physically connecting two pieces of equipment. Depending on the use case and aims, data centres may use different types of cross connects to build these connections, such as:

1. Fibre-optic cross connects

Fibre optic cables facilitate high-speed, long-distance data transfers. Depending on the bandwidth and distance involved, they may use single-mode fibre or multimode fibre connections. These connections best support high-performance or data-intensive workloads.

2. Copper cross connects

Copper cables, also known as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), are tried-and-tested and still used for shorter and smaller connections. Though relatively cost-effective and reliable, these are unsuitable for modern high-bandwidth data streams. Copper cross connects are gradually being replaced by fibre-optic connections which offer enhanced speed and bandwidth capabilities.

3. Ethernet cross connects

Ethernet cables, like CAT5 and CAT6, are still widely used in data centres. These are common in local area networks, facilitating the flexible and efficient connection of two entities.

4. Virtual cross connects

Virtual connections, which are increasingly common within software-defined networking, are created through orchestration portals. These are flexible and scalable, reducing the need for manual cable connections.

What are the benefits of cross connects?

Cross connects offer numerous advantages that are crucial for the efficient operation of data centres. The first is cost​-​efficiency.

A cross connect can reduce the need for excess data transmissions, while direct connections between devices reduce other IT infrastructure and connectivity costs. Likewise, efficient data transfers improve power usage — reducing energy costs over time.

Scalability is similarly crucial for meeting modern business demands. A cross connect’s scalability allows the slightest infrastructure changes to have the maximum impact. Businesses can add new connections or alter existing ones quickly and efficiently.

Cross connects also offer tremendous flexibility. Businesses can work directly with a range of partners, customers, and service providers all within the same data centre for endless connectivity options. These can manage different business needs or improve collaboration.

As we’ve demonstrated, each type of cross connect has its benefits and limitations. Some tasks may require the highest latency, while others might focus on cost reduction. Working with an experienced data centre provider will help you identify the best cross connect for your needs.

The importance of a cross connect

By connecting services, data centres can achieve many crucial benefits.

1. Enhanced performance

A cross connect provides dedicated bandwidth to a given connection. This reduces data transfer times and bottlenecks, improving the performance of ​a given​ task. In instances such as financial operations, real-time analytics, or streaming services​,​ a cross connect provides the minimal latency service ​ ​needed.

2. Increased security

Establishing a private cross connection can also help protect critical data. With the two entities physically connected within the safe confines of a data centre, it’s extremely difficult to intercept traffic flow. Additionally, since there are no public networks involved in the data exchange, cross connects help businesses meet critical privacy regulations, such as the GDPR and HIPAA.

3. Improved reliability and redundancy

Downtime costs organisations billions of dollars annually.1 Thus, achieving higher reliability and redundancy through cross connections is more vital than ever. A cross connect can help businesses improve network resilience and promote uptime through multiple data transfer pathways while helping to avoid data loss. Should one line suffer an incident, another ensures business continuity.

4. More simplicity

Above all, point-to-point cross connections are relatively straightforward. The​se​​ ​ don’t require a lot of functionality or equipment, making it relatively simple to provision, troubleshoot, and manage. This helps reduce the overall complexity of ecosystems — all while promoting more efficient, secure, and cost-effective performance.

Future trends in cross-connect technology

Driven by several key advancements and industry trends, cross-connect technology is constantly progressing. Most notably, emerging technologies, like 400G Ethernet and hollow-core fibre cables, are revolutionising cross connects with unprecedented speeds and minimal latency. The introduction of these technologies will only continue to increase data transfer speeds.

Similarly, experts predict that the role of cross connects will continue to expand. We’ve already seen advances in cloud computing, the Internet of Things, 5G, and artificial intelligence. Because these cutting-edge technologies all require vast data transfers from robust and flexible connectivity solutions, cross connects will be essential in ensuring their seamless and efficient data flow.

Finally, as edge computing continues to experience widespread use, it also brings increasingly localised data processing and storage needs. Cross connects will be crucial in linking edge data centres with core facilities — facilitating the low-latency, high-speed data transfer necessary for real-time applications.

Digital Realty is at the cutting edge of these changes. With solutions like PlatformDIGITAL®, we’re constantly adapting and innovating our data collaboration services.

Building a robust cross-connect strategy

Cross connects are essential for the efficient, secure, and scalable operation of modern data centres. Among the many impactful benefits are cost-efficiency, security, flexibility, and enhanced performance.

As technology advances, the importance of a robust cross connect infrastructure will only increase. To prepare, evaluate your current cross connect strategy and explore potential upgrades to stay ahead of the competition.

Digital Realty provides secure, dedicated connections to power modern data transfers. From the carrier to the cloud and everything in between, create the private connections that matter the most to your business. Learn more about our Cross Connect services, or if you are seeking multiple connections across metropolitan sites or global locations, explore our Service Fabric Connect solution.

Frequently asked questions about cross connects

What is the difference between ​a ​cross connect and interconnection services?

A cross connect is the direct, point-to-point routing between two entities within a single data centre. On the other hand, interconnection services typically involve connecting two distinct networks or facilities.

What is the difference between a cross connect and direct connect?

A cross connect is a type of connection between two entities in a data centre. In contrast, a direct connection usually links two facilities or networks. For example, an on-premises endpoint with a cloud-based service.

What is an example of a cross connect?

An example of a cross connect is the physical connection of two critical business services. For example, a business may have two endpoints that require rapid and private data transfers. A cross connect is ideal for this task, bringing dedicated bandwidth without using a public internet connection.

What is the reason for a cross connection in mobile networks?

A mobile network may use cross connections to connect two networks or components. Because the cross connection allows dedicated data transfers, it provides low-latency links between critical services.

What is the use of a cross connection in a data centre?

A cross connection in a data centre has many potential uses. It avoids bottlenecks and other network traffic, allowing for high-speed data transfers while enhancing network performance. Likewise, it improves security by building a private connection. Finally, it builds redundancy by increasing overall network resilience.