| Businesses deciding between operating internal data | | | | Fire And Natural Disasters |
| centers and leasing external servers have a third | | | | Fire is a leading physical danger to IT equipment, but |
| choice -- colocation. Colocation center solutions provide | | | | systems designed to protect people and buildings |
| professional server rooms to house your own | | | | aren't effective in data centers. By the time standard |
| equipment. However, not all data centers are the | | | | smoke detectors sound, delicate hard drives are |
| same. When shopping for a colocation center, it's | | | | damaged and information is lost. Fire suppression |
| essential to rate candidates based on six key | | | | systems not designed for electronics do more |
| evaluation points. | | | | damage than the fire. Colocation center providers |
| Uptime Service Level Agreements | | | | combine cutting edge smoke detection with specialized |
| Server access is critical and even a short interruption | | | | fire suppression equipment. |
| can have astronomical costs. Many colocation center | | | | Natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes |
| providers offer their clients a 100% uptime guarantee, | | | | threaten data centers. Insurance covers equipment but |
| and nothing less is acceptable in today's environment. | | | | it won't reimburse a company for lost business and |
| Reliable network connections are essential for full | | | | reputation when data is destroyed. Colocation centers |
| access. A colocation center uses multiple ISPs and | | | | employ an array of safeguards to protect equipment |
| multiple WAN connections to create a reliable network | | | | from damage even during serious disasters. |
| that remains operational through high network traffic or | | | | Green Server Rooms |
| physical damage to the connections. | | | | Data centers use about 8% of all power generated. |
| Software changes can lead to downtime. | | | | Much of this is for cooling because internal data |
| Administrators regularly modify server configurations, | | | | centers are often retrofit into buildings not designed for |
| install security patches, or upgrade software. If these | | | | servers. Server rooms use inefficient supplementary |
| tasks are performed incorrectly, they lead to system | | | | cooling to keep equipment within accepted operating |
| crashes. A colocation center has experienced | | | | temperatures. The new generation of blade servers |
| personnel who understand how to maintain network | | | | may push server room cooling beyond its limits. |
| software safely. | | | | Colocation centers designed to house server farms |
| Power Management | | | | are structured to deliver maximum cooling for minimum |
| Data centers are at the mercy of utility companies. | | | | energy. Construction of the data centers and HVAC |
| Brownouts and blackouts can cause servers to shut | | | | systems ensures no cooling is wasted in irrelevant |
| down unexpectedly leading to downtime and data | | | | areas. This allows low cost cooling, and also keeps |
| corruption. IT departments use uninterruptible power | | | | equipment at optimal temperature for efficient and |
| supplies (UPSs) to compensate but their role is not to | | | | long-lasting operation. |
| keep servers functioning, but to allow systems to shut | | | | High Quality IT Staff |
| down cleanly. | | | | Data centers are only as good as the people running |
| A colocation center employs onsite generators to | | | | them. Many organizations don't know how to find good |
| keep equipment running during long power interruptions. | | | | IT staff and hire unqualified applicants. It is expensive to |
| Multiple generators make the power even more | | | | employ staff around the clock, yet computers never |
| reliable. Purchase and maintenance of generators isn't | | | | sleep. On-call administrators handle problems but often |
| affordable for most businesses, so internal data | | | | only after a long delay. |
| centers will always be at risk of power interruption. | | | | Colocation managed services offer access to |
| Protecting The Data | | | | experienced IT teams that would be impossible to |
| Data centers use software and hardware tools to | | | | afford otherwise. Colocation center managers hire |
| protect the systems from network intrusion or | | | | outstanding candidates, and have enough people on |
| malware, but the best protection is also the most | | | | duty at all times to respond to problems 24x7x365. |
| expensive and out of reach of many organizations. | | | | When evaluating these types of facilities, look for SAS |
| Colocation centers use economies of scale to make | | | | 70 certified organizations. The SAS 70 certified |
| the most effective applications affordable. | | | | companies demonstrate an exceptional commitment |
| Computers are more at risk from physical intrusion | | | | to quality and reliability, and have been audited by a |
| than network hazards, yet many companies spend | | | | third party to prove it. Everybody says they are the |
| little on physical security. Colocation center facilities use | | | | best, but SAS 70 certified companies have proof. |
| surveillance cameras, physical barriers and professional | | | | It is no longer realistic for companies to manage their |
| security personnel to prevent unqualified personnel | | | | own data centers. Colocation center solutions are |
| access to the data. A colocation center is like a bank; | | | | typically less expensive than internal operations, and |
| it provides a level of security that isn't practical for | | | | offer a level of professionalism and security few |
| most companies to afford. | | | | companies can manage. |