What is Colocation in Cloud Computing? Let’s Find Out

Let us first understand, cloud computing - a service that offers companies and organizations of all scales to accommodate their computing hardware and servers using a third-party vendor. Being the consumer, you will have the ownership but you won’t be responsible for maintenance and management. That is the duty of the third-party vendor. Therefore, the provider will look after the maintenance and management work like electricity, security, cooling, and access. 

To put it simply, let us take an example of a small firm having a server to manage data and applications. With limited infrastructure, it would be challenging for the firm to keep the temperature stable and keep the equipment from encountering any physical danger. There could be a power outage or fire outbreak, who knows? That is where the colocation services come into action to take care of these problems. 

The Working of Cloud Colocation

As we discussed in the previous section - maintaining and securing the server and hardware components takes a intensive supervision. You will need to dedicate some human resources and infrastructure for this purpose separately. That is going to be costly. Instead, it is better to rent that space from a data center. The data center provides a colocation facility to ensure your equipment is in the right hands.

Furthermore, you will get more than you bargained for in the first place. The data center will provide a round-the-clock service that will ensure security through biometrics or CCTV cameras, high-speed internet access, an uninterrupted power supply, etc. It may also provide the best contingency plan in some uncalled situations like mass power outages or operational discrepancies. 

What is so tempting about this setup? You maintain total control of your equipment and data. You pick what software runs on your devices, what hardware you employ, and how everything is set up. The data center's sole purpose is to offer physical infrastructure and guarantee that your machines work in the best possible conditions.

Why Choose Colocation?

Perhaps you're wondering: "Why would I choose colocation over other cloud solutions, like just renting servers from a cloud provider?" Well, the answer is dependent on your individual requirements. One of the primary advantages of colocation is that you have complete control over your hardware and apps. This is especially significant for firms that have strict compliance requirements or must operate with specific gear.

Another benefit is cost savings. If you currently own your servers, relocating them to a colocation facility might be far less expensive than creating your own data center. You also benefit from the colocation provider's economies of scale, which involve sharing the expenses of power, cooling, and connection with other tenants.

There's also the issue of adaptability. Colocation makes scaling your infrastructure easier. Instead of worrying about extending your own computer room and adding extra HVAC systems (for cooling) or power capacity, you can simply hire more space at the colocation facility as your requirements change. You do not need to make a substantial upfront expenditure to increase your capacity.

Challenges of Colocation

However, colocation is not ideal for many situations. One problem is that, while the data center offers the physical environment, you are still responsible for managing your own gear. If a server fails, it is up to you to repair it, either by traveling to the data center or engaging local professionals.

Furthermore, colocation facilities are typically located in big cities or technology clusters. If your company is not situated near a colocation facility, physically accessing your equipment may need some travel. Remote management solutions can help alleviate this, but some difficulties may still necessitate a hands-on solution.

There's also the issue of expense. Colocation might be less expensive than creating your own data center, but the fees can pile up. In addition to the prices for space, electricity, and connectivity, you will need to pay for initial hardware and regular maintenance.

Conclusion

Colocation in cloud computing provides enterprises with a wonderful combination of control and outsourcing. You retain complete control over your gear while benefiting from the specialized infrastructure of a third-party data center. It is a cost-effective, scalable option for enterprises that require more than simply cloud servers, particularly those with certain compliance or hardware requirements.

Consider colocation as a compromise between entirely outsourcing your IT infrastructure and keeping everything in-house. It's like renting the ideal setting for your servers, enabling you to concentrate on what your company does best while someone else handles the difficult tasks such as keeping the lights on, the air cold, and the network blazing fast.