As a local internet service provider, Intermax Networks is committed to delivering fast, reliable internet to all our customers. Regular network maintenance is a must to keep everything running smoothly. Sometimes, this means we need to schedule short breaks in service, which we call “planned downtime.” While it may seem like a hassle, this downtime is crucial for keeping your connection fast, secure, and dependable.
What Is Planned Downtime?
Planned downtime happens when we schedule a brief pause in service to perform necessary updates or maintenance. Think of it like tuning up your car to make sure it runs at its best. The same idea applies to our network. We perform these updates to ensure our network stays in top condition and minimize any surprise disruptions to your internet service.
Here are the main reasons we schedule planned downtime:
1. Upgrading Network Software
Just like your devices, our radios, switches, and routers require software and firmware updates from time to time. These updates boost performance, strengthen security, fix bugs, or add new features. Most of the time, we can do this invisibly, but occasionally, particularly for fixed wireless equipment located on distant mountaintops, it’s most effective to reboot the device remotely and cause a short interruption. We usually do this in the wee hours, and if it’s meaningful, we email you ahead of time so you can plan around it.
2. Replacing Equipment in Advance
Stuff wears out. In our case, when it happens on a mountain, somewhere along a cable in a valley, or in a vault under a street corner somewhere, it takes time to diagnose and repair. We try to stay ahead of this by replacing things before they can cause bigger problems. Planned downtime allows us to swap out single-point-of-failure components so you can continue to enjoy a smooth, reliable connection without unexpected outages.