Colocation

Colocation

Colocation is a technical tem referring to the location of a web server or other telecommunications equipment within a data centre built for the purpose of housing high tech electronic equipment. The equipment is co-located with other servers hence the name colocation or co-location. Colocation is differs from managed hosting as the server is owned by the client and not the data centre.

Usually the equipment, a web server that is housed in a collocation centre is located in a secured cage or rack, with a regulated power supply, it´s own dedicated internet connection, security software and managed support. The advantage of a collocation centre is that the equipment is housed in a purpose built facility with the correct atmospheric controls, electrical supplies and solid high speed internet connections. A good co-location centre will have high level security measure and be much better protected against theft, fire and vandalism then a server hosted within a companies normal office. From a top level provider of collocation you would expect there to be security cameras, fire alarm and detection equipment coupled with extinguishing and sprinkler systems. They should also have back up power supplies, power surge protection and a variety of internet connections. The idea being that during a power failure or the loss of an internet connection a server housed in a collocation centre would carry on working with little or no down time. They offer a level of security and the ability to stay connected and keeps your server working that a server housed with an office of work space would not offer.

Colocation centres are also sometime called carrier hotel or “colo´s”. Colocation is increasing in popularity due to the time and money a company can save buy sharing the large scale costs of providing the best environment for servers and other telecommunications equipment. Economies of scale come into play it cheaper to have your equipment, core IT and communications facilities in safe, secure hands in purpose built location then build run and staff a colocation facility yourself.

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