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Choshi Internet Corporation, Japan
Japan’s prime data center uses TeraStation to further enhance security.
Located in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, Choshi Internet started out as an Internet service provider, but in 2004, the company built a new headquarters equipped with data center functionality. With this step taken, the company started operations as a full-scale Internet data center (IDC). The company decided to use BUFFALO’s high-performance “TeraStation” Network Attached Storage [NAS] equipment for its data center.
Products
TeraStation
NAS with administrator and RNID functions 1U rack mount type
TS-RXL/RS Series
TeraStation
NAS with administrator and RAID functions 2U rack mount type
TS-RHTGL/RS Series
Overview
Q: Please give us a general overview of your company.
A: The company was established sixteen years ago, in 1995,
by a number of enthusiasts, who are passionate in managing companies and running businesses in Choshi City. As the popularity of the spread, the company was born from the idea that we wanted to set up an information infrastructure in this area similar to these established in other parts of the region. Along with this vision, it had earned Choshi Internet, the reputation of being the pioneer Internet service provider (ISP) in Japan.
Q: What kind of services do you offer?
A: Elaborating on the type of services, such as Internet connection service and domain administration and operations, which we provide,
the “content creation services” basically include website planning and creation, while on top of the “network integration services,” we also run the “Qual” computer school in Japan. Therefore, our customers are not only coming from the Choshi City Hall and local governments, but they also include businesses and organizations from all parts of Japan. In summary, our company has developed a broad business portfolio over these years, being a key provider in areas of web content creation, network integration, and IT education services.
Q: You have also added data center services.
A: As our Internet business progresses,
it is only natural that our customers would ask for data center features to safely run and manage their computer systems and ensure data availability. So in 2004, we built the data center here and launched operations as a full-fledged Internet data center (IDC).
Aims/Issues
Q: Please tell us a bit about the data center.
A: To ensure robustness in a data center operation,
we have decided to take a bolt step ahead and make the necessary investment to proceed with building the infrastructure of a data centre. The entire building basically features a high earthquake-resistant construct, which could reduce shock and vibration from the effect of potential earthquakes by 90%, and the design of an emergency evacuation shelter, could withstand tsunamis of up to seven meters high. Besides, within the data centre itself, we have also adopted the ISO-Base seismic isolation platform for the racks to hold the various networking equipments.
Q: What measures do you have in place to respond to a disaster?
A: If a fire were to occur,
the highly-sensitive sensors in the racks would detect the fire and activate the gas fire extinguishing system within ten seconds, and even if a power outage were to occur, we have backup batteries in place, so no data will be lost in time of emergencies. For security, site entry and exit is managed with a vein authentication system, and we take pride in offering a data center that features the kind of security that Japan is well reputed for. In fact, we do have many visitors from all over Japan, including government representatives, who came to learn about our systems.
Q: What about your acquisition of ISO/IEC 27001 certification?
A: While we have decided to enhance the data center’s hardware,
we also found it necessary to improve on the software aspects as well. Therefore, in 2006 we acquired ISO/IEC 27001 certification for all of our divisions. As you know, this is the international standard for information security management systems, and acquiring this certification increased trust in our security on both the hardware and software fronts.
Solutions
Q: What storage features does the data center provide?
A: Around the time we completed construction of the data center in 2004,
we began operations handling large amounts of data, and we believed there would be no change in this trend. Therefore, we looked at incorporating the NAS equipments to improve on our storage functions. Out of manufacturing concern, we did a comparative study to see which companies‘ NAS equipments we should test and purchase. As a result, we selected the BUFFALO’s TeraStation NAS, as our preferred model, at the end.
Q: What are the reasons for this choice?
A: The biggest reason was the relatively low cost for high storage capacity,
in other words, excellent cost performance. Other reasons include the fact that it is compact, easy to use, and does not require a lot of accessories, so it is ready for use upon purchase. Although only the standalone type was available at that time, we still decide to go along With the Buffalo TeraStation NAS.
Q: You had asked for a rack-mount model from the start, is that right?
A: The data center has limited space,
so we wanted the NAS equipments to take as little space as possible, and we figured that the rack-mount model would be more suitable, since they are slimmer in design and can be stacked vertically. We did feedback to BUFFALO Inc that we had wanted NAS of such model and therefore when this model started being introduced into the market, we immediately adopted using them.
Effects
Q: Now that you are using them, what do you think?
A: At this point in time, we have six TeraStations being installed;
four of these are used by the Choshi City Board of Education, and the others are for this company’s use. We have had no problems ever since we started using them. They are highly reliable, and you can use them with confidence not only for private use, but also for corporate applications as well. We decided to use BUFFALO products, and they have really lived up to their reputation for their strong reliability.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: We want the progress of data center operations to center on the trust from local customers we can meet face to face.
We basically want to function as a place where local customers can be rest assured that the servers and stored data are safe. As such, our role is increasingly getting more important, hence we plan to continue to work towards our ultimate vision of being a well equipped data center with the key features and functions needed to fulfill that role.
Q: Tell us if there is anything you’d ask of BUFFALO.
A: BUFFALO has a full line of NAS products,
perhaps there is still room for further enhancements and more models of Buffalo NAS equipment to be introduced into the market for customers to select from. We are also looking forward to seeing more innovatively design, develop and built NAS equipments from BUFFALO Inc Japan, which could meet our growing demand for greater storage capacity either in a single NAS unit or within multiple compact units.
(Postscript) The most impressive thing here, was in the way how Choshi Internet’s data center is equipped for safety—it is head and shoulders above the rest. While the constant stream of observers is convinced, we at BUFFALO Inc are thrilled that they have chosen Buffalo TeraStation NAS to handle part of that security. This company is unaffiliated with any manufacturer and thus they are in a position to freely choose what they wish to have, and this sets an example that further enhances the trust in Buffalo TeraStation NAS.