Data center colocation is a common term these days in IT circles. But what is it? Also, there is a difference between a data center and a colocation data center. In this article, we will clarify the differences between both and discuss colocation data centers in detail. 

A data center is a physical facility that provides computing power to run applications and storage power to process data.   

Many people think that cloud-based alternatives will replace on-premise data centers. But surveys prove it wrong. Instead, many companies say they will rely on applications that need to live on premises. So data centers are the future. 

Businesses need more comprehensive and flexible solutions since the requirements are going complex every other day. 

What is a Colocation Data Center?

A warehouse could be an excellent metaphor to explain data centers. You can use it to store the equipment of your IT network. You may think of the data center as the home for your routers, servers, and other networking equipment. But keep in mind that you have to pay the rent. The data center is responsible for maintaining an IT-optimized environment, and you set up and support your devices.

Here are three things that the data center is responsible for:

The first thing is power. There has to be enough energy to perform all functions. You have to operate all backup equipment. There are other responsibilities as well. When there is an outage, you arrange the backup power. Also, you have to run the cooling and ventilation systems.

The second is connectivity. The storage and computing requirements of networks are diverse. Therefore, a data center must also arrange the different types of lines from telecommunication and internet service providers. 

And third is security. Interestingly, security does not just mean cyber security here. It means physical security from criminals and natural disasters. 

You May Also Like To Read: Tips for Choosing a Trusted Colocation Server Service

Why Should You Use a Colocation Data Center?

Colocation offers many distinct advantages over the data centers. 

• You Can Scale Your IT Infrastructure in Fast & Cheap Way

Operating a data center may cost you from $10 million to $25 million per year. It is a considerable investment, which may make you compromise your agility for the sake of rapid growth. 

Businesses can save on this capital and operational expenditure by opting for colocation data centers. Space is already there. You do not have to buy it. Other companies would also be there to bear the operational expenses with you. So they let you stay cash-free and also scale your IT network meanwhile. The data center that offers remote hand services would be the best choice. They will utilize in-house experts to solve the problems proactively.

• Uptime Guarantee for Mission-critical Services

With the rise in the number of SaaS companies, mission-critical is becoming almost synonymous with always-on. That makes downtime an expensive phenomenon. One downtime incident made Apple lose $25 million in 2015.

Why do such events cost too much? It is because if your network fails, customers will fail. 

What does data center colocation have to offer? Well, they take care of the most critical parameter, uptime. Data centers ensure zero uptime by distributing your network across multiple locations. So, there is nothing to worry about if one place does not work. Instead, there will be many others ready to take over.

• Physical Security Layer for Your Data & IT Equipment

What makes traditional data centers more vulnerable than colocation data centers? First, it is the power to centralize the network within the computing premises at one point. Moreover, rarely can office buildings fulfill the data centers' needs because they are not built with data center needs in mind. 

Data centers also need excellent physical security. It is not possible with traditional buildings. You are safer from break-ins and natural disasters when you have a centralized network.

However, also check how any organization would secure your data. For example, check if they provide video surveillance, perimeter security, 24/7 guard presence 365 days a year, and biometric scanners. 

• Cloud Testing of Your Products & Services for Cloud

Of course, many applications still need to be cloud-ready. However, extra sensitivity to latency makes them inappropriate. Moreover, many are unfit due to security risks. Nevertheless, cloud testing is one of the most significant benefits of colocation.

Businesses can create private clouds and test their products and services utilizing colocation data centers. It reveals if your product is ready for the cloud. It would be best if you could find colocation providers who are good at supporting their clients with hybrid cloud.

• You Can Build An Edge Network

Thousands of mobile apps are used by mobile consumers daily. Also, things like the Internet of Things are available abundantly. That is why the need to connect devices is also rising daily. Moreover, the distance between these devices is also increasing. Colocation helps make the edge networks and minimizes the gap between the network and data sources.

Data processing will be fast if you bring the network closer to your source or edge. Minimize the distance as much as possible to enjoy as fast data processing as possible.

What About Pricing Of Data Center Colocation?

For various reasons, you will find diversity in the costs of different data center colocations. First,  no two businesses worldwide have similar IT and networking needs. Moreover, colocation providers also have different pricing strategies.

However, the following are three primary factors that play a role in deciding the prices of colocation centers. 

Space: The prices of the actual physical space you need. It starts with racks and then goes to more options like cages,  suites, and cabinets.

Power: It is the cost of the energy you need to keep the network operating. It also includes the energy to maintain the temperature of your IT environment.

Connection: It is the price of bandwidth allocated to the network by the data center. The connection between the data center and your network is also included in this. You can use a VPN of dedicated internet access DIA line.

So, do not expect all providers to charge the same way. However, the setup charges are similar sometimes. But, you find variety in support levels. 

One other decisive factor is the location—things like related infrastructure, weather activity, and even terrorist vulnerability.