Top 5 Considerations for Reliable Data Center Colocation

Confused whether to build an internal data center or lease servers? You have one more choice – data center colocation. With data center colocation services, you keep your own servers and equipment in purpose-built, highly reliable computer rooms.

Interested? Here are 5 considerations to help you with the decision to go with data center colocation services:

Reliability and Resiliency

Multiple WAN connections and telecom carriers are required to create reliable networks that can sustain high network traffic and survive network outages. Multiple power feeds and air conditioning systems are a must for reliability. Most companies expect nothing less than a 99.995% data center uptime guarantee and well-defined service level agreements from colocation providers today. For many companies, downtime means lost credibility, lost profits, and/or list clients. Colocation facilities provide the experienced personnel are essential at the colocation centers to ensure your data center uptime and reliability.

Power efficiency and management

A data center consumes 40% more energy than a standard office building. Highly reliable power infrastructures require two of everything, including generators, UPS systems and air conditioning. Colocation centers should have multiple onsite generator, UPS systems and air conditioning to ensure that servers aren’t interrupted during power failures. These systems should be well maintained through standardized procedures.

Security

Software and hardware tools protect the data center’s network from intrusions, but what about physical security? Physical intrusion can be just as risky as network intrusions. While choosing colocation services, make sure that the provider offers comprehensive security options including multi-factor authentication and surveillance.

Environmental Controls

Colocation centers should provide smoke detection (like VESDA- Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) and specialized equipment for fire suppression. Optimum temperatures favorable for the best hardware performances should be maintained with temperature alert facility. Efficient cooling technologies and heat extraction facilities should be in place. Insurance covers data center equipment in case of natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, but it won’t still reimburse the loss incurred through lost reputation and business because of data destruction.

Compliance

Does the colocation center address with the federal, state or industry regulations to which your company must comply? Does the facility maintain a SAS 70 or SSAE 16 certification? Is the provider willing to share with you the controls it uses to maintain this compliance? Reliability is just as dependent on process as it is on physical infrastructure.

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.