Tape Ark Solves Unique Global Multi-Cloud Uplink Challenge with Bespoke Nexthop Dark Fibre Solution
Media Release
Tape Ark, a global leader in migrating and preserving tape-based data into multi-cloud environments, today announced the successful implementation of a high-capacity network solution in partnership with Australian connectivity specialist, Nexthop. The collaboration addresses Tape Ark’s unique and demanding data flow requirements, significantly boosting its operational capacity from its headquarters in Perth.
The Challenge of Asymmetrical Data Flow
Tape Ark faces mammoth global multi-cloud uplink requirements, primarily centered around data ingestion. Unlike typical business traffic, where downloads often constitute the majority of data transfer, Tape Ark’s requirements are highly asymmetrical, with over 90% dedicated to uploads. Meeting this unique demand, particularly from the geographically distant Perth, posed a significant challenge that required a non-standard approach to network design. Bandwidth limitations represented a critical risk to operational confidence and the ability to accept large-scale global migration projects.
Nexthop’s Tailored Approach and Rapid Delivery
Nexthop was the only provider capable of meeting Tape Ark’s need for both capacity and flexibility. Nexthop’s Sales Director, Tim Jones, worked directly with the Tape Ark team to design a bespoke solution that strategically leveraged the opposite-to-typical nature of Tape Ark’s data flow.
The resulting solution successfully combined Nexthop’s strong direct peering with major public clouds with the provision of dedicated Dark Fibre. This custom-engineered solution delivered a high-capacity, high-performance link directly to Australia’s main cloud resources, specifically optimized for asymmetrical upload traffic.
Measurable Impact and Operational Confidence
The deployment has had a measurable impact on Tape Ark’s business operations. The high-capacity connection, delivered over dark fibre with direct cloud peering, has eliminated bandwidth as a limiting factor in project acceptance.
“Everything about working with Nexthop was easy; from the initial discussions of tailoring a solution to meet our unique needs, to rollout, to the ability to make adjustments with a simple call or email,” said Jeremy Nottle, Senior Vice President IT Innovation and Strategy. “Nothing was too much trouble or met with ‘not possible.’ This partnership has given us the confidence to accept jobs of any size into Perth, knowing that bandwidth is no longer a bottleneck.”
The successful collaboration reduces operational risk, ensures greater reliability for multi-cloud uplinks, and achieves long-term cost avoidance by proactively addressing future bandwidth needs.
Tim Jones, commented on the project: “We recognized that Tape Ark’s needs were the inverse of a typical enterprise, and we designed the solution to take full advantage of that. By combining our strong peering capabilities with the flexibility of a dedicated Dark Fibre build, we delivered a tailored, high-capacity solution that truly works to both companies’ advantage.”
