Colocation or housing is the renting of a rack or space for one or more computers in the data center. The hardware belongs to the customer. The data center or the provider takes care of everything around it, such as the connection and the power supply. Depending on the contract, the colocation customers get 24/7 access to their racks. Which hardware is installed is up to the customer. Of course, this also applies to the replacement of the hardware. For work on hardware, the provider usually takes a flat rate in 15 minute intervals. Thus, technicians can often intervene around the clock and perform work for the customer on site. Many companies can set up colocation far away from their own staff or office. The hardware is simply sent directly to the data center and installed by the technicians on site.
Why Colocation?
Colocation is in most cases easier and more cost-effective for customers than building their own on-site data center.
In particular, investment costs and operating costs can be greatly reduced in many cases with the help of colo. Flexibility is also usually much higher with a colocation product. If the need for racks and services such as bandwidth changes, adjustments can be made in a few days or even a few hours. With your own data center, the expansion is not as quick and easy.
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