Data Center Interconnection: A Smart Connectivity Strategy for Developers
Looking to streamline your infrastructure, reduce latency, or scale your digital operations across regions? Whether you’re modernizing an existing facility or planning a new development, data center interconnection (DCI) could be a game changer for your connectivity strategy.
At NewBuild Telecom Consulting, we help developers, building owners, and IT teams find the right network and data center solutions—especially when navigating colocation, hybrid cloud, and edge deployments. This blog breaks down what DCI is, how it works, and why it matters for your growth and performance.
What is Data Center Interconnection?
Data center interconnection (DCI) is a dedicated, high-speed connection between two or more data centers. Rather than sending data across the public internet, DCI uses private fiber or Ethernet circuits to link locations directly, offering lower latency, higher performance, and greater reliability.
Interconnected data centers allow for seamless resource sharing across geographies—so whether you’re connecting cloud environments, regional compute hubs, or expanding your network footprint, DCI ensures your infrastructure stays responsive and scalable.
Why Developers Should Pay Attention to Interconnection
Connectivity planning is no longer just a telco decision—it’s a core part of development strategy. Developers and property owners are being asked to deliver modern, high-performing buildings that support advanced applications, edge computing, and digital services.
With DCI, you can:
• Improve connectivity between sites or cloud platforms
• Avoid delays caused by local ISPs or public infrastructure gaps
• Future-proof your development for hybrid cloud or colocation usage
• Enable faster deployments and better performance for tenants or business operations
NewBuild Telecom Consulting helps simplify interconnection by aligning provider options with your project’s location, goals, and timeline.
Key Benefits of Data Center Interconnection
1. Performance and Low Latency
DCI eliminates the need to route data over the congested public internet. With private, high-capacity links, your systems run smoother and respond faster—ideal for applications that depend on real-time data exchange or remote compute power.
2. Faster Project Delivery
Avoid construction delays tied to long lead times from traditional ISPs. DCI enables faster access to reliable bandwidth, with options for private Ethernet, fiber waves, and cloud direct connects—all of which can be planned alongside your build schedule.
3. Scalable Infrastructure
Instead of investing in additional physical equipment at each site, interconnection allows you to pull from shared processing and storage pools on demand. This offers flexibility as your operations grow.
4. Cost Efficiency
By using DCI to bypass public internet and consolidate resources across sites, you reduce bandwidth expenses and avoid duplicate infrastructure costs.
5. Enhanced Redundancy and Continuity
In the event of a network issue or outage at one location, data and workloads can shift to another connected data center. This added resiliency supports uninterrupted operations across multiple environments.
Core Components of DCI Architecture
Successful data center interconnection relies on several technical elements:
• Fiber Optic Connectivity – High-capacity cabling for long-distance data transfer
• Network Hardware – Switches, routers, and firewalls that control traffic and protect infrastructure
• Virtualization – Software that enables resource sharing across locations using virtual machines and hypervisors
• Software-Defined Networking (SDN) – Adds flexibility and automation to network configuration
• Cross Connects – Physical links within or between facilities that enable direct, secure communication
• Cloud Interconnects – Secure paths between on-premises data centers and cloud platforms for hybrid environments
Interconnection Objectives for Businesses and Developers
DCI delivers results for organizations looking to:
• Expand reach into new geographic markets
• Connect with multiple ISPs or cloud platforms
• Simplify infrastructure by reducing physical hardware and relying on shared data center ecosystems
• Improve application performance across distributed environments
• Establish business continuity with redundant pathways and failover capabilities
We work with clients to assess the available interconnection points in their region and determine which providers align best with their location and use case.
How NewBuild Telecom Consulting Helps
We take the guesswork out of data center interconnection by helping you:
• Identify local and regional interconnect options
• Compare pricing and performance across providers
• Plan your build or migration with interconnection baked into the timeline
• Evaluate on-prem vs. off-prem data center strategies
• Navigate contracts, cross connects, and cloud integrations
With our experience in site planning and connectivity, we help you stay ahead of infrastructure demands—without relying on slow-moving carriers or outdated models.
FAQ
Q: How is data center interconnection different from a cloud provider like AWS or Azure?
A: Cloud providers host services, while DCI links your infrastructure—whether it’s on-prem, colocated, or in the cloud—with fast, secure, and private connections.
Q: Will DCI reduce latency for my application or network?
A: Yes. DCI routes traffic over dedicated, high-bandwidth connections instead of the public internet, resulting in faster speeds and lower latency.
Q: Can I test interconnection performance before committing?
A: Absolutely. We recommend tools like iPerf3 for performance testing or passive monitoring systems like MRTG and PRTG. We also help set up test environments or proof of concept plans through our provider network.
Let’s Talk Connectivity
If you’re building a data-heavy application, migrating workloads, or just want to avoid long delays from local ISPs, data center interconnection is a smart strategy. Whether you’re exploring cloud access, site-to-site connectivity, or colocation infrastructure, NewBuild Telecom Consulting helps you build the right foundation—fast.
Need help evaluating your options? We’ve got the insight, carrier relationships, and technical knowledge to get you connected.
Bobby Magrin
NewBuild Telecom Consulting
📞 888-813-2434
✉️ bobby@newbuildtelecomconsulting.com