Connectivity
Data Centre Cross Connects Made Simple
6 min read
A cross connect is a dedicated physical link between your equipment and another network or service inside the same data centre.
What a cross connect is
A cross connect is a physical cable connection within a data centre. It links a customer’s rack or cage to a carrier, internet provider, cloud connection, partner, exchange or another customer environment. Fibre is common for high-speed services, while copper may still be used for specific applications. The data centre operator normally manages the pathway and connection between the two endpoints. Cross connects are important because they allow direct, private communication inside the facility without sending traffic over a general public internet path.
How a cross connect is delivered
The customer orders a service from a carrier or other provider and then submits a cross-connect request to the data centre. Both parties provide connection details, often through a letter of authorisation or facility assignment. The operator installs or activates the cable from a meet-me room or distribution area to the customer cabinet. Delivery time depends on the facility, cable type, approvals and whether the service provider is already present. Clear labelling, port details and testing responsibilities are essential because an incorrect endpoint can delay the entire deployment.
Why businesses use cross connects
Cross connects can provide predictable performance, low latency and a controlled path to important services. They are used for internet transit, private WANs, dark fibre, cloud on-ramps, financial networks, content platforms and partner connections. A business can also use multiple cross connects to create carrier diversity. Compared with a tunnel over the public internet, a direct physical link may reduce exposure to congestion and improve troubleshooting. However, the resilience depends on the complete end-to-end design, not simply the presence of two cables.
Cross-connect pricing and contracts
Customers commonly pay a one-off installation fee and a recurring monthly charge to the data centre operator. The carrier or service provider also charges for its own circuit. Prices vary by facility, cable type and service model. Virtual connectivity platforms can sometimes provision logical connections without a new physical cable for every destination, although the customer still needs an initial port. Buyers should include cross-connect costs in total colocation comparisons because a network-rich facility may have higher facility charges but lower circuit complexity or better provider choice.
How to design resilient connections
For critical services, ask whether connections can use separate meet-me rooms, building entry points, risers, fibre trays and carrier networks. Two circuits from the same carrier may share substantial infrastructure. Even different carriers can converge upstream. Document every dependency and test failover regularly. Confirm interface speed, optic type, connector, VLAN requirements, demarcation point and monitoring responsibility. Major interconnection providers such as Equinix and Australian operators such as NEXTDC offer extensive network ecosystems, but diversity must be designed and verified for each deployment.
Frequently asked questions
Not sure how this applies to your business?
The free assessment turns answers like these into realistic pricing and a provider shortlist for your specific requirements.
Start free assessment