Colocation is a type of internet server hosting. With Colocation, companies buy rack space in a Data Centre and store their own server equipment there. These Data Centre’s are facilities purpose built for this purpose. It is a way for companies running there own servers, but not having to have them on the site of their own business. Multiple customers are located at these Data Centre’s, but each own their own rack space and server’s. There are both advantages and disadvantages to Colocation, compared with hosting your own server on site, or just basic web hosting.
Bandwidth is cheaper in a Colocation Centre than it would be if you hosted your own Server. As bandwidth is shared between many servers, the cost is reduced. This also has the advantage of there being extra bandwidth should it be necessary. Unlike managed hosting, with Colocation you own your server and therefore have control over it, and can upgrade if you want to. There are large power and mechanical systems, and due to this website speeds can be much quicker. Having your server based away from your own site means that your internal networks are freed up and can be used for other purposes. As colocation centres specialise in this area there are superior backup protection in case of any problems. If the is a power failure, for example, there is unlikely to be the same issues as there would be if you were hosting your own server. This means websites can continue to run. Colocation can be beneficial to small business, who want some of the features of a large IT department without the high costs. Most centres have the facility for customers to pay extra to have their server managed and maintained. Servers are kept in a safe environment at Colocation Centres. There is security, and servers are kept in a fire safe and temperature controlled environment.
As with most things, Colocation has disadvantages as well as advantages. It may be cheaper than hosting your own server, but it is more expensive than basic web hosting. Therefore if web hosting is all that is required, then that is the best option. There is an initial cost involved as you have to pay for both the rack space at the data centre and the server itself. Once you have outlaid these initial costs, you still need to pay for bandwidth, usually on a monthly basis. This cost will vary depending on the amount of bandwidth that has been used. If a particularly large amount of data has been transferred during the month, then you could have quite a large increase in costs that month. Of course, this can also work the other way, with the cost being less than expected. As the prices fluctuate month on month you don’t have the security of knowing the exact amount you will be spending. Unlike Managed Hosting, you also have to pay whenever your server equipment needs updating. One of the benefits of having your server located at your own site is that it is there with you, whenever you need it. This is not the case with Colocation, and you will need to travel to the Data Centre when you need to perform any tasks. Unless you pay someone else to do it for you, you have to maintain your own server equipment, much like hosting you own server, but unlike managed hosting.
There are many things to take into consideration when deciding whether or not Colocation is best for your business. You need to take costs, practicalities and the amount of control you have into consideration. Colocation can be a very good alternative to web hosting or managed hosting, depending on your own individual needs.
Andrew Marshall ©
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