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Colocation Services
Experience the power of colocation services: scalable, secure, and reliable data center solutions for your business needs.
What Is Colocation?
Colocation services involve renting space in a data center in a secure, controlled environment with redundant power and cooling systems.
By colocating your infrastructure, you can leverage the expertise, resources, and state-of-the-art facilities of a data center operator, while retaining full control over your equipment and data.
We can help you navigate the world of colocation services by:
- Assessing your needs: we’ll work with you to identify the specific requirements for your organization, including scalability, security, compliance, and connectivity.
- Selecting the right provider: we’ll use our knowledge of the market and data center operators to find the best fit for your organization, taking into consideration factors such as location, pricing, and the range of services offered. In most cases, you won’t pay any more by using us, because we negotiate the best rates with providers.
- Planning and execution: we’ll help you plan the migration and deployment of your equipment, ensuring minimal downtime and a smooth transition to the colocation facility.
Benefits of Colocation Services
Colocation services empower your organization to focus on its business goals and models while ensuring a reliable and efficient IT infrastructure. Whether you are a financial services company, a digital business, or any other organization, colocation can offer the competitive edge you need in today’s business environment.
Here are some of the advantages of colocation:
- Cost savings
- Energy efficiency
- Enhanced disaster recovery locations
- Support for business continuity
- Access to space
- Competitive advantage
- Optimized infrastructure and external resources
- Digital transformation strategy support
- Improved security and compliance
- Flexibility and scalability
- Customer access to telecommunications carriers
- Flexible pricing models
Cost Savings
Colocation allows you to share the operational costs of a data center facility with other tenants. This shared cost model reduces your overall cost of ownership, making it a cost-effective solution.
Colocation can also lead to reduced travel costs. By colocating your equipment in a data center facility, you eliminate the need for frequent travel to manage and maintain your servers. This not only saves travel expenses but also valuable time.
Energy Efficiency
Colocation data centers are designed for energy efficiency. They often incorporate advanced renewable energy systems, cooling systems, efficient power distribution, and ENERGY STAR-rated equipment, reducing your energy consumption and costs.
Enhanced Disaster Recovery Locations
Colocation facilities are typically located in geographically stable areas, which mitigates the risk of natural disasters affecting your infrastructure and you needing disaster recovery services. This ensures a better, more reliable business continuity workspace for your critical operations.
Support for Business Continuity
Colocation providers offer a secure and redundant environment that supports your business continuity goals. In case of unforeseen events, you can maintain critical operations from the colocation facility, minimizing downtime.
Access to Space
Colocation providers offer access to state-of-the-art data center facilities that would be costly to build and maintain independently. This access to space allows your organization to scale its IT infrastructure without the need for extensive capital investments.
Competitive Advantage
Colocation services provide you with access to a range of internet service providers, giving you the flexibility to choose the best connectivity options for your business. This competitive advantage ensures seamless and reliable network connectivity.
Optimized Infrastructure Resources and External Resources
Colocation facilities are equipped with the latest infrastructure resources and external resources, including advanced centrifugal chillers, security measures, and power distribution. This optimizes the performance and reliability of your IT equipment.
Digital Transformation Strategy Support
Colocation aligns with your digital business initiatives by providing the foundation for your digital transformation efforts. It supports both traditional digital strategies and hybrid strategies, allowing you to adapt to changing business environments.
Improved Security and Compliance
Colocation providers implement robust access controls, biometric readers, and compliance standards such as the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA).
Flexibility and Scalability
Colocation offers flexibility and scalability, enabling you to expand or contract your IT infrastructure as your business grows or changes. You can easily add or remove servers, reducing the constraints of dedicated server space.
Customer Access to Telecommunications Carriers
Colocation facilities often provide direct access to telecommunications equipment and larger Internet exchange points. This enhances your network connectivity options and supports your digital advantages.
Flexible Pricing Models
Colocation providers offer flexible pricing business models that allow you to choose the services and resources you need, optimizing your cost savings based on your specific requirements.
Who Are Colocation Providers?
Colocation providers are companies that offer secure data center facilities and infrastructure for organizations to house their IT hardware and servers. Major colocation providers include Equinix Inc, Digital Realty, and AT&T Business.
They operate large carrier-neutral data centers with robust levels of security and a wide range of network providers available for connectivity. Colocation providers maintain the security and infrastructure of the colocation facility, while customers own and manage their networking equipment in leased dedicated server space.
How Does Colocation Hosting Work?
