Member Article

Server Colocation

Server colocation originally came from where two (or more) companies would invest in building a data centre for their own use. This was when the cost of building a data centre was too great for even large companies

Now, colocation often describes data centres which are built and maintained by service providers so that companies or individuals can cost effectively have their server or servers hosted in a data centre.

Colocation is like renting an apartment for servers; benefits are security, reliable power, reliable cooling, fast internet and geographic location when used for backup services.

You pay for the space you use, the power you consume and the internet bandwidth you need.

Often, space in a data centre is resold, sometimes by several providers. This can make resolving problems difficult as each layer adds a time delay and complexity to troubleshooting, not to mention cost.

Server Colocation Simplified

Most hosting companies offer a service called server co-location. But what do we mean by server co-location and how can it help growing businesses?

Co-location is a popular way to get servers into a data centre. With co-location, the server equpiment is owned by the business but rather than being housed in a cabinet in a corner of the office, they are hosted securely in a data centre.

This can provide a number of advantages and can help to reduce the overall costs of your IT infrastructure. Data centre’s typically offer higher levels of bandwidth, highly available power, cooling and a secure location, allowing information to be accessed by members of staff working remotely as well as from within the office.

In some cases, co-location is used as a way of providing a secure location for backing up sensitive data to help a business safeguard against server failure and can help your business to benefit from a flexible, stable system which can grow and evolve as the needs of your company change.

How can Server Colocation help you?

- Usually, server colocation is best for small to medium sized businesses as they need to house their servers in a professional server environment without the huge cost of building a data centre.

- When servers are housed in a data centre they benefit secure, climate controlled facilities so equipment doesn’t overheat and cause servers to crash, therefore creating loss of data and information as well as your business going offline. This can also help to prolong the life of you server equipment.

- Renting server space provides access to expansive power, environmental control and high speed connections which helps to benefit from greater bandwidth, whilst avoiding the high comparative costs of installing a leased line within your business.

- Server co-location allows files stored to be accessed quickly and securely from both the office, home or when employees are on the road, helping to improve the efficiency of your business.

- Data centres will have an array of power supplies as well as back-up power, so should the worst happen, your business won’t be offline for prolonged periods of time.

- As you own the equipment, server colocation enables you to control and manage your server. At HA Hosting, as well as providing 24/7 access to our secure data centre and also provide our clients with the option to manage their equipment remotely – It’s worth checking when using co-location that your provider enables you to access your equipment.

- You are in charge of your hard and software, giving you full control over your business.

You can access more useful information about server colocation here: https://www.hahosting.com/colocation

Rory Delahoyde is the managing director of HA Hosting, home of the Sheffield Data Centre.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by HA Hosting .