Our Frequently Asked Questions on Colocation hosting gives you insight on what you can expect from a colocation host, when you would need such a service, what is involved and many more commonly asked questions.
What is Co-location?
In general, collocation is moving or placing things together, sometimes implying a proper order. On the Internet, this term (often spelled "colocation" or "co-location") is used to mean the provision of space for a customer's telecommunications equipment on the service provider's premises. For example, a Web site owner could place the site's own computer servers on the premises of the Internet service provider (ISP) who provides co-location hosting services.
Who needs Co-location hosting?
Customers who have full control over all aspects of their website and the way it operates are best suited for dedicated hosting. Those customers who want to supply the hardware, or want the ability at any time to remove their server, or move it to another location are suited for internal hosting, meaning they host the websites themselves and pay for the internet connectivity and networking needs. Those customers who meet the above requirements, but aren’t able to host their website themselves are suited for co-location hosting.
Who actually supplies the server?
When using co-location providers, the server actually belongs to you, the customer. Normally, this entails a server being completely configured and loaded with information, being delivered to the co-location provider ready to go. That being said, some co-location providers offer programs where you can purchase a server, or even have one custom made through them.
Will a co-location provider make sure my machine stays online?
That depends on your provider. Co-location providers typically offer Server Monitoring contracts, which make them responsible for watching your system and making sure it is running properly, within their power, of course. If you have a custom written application on your server and it is causing problems with the operation of your server, it will be your responsibility to fix it.
If something goes wrong with my server hardware, who fixes it
That again depends on the agreement you have with your co-location provider. Most providers offer Hardware Support contracts, which make them responsible for keeping your machines operating mechanically. If you supply your own computer, and would like to have spare parts on site, you will typically need to purchase the parts in advance and supply them to your provider. For a computer purchased through the provider, they will normally have spare parts on hand, and/or a relationship with the hardware provider that supplied the hardware itself. Even though your provider fixes your machines, you will still be responsible for the cost of the associated parts. Now, if you do not have a hardware agreement with your provider, you can either pay them to diagnose and repair the problem, or send your own technician to their hosting facilities for the same purpose.
Is there a limit to the size of my server?
There are limitations and pricing differences in relation to the size of your server(s). For example, rack mount servers come in several sizes depending on the manufacturer and the hardware contained within. A 1U server is half the size of a 2U server; hence it takes up less physical space in a rack, leaving room for more servers. As such, 1U servers are less expensive to co-locate than 2U servers. Mid tower and Full tower cases have similar limitations as well. Some providers only have facilities for rack mount servers, while others provide areas for tower boxes as well.
What things do I need to take into consideration when selecting a provider?
Selecting a co-location provider can be a somewhat complicated process. When selecting a provider, there are several key areas that you will need to take into consideration to make the best choice possible.
• Bandwidth – What are the tiers of bandwidth available, and what does it cost if you exceed your limit for the month.
• Rack Space – What are the price differences, based on the size of server you want to place at the provider? There are several types and sizes available, and most providers charge different amounts for each.
• Hardware Support – Does the provider offer Hardware Support contracts? If so, how quickly is the turn around for a hardware repair, and are parts available on-hand or do they need to be shipped? If the provider does not offer Hardware Support contracts, or you do not wish to utilize them, then what methods are available to repair a down server? Do they offer services to diagnose and repair issues for a fee, or allow a technician of your choosing access to the servers?
• Internet Connectivity – What size connection does the provider have to the Internet? How many connections do they have, in the case of a failure?
• Uptime – What kind of Uptime does the provider guarantee for your presence on the Internet?
• Server Monitoring – Does the provider offer Server Monitoring services, to ensure that your system is running and operational at all times?
• Static IP Addresses – How many IP Addresses will the provider allocate to your servers, and what is the cost of obtaining more, when needed?
• Backup Services – What level of data backups are included, if any? What additional levels of data backups are available, at what intervals, and at what cost?
Glossary of terms:
1U, 2U, etc.
