What Is a Colocation Data Center?

A colocation data center is the perfect solution for businesses seeking to gain data control and security. With the rising need for reliable and secure data storage, colocation data centers provide the peace of mind and expertise to ensure data is safe and secure.

Learn more about colocation data centers’ benefits, types, and services here.

What is Data Center Colocation?

Businesses can benefit from reliable network connectivity and high-quality data storage by positioning their servers in a data center colocation facility. Colocation is a way for companies to own their own data center space without managing the physical infrastructure of an on-premises data center. Colocation providers offer various services, including retail colocation, managed hosting, and cloud services, providing a secure and reliable environment for businesses to operate their IT infrastructure.

Colocation data centers provide businesses with physical security, power, cooling, and network connectivity, allowing them to deploy their servers and other IT equipment in a secure, scalable environment. They also offer access to data center vendors and partners, which can provide additional support and resources. By leveraging the resources of a colocation provider, businesses can save significant costs associated with building and managing their own data centers.

Ultimately, colocation data centers provide businesses with an efficient, cost-effective way to access the resources and services necessary to run their IT operations. With the right colocation provider, companies can use the latest technologies and optimize their infrastructure for maximum performance.

Benefits of a Colocation Data Center

We can reap numerous advantages from using a colocation data center. Companies have the option to save capital costs by not having to build their own facility while also enjoying increased reliability and scalability. The following are some of the most significant benefits to consider when deciding on using colocation services:

• Cost Savings: Colocation data centers are much more cost-effective than building a facility from scratch. Furthermore, they require fewer technical staff, thus reducing overhead costs.
• Connectivity: With colocation, companies can choose a geographic location near their users while still benefiting from multiple network connections through multiple telcos.
• Security and Reliability: Colocation data centers are built with the highest specifications for redundancy, including backup power generators and excellent physical security.
• Cloud and Scalability: Colocation services provide an easy way to scale up and down as needed while offering access to cloud-based services.

Types of Colocation Facilities

Although there are two primary types of colocation facilities, retail and wholesale, a third, hybrid cloud-based type has become increasingly popular.

• Retail colocation involves leasing space within a data center, such as a rack, caged area, or space within a rack.
• With wholesale colocation, a tenant leases a fully built data center space at a lower rate than retail vendors but with lower power and space requirements.
• Hybrid cloud-based colocation combines in-house and outsourced data center services that offer the benefits of colocation providers, such as physical space, disaster recovery, and cloud services, with the agility and scalability of the public cloud.

The Uptime Institute offers a grading system to assess the operational sustainability of colocation data center facilities and their tier standards. This grading system helps to determine how efficiently and effectively the data center facility is run.

Colocation Data Center vs. Cloud

Building on the discussion of the different types of colocation facilities, it is important to understand the differences between colocation data centers and cloud environments.

Colocation Data Centers are facilities owned by a service provider in which client businesses own and control their physical IT assets, such as computers and network hardware. The client is responsible for managing and securing their infrastructure stack.

On the other hand, cloud-based colocation facilities are owned and managed by the cloud provider. Customers have access to virtual assets, and the breakdown of access and control depends on the cloud service model used. The provider and customer are responsible for managing and securing the infrastructure stack.

Colocation Data Centers offer a cost-effective and reliable solution for those looking for control, with the client having full control over their assets and network security.

On the other hand, cloud-based colocation is more scalable and provides customers access to virtual assets. Still, the provider and customer are responsible for managing and securing the infrastructure stack.

Ultimately, it is up to the client to decide which type of Data Center facility and rack space best suits their needs.

Services Offered by a Data Center Colocation Facility

By leveraging the cost-effectiveness of colocation data centers, businesses can access a range of services to support their operations, such as physical security, power, cooling, and bandwidth. Colocation data centers allow clients to own their equipment and benefit from cost savings while gaining access to new data centers and the latest technology.

The services offered by a data center colocation facility include:

• Physical Security: Colocation data centers provide clients with the highest level of physical security, with access control, 24/7 surveillance, and backup generators.
• Power: Colocation offers clients reliable power for mission-critical applications and data security and provides the necessary power supplies for the equipment.
• Cooling: Colocation data centers offer cooling systems to ensure equipment runs efficiently and safely.
• Bandwidth: Colocation space provides clients access to fast and reliable bandwidth to ensure their applications and data are secure and accessible.

Data Center Tier Standards

Colocation data centers are classified according to four tiers of standards.

Tier 1 is the most basic offering and includes a single, non-redundant distribution path serving IT equipment and non-redundant capacity components.

Tier 2 adds redundancy to the capacity components, while Tier 3 adds multiple independent distribution paths, dual-powered IT equipment, and full compatibility within the site’s architecture.

The highest tier, Tier 4, offers full fault tolerance and dual-powered cooling equipment.

Data center colocation facilities provide secure, reliable solutions for businesses needing to outsource IT hardware, technology, storage, and network management.

With each tier offering different service levels, companies can choose the colocation tier that best fits their needs.

Role of DCIM in a Colocation Facility

Building on the discussion of colocation data center tiers, DCIM provides a comprehensive solution for managing data centers in colocation facilities. DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) is a system used to monitor and manage data center equipment, including power, cooling, bandwidth, and other resources. It helps colocation facilities to ensure the maximum availability and utilization of data center resources while minimizing costs.

DCIM can also plan and deploy hybrid cloud services, allowing clients to mix and match cloud and colocation resources to create the perfect solution.

The use of DCIM in a colocation facility helps to ensure the maximum uptime and availability of resources, as well as providing detailed analytics into the performance of the data center. It also allows for predictive analytics, which enables the facility to prepare for future demands and to plan for a successful future. DCIM also helps colocation facilities to manage their resources better and to create more efficient billing models.

Contact ZZ Servers Now to Protect Your Business

For businesses looking to protect their data and equipment, contact ZZ Servers now for their experienced IT and cybersecurity services.

ZZ Servers, with over 17 years of experience in the Information Technology and Cybersecurity sector, provides state-of-the-art data center services such as colocation centers, private cloud, UPSes, the cloud, racks, and managed services. Their offerings focus on cloud infrastructure and power usage effectiveness (PUE).

Additionally, they offer comprehensive battery backup solutions to ensure the safety of data and equipment in the event of a power outage.

ZZ Servers is committed to providing the highest quality of service, and their team of experts is available to help their customers develop the most secure and efficient solutions. They are dedicated to their customers and take the time to understand their individual needs and requirements. With their reliable and trusted services, businesses can rest assured that their data and equipment are in the best hands.

For top-notch IT and cybersecurity services, contact ZZ Servers now at 800-796-3574 and experience the difference. Their highly experienced team will help you develop solutions that meet your needs and ensure your data and equipment are safe and secure.

Conclusion

Data center colocation is a secure, cost-effective way to protect and manage a business’s data and IT infrastructure. By leveraging the expertise and services of a professional colocation facility, businesses can take advantage of their infrastructure’s scalability, reliability, and security while still managing their data.

Frequently Asked Questions