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Content Host Ltd is a provider of fast and secure Windows VPS solutions for businesses across the globe. They have multiple data centers across the world and provide high performance servers to their clients in the global currency trading markets.
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Business: Hosting Provider
“I wanted something I could manage directly, something rock solid, fast, and scriptable. TNSR was exactly what I needed.”
- Rian Kendall, Content Host Ltd.
Customer Challenge
- Faced high costs and complexity from using Fortinet and Cisco equipment across a global network.
- Depended on a third-party IT provider, limiting visibility and control.
- Spent over $15,000 on gear and support contracts, yet still experienced unreliable VPN connections.
- Proprietary systems were rigid and difficult to troubleshoot.
- Lack of transparency in the interface made network monitoring inefficient.
- Scaling the infrastructure was impractical with the existing setup.
- Needed a cost-effective, high-performance solution with better visibility, flexibility, and control.
Customer Solution
- Selected TNSR software to replace Fortinet and Cisco infrastructure.
- Worked with Netgate Professional Services for smooth deployment in key global data centers.
- Gained a rock-solid, fast, and scriptable solution he could manage directly.
- Leveraged TNSR’s high-performance routing and BGP capabilities for efficient global connectivity.
- Used CLI/API management for greater control and automation.
- Established secure site-to-site IPsec tunnels to connect global infrastructure.
- Implemented VLANs and firewall rules to isolate customer environments securely.
Customer Benefits
- Stability at Scale: Solid, persistent VPN tunnels with improved throughput and reliability across all data center locations.
- Dramatic Cost Savings: Eliminated expensive subscription-based systems and third-party IT support, significantly reducing operational costs.
- Full Operational Control: Transparent configuration and robust CLI/API access enable complete network control, critical for multi-tenant hosting.
- On-Demand Support: Netgate Professional Services offered expert assistance when needed, supporting a hands-on, DIY management style.
- Reliable, Efficient Platform: TNSR enables fast, dependable network operations.
The Challenge
Content Host Ltd, a boutique hosting provider based in London, United Kingdom, runs infrastructure across data centers in New York, Amsterdam, France, Singapore, and London. As the company grew, it struggled with complex and costly network setups involving Fortinet and Cisco equipment, managed through a third-party IT service provider.
“I spent more than $15,000 on Fortinet gear and support contracts, and I still had VPNs dropping randomly,” said Rian Kendall, Founder of Content Host. “Their interface was unstable, and I couldn’t even see at a glance whether a tunnel was up or down.”
The rigidity and opacity of proprietary systems made troubleshooting frustrating and scaling impractical. Kendall needed a robust, high-performance routing and VPN solution that gave him visibility, flexibility, and control, without the enterprise price tag.
The Solution
After evaluating alternatives, Kendall standardized on Netgate® TNSR. Backed by Netgate Professional Services, he deployed TNSR in key data center locations, replacing the legacy Fortinet and Cisco infrastructure.
“I wanted something I could manage directly, something rock solid, fast, and scriptable,” Kendall said. “TNSR was exactly what I needed.”
TNSR’s high-performance routing, BGP capabilities, and full CLI/API management enabled Kendall to securely connect global infrastructure through site-to-site IPsec tunnels, while isolating customer environments using VLANs and firewall rules.
The Results
With TNSR, Content Host achieved a significant transformation in its network operations:
- Stability at Scale: VPN tunnels are solid and persistent. Network throughput and reliability have improved across all sites.
- Dramatic Cost Savings: By eliminating costly subscription-based systems and third-party IT overhead, Kendall cut expenses significantly.
- Operational Control: TNSR’s transparent configuration, robust CLI, and API options give Kendall full authority over the network, which is critical in a multi-tenant hosting business.
- Support When Needed: Netgate Professional Services provided hands-on help when required, complementing Kendall’s DIY approach.
“TNSR lets me do what I need to do quickly, reliably, and without all the licensing and support fees,” Kendall said. “It’s a platform I can count on.”
About TNSR
Netgate TNSR is a high-speed terabit virtual router and VPN aggregator. Businesses can deploy TNSR as a Netgate hardware appliance, bare metal image (BMI), or as a virtual appliance on KVM, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure.
TNSR is a world-class router and supports all of the advanced routing features you expect from a high-end edge and core router, including IPv4 and IPv6 support, BGP, OSPF, large-scale NAT, Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF), and Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD). TNSR also delivers high-performance routed site-to-site and remote access VPNs via IPsec or WireGuard® for edge, cloud, and multi-cloud deployments.
Why TNSR
For Content Host, TNSR offers the perfect combination of carrier-grade performance, open architecture, and cost efficiency. “Netgate gives me the tools to run a global hosting operation my way. I’m never going back to proprietary boxes,” said Rian Kendall.
Learn more about
TNSR Software, High-Performance Edge Routing, Bare Metal Image (BMI)