Editing Colocation centre

{{short description|Data center where servers from multiple customers are located}}
{{About||the methods for the solution of differential equations|Collocation method|the corpus linguistics notion|Collocation}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2016}}
{{Internet hosting}}

A '''colocation centre''' (also spelled '''co-location''', or shortened to '''colo''') or "'''carrier hotel'''", is a type of [[data centre]] where equipment, space, and bandwidth are available for rental to retail customers. Colocation facilities provide space, power, cooling, and [[physical security]] for the [[Server (computing)|server]], [[Computer data storage|storage]], and [[Computer network|networking]] equipment of other firms and also connect them to a variety of [[Telecommunications network|telecommunications]] and [[network service provider]]s with a minimum of cost and complexity. The term "carrier hotel" can refer to a data center focused on connecting customer and carrier networks together.<ref>https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/analysis/the-rise-and-rebirth-of-carrier-hotels/</ref> Colocation centers often host [[private peering]] connections between their customers, internet transit providers, cloud providers,<ref>https://www.servethehome.com/touring-the-phoenixnap-data-center/2/</ref><ref>https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/analysis/the-rise-and-rebirth-of-carrier-hotels/</ref> [[meet-me room]]s for connecting customers together<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Dave Bullock |date=April 3, 2008 |title=A Lesson in Internet Anatomy: The World's Densest Meet-Me Room |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/04/gallery-one-wilshire/ |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |accessdate=2022-06-16}}</ref> [[Internet exchange point]]s,<ref>https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/awasr-ams-ix-and-alliance-networks-launch-internet-exchange-in-oman/</ref><ref>https://www.datacenterfrontier.com/colo/article/55125540/data-center-tours-equinix-dc12-ashburn-virginia</ref> and landing points and terminal equipment for fiber optic [[submarine communication cable]]s,<ref>https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/how-the-internet-works-submarine-cables-data-centres-last-mile/#page-4</ref> connecting the internet, for example at the network access point known as [[NAP of the Americas]], which connects many Latin American ISPs with networks in the US.<ref>https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/networking/equinix-expands-miami-data-center-that-s-key-to-latin-american-connectivity</ref>

==Configuration==
Many colocation providers sell to a wide range of customers, ranging from large enterprises to small companies.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pashke|first1=Jeff|title=Going Open – Software vendors in transition|url=https://451research.com/report-long?icid=315|publisher=451 Research|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206163805/https://451research.com/report-long?icid=315|archive-date=6 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Typically, the customer owns the [[information technology]] (IT) equipment and the facility provides power and cooling. Customers retain control over the design and usage of their equipment, but daily management of the data centre and facility are overseen by the multi-tenant colocation provider.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colocation: Managed or unmanaged?|url=https://www.7l.com/blog/colocation-managed-or-unmanaged/|publisher=7L Networks|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> They may also have a network operations center (NOC), a help desk, and offices for customer employees, and they may offer remote hands or smart hands service in which on site technicians employed by the colocation provider are allowed to access customer equipment on request to solve customer issues. Some providers also provide roof access to customers for mounting wireless equipment.

* Cabinets – A cabinet is a locking unit that holds a [[server rack]]. In a multi-tenant data centre, servers within cabinets share [[Raised floor|raised-floor]] space with other tenants, in addition to sharing power and cooling infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colocation Benefits And How To Get Started|url=https://www.psychz.net/client/kb/en/learn-about-colocation-benefits-and-how-to-get-started.html|publisher=Psychz Networks|access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref> Some providers sell half cabinets or quarter cabinets as well as space for single servers or rack units.
* Cages – A cage is dedicated server space within a traditional raised-floor data centre; it is surrounded by mesh walls and entered through a locking door. Cages share power and cooling infrastructure with other data centre tenants.
* Suites – A suite is a dedicated, private server space within a traditional raised-floor data centre; it is fully enclosed by solid partitions and entered through a locking door. Suites may share power and cooling infrastructure with other data center tenants, or have these resources provided on a dedicated basis.
* Modules – [[Modular data center|data center modules]] are purpose-engineered modules and components to offer scalable data center capacity. They typically use standardized components, which make them easily added, integrated or retrofitted into existing data centers, and cheaper and easier to build.<ref>DCD Intelligence [http://www.io.com/solutions/resource/assessing-cost-modular-versus-traditional-build/ "Assessing the Cost: Modular versus Traditional Build"], October 2013 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007014729/http://www.io.com/solutions/resource/assessing-cost-modular-versus-traditional-build/ |date=7 October 2014 }}</ref> In a colocation environment, the data center module is a data center within a data center, with its own steel walls and security protocol, and its own cooling and power infrastructure. "A number of colocation companies have praised the modular approach to data centers to better match customer demand with physical build outs, and allow customers to buy a data center as a service, paying only for what they consume."<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Rath |url=http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2011/10/26/dck-guide-to-modular-data-centers-the-modular-market/ |title=DCK Guide to Modular Data Centers: The Modular Market |website=Data Center Knowledge |date=October 2011 |access-date=1 October 2014 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093258/http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2011/10/26/dck-guide-to-modular-data-centers-the-modular-market/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Building features==
Buildings with data centres inside them are often easy to recognize by the amount of cooling equipment located outside or on the roof.<ref>Examples can be seen at http://www.datacentermap.com/blog/data-centers-from-the-sky-174.html</ref>

