A DIRECT FIBER TO MICROSOFT AZURE EXPRESSROUTE

US-based data center provider CoreSite, has today announced the expansion of connectivity at its Chicago campus with the availability of direct fiber and virtual connectivity to Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute.

The established interconnection point will enable CoreSite enterprise customers and Microsoft connectivity partners to access Azure ExpressRoute directly, giving them direct access to Microsoft’s global network. Additionally, this expansion further enables customers and partners to build primary and/or redundant network architectures within the market using fiber interconnections and virtual connectivity through the CoreSite Open Cloud Exchange®.

“We are excited to offer our customers on-net availability and improved resiliency options to Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute in Chicago, in addition to the on-net ExpressRoute connectivity already available in Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, Denver and Northern Virginia. Direct and private connectivity to leading cloud providers like Microsoft is essential for enterprises to deploy their hybrid and multi-cloud IT architectures,” said Steve Smith, Chief Revenue Officer of CoreSite.

While Azure ExpressRoute is expected to deliver low latency edge-to-edge performance, increased security, and eliminate data egress costs, the combination of Azure ExpressRoute with CoreSite’s Open Cloud Exchange and Inter-site services is set to provide customers with enhanced network connectivity for business continuity and disaster recovery programs.

“Our collaboration with CoreSite provides customers with the high-level interconnection and predictable global access they need to meet their broad range of requirements. We are pleased to expand Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute, allowing more businesses in these growing markets to access these services through the CoreSite interconnection and data center platform,” said Ross Ortega, Partner PM Manager, Azure Networking at Microsoft.

In Chicago, CoreSite boasts of operating two data centers including CH1 and CH2 in downtown Chicago. CoreSite’s CH2 data center is claimed to be the first purpose-built data center in downtown Chicago, designed to support a total of 18MW critical IT load. The first phase of CH2 was opened in 2020 after securing approval from Illinois government on the new data center construction.