subject: How To Spot A First Class Co-location Host [print this page] Choosing a colocation in uk service is an important decision that can affect your business positively or negatively so you need to ensure that you choose an efficient host. The process of selecting a colocation uk provider isn't a simple one though as there are many of them. You can pinpoint an excellent co-location provider by utilising the advice that follows.
A colocation service should make sure your system is well-monitored to avoid a large amount of downtime. The colo provider must offer remote hands assistance at any time of the day, accessible through phone and email. Round-the-clock onsite remote hands assistance that comes as part of your co-location package is much better than round-the-clock offsite assistance where the co-location provider will charge a great deal of money if their staff have to travel to the co-location site to sort a problem. It is important to verify that if the colocation service claims to have round-the-clock staff onsite, the staff can assist you with network problems (as opposed to being security guards for instance).
A first class co-location provider will include hardware maintenance within the colocation service packages they offer as opposed to charging extra for it because it offers a more rewarding colo experience for their customers. The host should carry out quick hardware replacement (less than an hour) and quick server reboots (less than half an hour).
The co-location provider should make costs transparent before you sign up to a colo package. For example ask how many IP addresses you will get and whether there will be a charge for adding more at a later date. Find out how much they charge per megabit per second, as you may receive a good rate initially but it might cost a lot to upgrade later on, for example if you went from 10mbps to 100mbps. You may be stuck with expensive upgrade charges that you did not realise were going to be so costly before you signed the colo contract. An effective co-location package will fulfil your needs without you having to constantly pay for extras each month.
A good colocation service host will offer reliable uptime. The colo provider can offer good uptime by connecting to over a hundred internet backbones and making use of OC192 network cables that offer 10Gbps speeds. The co-location host should have redundant air-conditioning systems in each colocation suite as opposed to just within the colocation building.
The length of time a co-location business has been running is a fairly accurate indication of the quality of their services. Look for a colo host who has been in business for at least 7 years, as this demonstrates reliability. The colo host shouldn't be downsizing often and forcing customers to move from facility to facility in the event of bankruptcy or having to shut a facility.
It is always a good idea to compare co-location hosts before choosing one. You can look for online reviews of many different colo providers in order to assist the decision-making process.
