As an online business expands, it tends to "graduate" from one level of the hosting continuum to another. A
basic shared service gives way to a dedicated server, which becomes a managed server as traffic and back-end
functionality becomes more complex. At this point, most businesses have acquired the necessary staff or know-how
to maintain and configure their own server.
While it is appealing to have your server taken care of by someone else, no third-party
knows your business like you do - so the "do-it-yourself" method is always the most responsive.
However, it's not a good idea to throw your racks and routers in the back-office - as there is potential for
fire, theft, or vandalism. A co-location hosting package on the other hand, gives you the scalability and control
of owning your own hardware, combined with the extensive security and protection of a dedicated server.
A co-located host allows you to physically house your server at their dedicated facility
- which allows you to take advantage of the host's secured cages and cabinets, regulated power, dedicated
Internet connections, security, and support to ensure the highest level of uptime and protection possible for
your site.
Most co-location facilities offer high-security, including cameras, fire detection and
extinguishing devices, multiple connection feeds, filtered power, backup power generators and other items
to ensure high-availability which is mandatory for all Web-based, virtual businesses.
While the specific details of an individual package will vary widely depending on the
provider and level of service required, most hosting organizations offering co-location will tailor the
service to meet the needs of the individual client. Regardless, there are several issues you should be aware
of before signing up.
What are my needs?
Knowing what you need and what you don't can save you money in the long run. When deciding on a provider, you
will have to assess the value of the many "add ons" that hosting providers are aggressively marketing to try to
win your business - managed services, data storage, connection security, application hosting. Knowing when
to say "no" will keep your monthly costs within your budget.
Where will my server be located?
Although the hosting company will provide you with remote access to your hardware so you can make
adjustments from your office, the physical location of your server is important. Ensure that it is housed in an
insured, secure, clean environment, and is monitored 24X7 by qualified technicians who understand
communications, hardware architecture, and networking. A good way to test this is to drop in unannounced at 3
a.m., and see who is working.
When are visiting hours?
They had better be 24 hours a day! Even with remote access, certain updates and errors will require physical
access to the server. If the data centre will only allow you access during the host's office hours, your business
will be running on their schedule, which is unacceptable - if your site goes down at two in the morning, you
can't afford to have to wait until 9 a.m. the next morning. Remember, you own the hardware; you're merely
renting space in the facility. Would you accept it if your landlord only gave you access to your apartment for
12 hours a day? Insist on 24X7X365 access to your servers.
How is your server connected?
There are two major connections that are critical for your server to operate smoothly:
The connection from your control center to your server - This connection determines
how fast you can access your systems.
The connection from your server to the Internet itself. - This defines the bandwidth
that is available, and affects how much traffic your site can handle.
Do some research, and find out what telco your web host works with. Make sure your host has
a redundant system - which maximizes the reliability of access by re-routing through different connections.
How secure is the facility?
While insurance is important, one cannot put a price on your data. The hosting facility should have a number of
security systems in place to protect your server from failure:
Uninterruptible power supply with gas generator backup
Pass-card or biometric entry measures
High-grade fire suppression systems
Tape data-backup program
24 hour armed security
Find out what other companies share the facility - this is a good measure of the quality of
the web host's facility.
Redundancy
It is not unreasonable to presume that a high-quality facility will have two or more backup generators to
continue mission-critical operations in the event of a power failure. However, an "N+1" redundant facility will
have a fourth generator in place - that way, if power is lost and a generator also fails, there is no
interruption in service. An N+2 facility will have a fifth system in place and so on. Find out where on this
continuum your provider operates. Another method of examining or describing a building's reliability is to
examine the level of reliability as a percent of up time that the network and infrastructure support.
Is extra support available?
Your decision to co-locate your server is based on the assumption that you have the staff and IT resources
to properly manage and maintain your box. However, unexpected problems inevitably come up, which can tax
the resources of even the largest companies. Make sure not only that the support staff is knowledgeable, but
that extra consultation and administrative help is available for crisis situations.
Is the provider Carrier-Neutral?
Carrier-specific hosts are usually partnered with a single bandwidth provider, or have a profit incentive to
direct customers to a particular carrier. A carrier-neutral facility on the other hand, can offer
you a choice of connectivity options - which can greatly impact the price and flexibility of your plan.
Co-location is the most effective method to ensure continuous operation of your Web
presence. Your decision on whether or not to collocate your server comes down to resources. If your IT staff
are fully capable, and the costs are not prohibitive, then the unlimited flexibility and secure environment of
a co-location facility will be a great benefit to your business.
