| By :
Dirik Hameed
Server co-location refers to an arrangement where a business rents space in a data centre and operates their server at the data centre. There are numerous advantages that come with colocation hosting such as cheaper bandwidth, enhanced security and technical support. Colocation however comes both with inherent and design risks that ought to be taken to account. Lack of access when you need it most is the first risk. Being that the data centre is owned by another company, they control the access. Forgetting your password or not renewing such access needs may also make you not be able to access your server. This can happen when your website is down and time is very crucial. The other major risk that you face with colocation is slow or interrupted internet connection. Because the colocation host is accountable in giving bandwidth, then sloppiness or any shortfall on their part cannot be solved by your technicians. Whenever the internet connection is interrupted then the solution to the issue cannot is beyond you or your technical employees. This can really be a trying time and can also make your business suffer huge losses. You can also suffer losses in the compensations you get if you have third party responsibilities regarding your websites. In a colocation hosting arrangement security can also go wrong easily if you are not careful. A colocation data centre faces very many security issues. You need to put in consideration the issue of access by several users, set up security clearance levels and inclusion of physical barriers. There ought to be enough security to guarantee that each user is contented with the safety of their servers and also not feel that these security barriers are cumbersome. The collocation host is supposed to fence all round the data centre and have the best security clearance like biometric devices. Natural tragedies and external attacks are the other threats. The premise in which the data centre is housed should be made in a way that it will withstand shocks from natural incidences like fires, floods, earthquakes and if possible attacks such as explosives. Because this issue is very sensitive, make sure that the colocation has placed reasonable measures to address such events. The building, racks and data vaults should have dire protection and be fitted with proper firefighting equipment. Cooling system failure is the other area that tends to go wrong in a colocation arrangement. It is important to look at the cooling system installed by the colocation host. In case the cooling system of the data centre fails this could result in damage to your hardware, loss of data and expensive downtime for your website. Make sure that the colocation data centre you select has the top most cooling system possible to avoid such mishaps. There are many things that could go wrong in a colocation data centre which is not operated properly. The best way to avoid costly mishaps is to approach a colocation host that has experience in the business as they will have installed checks and balances to deal with these risks.
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