With colocation hosting, companies lease space for their servers and networking equipment in shared data center facilities. The colocation provider maintains the building, cooling, power, bandwidth, and physical security, while customers install their own racks and servers in caged-off colocation areas.
Customers retain control over their hardware while benefiting from the colocation provider’s scale, reliability, and carrier connections. Customers can access and maintain their own equipment or pay for remote services on-site.
What Is an Example of a Colocation Cloud Service?
A major example of a colocation cloud service are hybrid cloud solutions from providers like Equinix. With hybrid cloud, companies colocate their physical servers and data storage in proximate Equinix data centers that connect directly to major public cloud service providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud via direct connections.
This enables easy migration of data and workloads between a company’s colocated infrastructure and public cloud services for greater flexibility, security and control over cloud spend. The colocation facility essentially serves as an onramp to the public cloud while housing sensitive data on premises.
Types of Colocation Services
When it comes to colocation services, there are several options to choose from, each catering to specific needs and preferences. It’s important to understand these options so you can make informed decisions about your organization’s IT infrastructure. Let’s explore the various types of colocation services available:
Private Colocation Data Centers
Private colocation data centers are an excellent choice for organizations seeking complete control over their data center infrastructure. These centers provide dedicated data center space for your equipment within a secure facility and controlled environment. Private colocation offers high levels of security, operational reliability, and the highest data center compliance standards. It’s ideal for businesses with stringent regulatory requirements, such as financial institutions or those handling sensitive data.
Public Cloud Providers
Public cloud providers offer a different approach to colocation. Public clouds provide access to their vast network of data centers, allowing you to host your equipment in their facilities. This option is suitable for organizations looking to leverage cloud computing benefits while maintaining control over their center hardware.
Public cloud providers often offer a wide range of cloud services, cloud connectivity options, and cloud interconnection capabilities, making it a flexible choice for various business needs.
Managed Service Providers
Managed service providers (MSPs) are network service providers that take colocation a step further by offering comprehensive management services. They not only provide the physical space but also assist with equipment monitoring, network monitoring, maintenance, and all other aspects that improve operational efficiency.
MSPs are an excellent choice for organizations that require a hands-off approach to IT infrastructure management, as this additional reliability allows them to focus on their core business objectives.
Third-Party Data Center Operators
Third-party data center operators are independent colocation centers that specialize in colocation services. They provide a neutral environment where multiple organizations can colocate their equipment.
These operators often offer a broad range of options, enabling efficient interconnection with various network service providers. This flexibility makes third-party data center operators a popular choice for businesses seeking diverse connectivity and cost-effective solutions.
What Should I Look for in a Colocation Service Provider?
When evaluating colocation providers, assess the data center infrastructure, connectivity, security, and support capabilities available to customers. The ideal provider should deliver state-of-the-art data center facilities paired with premium services to meet today’s digital business needs and goals.
Network Providers and Network Connectivity Options
Evaluate the variety of network elements like fiber optic cabling, copper wiring, and wireless access points offered within the colocation facility. Look for dense network connections that allow you to cross connect to many network providers, ISPs, and carriers available for tenant access and cross-connects.
The ideal colocation data center serves as a connectivity hub with many dynamic connections between customers, networks, and cloud onramps. This enables building cloud environments and hybrid ecosystems with flexible cloud equations. A colocation hub for cloud interconnection and data exchange reduces cyber security risks and aids in cost reduction.
Computing Hardware and Cloud Platforms Available
Assess the cloud migration tools and platforms accessible at the colocation facilities under consideration. Proximity to major public clouds via direct connections enables hybrid cloud architectures.
Some colocation cloud providers also offer proprietary cloud platforms, storage, and computing on-premises to simplify moving data and workloads. Evaluate available cloud options for current and future computing needs to support long-term business goals.
Physical Security and Battery Backup Systems
Top-tier colocation providers offer robust physical security, including biometric authorization scanning for access controls, 24/7 staffed facilities, extensive camera surveillance, and layered authentication.
Look for colocation hosting providers with CRA, SOC2 or Uptime Institute Tier certifications to validate security controls. They should also provide battery and generator backup systems to maintain power through power outages and utility power grid failures.
Levels of Redundancy and Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Leading colocation data centers guarantee high availability through fault-tolerant infrastructure. They do so by incorporating built-in redundancies, backups, or spare capacity into critical systems to ensure power availability in case of an emergency.
This provides resilient power delivery wiring that ensures power reaches the customer equipment. Tier III and IV facilities offer concurrently maintainable or fault-tolerant power and cooling plants, which can reduce instances of equipment failures.
