Strategic Solutions has chosen to locate its network in the Reston, VA area based upon the three rules of Real Estate, "Location, Location, Location". By basing our network in Reston, VA we are able to gain superior access to the single largest entrance point on the internet, the MAE (Metropolitan Area East). Access from all over the Eastern United States is routed to this hub. Because of our location, we are anywhere from 2 to 5 hops closer to the internet backbone than local area providers.

Although the internet has no beginning or end, its first point of access had to originate somewhere. Currently, this point is the MAE. The MAE and the internet itself were started as a Department of Defense initiative. It allowed nuclear war missile silo operators across the country to communicate with the Pentagon. The MAE was the central command for this project, so it was only natural that it grew into the commercial equivalent of today's modern day Internet.

Strategic Solutions accesses the MAE EAST via a direct OC48 connection, with redundant OC48 backups. Strategic Solutions has a connection from its network directly into America Online's main NOC in Reston, VA. By connecting to multiple backbones, Strategic Solutions' data can be distributed through many sources. This architectural design also means that we are not dependent upon any single internet backbone. Thus when problems occur, we are able to reroute traffic automatically, thereby ensuring the integrity of our network and continued access for our clients.

A superior network is only as good as the equipment it is run on. That is why we use Cisco routers and all of our hosting is done on state of the art Hewlett Packard ProLiant servers running Raid 5. The data center facility has a 24/7 security guard at the front door and a fully redundant power system with multiple generators, which offers a continuous power supply in the event of power outages. All hardware is stationed in a room with environmental monitoring systems for fire, air conditioning, water detection, and humidity control.