Server colocation

Nowadays, the telecommunications links are no longer a challenge that could be a barrier to moving equipment to a location other than the company’s headquarters. Last years’ experience also showed that remote work is not a challenge for companies that are advanced in the digitization process. It was demonstrated by coronavirus pandemic, during which many companies switched to the so-called home office that proved to be as safe and efficient as presence in the office.

A flexible solution, in the other words, what is server colocation

The market offers companies a number of solutions to keep up to date with changing conditions – both business and those related to unpredictable events. Proper preparation and design of an optimal  operation plan in cooperation with qualified experts team enable to achieve the win-win. Migration of IT resources to a specialized data center allows, on the one hand, to relieve teams responsible for maintaining the infrastructure, and, on the other hand, provides the opportunity to better use them to better match the internal needs of business.

Co-locate IT hardware out off-side is one of the solutions. Below I explain what is the colocation and what is worth to pay attention to when choosing a service provider.

What does colocation involve?

Server colocation means leaving customer-owned IT server equipment in specially prepared and adapted data center rooms. Data center guarantee physical safety and provide tailored environment parameters for the operation of server devices. Data centers most often classify colocation space as follows:

• colocation of a single U,
• colocation of the entire cabinet and its multiples,
• for a larger installation it is also possible to lease a larger area: whole kiosk, box, chamber, cage, specific area expressed in m2.

What are the benefits of server colocation?

Do you already understand what server colocation is and do you know your space requirements for the migrated resources? It is the right time to answer the question: what are the benefits of having my hardware outside the headquarters? My experience shows that the main benefits appreciated by clients are:

• Safety guaranteed by surveillance systems in server rooms
• Guaranteed accessibility of services confirmed by SLA
• Team of qualified specialists available 24/7
• Reducing the need to access to telecommunication links and power supply
• Reducing the necessity of maintaining adequate temperature and humidity levels indoors required for the proper operation and functioning of resources
• Transfer of security-related responsibilities to the service provider
• Cost optimization
• No need to keep own server room
• No need to hire additional number of specialists

What should be considered when choosing a server colocation service provider?

Ensuring energy continuity of the data center

What is the battery backup time and speed of starting generator in case of power failure? This question should be asked a potential service provider, as it is very important to protect guaranteed power for devices left in data center. Power outage means an interruption in the operation of systems essential to the proper business functioning.

Access to laboratory and storage

When leaving your equipment in the data center, it is worth noting whether you have access to lab where you can test or modify your devices. Having the necessary inventory of spare parts for IT equipment is also a good practice.

This is why it is a good idea to talk about the offered storage space at your chosen data center and make sure that you have dimensioned the area to suit you.

Building features and parameters

When deciding on server colocation it is crucial whether the building, where you want to store your IT resources, was build and intended just for this purpose. Site adaptation and numerous redevelopments are likely to decrease the standards of service provided, as shown by many examples.

It is worth seeing the data center in person

Data center is not just a building and colocation is not just putting equipment in a room – it also involves many procedures and reliable approach to the entire process of service providing. That is why, in my opinion, anyone considering colocation servers to data center should verify the level of service provided by a visit in data center, and the provider’s references. Such a visit allows to assess provider’s approach and the way that our data will actually be guarded.