| Colocation, sometimes termed collocation, co-location, | | | | Colocation centers often offer both increased physical |
| or data center hosting, allows the customer to utilize | | | | security measures and network security measures. |
| the features of a large IT department without the high | | | | Some facilities require employees to escort customers, |
| cost associated with housing servers. | | | | while others use a PIN code or proximity card access |
| The customer physically keeps their personal server | | | | system to allow customers into the building. Individual |
| equipment in a rack in the data center of the | | | | server cages and cabinets usually have locks for |
| colocation provider. The customer is provided with an | | | | added security. Furthermore, many data centers |
| IP address, bandwidth, and a power source for their | | | | provide staff that monitors the data center security at |
| servers. Many colocation providers also offer | | | | all times. Occasionally, colocation providers offer a |
| dedicated hosting; the customer can rent a server | | | | security audit and periodic security advising as an |
| from the colocation provider. | | | | added service. |
| What are the Benefits of Colocation? | | | | Connection |
| There are many benefits to colocation, but one of the | | | | Colocation providers often utilize more than one |
| main benefits is redundancy. It ensures that the | | | | Internet Service Provider (ISP) or multiple Optical Fiber |
| customers network is up at all times and that any | | | | Circuits. Colocation also offers a higher level of |
| failures are brought to immediate attention. Many | | | | convenience for the customer. The customer will not |
| colocation providers offer redundancy on multiple | | | | have to provide space for their servers. In addition, |
| levels. This ensures that the customer will have outage | | | | ownership of server equipment allows customers to |
| protection, temperature regulation, network reliability, | | | | upgrade power, memory, and software as needed. |
| and network security. Many of these redundancy | | | | The customer can also insure that their server will stay |
| measures are too costly for customers to provide | | | | up during a company move. Overall, colocation is |
| in-house. | | | | beneficial because it saves the customer time and |
| Outage Protection | | | | money. |
| Colocation data centers often offer power | | | | What Should I look for in a Colocation Provider? |
| redundancy through the use of power generators and | | | | The first area of concern when looking for a |
| backup power supplies. This will allow networks to | | | | colocation provider is your company's needs. If it is |
| remain up even in the instance of a long-term power | | | | imperative that your network stays up at all times, |
| failure. Colocation providers often offer server | | | | check the colocation providers redundancy system |
| protection from floods and fires as well. | | | | and uptime rating, if available. You should also |
| Temperature Regulation | | | | determine the additional services offered by your |
| Because servers generate a large amount of heat, | | | | colocation provider. Many colocation providers offer to |
| temperature regulation is absolutely necessary. Heat | | | | maintain and manage your server at an extra cost. |
| and humidity cause serious degradation of operability in | | | | You should also determine the servicing hours of the |
| servers. Colocation centers have a controlled | | | | colocation provider. Some providers will allow you to |
| temperature level that keeps servers running smoothly. | | | | perform maintenance on your server at any hour, but |
| Security | | | | some will not. |