7 key differences between data center and server co-location

When do you need a dedicated data center and when do you need co-location? You must be trying to find out which system is going to work best for you. To ease out the confusion, presented here are seven key differences between having a co-location service and a dedicated data center.

Colocation

1. The difference between owning and renting: In a colocation center, you own the equipment and in a dedicated data center you take the server equipment on rent from a service provider. In both the systems, you will have to get in touch with a server service provider and have a consultation to determine what kinds of server facilities are on offer.
2. Responsibility: Ultimately it is an issue of responsibility. When you own the equipments, it is primarily your responsibility. When you rent the server space, you outsource the responsibility of maintenance to the server maintenance professionals.
3. Affordability: The expenditure varies in both the systems. In a data center colocation you are paying only for the server space and server accommodation facilities (like temperature control, humidity control, fire suppression etc.) In dedicated datacenter solutions, you are paying for the server accommodation as well as for the management of the server systems. You are not paying for server maintenance on a collocation server; you have your in-house team for that. However, even for co-location, you will need some extent of server maintenance. So, while deciding between data center co-location and dedicated server, you will have to see the extent of maintenance that is required and provided in each scenario. Both have their advantages and disadvantages and it depends upon your needs and requirements which one will be the best for you.
4. Manageability: The manageability of the equipment is a major issue of difference. At a collocation server, you have to manage the systems yourself, while in a dedicated server, the maintenance is carried on by the dedicated staff of the server service provider. If you think, you can manage well by yourself, only then you should opt for data center colocation. Otherwise dedicated servers are better options.
5.  Security: Security is a contentious issue while deciding between the types of hosting. Some network administrators are of the view that it is more secured to take care of the server system in a co-location server, while some prefer to leave the matter to a good dedicated datacenter solutions.
6. Speed: Like security, speed discussions are also contentious. You have to ultimately decide on the type of server hosting that can provide you with maximum speed. While dedicated data centers have a fixed bandwidth, in co-location servers, you are the master of your own speed.
7. Redundancy: For server redundancy management, you need to have experienced professionals who can tell you when a particular component needs replacement. For dedicated data centers, it depends on the professionals who maintain your services, but in a colocation center, you need to perform regular checkups with your in house team to decide on replacement of any component. 

5 reasons why server co-location gives you peace of mind

 

 

Colocation technology has placed a strong foot in the telecommunications industry today. Co-location hosting has enabled multiple businesses and individuals to access server, network and data storage space helping to connect with a variety of service providers. The interpretation of the term colocation differs from each service provider. In a business, it aids in locating multiple businesses within the same facility while in an organization it aids in placing groups in a single area like a room or campus. In telecommunications, it aids in locating multiple wireless service providers in the same facility. Server colocation commonly occurs in airports aiding in product offerings and ground services. 

With too many businesses running in today’s world with a great deal of IT jobs, co-location hosting has grown around the requirement for greater capacity and better flexibility in the IT infrastructure. With the world economy getting tougher, colocation services have proved to more beneficial for IT firms. The basic concept behind colocation is the relocation of networking equipment and servers to dedicated space. The top five benefits of server colocation are: 

Connectivity: A server cannot exist without proper internet access. Faster connectivity is vital for both business and customers. Colocation servers provide high speed internet and low latency connectivity to companies that face network congestion due to bandwidth-heavy servers.

Security: Servers need to be both physically and network secure. A colocation service provider benefits the server through features like surveillance cameras, 24/7 manned security and biometric access to name a few.

Power Management: A good data center has cooling systems that keep colocation servers running smoothly and efficiently. A well managed colocation service provider conforms to power and redundancy standards, keeping the efficiency of power usage.

Saves space: Today, most businesses run out of space due to their rapidly growing IT needs. Colocation allows a business to grow with additional relocation costs. The superior bandwidth offered by colocation ensures the growth a business irrespective of the size and demands of customers.

Backups and Redundancy: A server co-location provider offers UPS systems, redundant power sources and efficient backups in order to protect the data center’s power.

