Things To Ponder Regarding Colocation Hosts
Various infrastructures like a perfectly designed room with fewer windows, servers, properly installed power systems, data storage facilities, climate control measures, security systems like CCTV smoke and fire alarms etc are needed for colocation datacenters to ensure its proper functioning. Breakage of links and loss of connectivity can bring about huge losses to the business prospects of tenant companies.
Hence it becomes important to choose colocation centers cautiously after verifying them thoroughly. The most important thing you have to see is whether the Internet network is a Tier-I fully redundant and global one. You should only choose the facility which has rapid connections, adequate technical backup, sufficient security devices etc. It can also been seen whether the host provide remote hand service without charging any fee.
Another factor to be checked is whether the colocation hosts give on-site technical support at all times. You should ensure that expert technicians with experience are stationed even during nights to sort out all hassles promptly. The problem with service providers who are novices is that they may not be able to give high-quality service as experience greatly matters here.
Business practices of the colocation hosts also should be considered well before finalizing them. For example, you should see how well they are running their service, whether they charge additional fees for cross connections etc. You can conduct a thorough enquiry regarding the size of Internet connections which is used by the colocation facility, the security systems installed, whether continuous power supply is available, so on and so forth.
In addition, see whether your colocation hosts are specialized service providers or they provide phone service, dedicated services or web hosting as parallel services. In such cases, you cannot expect to get quality service according to the charges incurred. Before you finalize the deal, scrutinize even the back-up generators, air conditioning systems and other paraphernalia thoroughly. To ensure the safety of your hardware and data, make sure that the collocation center has lockable cabinets which are safe. You can also ponder over how the colocation hosts can manage future improvements and upgrades without hindering the connectivity and also discuss the money being charged for such upgrades well in advance.
