Sep 17, 2001 : Telehouse Works to Restore Operations

📅 September 17, 2001 - While New York worked feverishly to recover from the tremendous blow dealt by the destruction of the World Trade Center complex, Telehouse America (telehouse.com) clients held their breath as commercial power was cut to nearby 25 Broadway on Sept. 11th.

This address first appeared on the Internet and telecommunications worldmaps when Telehouse opened their Broadway Center in 1996. Housing thestrategic networks and systems of EBS Dealing Resources, Deutsche Telekom,KDDI, Time Warner, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other key financial,Internet, and telecommunications companies, the continued operation of thisfacility was crucial. The Broadway Center houses the New York InternationalInternet Exchange, widely used by ISP's and carriers to exchange theirInternet traffic.
Since Sept. 11th, when commercial power failed, the Broadway Center reliedon generator power for its continued operation. With three days of fuel onsite and many buildings in lower Manhattan soon requiring the same, itbecame a pressing challenge to secure additional supplies. Furthercomplicating issues, governmental authorities evacuated lower Manhattan,barring anyone from entering that part of the city. All essential on-siteTelehouse staff had to remain in the facility and initial attempts to sendrelief personnel were unsuccessful.
For three arduous days, a staff of technicians, facilities management, andsecurity personnel continued to work around the clock monitoring the plantand its performance. On Sept. 16th, after talks with the Port Authority ofNY & NJ and with the support of the Japanese Consulate and EDS, Telehousesecured a truckload of generator fuel with police escort through the Hollandtunnel. Relief quickly turned to dismay when, soon after refueling, thegenerator became severely overheated and the decision to shut it down wasreluctantly made. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, clients beingnotified of the shutdown complimented Telehouse's efforts and offered theirongoing support.
Its status as one of New York's critical traffic hubs and pressure fromTelehouse and numerous of its high-profile clients resulted in Con Edisonrestoring critical power through their installation of a temporary streetgenerator on Sept. 16. The repair of its own generator will enable Telehouseto provide even further power protection to its clients until normalcommercial power resumes.
When all is said and done, with all eyes watching, Telehouse will haveovercome a tough week in what may be one of many to come. "Our clients havebeen invaluable in seeing us through this," says John Shields, vicepresident of operations and chief engineer. "In the face of adversity, theyhave offered their total support, both emotionally and in using theirinfluence when needed."