Indian IT industry has begun adopting colocation hosting to manage the growing internet related businesses. Using high-speed redundant backbones, colocation services in India have allowed businesses to colocate their mail servers and applications. Colocation hosting India service providers offer flexible solutions, high speed, security, and reliability to businesses allowing them protect their key assets. 

Server co-location in India is ideal for sizable business requirements and allows the host to provide complete control and access to customers. Another advantage of colocation hosting India is avoiding high web hosting bandwidth charges. Colocation is a cost effective, flexible and an easy solution to an establishment’s powerful infrastructure where control over equipments is not lost. Colocation services in India have gained popularity and are now most sought after by Indian IT companies.

Colocation is ideal for web commerce, telecommunication and major enterprises that require various facilities such traffic exchange, disaster management and safe environment. Colocation provides a business with the ability to meet the growing demands of IT infrastructure in a cost-effective way.

How to Choose a Colocation Data Center to Host Your Website

For a business to grow, it is very necessary to choose a collocation data centre for its servers. In order to improve uptime and save a significant amount of money, first you should consider the location of the data centre facility. It should be located to provide easy access and should be supported by a reliable technical team.

Colocation Server

The area of the space provided by the data centre should be sufficient enough to provide you extra space. It should be able to provide space as and when you need. A data centre that can meet your future collocation internet bandwidth needs promptly would be preferable. The facility should be able to provide you additional resources as and when you need the same.

Price and Technical Support

When you are enquiring for collocation rates, find out not only about the rental fees but also about additional technical support. Check the inter connection, additional power, cage and rack setup also. You may find a provider who may provide you remote hands service at no extra cost. Such facilities have experience technical staff onsite 24 hours all year round.  

The colocation services provided by them are more responsive and faster. Make sure that the provider is satisfied to run a data center. The services that they provide should include at least cage collocation, half rack collocation, quarter rack collocation and 1 server collocation. The centre should be equipped to provide support at any time of the day or night. 

Security

The technicians of the data centre should possess certifications in Network, Baseline Analysis, Net Application Management, MCSE 3000 and 2000, MCP, MCDST, MCSA, Network +, A+, IP telephone, ATSP, Internetworking, CNNA and CNP. The security provided by the facility provider should be high-tech that includes fire detection systems, state of the arts, firewalls and video surveillance.

The facility should have surveillance through digital cameras that views and records all entrances and exits. It should provide its customers with card key locks for every exit and entrance. Each cabinet or shared cage must be secured. If the facility is located within a carrier neutral or Telco building with diverse fiber connections to all carriers, it will provide the facility. It will provide easy access and reliable uptime for the equipment.

Financial Stability

The financial stability of the colocation server and service provider should be of prime concern. If the company is sound financially then the colocation hosting services will be provided to you without any fear of the company shutting down. Opt for a service provider who has been in the business since at least 5 years.

The environment of the collocation center should be kept cool continuously. If the AC system is not perfect or cannot provide coolness continuously then the entire data centre systems may fail due to heat. A modern AC system with continuous power backup would be better. If the main power supply fails it should have an UPS to support the machines till the diesel generators start to support the main load.

Benefits of going for Server Colocation

Colocation Server

Co-location is basically defined as hosting of web servers in someone else’s facility. The companies that offer this service basically offer its customers with a safe and a sound facility, so that they can physically place their web servers in them.

There are numerous benefits for businesses, if they go for colocation services, here are some of them:

• Cost-effective: Colocation of servers is considered as one of the most economical methods of hosting web servers. The user does not have to spend any money on management and maintenance of web servers.
• Consistency: It is considered much more reliable to host your web servers in a co-location facility, than in your own in-house facility. As these companies have their own dedicated technicians for server management.
• Safety: These facilities are known to be much more secure, as the companies that offer this service takes care of all the security concerns of its customers.
• Support: A colocation service provider usually hires its own dedicated staff to offer 24/7 support to its customers.

