With the current economic conditions, finding ways to lower budgets and save on expenses is a top priority for many businesses. For companies that have multiple offices in different locations, a robust computer network is needed to allow employees to work together. Purchasing a high end server can be an expensive proposition. One possible configuration that will help to reduce costs is to use multiple lower end machines and create colocation dedicated server machines. This way, the processing needs of the company can be offset via this dedicated colocation. Each instance of dedicated servers colocation can attend to the processing needs of the local office while maintaining a connection to the company network.

When moving toward a dedicated server colocation environment, consider which applications and data should reside on which computer. If there are going to be multiple colocation dedicated servers, this decision should be done with care. Consider the needs of each separate office. Do certain offices deal with a specific application more often? Is there a need for faster access to data on a specific colocation dedicated server? If so, then this would be the obvious location for the application. For other applications that receive equal usage among the offices, monitor the amount of traffic that each dedicated colocation will generate. The right distribution of applications will lower traffic and result in better colocation dedicated servers performance overall.

Once applications have been evenly distributed across the dedicated server colocation network, continue to monitor the traffic that is generated across the network. After a period of time, trends will become apparent. This will help to better understand how users are implementing applications from specific dedicated servers colocation instances. It may reveal some better placement options for the dedicated colocation applications. Feel free to test by moving problematic applications to a different colocation dedicated server to see if it results in better performance. This fine tuning can be a process of continual improvement. If an application migration results in degraded dedicated server colocation traffic performance, return to the previous configuration.

After an optimal traffic level has been realized in a colocation dedicated servers environment, continue to improve upon the configuration. Another way that can help cut down on traffic is to modify security settings on each machine. If there are some applications that certain employees do not need to access, placing them on the same dedicated servers colocation segment will allow the ability to restrict their access. If the user does not have the rights to access the applications in that part of the network, it will prevent unnecessary packets from being transported over the cables. This may require some reconfiguration of the previous application distribution across the the colocation dedicated servers but the savings on bandwidth may be worth the effort.

Again, after completing some security setting changes among the different colocation dedicated server instances, do some testing and monitor traffic usage. This may require some fine tuning and movement of different applications to a different dedicated colocation instance. It may be wise to start with a few beta users before implementing this type of configuration throughout the dedicated servers colocation network. Performing the actions on a select few will allow the verification of results. Successful implementation can provide the impetus to apply the security policies throughout the entire dedicated server colocation network. It will prevent any interruptions in the every day operations of the organization.

Throughout the entire dedicated server colocation migration, create adequate documentation. Detail the location of each application and server plus the rational behind the placement. Make any notes regarding effects on traffic and how moving an application from one dedicated colocation instance to another impacted the network. Also note any special security settings that were implemented throughout the colocation dedicated server network. This documentation will come in handy if and when the time comes to troubleshoot issues with colocation dedicated servers. Unexpected issues with dedicated servers colocation implementation can prove harmful to the business finances. This will defeat the entire reason for adopting this method of network layout.