A cross connect is a direct physical connection between two points within a data center or telecommunications facility. It's essentially a cable that links two customers' equipment (such as servers, routers, or switches) either directly to each other or to a shared resource, like an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) or a carrier's network.

Here are some key points about cross connects:

1. Direct Connection: Cross connects bypass the public internet and other intermediary networks, allowing for direct, point-to-point communication. This can improve performance, reliability, and security.
2. Low Latency: Because cross connects are direct links, they can provide extremely low latency, which is crucial for applications that require real-time data transfer, such as financial trading systems.
3. Increased Security: Direct connections reduce the number of hops and potential exposure points, potentially improving the security of the data transmission.
4. Flexibility: Within a data center, tenants can easily establish or reconfigure cross connects based on evolving needs.
5. Types of Cross Connects: They can be made using various types of cables, such as copper for short distances or fiber optics for longer distances or higher bandwidth needs.
6. Use Cases:
   • Connecting a company's server to its storage infrastructure within the same data center.
   • Linking a tenant's equipment to a carrier's network for dedicated internet or WAN access.
   • Establishing peering connections between different ISPs or content providers within an IXP.
7. Billing: Cross connects often come with a one-time setup fee and a recurring monthly charge, which can vary based on the data center provider and the type of cross connect.

In summary, a cross connect is a direct physical connection within a data center or telecom facility, providing enhanced performance, security, and flexibility for connected systems. It's an essential aspect of data center infrastructure, enabling diverse interconnections and integrations between various networked systems.