A Thorough Overview of Co-location Hosting

A co-located server is a web server that is stored at a facility that includes special security features such as dedicated internet connectivity, a secured server cage/rack, monitored electricity, and technical support. These “co-location” facilities provide the client with a secure environment to store their equipment and hardware. This option is seen as far more secure than storing a server in an office or warehouse, where there are threats such as fire, vandalism and theft. Co-location facilities offer many security features, including backup power generators, security cameras, smoke detectors/fire extinguishers, abundant connection feeds, and other services that ensure consistency and dependability, both of which are crucial for any virtual business.

Co-located Servers vs. Dedicated Servers

The term “co-location” refers to the act of storing a privately owned server at a corporately owned facility. In essence, this term is coined because the server is being hosted at one facility and administrated from another. With co-located hosting, you own all rights to your server and you are allowed to access it at any given time. There are no restrictions on what you can do with your server because you own it, you are simply storing it at a third-party facility. On the other hand, a dedicated server is provided by a web host and is only rented by the customer, not owned. Users of dedicated servers only have remote access to the server, which means the server can be customized according to  the clients preferences, however the user does not have physical access to the web server, as they are only renting it.

The Benefits of Co-location Hosting

Obviously, the security features offered by a co-location facility are very desirable. The servers are kept in rooms that are designed with server safety in mind with features that include 24 hour video surveillance and a fire-proof facility. The flexibility of co-location hosting is also very appealing, as  every aspect of the co-location hosting service is customizable to the user’s likings, and the user can upgrade their services at any time. Users also have access to the fastest bandwidths possible, and tremendous amounts of data storage. Combine these benefits with the fact that the servers receive maximum up time, access to regular remote maintenance, and maximum security, and it is easy to see why co-location hosting is optimal for online business owners. Since most maintenance and administration can be performed through remote access, users enjoy a decreased dependence on third-party support services. All of this amounts to more control of the hosting service in general, with greater independence and quality experienced by the end user.

Disadvantages of Co-location Hosting

While co-location hosting facilities are considered extremely safe, some people still do not trust their equipment with any third-party facility. Of course, servers cost thousands of dollars, and in some cases it is understandable to be a little protective over your equipment. Another disadvantage is that you will have to maintain, and upgrade the server yourself. All equipment used must be purchased by you, and you do not have the option of renting a server for a low monthly cost. This makes co-location hosting an expensive option that is usually only used by high-traffic, high income earning web sites. If you do not have the funds to cover all of the initial and long-term costs associated with co-location hosting, then you may want to consider a dedicated hosting service instead. While co-location hosting offers many advantages to the online business owner, it should be noted that these benefits come with added responsibility and cost for the user.

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Dec 23, 2009 : Colocation Hosting No responses yet

Storage and Backup Considerations for Colocation

Data storage and backup are two important factors that often get overlooked when choosing a colocation facility.  More than likely, you have opted to move your equipment to a third-party data center because your systems contain mission-critical information that cannot afford to be compromised.  When this is the case, you need to give that data the same consideration you would your servers.

Common Storage Solutions

There are basically three types of storage and backup solutions that can be used for your servers: DAS, NAS and SAN.  Here is a more in-depth look at each variation:

DAS (Direct Attached Storage)

DAS is the most widely used type of data storage and backup system.  These systems are quite similar to the external hard drives that support memory installation and can be attached to home-based personal computers.  If you run a small business that doesn’t have demanding storage requirements, DAS could be the solution for you.  The major drawback is that your server can end up lagging while trying to store files and run your applications at the same time.  You should also keep in mind that DAS solutions are limited in capacity and not suitable for large-scale storage needs.  Therefore, if your business is experiencing fast, positive growth, this might only serve as a temporary solution.

NAS (Network Attached Storage)

NAS is a unique storage solution that works by placing additional capacity on the server, but keeps it separate from your running applications.  Hence the name, NAS systems run on the network, making them ideal for the organization utilizing networked computing.  The major draw to this solution is enhanced performance and a cost efficiency that allows for a positive return on investment.  With NAS, your file server can be centrally managed without affecting the other networked servers being used to run your applications, making it a great file sharing system that maintains a high level of productivity.

