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Hosting & Security

Hosting

The MyLanguageLabs system is hosted on multiple enterprise-class Web and database servers within an industry leading data center facility with a tier 1 Internet service provider.

Uptime

MyLanguageLabs is solid. Since its inception, the system has experienced an average uptime of 99.979 percent under significant load.

Reliability

MyLanguageLabs has been architected 'from its conception' for the strongest possible reliability. There is no single point of failure for hardware, software, or network, and every component throughout the system is built for redundancy. In addition, there are multiple high-capacity bandwidth Internet connections with failover capability.

High-availability services

The large databases, multiple-file downloads, high traffic volumes, and high online availability requirements inherent in higher education courseware are Pearson specialties. Like the rest of the Pearson product line, MyLanguageLabs utilizes database clustering, load balancing across multiple front-end Web servers, and mirrored storage for peak performance, uninterrupted service, and smooth operation.

Monitoring services

The success of an online product depends on realtime monitoring services that keep services running under all conceivable conditions. MyLanguageLabs employs fault, performance, system performance, network, and bandwidth utilization monitoring. Disk space, memory, the CPU, and critical services are under constant watch. In addition, complete system health checks are performed every three minutes. MyLanguageLabs development and testing are a collaborative activity involving skilled technical teams both within and outside the United States. Hardware- and software-performance, functional, smoke, unit, stress, stability, robustness, load capacity, and systems tests are constants, and their results are consistent sources of pride for the MyLanguageLabs team.

Disaster recovery

Beyond the multiple redundancies described above, all database servers are backed up daily and stored offsite.

Security

MyLanguageLabs system architecture conforms to the highest standards for security: Web, application, and database servers are protected by the latest antivirus software. As new updates come out, they are tested and patched in via a transparent process that minimizes any interruption of service. Content is stored by means of a storage-area-network infrastructure that uses the appropriate RAID levels on our storage.

Firewalls

MyLanguageLabs's Internet connection is protected by a multilayer firewall. Ports and IP addresses have filters at the routers. Both are monitored around the clock for vulnerabilities and denials of service, Trojan horses, spyware, malware (malicious software), and virus attacks.

Access

MyLanguageLabs applies security at three levels: authentication, authorization, and content based. MyLanguage Labs are protected by SMS, which manages account access for all Pearson applications. Authentication is cookie based, and it times out after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed.

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