The systems at ICO's Alternative Backup Center (CAR) are based on a series of servers, storage systems, and communications infrastructure, with fiber optic links between centers. These systems aim to provide ICO with a backup center that allows it to continue providing its core IT services in the event of a contingency that prevents their normal operation from its facilities at Paseo del Prado, nº 4, Madrid. Furthermore, the platforms installed at this center can be used by ICO to expand its existing environments.

Within the natural and evolutionary growth of its systems, ICO plans to encompass more complex and secure projects for the client in the future, in such a way as to guarantee the integrity and permanence of data in the face of possible disasters and the distribution of critical applications that ensure business continuity, whatever the conflict situation that may arise.

In the event of a disaster at the Primary Data Center, ICO's Alternative Backup Data Center must be operational for the services designated as critical by management within a minimal timeframe. This center, physically located away from the Primary Data Center, maintains a mirrored technological architecture, but with hardware and software resources sized proportionally to the percentage of services to be backed up and the established service level agreement. In this way, and under these conditions, ICO's Alternative Backup Data Center is subject to the same architectural evolutions as its Primary Data Center.
Thanks to the business model agreed upon with Fibernet, ICO maintains a contingency level that approaches 100% system availability.

One of the most significant developments in this new phase led by Fibernet is the provision of Inter-Center Link Services based on "hot" replication of ICO data and applications over fiber. This will be achieved by implementing a solution based on DWDM transmission technology, tailored in each case to the grid and optical parameters recommended in ITU-T G.694.1 and ITU-T G.694.2 standards. This will ensure high system availability, utilizing dual independent equipment for each route with GbEthernet channels (with migration to 10GbEthernet) and 2G Fiber Channel (with migration to 8G Fiber Channel), while maintaining the same characteristics of native and encrypted transport channels, and incorporating real-time quality monitoring modules.

Another feature of this new phase is the extended LAN, which will also allow the use of the Backup Center as an extension of the current data center, so that the ICO can use the resources housed there when required.