Server colocation has increasingly become one of the most sought after hosting solutions today, as it not only allows a business to reduce its hosting cost, but also helps them to dedicatedly focus on their core businesses.

Benefits of going for Server Colocation

Co-location is basically defined as hosting of web servers in someone else’s facility. The companies that offer this service basically offer its customers with a safe and a sound facility, so that they can physically place their web servers in them.

There are numerous benefits for businesses, if they go for colocation services, here are some of them:

• Cost-effective: Colocation of servers is considered as one of the most economical methods of hosting web servers. The user does not have to spend any money on management and maintenance of web servers.
• Consistency: It is considered much more reliable to host your web servers in a co-location facility, than in your own in-house facility. As these companies have their own dedicated technicians for server management.
• Safety: These facilities are known to be much more secure, as the companies that offer this service takes care of all the security concerns of its customers.
• Support: A colocation service provider usually hires its own dedicated staff to offer 24/7 support to its customers.

Server colocation has increasingly become one of the most sought after hosting solutions today, as it not only allows a business to reduce its hosting cost, but also helps them to dedicatedly focus on their core businesses.

Things to look for in Colocation Service provider

As we all know that Server Colocation is most suitable option for businesses that cannot afford to set up their own data centres. It has become the finest method by which a small or a medium business can enjoy the benefits of having their servers hosted at a secure place. There are several things that a user must consider while selecting a colocation service provider.

The first thing a user must check for is the reputation of the colocation service provider and how long it has been in the industry. The user must also check for additional systems available in the facility and their capacity. Security measures adopted by the colocation provider also needs to be taken into consideration. Server back-up facilities also play a crucial role in selecting the service provider. Another thing that needs to be considered is the customer support provided by the company.

Net4 India, a leading domain registrar web hosting company, also offers advanced Colocation Services in India. Net4’s runs high-tech Cisco-powered data centers in India that offer Server Colocation services. These centres offer its customers with all possible levels of availability, scalability and security. Net4’s data centres are 24/7 monitored by industry certified on-site staff. 

A brief on Server Colocation service

What is Server Colocation? Why are small as well large businesses turning towards it? It is a service that is offered by data center operators wherein they go ahead and rent out space to other companies so that they can go ahead and place their computer servers with them. It has increasingly come up as an interesting option for small as well as large businesses because it helps them in reducing their overall costs.

When an organization decides to host its web servers on its own, it requires them to provide its servers with a controlled and a secure environment. As this requires them to make huge investments, most companies have now started to take colocation services. Though this service provides its user with limited access and control of server, the overall advantages it brings to a business compensates for it. By taking these services smaller companies can also go ahead and compete with larger companies.

Net4 India, a leading domain registrar and web hosting company, offers advanced Colocation Services in India. Net4 provides colocation services through its Cisco-powered data centers. These centres are especially designed to offer customers with all possible levels of availability, scalability and security. Net4’s data centers are also 24/7 monitored by industry certified on-site staff.

A guide on Server Colocation

Server Colocation has fast come up as an interesting proposition from small business owners who do not wish to spend a fortune on maintaining their servers. It is considered most feasible for them to have their servers stored at an off-site location. If a user does not want to pay a huge amount of money to keep his servers, this could be the most suitable choice for him.

The companies that offer colocation services usually charge their customers for the space their servers take. The biggest benefit of taking this service is that companies that offer these services are well equipped to deal with any problem that may come up in these servers. The service provider will usually have a backup power supply, several cooling equipments and various other advanced features. The companies that provide these services also hire certified individuals to manage the servers stored in them.  

Net4 India, which is leading domain registration and web hosting company, also provides Colocation Services in India. Net4 provides Server Colocation services through its state-of-the-art Cisco-powered Data Centers. These centres offer its customers with all possible levels of availability, scalability and security. Net4’s data centres, which are 24/7 monitored by industry certified on-site staff, also offer customers with multiple bandwidth options and a range of other services.