Kevin Dean: Colocation for the Changing Cloud

Colocation for the Changing Cloud

With this in mind, there are several key factors for having an ideal environment within which cloud computing services can grow and prosper:

1. Limitless Scalability

Cloud computing demands higher levels of faster scalability than previous delivery models. Bandwidth and processing power need to be instantly available for surges in demand, with the added ability to reduce resources when peaks in traffic have passed. By outsourcing to a large data center, companies do not have to worry about over-provisioning for spikes in demand, therefore avoiding issues of under-utilization. Using a third-party data center also prevents the risk of running out of capacity for such heightened demands.

2. Physical and Virtual Security

Although there are many benefits of moving to the cloud, there are also some risks. The Ethernet-based cloud is not impenetrable or fail-safe and is certainly not immune to data loss. Organizations must identify operational and security risks associated with the cloud, namely data security, integrity and privacy, so as to better choose a solution that addresses these concerns.

Large data center environments are ideally suited to secure delivery of cloud applications, such as Storage-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service. This is due to the robust nature of the data center’s infrastructure and the inherent need for high-quality, efficient and up-to-the-minute technologies and hardware. Larger facilities excel in both physical and data security, with multiple security layers and fail-safes, as well as back-up and recovery systems that protect against data loss.

More of the Data Center Knowledge article from Kevin Dean

Alex Carroll

Managing Member at Lifeline Data Centers

Alex, co-owner, is responsible for all real estate, construction and mission critical facilities: hardened buildings, power systems, cooling systems, fire suppression, and environmentals. Alex also manages relationships with the telecommunications providers and has an extensive background in IT infrastructure support, database administration and software design and development. Alex architected Lifeline’s proprietary GRCA system and is hands-on every day in the data center.