What Are the Key Features to Look for in a Colocation Facility?

Choosing the right colocation facility is a critical decision for businesses looking to outsource their data center needs. Whether your focus is on scalability, security, or network performance, it's essential to identify a facility that can meet your long-term operational requirements. Here's a comprehensive guide to the key features you should prioritize when evaluating a colocation facility.

1. Location

The physical location of the colocation facility is one of the first and most important factors to consider. Location impacts several aspects, such as latency, disaster recovery, and accessibility. A facility near your primary business operations can provide better access for maintenance and reduce network latency. However, businesses in regions prone to natural disasters may prioritize facilities in more stable areas.

Latency: For businesses with real-time or low-latency needs, selecting a facility close to their user base or business headquarters is crucial.

Disaster Resilience: Consider proximity to areas with low risks for earthquakes, floods, or other disasters.

2. Scalability and Flexibility

Colocation facilities should offer scalability, allowing you to expand your infrastructure as your business grows. Ensure the facility can accommodate not only your current needs but also potential future demands, whether you're adding more servers or upgrading to high-density infrastructure.

Flexible Contracts: Check if the facility offers flexible terms for upgrading space or power requirements without needing long-term commitments.

Power Density: Some businesses require high-power-density environments; look for facilities that offer flexible power scaling.

3. Power and Cooling Systems

A colocation facility’s power infrastructure is fundamental to its reliability. Power outages can be detrimental to business operations, which is why redundant and reliable power systems are non-negotiable.

Redundant Power Supply: Look for facilities with uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and backup generators to ensure continuous operation during power outages.

Cooling Efficiency: The facility must have an efficient cooling system to prevent equipment overheating. Modern colocation centers use advanced cooling techniques such as liquid cooling or aisle containment systems to manage temperature effectively.

4. Security

Security is a top priority for any data-driven business. Colocation facilities should implement stringent physical and network security measures to protect your assets and data.

Physical Security: Features such as 24/7 surveillance, biometric access controls, mantraps, and on-site security personnel are standard in well-established facilities. A layered security approach ensures that only authorized personnel have access to critical areas.

Cybersecurity Measures: The facility should provide protection against cyber threats with firewall configurations, intrusion detection systems, and robust monitoring tools.

5. Compliance and Certifications

If your business operates in a regulated industry such as healthcare or finance, it's essential to ensure the colocation facility meets industry-specific compliance standards.

Certifications: Look for certifications like SSAE 18, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and HIPAA, which validate that the facility complies with stringent security and operational standards.

Audits and Reports: Regular third-party audits demonstrate the facility’s commitment to maintaining compliance with industry regulations.

6. Network Connectivity

A colocation facility's network capabilities can significantly impact your business operations. The facility should offer multiple options for network carriers to provide you with redundancy and flexibility.

Carrier Neutrality: A carrier-neutral facility allows you to choose from several network providers, providing greater control over cost and performance.

Low Latency: Ensure the facility has redundant fiber connections and direct peering with major internet exchange points (IXPs) to minimize latency and improve overall network performance.

7. Support and Managed Services

A strong support team can be a valuable asset when managing your colocated infrastructure. Depending on your needs, you may require remote hands support, equipment maintenance, or full managed services.

24/7 Support: Look for facilities that offer around-the-clock monitoring and technical support to handle emergencies or maintenance issues.

Managed Services: Some facilities offer additional services such as hardware management, backups, or disaster recovery, which can reduce the burden on your IT team.

8. Redundancy and Uptime

Redundancy is essential for minimizing downtime and maintaining business continuity. The facility should have backup systems in place for power, cooling, and network connectivity.

Uptime Guarantees: Many colocation facilities offer Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that guarantee uptime of 99.99% or higher. Review their historical uptime records to ensure reliability.

Tier Levels: Facilities are often classified by tier ratings (Tier I to Tier IV), with Tier IV offering the highest redundancy and uptime guarantees.

9. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Disaster recovery planning is essential for ensuring your business can continue operating during unexpected events. Many colocation facilities offer disaster recovery services, such as secondary data center locations, data replication, and backup systems.

Geographic Redundancy: Some facilities are part of a larger network of data centers, allowing you to implement disaster recovery strategies across multiple locations.

Backup Solutions: Ensure that the facility supports offsite backups and offers secure backup solutions to safeguard your data.

10. Cost and Value

While cost is always a consideration, it’s important to balance price with the quality of service offered. Compare facilities based on the value they provide in terms of uptime, scalability, security, and network connectivity.

Transparent Pricing: Look for facilities that provide clear pricing structures without hidden fees for services such as power usage or remote support.

Customization Options: Some colocation facilities offer custom pricing based on your specific needs, whether it’s for rack space, power usage, or managed services.

Conclusion

Selecting a colocation facility requires careful consideration of several key factors. By focusing on location, scalability, security, power reliability, and network connectivity, you can choose a facility that aligns with your business goals and operational requirements. Always consider future needs, such as the ability to scale, and ensure that the facility meets both your immediate and long-term demands for infrastructure support.