Cogent Communications: Charlotte 2

Facility Overview

Charlotte 2 is a secure, carrier-neutral colocation data center operated by Cogent Communications. Located in the urban core of Charlotte, North Carolina, the site is tailored for small to mid-sized enterprise deployments, service provider PoPs, and regional edge computing workloads.

Facility Size & Layout

• Approximately 4,497 square feet of non-raised data hall space.
• Outfitted with 42U APC AR3100 cabinets for optimal equipment housing.

Power & Electrical Resiliency

• Single 50 kVA UPS system delivering clean, uninterruptible power to critical infrastructure.
• Backup power supported by a 750 kW Cummins-Onan diesel generator connected to a 6,000-gallon fuel tank with Veeder-Root fuel monitoring.
• Power transition control managed by a 1,200 A automatic transfer switch (ATS) to ensure seamless failover.

Cooling & Environmental Controls

• Multiple HVAC chillers actively regulate server room temperature and humidity levels.
• Fire safety systems include heat sensors, sprinkler heads, FM-200 clean-agent suppression, and VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) detection to proactively monitor fire risks.

Security & Access

• The facility maintains 24/7 site access with a secured entry protocol.
• Surveillance includes comprehensive IP camera coverage.
• Access control is managed through keyed entry systems and logged entry monitoring.

Connectivity

• The facility is carrier-neutral and supports multiple fiber providers, including Cogent’s Tier 1 network and Zayo.
• Connectivity options include Ethernet, IP Transit, Layer 2 VPNs, and up to 100 Gbps port speeds.
• Ideal for customers requiring low-latency regional access and reliable upstream bandwidth.

Use Case Suitability

• Enterprises seeking scalable rack space in a secure location.
• Telcos, MSPs, and SaaS firms needing robust network backhaul.
• Organizations pursuing hybrid cloud or edge strategies in the Southeast.