by Brian Sheehan, Vice President
If you maintain your own servers, you have a 24x7 job on your hands. The constant worries about server crashes, electrical outages, proper cooling, and data security can keep you up at night—or disrupt your business during the day when your servers unexpectedly go offline. Colocation may be a solution worth considering.
What is colocation, and how do I know if it’s right for me?
Colocation is just a fancy way of saying that your server is living in someone else’s facilities. It’s still your server; you own it, decide what applications run on it, and determine when and whether to upgrade it. However, because the server lives in a controlled environment that someone else maintains 24x7x365, you don’t have to worry about daily maintenance or keeping up with the server’s demanding physical needs.
Generally speaking, colocation centers are highly complex to ensure the stability and security of your data. Tremendous security measures are employed to control access to your data, while robust and redundant environmental systems ensure that your server achieves maximum uptime. It’s like the Ritz-Carlton for your server, where its every need is attended. Unless you have dedicated staff, space, and security in your office, chances are you can’t offer the same sense of security and comfort that a colocation service can deliver.
As your online services grow, you expect more and more from your servers, and you need them to deliver without fail. Increased Web presence, social networking, member portals, and virtual events can be taxing on your servers. Start by asking yourself:
- Are my servers equipped with capacity, bandwidth, and physical care to handle these tasks?
- Does my budget allow for adequate staffing and resources to care for these servers?
- Can I afford the risk of unexpected downtime?
If you hesitate on any of these questions, connect with DelCor for a personal consultation. We can help you determine whether colocation (or even fully hosted) services are right for your organization. We provide superior collocation/hosting services through our partnership with Equinix, the preferred destination for some of the top Internet companies.
What you can expect
DelCor colocation services relieve you of the worries associated with creating an optimal server environment. Equinix’s five DC-area data centers form one of the largest Internet exchange points in the world, tapping more than 300 networks for superior redundancy. With this type of connectivity, chances are you’ll be able to afford more bandwidth using a colocation service than you could on your own, equipping your server to deliver next-generation Web technologies.
Uninterruptible power supplies backed by diesel generators ensure than your colocated servers remain active, even in the event of a public power failure. Robust air conditioning systems, flood controls, and fire suppression systems further insulate your servers from unforeseen environmental emergencies. Internal, remote, and CCTV monitoring, along with controlled access and 24-hour security, provide a final layer of protection. And when you need access to your colocated servers, 24-hour customer support is available to assist you.
Are you ready to explore whether colocation is the right business decision for your organization? Give us a call, and we’ll help you weigh the options.