SAN (Storage Area Network)

SAN is a more advanced data storage and backup system best suited for larger businesses that demand the ability to transfer multiple files over a more stable fiber connection.  While efficient and increasing in popularity, these solutions are relatively new and lack the compatibility needed to make them valuable to more customers.  SAN is considerably more complex and expensive than both DAS and NAS, which is why the system is mainly used by organizations that can afford its novelty.  On the other hand, it makes a viable storage and backup option for online businesses due to the high volumes of traffic they typically receive.

How Do You Decide?

It can be very difficult to properly access your storage and backup requirements.  The good thing is that these particular systems can often be integrated and work seamlessly with one another.  For instance, you may decide to keep things simple with DAS and then use NAS for separate operations.  The best advice we can give is to first determine your storage needs and then figure out which individual solution or combination meets those requirements.  Getting this out of the way will give you a much needed peace of mind when colocating your equipment.

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Nov 10, 2009 : Colocation Hosting No responses yet

Managed vs. Unmanaged Colocation

Though two distinct types of services, just like a dedicated server, colocation solutions come in the form of managed and unmanaged.  It is important to understand the differences and your exact requirements before choosing a facility to colocate your equipment.  This is the only way to determine the right service for your individual specifications and requirements.  To give you a closer look at what they have to offer, we will go over the pros and cons of these two colocation services.

Managed Colocation

Managed colocation is the best option for the business that lacks the time and IT resources needed to maintain their equipment.  When opting for this service, you generally do not have to manually perform all the tasks required to keep your systems online.  In the typical managed arrangement, you simply lease space for your servers along with any other services you may need and the hosting provider takes care of all the maintenance.  This is a turn-key solution that frees you of thing such as performing reboots, software upgrades, troubleshooting and other tasks that are necessary to keep your equipment running efficiently.  Managed colocation offers the advantage of the infrastructure and data center to store your hardware with the added benefit of not having to put in the physical labor.  The only thing you really have to do is move your equipment and run your business.  Of course there are disadvantages, with the most significant usually being a substantially higher price for the pampered treatment.

Unmanaged Colocation

Although unmanaged colocation hosting probably sounds far more tedious, there are some benefits to be reaped.  Opting for this arrangement gives you much greater flexibility when it comes to hardware, software and other components you want to incorporate.  While you are essentially forced to operate within the limits of the data center facility, you still have the utmost control to take action at your leisure.  This flexibility is extended by the freedom to go come and go to the facility as needed.  Depending on the contract, a managed solution may limit your access to the facility as well as the tasks that can be performed in regard to your equipment.  The major drawback here is that your technicians must be available to travel to the colocation center and tend to your systems at the drop of a dime.

Conclusion

After reading this, it should be clear to see that managed and unmanaged colocation services are geared towards two different customers.  If you have the required IT resources, an unmanaged service might be the best option as it will provide you with the highest degree of control while helping you keep some money in your pocket.  The managed variety allows you to move your hardware and leave all the technical aspects in the hands of the provider.  Regardless of which type of colocation you choose, remember to conduct your due diligence to make sure the host has the facility and expertise to meet your exact requirements.

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Nov 04, 2009 : Colocation Hosting No responses yet

Is Cheap Colocation the Right Move for You?

The reason businesses move their equipment to a colocation facility is usually because they require the ultimate in stability, security and availability.  Multiple high-speed internet backbones, advanced security systems, redundant power and cooling are elements they often cannot afford to maintain internally.  While these services offer many promises, it is vital to know that not all colocation solutions are created equal.  There are companies providing low-cost services that help you save money, but put the performance and security of your systems at risk..  If you plan to take the “cheap” route with colocation, you will need to pay close attention to ensure you are not being shortchanged in several critical areas.

Server Monitoring

Monitoring goes a long way in ensuring the maximize uptime.  In order to be effective, it must be performed on a 24/7 basis.  Unfortunately, some colocation providers don’t have the financial resources to facilitate the adequate monitoring of your servers, essentially leaving you vulnerable to a wide range of performance and availability issues.  A reputable provider will offer a facility complete with circuit-level power as well as reliable systems to monitor your servers and the network itself.  Without them, the company will have a difficult properly identifying and responding to problems when they arise.

