sean@donelan.com said:

For example, when a hosting company claims they have "Class A" space (whatever that means), does anyone actually check?

Without wishing to be facetious: a) Often not in practice b) But the customer should "Class A space" is about as useful a definition as being a "Tier 1 provider connected to the core of the internet", and no doubt, and equally feeble guarantee of quality. There is about as much use in having that certified, as, say, a certification that your ISP will work well because it employs so many MCSEs. (oh, actually, there is one of them, um ... :-) ). Having been on both sides in this game, I am equally perplexed to find vendors surprised when I say "so can I actually *see* the backup generator(s) then", as when customers say "mmm..., XYZ other vendor didn't show us all this" (when you know XYZ doesn't, or stranger still, does, have it) Caveat emptor. Take customer references. Do due diligence. -- Alex Bligh GX Networks (formerly Xara Networks)