So, you’re looking for a colocation web server provider? You have already built your colocation servers and now you are just looking for the right data center provider. Well, before you invest in long-term colocation services with one provider, below are some questions you might want to ask.
What Tier Data Center Do You Operate Out Of?
More specifically, do you operate your own data center and if not, what data center provider do you use?
First, it should be mentioned that not all colocation providers own and operate their own data center. While this is alright, before investing with any colocation provider, have a clear understanding of who their data center provider is and what data center tier your colocation servers will be housed in.
As you know, data center tiers are rated on a scale of 1 to 4 – four being the best. Before investing, make sure your colocation provider either owns or operates out of a high tier data center. To learn more about data center tiers, click here.
What about Natural Disasters?
More specifically, is your colocation data center located outside of a flood zone? Is your colocation server data center located outside of a known earthquake zone? Is your colocation web hosting data center located outside of a known tornado alley or hurricane prone area?
This goes without saying, you are paying a lot of money for colocation solutions. Due to this, you want to know your colocation paid for services will be up and running regardless of the storm raging outside. Understanding the natural disaster plan of your data center is mandatory to understanding how viable your web server solutions will be when Hurricane Bristol rages.
What is Your Colocation Server Data Backup Plan?
A side note question to natural disasters: does your data center have a backup plan for when power does go offline? Does your colocation data center have a backup plan to keep my colocation solutions and data up and running even when a 7.5 earthquake shutters local services?
It sounds bad to state, however even if an earthquake puts local services offline and causes massive amounts of damage, you are paying your data center colocation provider to supply you with 99.99% uptime of services. This means even when a massive natural disaster takes place, your colocation company has a plan in place to keep your web hosting services up and running.
What Type of Physical Security Systems Do You Have in Place?
Security in a data center is paramount. Think about it for a second. If you are a company running a client information sensitive business that performs financial transactions on a daily basis, you can not afford to have a stranger break into your services and leak that data for malevolent use. For this reason, before investing in a colocation data center, understand the type of physical security systems the data center has in place.
Some questions to ask: Is the site secured 24/7/365 by a team of security professionals? Does the site maintain 24/7/365 video surveillance? Does the data center location use finger print scanners to admit allowed personnel into server and power spaces? Does the data center location track the movements of every person on site with a logged electronic access record book?
If the answer to any of these questions are no, look elsewhere.
Is there a NOC Area Onsite to Accomplish Work?
Every so often you are going to want to visit your data center to check in on your colocation servers. While there, you might want to perform maintenance or upgrades. Due to this, you are going to need an area to accomplish that work. Thus, before investing in a colocation provider make sure they have a NOC area for you or your IT engineers to get work done.
To learn more, check out our free colocation buyer’s guide.