Verify that the colocation space has sufficient power and capacity for current and projected computing loads. Having redundant power paths and distribution, particularly when multiple cages share power, ensures continuous power availability. Customers may reserve space for future growth too.
Remote Hands and Onsite Support Services Available
Many experienced providers offer remote hands services from technicians when customers need assistance resolving onsite server or network issues. This requires added fees but enables prompt resolution of problems without traveling to the facility.
When evaluating providers, ensure they staff experienced technicians and data center experts for remote hands support and regular data center maintenance. Top providers have staff available for hands-on tasks 24/7.
What Is the Difference Between Hosting and Colocation?
Traditional web hosting provides servers, storage, software platforms, and bandwidth fully managed by the hosting provider. With colocation, companies buy and host their own servers in leased data center space operated by a colocation provider. The colocation provider maintains the building, cooling, power, security, and network connectivity while customers manage their hardware on-premises.
Colocation vs Private Data Centers
With colocation services, companies lease space for their servers and IT infrastructure within shared data center facilities operated by third-party providers. Colocation allows organizations to house their technology offsite while still maintaining control and management of their own equipment.
In contrast, private data centers are built, owned and operated in-house by enterprises to exclusively host their own IT operations. Companies take on the capital expenses, maintenance, staffing and utility costs associated with constructing and running the facility.
The main advantages of colocation include:
- Avoiding large capital outlays required to build private data centers
- Leveraging colocation providers’ expertise in data center design, security, operations
- Accessing a density of network and cloud connectivity options
- Sharing data center infrastructure costs across multiple tenants
- Scaling IT infrastructure up or down more flexibly as needs change
The main advantages of private data center platforms include:
- Complete control and customization of the facility design, security, layout
- Keeping proprietary data fully in-house rather than colocating offsite
- Avoiding monthly colocation expenses related to space, power, bandwidth
- Ensuring capacity for current and future IT infrastructure growth
- Keeping all technical support and management staffed in-house
Colocation allows organizations to benefit from provider-managed data center infrastructure while focusing on their own IT equipment and applications. Private data centers provide total control but require significant capital and in-house resources.
Colocation vs Cloud Services
With colocation, companies install their own servers, networking and data storage hardware within leased space in shared data center facilities. Colocation provides the physical environment to house IT infrastructure while organizations manage the equipment.
In contrast, cloud computing provides on-demand access to IT resources hosted remotely by providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform. Cloud services supply compute power, storage, databases, software and other services via the internet. Companies avoid investing in local hardware and software.
Key differences that can help you make a decision between colocation and cloud services include:
- Colocation requires purchasing and maintaining servers at the colocation site. Cloud provides highly scalable resources managed by the provider.
- Colocation offers more control over data security and hardware. Cloud can have more security risks with remote data and shared resources.
- Colocation has higher upfront costs for hardware acquisition. Cloud offers a pay-as-you-go model.
- Colocation hardware cannot be quickly scaled up or down. Cloud resources can rapidly scale on demand.
- Colocation provides fixed compute capacity onsite. Cloud capacity is near unlimited and expanding.
- Colocation requires technical staff to manage infrastructure. Cloud is maintained by the provider.
Colocation offers physical control of hardware, while the cloud provides more agile and scalable computing with no hardware responsibilities. Many organizations use a hybrid approach, colocating some infrastructure while leveraging the cloud.
About Symplicity Communications
Think of us as your colocation consultants. Our expertise lies in delivering comprehensive colocation solutions that can revolutionize the way you manage your IT infrastructure. Here are the primary areas we emphasize to guarantee your success:
- Effortless connectivity: we prioritize establishing a seamless and reliable network connection within our colocation facility. This ensures that your data and applications are always accessible, promoting uninterrupted business operations.
- Scalable infrastructure: our focus extends to providing you with a flexible and scalable IT environment. As your business grows, our colocation services can easily adapt to accommodate increased demands, eliminating concerns about outgrowing your existing infrastructure.
- Enhanced collaboration: we understand that efficient communication is vital for your business. Our colocation solutions are designed to foster collaboration among your team members and partners, facilitating smoother workflows and decision-making processes.
Our commitment is to offer you the expertise, guidance, and ongoing support needed to guarantee a seamless colocation implementation. With our services, you can be confident that your IT infrastructure will be efficient, reliable, and equipped with the capabilities necessary for your business to thrive.
We can also help you with your managed IT, cybersecurity, and business intelligence needs. See our solutions page for the full range of services we offer.