Technical Support

Many colocation hosting providers offering cheap services cut corners where ever they can.  The area that often suffers the most is support.  Because it costs to keep skilled personnel onsite, these companies try to operate remotely, but only end up increasing the risk of downtime and other technical problems.  Just like monitoring, support is a crucial service that must be provided around the clock.  The best hosts give you access to a 24-hour support line where onsite staff can be reached.  All the cost savings in the world are not worth it when the support provided by the hosting firm is next to non-existent.

Onsite Security

Good onsite security is another aspect that cannot be guaranteed when taking the low road.  The facility you choose must be equipped with 24/7 onsite security in order to keep the sensitive data on your hardware safe.  It is very difficult for an inadequately funded company to purchase and implement secure card-based access systems, multi-layer video surveillance cameras and other features needed to ensure the protection of the facility.  While expensive to acquire, these security elements are a must in any data center environment.  In the end, these companies only costing themselves, and can take you down with them if you choose to put a super-low price over quality.

Conclusion

A complete colocation facility can be more difficult to find than you may assume.  One thing is certain, there are more than enough companies offering cheap services out of data centers that are simply sub-par.  Instead of doing what they can to ensure the highest level of reliability, they are more concerned with making their prices as low as possible to outdo the competition and fluff their wallets.

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Oct 30, 2009 : Colocation Hosting No responses yet

Ensuring Security in Colocation

One of the main reasons companies elect to collocate their hardware and internal infrastructure to third-party service providers is to take advantage of the advanced security measures a state of the art data center offers.   In the colocation environment, security should include physical protection of the servers and other equipment, safety of data and applications, and protection from floods, fire, power failures and other disasters.  Let’s walk through some of the most critical features so you will know what to look for in a secure colocation facility.

Redundant and Backup Power Sources

In recent times, power outages have become more frequent and are now a common occurrence in any data center.  Utility companies were fairly dependable in the past but the landscape has changed dramatically.  This is mainly because the demand for power has grown much faster than utility companies are able to generate capacity, a factor that has led colocation service providers to install backup generators that run longer, as well as redundant generators to serve as backups to the primary units.  In a time where businesses are more power hungry than ever before, one generator is no longer enough to ensure the high level of uptime required by today’s colocation customers.  Multiple alternative power sources are becoming the standard on the industry so keep this in mind when looking for service.

Physical and Access Security

On-site security is very important for the colocation provider and its clients. Because customers and employees come and go quite frequently, actively monitoring and controlling access to the building becomes a critical factor that cannot be overlooked.  Physical security is a must-have feature but even this is not enough to prevent unauthorized access.  Many service providers are now relying on biometric access systems, that generally include fingerprint and retina scanning to verify identification.  These mechanisms have proven to be far more effective than first-generation key cards that can be easily stolen and duplicated.  You should also consider a facility equipped with motion-activated surveillance cameras as they can provide additional security by monitoring activity within and outside of the facility.  When used, these cameras should thoroughly cover the grounds surrounding the building along with every physical access point to the facility.

Network Access Protection

In many cases, the customer is responsible for making sure their server hardware is protected with security software.  However, the colocation provider must keep its customers protected from threats that might occur on the network as well as each other.  For instance, some customers have been known to cross-connect their servers with other tenants to elude carrier charges.  While it may help them save money, it also introduces a tremendous risk of because if one customer is compromised, the attacker may also be able to access the system of the tenant who cross-connected for cost savings.  This has become such a security problem that many colocation providers forbid it and take extreme measures to ensure that cross-connecting does occur in their facilities.

When it comes to colocation, security should be an ongoing concern for the service providers and customers who want to store equipment in their facilities.  The purpose of this article was to give you a few key pointers, but you should be happy to know that most companies are doing all they can to ensure the security of their customer’s mission-critical systems and data.

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Sep 08, 2009 : Colocation Hosting No responses yet