Co-location, Colocation Space and Colocation Providers
Colocation, also referred to as co location, collocation, server colocation and colocation hosting, is physical space rented by a colocation provider to a customer to house their server. With server colocation, the customer is responsible for providing and managing their own server. The colocation provider is responsible for providing the colocation infrastructure including the following: space, power, cooling, redundancy, facility monitoring, access to the internet and security. Colocation data center facilities are specifically designed to safely house server and equipment hardware and promote maximum uptime without disruption. There are many colocation providers and colocation hosting facilities located in metropolitan areas throughout the US and globally. GlobalQuotes™ can help you select the right server colocation site and colocation provider – all at the lowest prices available.
There are many different service options available when it comes to colocation service and colocation costs. With colocation, the customer can choose how much colocation space it requires and scale this based on future needs. For example, a customer can select from colocation rack space, colocation cabinet or colocation suites. The customer can also choose between shared colocation and private colocation space. Here is a description of common colocation offering by colocation providers:
Per U Colocation Service
1U is approximately 1.75” thickness of colocation space. The customer is able to bring in the per U server(s) into a shared rack or cabinet. The colocation cost associated with this is a monthly fee of the space (number of Us), power consumption and bandwidth used.
Colocation Rack/Cabinet Space
The customer can select from ¼ rack which is 8-10U of colocation space. Colocation providers also offer 1/3 rack which is 12-14U of colocation space. A ½ colocation rack/cabinet is the equivalent of 20-22U of colocation space. A full rack/cabinet is the equivalent of 42-44U of colocation space. In all cases, the colocation customer pays a monthly fee for the space, power and bandwidth.
Colocation Private Cage/Suite
Colocation providers typically offer private colocation cages/suites with the option for 4,6, 8, 10 and 12 rack/cabinet options. The colocation customer pays a monthly fee for the colocation cage/suite as well as charges for power consumption and bandwidth usage. This is the top colocation service option for customers with numerous servers and networking hardware. It also provides the up most in security and scalable colocation space.
Related Colocation Services
Despite similarities, colocation service is often confused with dedicated server hosting and managed hosting. Dedicated server hosting is a type of business hosting in which the customer leases a server from the dedicated server provider. The dedicated server provider is responsible for the initial set-up, installation of OS and equipment support. Dedicated server hosting is typically used by businesses not interested in managing their own server equipment.
Managed hosting, also referred to as managed colocation hosting, is another type of business hosting in which the managed host provides and manages all aspects of the server. Managed hosting providers typically offer management of the OS, database, applications and updates. Managed colocation hosting is ideal for customers with limited in-house IT staff and those wishing to outsource the entire process. Learn more about services offered by GlobalQuotes™.
Colocation Questions?
Whether searching for colocation rack space or a private colocation suite, GlobalQuotes™ can help you find the right colocation space and provider to meet your specific requirements. We represent all of the major colocation providers worldwide and we are the authority on colocation hosting and related data center solutions. Get multiple quotes from reliable and quality colocation providers and consult with our experts specializing in colocation service. Call toll free (877) 708-8900 to speak with a colocation service specialist today.
