What is Colocation?

In theory, a colocation service is a storage service that helps you streamline the way your company’s network functions. By choosing to colocate your network infrastructure, you are doing several things at the same time:

• You are facilitating the storage of your network infrastructure by placing them on racks or cages of equipment, or inside private colocation suites that are designed to keep each and every part of your network in a storage facility that keeps its arrangement neat and easy to diagnose
• Giving a remote data center the task of managing the physical security of your network. This includes but is not limited to: ensuring that your system has a constant supply of filtered, uninterruptable power, is sufficiently cooled by third-party cooling units, is properly connected to LAN(s) and WAN(s) that it is supposed to be connected to, and is supported by back-up power generators to safeguard in the event of power outages.

Colocation centers generally make it easier for you to manage your entire network hub using a remote staff of system administrators that are knowledgeable in keeping data centers running smoothly. These trained experts will handle services such as remote server monitoring and control, which means that they keep track of the status and functionality of your server, checking in with your service provider and tech support crew every so often to ensure that maintenance is at 100% efficiency. They will also take care of backing up important network data sent in from across your WAN.

In short, a collocation facility is a cheaper alternative to having an in-house IT staff to handle system servers and network routers for you.

Why Use Collocation?

If you’re looking for a way to manage your servers efficiently without having to worry about keeping a staff of tech support people, collocation is a good idea. This is also a good solution for offices with very little space for complicated networking hardware.

That’s because collocation centers are run round the clock by highly capable technicians with top quality equipment designed to handle a variety of situations, from server maintenance to emergency situations that require a delicate, knowledgeable touch.

In addition, a variety of ways to improve the service quality and function of your server are made available to you via the collocation center. Choose from a variety of outside power feeds and uninterruptible power supplies to keep your network running indefinitely. You can also purchase equipment designed to ensure that your system is safe from overheat and faulty circuits.

You can also choose to buy your data center incrementally, as opposed to setting up a network cabinet in anticipation of the accumulation of the server paraphernalia you’ll accrue through the years. The experience of the collocation center’s administrators will help you improve the arrangement and set-up of your network as the total server system grows.

How to Buy Collocation

Storage spaces used in collocation typically come in racks. If you wish to save on the price, you can go for a partially shared rack in 5U increments. You can also go for full private racks or a cage space if you have a large network storage space requirement.

Other facilities usually have private suites that you can rent for large server needs.