Texas data center provider The Planet is undertaking a massive network infrastructure upgrade at all seven of its data centers in Houston and Dallas.

The company's VP of Technology William Charnock said the $7 million project's goal was "modernizing the infrastructure,"some of which was deployed about 10 years ago. While many of the systems had been upgraded overtime as part of a regular refresh cycle, some were not and the current initiative is to plug the holes that were left behind.

Among upgrades are new switches and routers and new test platforms. According to a company statement, there is a goal to double the number of 10 Gb Ethernet links between The Planet's data centers and its ISP's. The Planet plans to complete the phased project, starting in March, by the end of 2010.

The company currently operates two data centers in Houston and five in Dallas, totaling 179,000 square feet of raised floor. Additionally, The Planet operates 10,000 square feet in London and has points if presence in leased spaces in San Jose, Calif. and Ashburn, Va.