Content delivery technology powerhouse Akamai is pushing ahead with plans to ramp up the power of its globally distributed content delivery platform, announcing a deal with Equinix to expand in the United States and Asia.

Financial terms of the deal were not released.

The partnership clears the way for Akamai to expand its content and applications delivery platform in both the United States and Asia using Equinix's network-neutral data centers and Internet exchange services.

Akamai will directly connect networks via private cross connects at Equinix's s Internet hubs. In the Washington, D.C and Silicon Valley areas, Akamai will also make use of the Equinix GigE Exchange services. This Equinix service provides a central switching fabric that connects to every major global network.

According to Equinix, the service would significantly lower the costs of traditional data exchange arrangements. The efficiency is achieved by having all the major networks in a centralized environment as opposed to establishing point-to-point links with partners from multiple locations.

"A solid infrastructure of network connectivity is essential for the operation of Akamai's distributed computing services," said Peter Papavasiliou, director of network infrastructure for Akamai, in a statement. "Akamai contributes in making the Equinix peering fabrics even more valuable by bringing massive amounts of mission-critical content to the network access point (NAP)."

Word of Akamai's network expansion comes as two big name software vendors are bracing for a massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) from computers infected by the two variants of the mass-mailing MyDoom virus.

The MyDoom virus is programmed to attack the home pages of the SCO Group and Microsoft over the weekend, prompting speculation that Akamai will be called in to provide back-up content delivery services.

In the past, Microsoft has allegedly employed Akamai's Linux based content delivery network to thwart DDoS attacks but a spokesperson for Akamai declined to comment on potential customers.