Tips on 6 Data Center Colocation Considerations

 

There is a third option for companies that want to operate their own servers or lease external ones -- colocation. Colocation centers house your equipment in professional server rooms. Each data center is different, however. To find the best colocation center, you should evaluate candidates based on six key factors.

Uptime SLA 

The availability of servers is crucial, and even a short interruption can be extremely costly. Today, most colocation providers guarantee 100% uptime for their clients, and anything less is unacceptable.

For full access, you need reliable network connections. Colocation centers make use of multiple ISPs and multiple WAN connections to create a network that remains functional even in the event of network traffic overload or physical damage to the connections.

Software changes are the major cause of downtime. Server administrators regularly upgrade software, install security patches, or modify server configurations. Incorrectly performing these tasks can lead to a system crash. In colocation centers, maintenance of network software is handled by experienced personnel.

Power Usage & Management

Utility companies control data centers. Blackouts and brownouts can cause servers to shut down unexpectedly, causing downtime and data corruption. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) are used to compensate for this, however, they are not meant to keep servers humming, but to let them shut down properly.

To keep equipment running during long power outages, colocation centers have onsite generators. Multiple generators improve the reliability of power. Purchasing and maintaining generators is often unaffordable for most businesses, so data centers will always be at risk of power outages.

Protection of the Data

To protect their networks from network intrusions and malware, data centers use software and hardware tools. However, the best protection is expensive and not accessible to many organizations. By colocating with a colocation center, the most effective security applications can be made affordable.

Physical intrusions and network hazards are the most common problems in computers. Despite this, many companies fail to pay attention to the physical security of their devices. But when you opt for colocation services, you get all the protection you need to safeguard your devices and data against all these security threats. It acts like a bank that ensures utmost safety through surveillance cameras, security personnel, physical barriers, etc. 

Fire And Natural Disasters

Fire causes a huge threat to IT types of equipment. But systems in regular offices are not as equipped as Colocation facilities. In most cases, by the time the fire alarm turns on, you will lose the data in your hard drives and damage will already be done. Colocation center facilities come equipped with cutting-edge smoke detection and fire suppression equipment. 

Natural disasters also pose threats and risks to data centers. Even though the insurance you take covers equipment but it cannot undo the damage it will cause to the reputation of your business and the data center. cyfuture.cloud offer multiple ways to safeguard your data center equipment from serious damage. 

Green Server Rooms

This might surprise you but data centers use around 8% of the power produced. Most of this power gets consumed in cooling the data center facility. Most of the server rooms in the data center utilize the cooling system inefficiently. Colocation centers are designed in a way to offer maximum cooling and utilize very less energy. The data centers and the HVAC systems are constructed in a way to ensure no cooling gets wasted. It allows for low-cost cooling while keeping all your equipment at the right temperature. 

High-Quality IT Staff

A data center facility without qualified and adequate staff is a waste. But with colocation centers, you get managed services from some of the industry’s best experts. Colocation centers hire the most qualified professionals who could ensure that you get outstanding services and are available to support you 24*7*365. 

Whenever you look for a colocation facility, you must opt for SAS 70-CERTIFIED organizations. The certified companies guarantee exceptional services and a hassle-free services. They are not just the best but they have evidence to back up their claims. So if you wish to find the most reliable and agile, colocation center facility, do your research well and see if they have the required accreditation. 

So, wait no more and give your business a competitive edge and opt for a reliable yet eco-friendly colocation facility.