Cross-Connects get their name from the cables and cords — or cross-connects — that create a direct link between two individual termination units within a data center.

Cross-connects (XCs) may be used to enhance network speed, data traffic and general performance. They also offer tremendous flexibility for data centers to accommodate small, medium or enterprise-scale customers that need high bandwidth on demand and room to grow.

Cloud providers may use cross-connect solutions to connect customer networks directly with internet service providers in the same building. Cross-connect solutions can also include carrier neutrality. With multiple networks to choose from in a carrier-neutral environment, data center customers stand to benefit in terms of price and service as carriers compete to offer the greatest required services. Some wholesale providers, such as Stream Data Centers, offer complimentary XCs as an integral part of their connectivity solutions to help customers avoid add-on costs. Cross-connects also support data center interconnection via virtual private networks (VPN), point of presence (POP) and meet-me rooms (MMRs).

Specific types of cross-connects include:

• Fiber
• Coaxial cable (coax)
• Cat5/Cat6 ethernet cables
• T1 lines
• Copper
• POTS