Irma D. Rutherford A colocation data center, also known as a “colo, is any huge data center that leases the space of racks to third-party companies to host their servers or any other equipment for networks. This is a well-known service and is utilized by businesses who may be unable to afford the capital to manage their own data center; however, they still want the advantages.
What is Colocation?
The term”colocation” is used to describe different aspects of this kind of facility. It is first the fact that computers and other equipment belonging to a variety of businesses are co-located in a single data center. The hardware is typically owned by the company’s own and then leased (and occasionally managed) by the personnel of the data center.
It also refers to the notion that a business can be able to have its equipment in multiple locations. There may be servers, for instance, in four or three diverse colocation data centers. This is essential for companies with large geographical footprints that want to ensure that their computers are situated close to their physical office locations.
Benefits of a Colocation Data Center
Organizations or people who would like to make use of colocation data center solutions can reap numerous advantages they could take advantage of. These are the most important benefits to take into consideration in deciding whether this type of service is an appropriate choice.
Lower Costs If you are looking at the costs associated with colocation data centers versus the option of constructing the facility yourself, it’s the most obvious option. If your equipment doesn’t require an enormous amount of space and space, costs will be much lower when you choose colocation.
Less technical staff There is no need to be concerned about running cables, coordinating the power supply, installing equipment, or any other specialized tasks. In a majority of instances, the colocation data center may even be equipped to replace equipment or carry out different duties as required. This means that you don’t need to have a huge IT team to manage the work.
Excellent Reliability Colocation data centers generally have the most stringent requirements for redundancy. This includes generators for backup power, superior physical security, numerous connectivity to networks through various Telcos, and many more.
Geographical Location: You can select the site where your data center will be located so that it is in close proximity to the users you serve.
Predictable Costs The expenses associated with colocation data centers can be predicted. It is common to sign agreements that last for at least one year, which means you are aware of how much you will have to budget for your IT requirements.
Simple Scalability When your company expands, you are able to quickly get more servers and other devices added to your facility. If your equipment is in a smaller local server closet or data center, It can be more difficult to grow.
Colocation Data Center vs. Colocation Server Rack
When you’re researching colocation data center alternatives, ensure you know the distinction between a complete colocation data center and the rack for a colocation server. The terms can be utilized interchangeably; however, strictly using them, a colocation center occurs when the data center business rents out its entire facility to another company. A colocation rack, on the other hand, refers to the case when they lease space in a data center to multiple companies.
The distinction is often called ‘wholesale colocation, to rent the entire data center, and retail colocation for simply renting out a certain quantity of rack space within the data center. A majority of businesses will be searching for racks that can be used as colocation servers that will allow them to get the space they require at an affordable cost.
A lot of colocation data centers allow rent for whole racks (which could be locked in a number of instances to provide additional security) or just specific space within the frame. Whatever needs the data center your company may have, colocation solutions for data centers will likely be the most suitable solution.
