Tài liệu Case Study - CBeyond pdf

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. All Rights Reserved
Web Site: www.adc.com

From North America, Call Toll Free: 1-800-366-3891 • Outside of North America: +1-952-938-8080 Fax: +1-952-917-3237
For a listing of ADC’s global sales office locations, please refer to our web site.