| |
A Colocation Data Center can come in a very wide
range of sizes, levels of quality in infrastructure,
power configurations, backup power options, physical
space / building layout and construction, cabinet / rack
configurations, cable management systems including raise
flooring, air conditioning systems, security systems and
parking. Network infrastructures can range from
the very basic T1 and T3, to copper Ethernet, all the
way up to the fiber optic
10Gigabit Ethernet. In
addition, some Colocation Data Centers may only have 1,
2 or 3
Network providers coming into the facility, while
others may have direct connectivity within a facility to
hundreds of colocation networks providing greater
reliability, speed and uptime. Data facility routers can
range from a basic T1 router up to a 2 million dollar
Cisco, GSR, 12416 core router. when they are fully
populated with fiber cards. A complete Data Center
can range in cost from a few hundred thousand up to 150
million.
Class C - Basic
Colocation Data Center
The most basic Colocation Data Center, although
advertised as Data Center, it does not truly qualify as
a Data Center. 50% of all small independent
colocation data centers fall within this category.
There are many of these available and it is good to be
aware that they do exist. You will not find state
of the art feature within these colocation facilities;
however, you will often find:
 |
No Staff within the
Facility |
|
|
No on site colocation
services, not even for a fee |
|
|
No UPS |
|
|
No redundant power,
only City Power |
|
|
No Redundant Air
Conditioning |
|
|
No Generator |
|
|
No specialized
building structure customized for colocation space |
|
|
No specialized cable
management systems |
|
|
No locking cabinets |
|
|
No raised flooring |
|
|
No security systems |
|
|
Limited Networks |
|
|
Inadequate parking |
|
|
No 24 hour
accessibility |
|
|
No fiber optic Network
cabling |
|
|
Basic T1 or T3 lines |
|
|
Basic T1 of T3 routers |
Often these colocation facilities will boast of very
low rates. The cost savings however is not worth
the high risk of downtime and the possibly of data loss.
Beware these small, unstable start colocation
facilities. They may even operate out of a garage
or commonly a small business office. If you use
this type of facility, they could go out of business and
and you could possibility loose your equipment and data.
If the city has a power outage and their network goes
down, you could result in serious losses.
Many of these colocation facilities advertise a
backup generator; however, this generator often does not
adequately meet the needs of the
Network or collocated
equipment. This is primarily used as a marketing
tool so that the colocation facility can say they have
backup generator power. Even though you may not
think you do not need a more state of the art facility,
the extended outages, and possibility of valuable data
and equipment loss and downtime can cost you much more.
The uptime of a higher quality facility will more than
pay for itself in the long run.
Class B -
Colocation Data Center
The Class B Colocation facility often has on site
support, but only during the day. They often say they
have on site support, and that they have 24/7 support, but it is often not on site
24/7. They may leave it ambiguous that it is 24/7 phone
support and daytime on site support. Some of these facilities will have staff; however,
if you need the remote hands service, they will charge a
fee for it. Unfortunately, the processing of
this fee and order can only be performed by staff who
only work during regular business hours. Because
of this - in reality - they do not have 24/7 support
available. They will sound very good at first,
telling you that they will have the support you need but
everything of value will cost extra. They have
fees for coming into the facility, cross connects,
remote hands service.
They will have air conditioning, and may redundant
air conditioning for the facility, but not for each
suite. If the AC in a particular suite goes out,
everything in the suite will overheat. The generator may
have backup capability that is rated for 2, 4 or 6
hours. They will not have a Prime Source
Generator.
They will often charge for IP addresses, cross
connects, and anything else that they can think of to
charge your for. They will also break their prices
down to greatest number of items so that individual
prices seems lower, when in fact the overall price adds
up to a much greater total than you might expect.
Class B may have 1, 2 or 3 Network providers available
in the facility providing only limited Internet Network
Redundancy
Class A -
Colocation Data Center
The Class A Colocation Data Center gives you the most
premium services bundled in the price at no additional
charge. This adds up to a tremendous value for the
things that you really need and want as a customer.
You will find state of the art features within these
colocation facilities including:
|
|
Fully factory trained
and certified Staff working within the
Facility |
|
|
Premium
on site
colocation
services, included FREE of Charge |
|
|
UPS |
|
|
Voltage Smoothed
Redundant power |
|
|
Redundant Air
Conditioning |
|
|
Prime Source Generator
Backup |
|
|
Backup Batteries |
|
|
Specialized building
structure customized for colocation space |
|
|
Specialized cable
management systems |
|
|
Locking cabinets |
|
|
Raised flooring |
|
|
State of the Art
Access Control and CCTV Security Systems |
|
|
Hundreds of Networks
accessible within the facility |
|
|
Ample parking |
|
|
24 hour accessibility |
|
|
Fiber optic Network
cabling |
|
|
FREE Cross Connects |
|
|
FREE Remote Hands
Service |
|
|
FREE Unlimited IP
Addresses. |
|
|
