Last Updated on February 17, 2024 by Ali Hamza
Any large data center facility that rents out rack space for servers and other network equipment to third parties is known as a data center colocation, sometimes abbreviated as colo. This is a highly popular service that businesses turn to when they want to gain the advantages of having their own data center but do not have the resources necessary to run one themselves.
The term “colocation” may apply to a number of different aspects of this kind of data center. To begin, this expression refers to the practice of housing many companies’ servers and other pieces of equipment inside a single data center. In most cases, the company is the owner of the hardware, and the workers at the data center’s only responsibility is to store (and sometimes repair) it. Additionally, it refers to the idea that a company’s equipment might be situated in more than one location at the same time. It’s possible, for instance, that they have servers located in three or four distinct data centers. This is critical for organizations that have a big geographic footprint, since these businesses will want to ensure that their computer systems are situated in close proximity to their actual offices.
When considering the various options for UK Colocation data centers, we will need to make certain that we have a clear understanding of the difference that exists between a full data center colocation and a colocation server rack. The terms are often used interchangeably; but, in a technical sense, a data center is considered to be colocation when one business sells the whole facility to another company. A data center firm is responsible for carrying this out. On the other hand, the arrangement that is referred to as a colocation rack is the one that occurs when they rent out rack space inside a data center to a variety of different businesses.
The customers are typically responsible for providing both the storage and the servers, while the data center colocation UK service is responsible for providing the infrastructure (the building), cooling, electricity, bandwidth, physical security, etc. In addition to this, space in a facility may be rented out by the room, cage, rack, or cabinet respectively. Today, a growing number of colocation data centers are broadening their service offerings to include managed services that support the business endeavors of their customers.
Many times, the term “retail colocation” is used to refer to the difference between leasing an entire data center and leasing just a certain quantity of rack space within a data center. On the other hand, the term “wholesale colocation” is sometimes used to refer to the act of leasing an entire data center. The huge majority of companies are going to start the search for colocation server racks so that they may have access to the exact amount of space they want at a reasonable price. They provide rack space inside a data center on a rental basis to a wide range of different companies.
We may hire out whole racks in many retail data centers colocation, which can then be secured for added protection in many circumstances. Alternatively, we can rent out individual spots within a rack at many of these facilities. Colocation data center solutions are likely the best choice for meeting our company’s data center demands, no matter what those needs may be.
Different Features of Colocation
Because each colocation provider has its own approach to conducting business, the features offered by different colocation hosting companies tend to differ from one another. Despite this, there are some aspects that are, for the most part, shared by colocation providers. The following is a list of some of the features that data center colocation often provides:
- Physical security
- Guaranteed reliability
- Redundant internet connectivity
- Physical durability
- Cross connectivity
- On-site technical support
- Redundant power
- Compliance with various regulations
Advantages of colocation
Taking use of the services offered by colocation providers enables businesses to capitalize on a number of advantages. A few examples of these advantages are as follows:
• If you want to save money, consider leasing space in a colocation facility rather than constructing or expanding a data center.
• Colocation facility tenants are free to use whatever server and storage hardware they want.
• A colocation data center adheres to strict physical security procedures and may also provide protection against cyberattacks.
• On-site technical support services are virtually always provided by colocation facilities.
• Additional data center space is often accessible to you if and when you want it. This ensures that a colocation data center can support expansion in your business.
When deciding whether or not this kind of data center colocation service is a good option, it is important to take into consideration the following aspects.
Create room to grow
Our in-house servers take up a lot of valuable office space, which may be rather costly (especially in the UK). In addition, putting our IT equipment into a data center colocation would provide us with more office space (which will, in turn, help us save money), but it will also relieve us of the burden of relocating our servers in the event that you are forced to relocate our business.
Power supply redundancies
Our information technology systems will continue to function normally as a result of the use of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPSs) and generators in data centers, which protect the equipment from the risk of a power loss and prevent any damage that may result from such an incident.
Our IT infrastructure can grow
If we need to extend our IT equipment beyond the area you have in your workplace, this might potentially impede your ability to develop the firm in an operational capacity. When we transfer our servers into rack space in a data center colocation, you won’t ever have to worry about obtaining more rack space since it will always be available.
Connectivity options
Running important computer systems off of the internet connection in our office, which is typical, is a prescription for disaster for your remote employees in today’s age of hybrid work arrangements. The speed of the internet connection in a data center will go up a lot because these places have very fast, carrier-neutral, and reliable fiber networks.
Peace of mind
The power, cooling, and internet connection systems used in Tier 3 data centers are very advanced and “concurrently maintained,” which means they are extremely reliable. Because there are several redundant systems available, there is no need for us to be concerned about experiencing a disruption in service in the event that a single component, such as an air-conditioning unit, fails to function properly.
Efficient Cooling Systems
A large number of servers produce a significant amount of heat, and the cost of keeping them cool may be very high. The operational efficiency of data centers is far higher than that of conventional air conditioning equipment, which helps to keep prices lower.
Lower costs
There are a variety of ways in which using the colocation services in the UK provided by a data center may help us save money. Because of their high efficiency, we will not only save money on energy, but we will also have more control over the speeds of your internet connection and our monthly bills.
Enabling AI and VFX
Recent years have seen substantial growth in the use of HPC (high-performance computing) in fields such as artificial intelligence and visual effects. However, due to the significant infrastructure that is required to operate HPC set-ups, the majority of businesses are only able to make use of them by using a specialized HPC data center like the one that we have here at Gatwick.
24-hour monitoring & remote hands
Colocation in a data center ensures that a problem will be rapidly resolved no matter what time of day or night it occurs owing to round-the-clock monitoring and a remote hands service. Colocation in the UK might be beneficial for businesses that handle sensitive data. This results in a reduction in downtime and saves a lot of time and effort for your engineers.
Why it is necessary to move our data center to a colocation
When it comes to deciding whether to develop or relocate, the decision may not always be crystal clear. Consider moving to a colocation facility for some of the reasons outlined below.
Fewer Technical Staff
There is no need for us to be concerned with things like running cables, managing power, installing equipment, or any of the other hundreds of technical duties that may be included in this process. In many cases, the data center colocation in the UK will even be able to perform component replacements and other operations in accordance with the demands of the specific circumstances. In light of this, it seems that the management of this activity does not need the employment of a large number of people working in information technology.
Exceptional Reliability
Data centers that provide Cheap Colocation UK services are often constructed with the greatest possible redundancy standards. This includes several network connections via a variety of telcos, backup power generators, superb physical security, and a lot more.
Geographic Location
We have the ability to relocate our data center to a location that is more convenient for our customers.
Predictable Expenses
The costs associated with using a data center that provides colocation will be quite easy to anticipate. We will often be able to exactly plan and budget for our organization’s information technology needs if the terms of the contract are at least one year long.
Easy Scalability
When our company expands, we will have the ability to have more servers and other pieces of equipment installed in the building very rapidly. When we keep our equipment in a compact local data center or server closet, it might make expansion a lot more challenging.
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