Frequently Asked Questions

Continuum use high end IBM servers. We have been using these servers for many years and they have a low failure rate.

The reporting is on a monthly basis. This includes planned and unplanned downtime.

A script runs every 60 seconds to check which virtual servers are running.
This data is logged, an alert is triggered if a virtual server doesn\'t respond for 3 mins.

Depending on the failure the response will be automatic. If the machine crashes or the hardware fails then the virtual servers will auto restart on alternate hardware. In the event of a more complex failure which requires manual investigation it is our aim to be investigating before the customer phone call.

In the event of a machine crash or failure it is planned that the virtual server will start to boot on different hardware within 2 minutes of the failure. It should be noted that after a crash a filesystem check may be required on the virtual server. On a large filesystem the check time may be significant. With larger problems it is clearly difficult to estimate a resolution time.

We use an external monitoring service to inform us if any of our physical servers fail (they also monitor each other). For customers virtual servers we currently monitor to ensure that the virtual server is running only. We do not monitor the services it is providing, so we would not monitor for the webserver crashing etc. It is the customers responsibility to configure and manage the software running on the virtual server, including any required monitoring, though we are very willing to help when required. Depending on the nature of the problem and the time taken a consultancy charge may apply.

Continuum Hosting uses the high specification Telecity - Sovereign House data centre. Located in the Docklands with a high level of national and international connectivity Sovereign House also offers advanced fire detection and suppression equipment, UPS, and diesel generators. In addition Continuum also maintain a UPS local to each rack.

Continuum cares about the environment and has initiatives towards keeping our company as green as possible, which in turn helps our customers become greener also.

Initiatives include resource reduction & carbon reduction by using power efficient hardware and highly rated data centre facilities - utilising the latest power efficient technologies.

Whilst Continuum endeavours we don\\\\\\\'t claim to have an absolute answer, yet we are committed to contributing our part to the bigger picture.

Power efficient Hardware
Through visualisation we have higher utilisation of our hardware hence a more efficient use of power. The Telecity data centre holds Corporate Status with regard to the European Code of Conduct for data centres, a new initiative to provide benchmarks for data centre efficiency and best practice. Sovereign House has been audited and is operated to the Code’s best practices for maximising energy efficiency.

Data Centre Technology
Continuum\\\\\\\'s data centre utilises the latest power efficient technology such as power efficient cooling, utilising the cooler outside air temperature where possible.

Recycling
We also have a proactive recycling initiative in the office, using only paper from sustainable sources and recycling as many other materials as possible, additionally we only uses environmentally friendly cleaning products.

For customers requiring a fully managed server, or website development our existing customer Powder Blue (www.powder-blue.com) are happy to quote independently.