Colocation web hosting is one of the most secure and dependable methods of using a web server. Because of the expense of this option, colocation web hosting is often not considered by businesses looking for web hosting services. Even so, there are many advantages to using a colocation web hosting service . This article will explore the benefits and costs of colocation web hosting .

Security
If security is a priority, colocation web hosting is ideal. Located off-site in a secure facility surrounded by 8ft barbed-wire fencing, the colocation web server is monitored by state-of-the-art area surveillance. All equipment is fully insured and redundantly backed up so that any equipment failures will be replaced and will not affect the performance of your colocation web server. Since so much sensitive information is held in one place, colocation web facilities can afford to ensure maximum security in the buildings that house your colocation web server. It is extremely useful to be able to store sensitive company information off-site since most office buildings do not have this level of security.

State-of-the-Art Facility
Instead of sharing hosting space or renting a dedicated server, a colocation web environment allows you to store your own web server in the state-of-the art facility of the colocation web hosting service company. Inside the building, the conditions are ideal for a server. Specialized server racks provide a sturdy space that reduces the probability of server failure and constant airflow is maintained in the building. The ventilation systems in colocation web hosting buildings often cost upwards of ten thousand dollars and reduce dust and static electricity thus extending the life of the servers housed within. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are used to ensure that the system will not go down on account of power loss. The climate is also controlled keeping the temperature cool to prevent overheating. All of this technology is expensive to run and maintain driving up the cost of the colocation web hosting service, but insures that the colocation web server environment always remains the same.

Reliable Up-Time and Bandwidth
In such a regulated facility, the colocation web hosting service utilizes multiple internet service providers in order to maintain a constant and high-speed connection to the internet. High-speed data connections are redundantly wired to the colocation web environment to ensure an always-on connection. Most web hosting services promise a 99.9% uptime but few can live up to this promise. Colocation web hosting gets closer to this claim than any by maximizing the life of the technology while using the most optimized connection possible. If bandwidth is a priority, colocation provides the option to configure your server environment in a cost-effective way that will give the bandwidth that you require without having to step up to a preset server configuration of a managed hosting solution.

Expense
Having such a secure facility and regulated environment plays a large part in driving up the price of the colocation web solution. While having this level of peace of mind is ideal, most organizations bypass this option because it is assumed that it is cost prohibitive. Because of this most hosting companies push their more popular hosting solutions in lieu of colocation because of their popularity through advertising and lower price point. Comparatively however, the security and additional expense in the long run may make colocation web hosting service a desirable option in the event of an inevitable crash, tampering or environmental factors that can effect a less expensive option. Basically, when comparing managed dedicated hosting plans, colocation can be less expensive, although a higher initial cost, because a colocation web hosting service can meet your company’s particular needs- such as precise server specifications, guaranteed up-time, air tight security, 24 hour technical support and state-of-the-art environmental controls.

Flexibility
One of the best things about a colocation web server is the ability to dictate exact specifications for both your server’s hardware and software. Since, technically, colocation means that you are simply renting off-site space to house your server, the colocation hosting company doesn’t have limits on what is and is not available with the configuration of the server. It is the responsibility of the company or organization that owns the server to properly install and setup the server environment on the hardware as well as maintain that environment. A managed server environment is much different since there are a limited number of packages and server configurations that are supported by the managed server company. This makes colocation ideal for companies that require very specific server configurations or simply want to control the framework of their server hardware and software without restricting limitations.

Overall choosing a colocation web server can be a beneficial and positive solution to an organization’s server needs providing the flexibility and reliability that is crucial to the functions of a business. Colocation puts the control into the hands of the business instead of having to rely on a hosting company to specify configuration while releasing limitations on speed. Colocation is a web hosting option that should be strongly considered in any hosting service decision.