case study Cbeyond Communications Builds Future-Proof IP Network Overview Cbeyond Communications is a privately held integrated access service provider focused on small- to medium-sized business customers in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver and Houston. The company delivers a fully managed solution with a package of local, long distance and broadband Internet serv- ices over a 100% IP network. Cbeyond believes that reliability and scalability are critical attributes of the network. In addition, the company is constantly under the scrutiny of twin masters—offer competitive pricing in each market and operate at a profit. One element of the company’s success is deployment of Cisco 10000 series routers collocated in ILEC facilities. The design for infrastructure that surrounds active equipment is also important. Cbeyond believes that it must fully realize the value and functionality of the IP network by designing-in a pas- sive cross-connect infrastructure for connecting routers, managing cables and providing test access. Quality and Reputation Determine Buy Decisions After reviewing alternatives, Cbeyond chose ADC’s DSX (Digital Signal Cross-Connect) panels for both data center and collocation applications. “ADC has a reputation for high quality and is the leading provider of DS1 and DS3 panels so we naturally looked to them first,” said Brent DeBrock, collocation manager for Cbeyond. In the Cbeyond network, Cisco routers and other servers are permanently cabled to DSX distribution panels. With this configuration, upgrades, rearrangements and rerouting of circuits is completed by moving jumpers in the cross-connect rather than handling active equipment cables. The DSX panels also provide jack access to both input and output signals for testing and troubleshooting—an espe- cially important attribute in collocation. “ADC has a large and diverse selection of panels with different capabilities for unique requirements. With the help of Graybar and ADC engineering, we were able to identify the exact features we wanted,” said DeBrock. After manufacturing DSX-1 and DSX-3 pan- els for the specific needs of carriers for the past 20 years, ADC offers a broad portfolio of DS1 and DS3 products, each featuring different combinations of front or rear access, equipment cable termination, density and cable management features. Usability and Scalability Clearly Defined For Cbeyond, scalability means network evolution can occur without disruption of service, making the cross- connect architecture an essential feature of the IP network. Cbeyond believes this also translates into savings in labor as installation, upgrades and rearrangements of active equipment are faster and easier to perform. “As we grow, we expect to be changing and reconfiguring hardware. From a physi- cal perspective, ADC gives us the flexibility of moving jumpers instead of equipment cables. We believe the small investment now (in ADC) will pay for itself as the network grows and evolves,” said DeBrock. ADC’s DSX panels also provide an important function to Cbeyond—the ability to conduct bidirectional test- ing on circuits. Typical DS1 or DS3 panels offer moni- toring capability only on the output signal, which makes troubleshooting in collocation scenarios time- consuming and difficult, at best. Cbeyond’s DSX pan- els include jack access for monitoring both transmit and receive signals. “With ADC panels, we can test to our equipment and to ILEC equipment. We believe we can see where there is a problem and eliminate any uncertainty. Without the ability to look both ways, we feel service would suffer,” said DeBrock. Price and Service are Important The small- to medium-sized businesses that comprise Cbeyond’s customers have high expectations for their service. They are not only used to affordable prices and high reliability but also the extras they did not find with other service providers, according to DeBrock. When it comes to price and service, Cbeyond has high expectations of its vendors, too. “Even though I go through a distributor, the ADC rep stays in touch, giv- ing me visibility at both ADC and the distributor. With other manufacturers, we don’t get that level of serv- ice,” said DeBrock. “I get great service, the best quality and the best price available,” he said. Conclusion Cbeyond was founded with the objective to deliver big business communications services to small busi- nesses at prices that are affordable—and that could be delivered profitably. Incorporating a high quality cross-connect infrastructure from ADC into the IP net- work helps Cbeyond reach these goals by enabling growth and change without service disruption while holding the line on capital expenses today and oper- ating expenses for the foreseeable future. ADC Telecommunications, Inc., P.O. Box 1101, Minneapolis, Minnesota USA 55440-1101 Specifications published here are current as of the date of publication of this document. Because we are continuously improving our products, ADC reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. At any time, you may verify product specifications by contacting our headquarters office in Minneapolis. ADC Telecommunications, Inc. views its patent portfolio as an important corporate asset and vigorously enforces its patents. Products or features contained herein may be covered by one or more U.S. or foreign patents. An Equal Opportunity Employer 1291132 5/04 Original © 2004 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. 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