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If you want to run a high bandwidth web site, but you don’t want to go to the expense of setting up a network or maintaining a secondary power source and atmospheric controls, then server colocation is an economical way to meet your needs. After you have prepared and programmed your own server, you ship it to the server colocation facility, where the colocation company plugs it into their own network in an atmospherically controlled environment.

How does server colocation work?

The colocation company maintains a network and offers IP addresses, low cost bandwidth, and all the other services servers need to connect to the Internet. The company also provides a reliable power supply and a safe environment that is kept at the ideal temperature and cleanliness level for server equipment. Businesses ship their servers to the server colocation facility, where the facility techs connect them to the network.

Will the colocation company perform upgrades or physical maintenance to my server?

No, maintaining and updating the server is your sole responsibility. The colocation company will not intervene except in case of damage caused to the equipment on the rare occasion that disaster strikes a facility. Upgrading software remotely is simple. However, if you wish to perform hardware upgrades, a tech from your company will need to travel to the facility, or you will need to have the server shipped back to your offices.

What is the advantage of server colocation over keeping the server at my company offices?

A state of the art network is costly to set up and maintain. Although that can be cost effective for a large company, small and mid sized companies are likely to find it more convenient to use a provider’s network. Bandwidth is also likely to be less expensive through a colocation company because such companies have the benefit of dealing in bulk.

On top of that, facilities for colocation have environmental controls and power source backups that most office buildings lack. This is important for keeping your server running at top capacity. Even a slightly slow loading web page can discourage customers.

You may also want an extra level of security for your data. It’s useful to keep your data at a second location in case something happens to the first location. For example, if you live in an earthquake zone or a tornado corridor, moving your server out of danger’s way is good business sense. It also provides protection for your files in case your area loses power or your building catches fire.

Buying and setting up a server is a mystery to me, but my business needs one. Is server colocation the right solution for my company?

If you’re not familiar with server hardware and you’re not interested in learning, then you need the next level of service, a dedicated server. If you rent a dedicated server, the company gives you remote access to a server at its facility, and you are responsible only for loading software and data onto the server. The server is the other company’s property, and it upgrades and maintains the server itself.

However, if you are willing to learn how to set up a server (or are willing to hire someone to do the initial setup for you), then you may find that server colocation is more cost effective in the long run and offers you the most control over your data.