A colocation data center is a facility where you can securely store and operate your business’s computer servers and networking equipment. It’s like renting a professional, tech-savvy home for your IT infrastructure. Many businesses need equipment to run their applications like QuickBooks, Sage, or a completely custom solution. The facilities make sure the equipment is online and stored in a safe, climate-controlled environment.

A colocation data center is a special building filled with equipment. It is a building designed for equipment. It is temperature controlled, so your equipment does not get too hot, considering it is running continuously.

Here’s how it works:

Your Equipment:

You have your networking and server equipment that you maintain, but need a place to live, where you can get to it anytime and it is always online. You may have your own requirements, such as power requirements and connectivity requirements. In which the colocation datacenter will accommodate.

Data Center Rental:

You can rent space in the data center, just like renting a parking spot for your computer. Included in your rental will be things like redundant power and cabinet space. The Data Center is going to make sure there is ALWAYS power to keep your server running. In addition to cool temperatures and airflow, they will filter the air for dust and other air particles. Even the fire suppression system is built for machines, so that they are not destroyed by water. It is a safe haven for your equipment.

Internet Connection:

The data center is the fastest in the world. It must! There is more equipment online from a Data Center, and it needs to be fast! Many colocation data centers offer multiple levels and types of Connections. It could be Internet Access, a phone lines, or line that goes straight to another location. In some cases, you can choose from multiple carriers in the building to get your connection from. Or make it part of your rental agreement.

Security:

Colocation Data Centers must be compliant. They have lots of rules to follow, external audits, and more! One of the benefits you will get with a colocation data center is security! Armed guards, cameras, badges, monitoring systems, access doors, locked cages and more, keep your equipment safe from bad guys. You can rest assured that you are the only one with physical access to your equipment. And there is proof to back it up.

Professional Support:

If you have a problem with your equipment, there are experienced professionals at the data center who can help. So, whether you need a simple reboot or assistance with troubleshooting a complex problem, you can pay for professional support when you need it…

So, a colocation data center is where people put their network and server equipment to make sure they stay safe, cool, and connected to the internet all the time. The next time you think of the cloud…it is really just a colocation data center that is storing information people are accessing.