Port Diversity

This topic describes how to configure and manage Port diversity.

Port diversity improves the robustness of your network by providing Port services on different physical devices at a single Megaport location. Ports are assigned to diversity zones. A diversity zone groups devices at the same location to ensure that services are provisioned on physically separate devices that always remain diverse.

Assigning Ports to diversity zones reduces the risk of service interruption due to an impacting event on a single device. For example, during scheduled maintenance, no more than one diversity zone at a given data center location will experience downtime at any moment. If a Port in a diversity zone experiences scheduled downtime, Ports in the other zone at the same location are not affected by that same scheduled maintenance.

Ports deployed at locations supporting diversity are zoned into one of two groups - red or blue. In the Megaport ONE Portal, Ports indicate their assignment in a diversity zone with either a red or blue dot.

At locations where diversity is supported, you can:

• Create a new Port on a device that is diverse from an existing Port
• Create multiple Ports or LAG bundles as a diverse pair in the same order

Configuring a Port for diversity

When you create a new Port, you can make it diverse from an existing Port or create a diverse pair of Ports at the same time, with one in each diversity zone.

Note

A Port ordered to a specific zone always remains in that zone. To change a Port diversity zone after placing the order, you must cancel and re-order the Port.

To configure a Port for diversity

1. In the Megaport ONE Portal, choose Networking > Services.
2. Click Create and select Port.
   

3. Specify a location for the Port.
   Search for your preferred data center using the Country drop-down list, or enter a search term to filter results as you type. Click Clear Filters to reset the filters. Note that you can only deploy a Port in a billing market you have already enabled.
   

4. Specify the Port Configuration details:

   • Port Name – Specify a name for the Port that is easily identifiable, particularly if you plan on having more than one Port.

   • Port Speed – Select 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps from the Port Speed drop-down list (100 Gbps is available in some locations). Ensure that your equipment is capable of interfacing with the selected speed.
     

   • Port Diversity – Diversity options are only displayed if diversity is available at this location and speed. Select one of the following options from the drop-down list:

     • None –- Select this option if you do not have a preference for a specific diversity zone.
     • Create Diverse Pair –- Select this option to create two Ports, each in its own diversity zone. The system prompts you for the name of the second Port in the pair, and configures the second Port using identical settings.
     • Diverse from Existing Port –- Select this option to make this Port diverse from a Port you already own. In the drop-down list, Ports are listed that you own and are available at the selected location. The corresponding diversity zones of each Port is shown next to the Port name. (If the existing Port is part of a LAG, the primary Port of the LAG is listed.)

   • LACP & LAG Ports – Click Enable if you want the Port to be a member of a LAG. To enable LACP, the Port speed must be 10 Gbps or higher. Specify the number of Ports to include in the LAG, up to a maximum of 8. For details on LAG, see Creating a Link Aggregation Group.

   The monthly price updates dynamically based on your selections. (Note that some partner managed (client) accounts do not display the pricing details.)

   

   Note

   Partner-managed accounts can apply a Partner Deal to a service.

5. Provide Billing Details for the Port:

   • Service Level Reference (optional) – Specify a unique identifying number for the Port to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number or a unique customer ID. The service level reference number appears for each service under the Product section of the invoice. You can also edit this field for an existing service.

     Note

     A VXC associated with the Port is not automatically updated with the Port service level reference number.

   • Minimum Term – Select 1 month, 12 months, 24 months, or 36 months. Longer terms result in a lower monthly rate. By default, a 12 month term is selected.

     Note

     Partner and partner-managed accounts cannot view or change Port contract terms.

   • Promo Code – If you have a promo code, enter it and click Add Code.

6. Click Create Port to deploy the new Port.
   

7. Click Confirm to initiate the provisioning of your new Port.

After the Ports are provisioned, Megaport ONE generates Letters of Authorization (LOAs) specifying the demarcation point to be applied.

To view the LOA

1. In the Megaport ONE Portal, choose Networking > Services.
2. Select the new Port.
3. Click Download LOA.
   
   Megaport will also send you the LOA PDF by email.
4. Save the LOA locally. Provide it to your data center operator to establish the physical cross connects from your network device to your new Ports.

Once the Port is deployed, you have access to the Megaport network and can start adding Virtual Cross Connects (VXCs) to the Port. For details, see Creating a VXC.

Note

The cost of a new cross connection and any related VXC fees are the responsibility of the customer, as outlined in Megaport ONE’s Global Services Agreement.

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Last update: 2023-05-16