Web Hosting Reviews & Ratings

May 07, 2010

How to Select a Colocation Hosting Provider

Colocation hosting has many advantages and disadvantages compared to the numerous types of hosting available. Once you’ve decided on collocation as your hosting method of choice, what do you look for in a provider to ensure they are able to accommodate your website’s needs?

When shopping for a provider there are many factors to choosing the company to host your website. Some of the major aspects include:

• Proximity
• Business reputation
• Pricing
• Facility features
• Network expandability

Since the network hardware is housed in a separate location but managed by you and your team, it’s beneficial to find a hosting provider that’s at a reasonable distance.  This ensures that visits do not require all days trips just to maintain the equipment. Although most colocation providers offer remote support for minor tasks, its still best to be in close proximity to the servers.

Another factor to consider is the reputation of the hosting provider. Generally the longer the company has been in business the better quality, service and support they provide. Like anything else, conduct extensive research on various companies to ensure they have what you need. Additionally, its favorable to target those hosting companies that focus only on colocation hosting to receive the best service.

An additional major factor influencing many clients is the price. Look for a fair price, not just the lowest. Also find colocation providers that have an all-inclusive price and make sure you know exactly what you’re getting in the agreed-upon package. Inquire about hidden and extra fees so you aren’t surprised when the bill comes.

The facility features are also an important aspect to consider as data centers can greatly vary. A few features to keep in mind are 24/7 availability and support; keycards, closed-circuit TV monitoring, controlled check-in and other security options, backup power and environmental controls. Remember the more features added, the higher the price so maintain a balance.

The final factor to consider is network expandability. Fast, reliable internet connections are mandatory, specifically look for an optical carrier (OC) of at least OC48. Redundant connections are also a viable and beneficial option. Ask the provider for an IP target within their network so you can run tests to gauge response times.

These are the primary factors involved when choosing a colocation provider. The best method is to shop around, compare different hosting providers and conduct extensive research. This will help you find the best provider to fit your needs.

Tags: network hardware,  network expandability,  hosting provider reputation,  data center,  colocation providers,  colocation provider,  Colocation Hosting