[Info-vax] Where is EISNER:: and who funds it?

[abrsvc]

I don't know what type of datacenter you guys are referencing when you say that they have access to your data.  I have 2 clients using the same datacenter and neither has access to the other's equipment at all.  There are multiple options available for clients.  Either a locked rack (or racks) or a locked "cage" where your racks are surrounded by a literal cage. Yes, the datacenter operational staff has access to both using keys, but that is usually for changing tapes or drives with instructions from the system owners.   Any additional access by terminal etc. is no different than it would be for any user.

The advantages of using a datacenter are usually around redundant power and internet.  In the center referenced above, they have 2 separate power feeds from 2 different locations so that if one power circuit fails, the other is there.  Add to that the on-site generator and you have power for almost all conditions.  There are internet connections available from multiple carriers to cover when one carrier fails. One of the major cable companies had the entire eat coast access go down for a whle a few years ago.  Access for my client's customers was not impacted at all, the other internet connections took over without any intervention.

No small company would be able to foot the cost of all of the redundancy required for a 24x7 operation.  Yes, the datacenter costs more than the traditional in-house setup, but has more flexibility and the additional cost for all of that redundancy is far less than having it local.

Dan