1. Why AT&T?
High Reliability
Reliability of the IP backbone network is one of the most important attributes for business customers. AT&T has
engineered its IP network with the following features to make the AT&T Global IP network highly reliable:
• All nodes in AT&T POPs are protected by battery backup, emergency generators, and dual commercial power
sources
• Alternative re-routing paths are provided by multiple-ringed design of backbone trunks
• All equipment is implemented in a redundant configuration
• Backbone routers are paired in addition to redundant configuration
• All service-affecting parts are stored onsite
• The network is designed with no single point of failure in core architecture
• Managed Internet Service (MIS) customers receive 100% availability SLA for their port
• Routing stability is ensured using defensive routing and the PeerMon tool
• AT&T’s global IP network nodes are additionally protected by AT&T’s network disaster recovery program
High Security
The AT&T Global IP network is protected by two types of security:
• Physical Security – All IP backbone nodes are deployed in AT&T central offices. These offices are physically
secure facilities with access to only authorized personnel.
• Logical Security – AT&T has implemented the Source Address Assurance feature for IP source address filtering at
every single customer interface. The inbound source IP address of every packet entering the network from a
customer connection or the Internet is examined. This is done to make sure that the inbound IP addresses
match the IP address AT&T expects to see on that interface. In case of a miss match, the inbound IP address is
dropped. This security measure helps prevent certain types of hacker activity and attacks, specifically spoofing.
High Performance
The performance of the IP backbone network services is a major selling point to our customers.
• OC192 links are used for high capacity data transfer. AT&T is in the process of upgrading these to OC768.
• Capacity is managed to deliver excellent performance
• Network is built using industry leading hardware and software
• AT&T’s network performance target is 37 milliseconds average latency for a month across its 18 major US nodes
• Packet loss target is .05% averaged across the 18 major US nodes for an entire month
• Performance is continually monitored and displayed on the Network Health Site
Superior Control
The AT&T global IP network services offer excellent network control facilities to customers. Here are a few highlights the
of the AT&T Global IP network:
• State-of-the-art NRC (Network Reliability Center)
• High degree of in-house networking expertise
• Extensive test-bed network environment available for the controlled introduction, software updates, and new
features
• World class customer care that ensures:
o 24 by 7 expert support
o Provisioning, maintenance, and billing support