FAQ on Colocation Services
What are the disadvantages of colocation?
Some potential disadvantages of using colocation services include:
- Added monthly costs for data center space, power usage, cooling, and network bandwidth versus owning your own facility. These ongoing operating expenses can add up over time.
- Less control and customization over the data center environment compared to a private facility. Colocation space is more standardized.
- Potential security risks associated with housing your servers in a shared data center alongside other customers’ equipment. Colocation providers implement robust physical security and access controls to mitigate this.
- Dependence on the colocation vendor for facility management and uptime. Any power or network issues could impact your applications versus privately controlled infrastructure.
- Migration logistics and costs if you ever need to move your infrastructure out of the colocation facility. This may require new hardware purchases.
- Travel expenses and time if you choose not to pay for remote hands services to maintain your colocated equipment.
You can bypass these disadvantages by working with a colocation provider that’s right for you. Contact us, and we’ll help you choose the best colocation services for your needs.
How can technology expense management help businesses reduce costs when using colocation services for their IT infrastructure?
Technology expense management (TEM) can help businesses reduce costs by ensuring efficient allocation of resources within colocation services, optimizing technology-related expenses, and negotiating favorable vendor contracts, all of which contribute to cost savings in IT infrastructure management. If you need help implementing TEM services, contact us; we’re happy to help.
What are the four main types of data centers?
The four primary classifications of data centers are:
- Tier 1: basic data center with non-redundant cooling and power. Uptime is 99.671% availability.
- Tier 2: redundant site infrastructure components like power and cooling to provide 99.741% availability.
- Tier 3: concurrently maintainable data centers with redundant distribution paths. Achieves 99.982% uptime.
- Tier 4: fully fault-tolerant data center with redundant components and compartmentalized rooms. Delivers 99.995% availability.
Tier 3 and 4 data centers are most suitable for mission-critical colocation needs due to high redundancy and uptime.
What is the difference between colocation and a server?
Colocation refers to the practice of an organization renting data center space to install their own servers and IT hardware within a facility operated by a third-party provider. The colocation provider manages the building, cooling, power, security, and network connectivity. The customer owns and maintains the server hardware within their leased cabinet or cage.
Servers are the physical computer hardware devices that customers install inside colocation spaces to host computing power, applications, and data storage. Servers contain processors, memory, storage, networking cards and an operating system. Customers retain full control over their dedicated servers housed in colocation facilities.
So, colocation provides the technical real estate to host customer-owned server hardware offsite. The servers deliver the actual compute and storage capacity for running business applications and workloads. Colocation and servers together enable resilient IT infrastructure without the customer having to build their own private data center.
What are the different center locations and data center deployment models for colocation?
Major colocation models include retail colocation facilities, caged colocation within traditional raised-floor data centers, deployments inside a hyperscale data center, and modular data centers.
Retail center colocations provide secure, shared data hall space for racks and cages. Hyperscale facilities offer colocation inside high-density, high-power data centers. Modular data centers provide prefabricated, customizable colocation suites.
How can financial services companies benefit from colocation?
Colocation allows financial services to deploy mission-critical servers closer to trading centers and financial exchanges for low latency. It also grants access to resilient data infrastructure and cloud data connectivity for analytics. Colocation enhances regulatory compliance and business continuity while minimizing capital expenditures.
What factors impact customer satisfaction when it comes to colocation providers?
Key factors that improve the customer experience for colocation customers include:
- data center security and compliance
- uptime and redundancy
- responsive remote hands support
- competitive and transparent pricing
- flexibility to scale computation and space
- variety of carrier connectivity options
- sustainable facilities leveraging renewable energy
How does colocation help with business continuity planning?
Colocating IT infrastructure across distributed, hardened data centers improves redundancy versus a single premises data center. It eliminates reliance on one site and enables failover to alternate colocations. This maintains access to data and applications despite outages. Colocation also provides workspace recovery facilities.
What cooling designs should colocation providers use?
Efficient cooling systems like chilled-water plants with centrifugal chiller configurations avoid waste. Hot aisle and cold aisle configurations properly contain and cool equipment. Blanking panels reduce mixing. Modular or free cooling designs leverage ambient air. This uses less power for cooling compared to traditional computer room air conditioners (CRACs).
What factors determine colocation costs and usage?
Key factors include the chosen colocation tier level, power density, actual IT load, required cooling, network bandwidth, remote hands support needs, facility location, service provider managed services, and contractual terms or time commitments. Understanding requirements and tracking actual power usage helps optimize spending.