Advantages of Colocation
Colocation is the practice of moving an organization’s in-house data center to a leased space in a shared facility. For most organizations, this is a practical option that offers many benefits over the alternative – keeping it in-house. The most obvious is affordability. These high quality facilities are far too expensive for most companies to construct. Users in a colocation facility share a high performance environment with other companies. This article outlines the main benefits to a business colocating their IT infrastructure in a colocation facility.
Redundant Power Supply
A colocation center provides power redundancy at a level that all but the largest companies cannot realistically replicate in-house. These facilities provide n+1 redundancy for all of their power lines and backup generators, plus power generation with access to multiple fuel sources for extended outages. Without this level of redundancy, an organization runs the risk of data loss and prolonged periods of downtime.
Physical Security
Colocation data centers provide layered security to protect mission critical operations. Security includes photo id and biometrics systems, along with access controls in all areas of the facility. Security guards and motion sensor video monitoring are onsite 24x7x365. All equipment is housed in secure cabinets with restricted access. In addition, the physical building is built to withstand forced entry, fire and natural disasters.
Improved Connectivity and Cheaper Bandwidth
Colocation centers offer their customers redundant Internet connections with extremely high bandwidth speeds. A carrier neutral center offers access to the wide range of carriers. Blended Internet services provide access to a number of carriers simultaneously; ensuring the most efficient and reliable routing for network connectivity. By sharing bandwidth with other companies, the costs for renting high speed fibers are much lower than buying in-house. These savings allow a competitive colocation center to offer bandwidth equivalent to a T3 line for the same price as an in-house T1 line..
Bandwidth Burst Capability
A vast majority of businesses only use about 10% of their total bandwidth. The reason many customers need greater bandwidth is to accommodate infrequent spikes in demand. By leasing bandwidth from a colocation center, businesses pay only for the bandwidth they need. These data centers offer sufficient capacity for any spikes as they occur. These data spikes are distributed over time among a number of different users to make long-term data usage more predictable and cost effective.
Reduced Network Latency
Customers in data centers are directly connected to major Internet backbones. This method causes data to pass through fewer routers, thereby reducing latency and providing faster, more reliable bandwidth.
Reliability
Redundant environmental controls and sophisticated monitoring devices guarantee near 100% network uptime. Trained data center staff are on hand to quickly make any corrections and enhancements as needed.
Flexibility
The extra space in these facilities gives users the flexibility to grow without the costs of expanding an in-house data center. The wide range of carrier options offered by carrier neutral centers provides the customer the flexibility to negotiate the best rates from a number of different providers.
Using a colocation facility offers many advantages over keeping a data center in house or building a private facility. The state of the art equipment, highly trained staff and connectivity has led many businesses to discover that colocation is the right option for them.
James Armstrong evaluates colocation facilties in cities across the United States. He believes Houston colocation is a viable option for many companies. His articles show the advatages of choosing a colocation provider in Houston.