This number represents the actual size of a rack mount server in “rack units”. 1U is the standardized size of a rack mount server. A 2U server takes as much space as 2 1U servers, and a 3.5U server would take the space of 3 and a half 1U servers. Server racks have a finite amount of space available, which is normally measured using “rack unit” dimensions.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth has a general meaning of how much information can be carried in a given time period (usually a second) over a wired or wireless communications link.
Dedicated hosting
The Dedicated Hosting environment provides an exclusive server or servers devoted solely to your web site. You do not share a server with other customers, as with shared hosting.
IP Address
In the most widely installed level of the Internet Protocol (IP) today, an IP address is a 32-bit number that identifies each sender or receiver of information that is sent in packets across the Internet.
Rack mount - Much professional video, audio, and computer equipment can be mounted in standardized 19" racks. Rack dimensions are often given in "rack units."
Uptime - Uptime is a computer industry term for the time during which a computer is operational. Downtime is the time when it isn't operational. Uptime is sometimes measured in terms of a percentile. For example, one standard for uptime that is sometimes discussed is a goal called five 9s - that is, a computer that is operational 99.999 percent of the time.
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
More Web Hosting FAQs Articles
More By Rich Smith
 developerWorks - FREE Tools!
|
This demonstration gives you an overview of IBM® Rational® Build Forge Express Edition, a global offering that provides a framework to automate and execute software processes. Rational Build Forge provides a software assembly line that can support all of your tools, technologies, and platforms so you can achieve a repeatable, reliable, and traceable build and release process.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Join us for this on demand webcast to learn about developing complex systems more quickly and efficiently. We'll cover market drivers for developing, governing and reusing systems software assets and how you can develop system software assets with Rational Asset Manager.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to download a free trial of the latest release of IBM Lotus Sametime Standard V8.0. Lotus Sametime Standard V8.0 is a platform for unified communications and collaboration that combines security features with an extensible, open solution including integrated Voice over IP, geographic location awareness, mobile clients, and a robust Business Partner community offering telephony and video integration.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to download a free trial version of WebSphere Extended Deployment Compute Grid, which lets you schedule, execute, and monitor batch jobs. Because online transaction processing and batch jobs execute simultaneously on the same server resources, you can avoid costly duplication of resources. Compute Grid supports job types of Java transactional batch, compute-intensive and a new type called "native execution", which enables non-Java workloads to run on distributed end points.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
This tutorial shows new users of IBM WebSphere Business Monitor Version 6.0.2 how to perform the "Hello World" equivalent for monitoring business process applications. It is intended to help you get familiar with the capabilities of the product.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
This whitepaper provides areas to consider when evaluating any software configuration management solution. It addresses how the IBM solutions (Rational ClearCase and Rational ClearQuest) meet the needs and requirements of both project leaders and developers to provide successful Software Change and Configuration Management.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Get a free trial download of the latest version of IBM Rational Performance Tester V7.0.1, a load and performance testing solution for teams concerned about the scalability of their Web-based applications. Combining multiple ease-of-use features with granular detail, Rational Performance Tester simplifies the test-creation, load-generation and data-collection processes that help teams ensure the ability of their applications to accommodate required user loads.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to try the IBM SOA Sandbox for connectivity. The SOA Sandbox for connectivity provides a trial environment with the tooling and components to help you explore how to effectively connect your infrastructure and integrate all of the people, processes and information in your company. Use the hosted sandbox to explore SOA techniques that streamline connecting existing IT assets together, as well as learn how to connect them to new business logic.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to try the IBM SOA Sandbox for people. The SOA Sandbox for people provides a trial environment with the necessary tooling and components required to enable consistent human and process interaction and collaboration, showing how you can improve user experience and business productivity.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Join the IBM Watchfire team for an informative discussion on techniques and best practices to proactively manage Web application security and how to effectively build application security testing into the software development lifecycle (SDLC). In this Software Delivery Platform webcast you will learn: How to better understand potential web application security vulnerabilities, best practices and how to effectively integrate application security testing into the software development lifecycle, the importance of detecting and removing software vulnerabilities during application development.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
All FREE IBM® developerWorks Tools!
|
