"Colocation Web Hosting Guide"
Colocation web hosting is similar to dedicated server web hosting, except for the fact that the server belongs to you and not the hosting company. This means you get to choose the hardware and the software components and may remove the server or move it to another location anytime you want. You are the one responsible for the upkeeping of your server, while the hosting company takes care of environmental issues, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), air conditioning and fire control.
Pros & Cons
There are many things that a colocation web host, such as large storage space and bandwidth and a high security and connectivity level. Moreover, by choosing a colocation web host instead of just renting a server in a data center you get a lot more flexibility. The sever is entirely yours and you can built it from the ground to respond to your needs. When you decide you don't need the colocation host any more, you can just move it to another location.
However, there are also a few drawbacks you should take into account, such as the high price and the fact that you have to upkeep the server yourself. If the server breaks down, you are the one who has to fix it. Even if you have a hardware support agreement with your provider, you will still have to pay for the parts that are being replaced.
Price Range
Colocation web hosting is more expensive than dedicated server web hosting. First of all, you have to purchase a server, which will cost you around $4,000 for a low-end model and $9,000 for a midrange model. Secondly, the space renting will add another $500 - $700 to your expenses. Finally, you have to buy a switch and/or a router, which costs about $1,500 - $2,000 for low-end models. This means that your initial cost will be around $7,500.
In addition, you will also have to pay for the cost of setup and configuration, insurance and standby equipment. There are also the connectivity issues to consider. There's usually a fee for the guaranteed uptime per month, which increases if the uptime percentage is high.
Hints for choosing the best provider
Here are a few things you should consider when choosing a colocated web hosting provider:
- Bandwidth - how large is it and what is the cost if you exceed the limit
- Rack Space - the size options and the price range
- Connectivity - the size of the Internet connection and whether it is multi-homed at several uplink providers to prevent downtime
- Uptime - the uptime percentage that the provider offers
- Server Monitoring - whether the provider has a monitoring system to make sure your machine stays online
- Hardware Support - whether the provider offers hardware support, whether they have replacement parts on-hand or they need to be shipped, whether you're allowed to use your own technicians for repairs in case you don't want a hardware support contract
- Static IP Addresses - how many IP addresses does the provider allocate to your server and what it will cost you to get more
- Backup Services - what type of data backups are included and what is the cost for additional backups
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend any good colocation web hosting provider at this point. Please check back again.
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