[[File:Rack001.jpg|thumb|A typical server rack, commonly seen in colocation]]

Colocation facilities have many other special characteristics:
* [[Fire protection]] systems, including [[passive fire protection|passive]] and active elements, as well as implementation of [[fire prevention]] programmes in operations. [[Smoke detector]]s are usually installed to provide early warning of a developing fire by detecting particles generated by smouldering components prior to the development of flame. This allows investigation, interruption of power, and manual fire suppression using hand held fire extinguishers before the fire grows to a large size. A [[fire sprinkler system]] is often provided to control a full scale fire if it develops. [[Clean agent]] fire suppression gaseous systems are sometimes installed to suppress a fire earlier than the fire sprinkler system. Passive fire protection elements include the installation of [[Firewall (construction)|fire walls]] around the space, so a fire can be restricted to a portion of the facility for a limited time in the event of the failure of the active fire protection systems, or if they are not installed.
* [[19-inch rack]]s for data equipment and servers, 21-inch racks or [[23-inch rack]]s for telecommunications equipment
* Cabinets and cages for physical access control over tenants' equipment. Depending on one's needs a cabinet can house individual or multiple racks.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Much Space Will I Need in a Colocation Center? |url=https://www.atisolutions.com/faqs/space-and-server-storage-options-in-colocation-centers.cfm |website=ATI Solutions Inc. |access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref>
* Overhead or underfloor cable rack (tray) and fibreguide, power cables usually on separate rack from data
* [[Air conditioning]] is used to control the temperature and humidity in the space. [[ASHRAE]] recommends a temperature range and humidity range for optimal electronic equipment conditions versus environmental issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techstreet.com/ashrae/products/1840202|title=Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments, 3rd Ed. - ASHRAE Store}}</ref> The electrical power used by the electronic equipment is converted to heat, which is rejected to the ambient air in the data centre space. Unless the heat is removed, the ambient temperature will rise, resulting in electronic equipment malfunction. By controlling the space air temperature, the server components at the board level are kept within the manufacturer's specified temperature and humidity range. Air conditioning systems help keep equipment space [[humidity]] within acceptable parameters by cooling the return space air below the [[dew point]]. Too much humidity and water may begin to [[condensation|condense]] on internal components. In case of a dry atmosphere, ancillary humidification systems may add water vapour to the space if the humidity is too low, to avoid [[electrostatics|static electricity]] discharge problems which may damage components.
* Low-impedance electrical [[Ground (electricity)|ground]]
* Few, if any, windows

Colocation data centres are often audited to prove that they attain certain standards and levels of reliability; the most commonly seen systems are [[SSAE 16]] SOC 1 Type I and Type II (formerly [[SAS 70]] Type I and Type II) and the tier system by the Uptime Institute or TIA. For service organizations today, SSAE 16 calls for a description of its "system". This is far more detailed and comprehensive than SAS 70's description of "controls".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.colocationamerica.com/data-center-certifications/ssae16-compliance.htm |publisher=Colocation America |title=SSAE 16 Compliance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020112139/http://www.colocationamerica.com/data-center-certifications/ssae16-compliance.htm |archive-date=20 October 2020 |access-date=24 August 2021 }}</ref> Other data center compliance standards include [[Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act]] (HIPAA) audit and PCI DSS Standards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Compliance - IBM QRadar SIEM |url=https://www.ibm.com/products/qradar-siem/compliance |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.ibm.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Power==
Colocation facilities generally have [[Electrical generator|generators]] that start automatically when utility power fails, usually running on [[diesel fuel]]. These generators may have varying levels of redundancy, depending on how the facility is built. Generators do not start instantaneously, so colocation facilities usually have battery backup systems. In many facilities, the operator of the facility provides large inverters to provide AC power from the batteries. In other cases, customers may install smaller [[Uninterruptible power supply|UPSes]] in their racks.

Some customers choose to use equipment that is powered directly by 48&nbsp;VDC (nominal) battery banks. This may provide better energy efficiency, and may reduce the number of parts that can fail, though the reduced voltage greatly increases necessary current, and thus the size (and cost) of power delivery wiring. An alternative to batteries is a [[motor–generator]] connected to a [[flywheel]] and diesel engine.

Many colocation facilities can provide redundant, A and B power feeds to customer equipment, and high end servers and telecommunications equipment often can have two power supplies installed.

Colocation facilities are sometimes connected to multiple sections of the utility power grid for additional reliability.

==Internal connections==
Colocation facility owners have differing rules regarding cross-connects between their customers, some of whom may be carriers. These rules may allow customers to run such connections at no charge, or allow customers to order such connections for a monthly fee. They may allow customers to order cross-connects to carriers, but not to other customers. Some colocation centres feature a "[[meet-me-room]]" where the different carriers housed in the centre can efficiently exchange data.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=A Lesson in Internet Anatomy: The World's Densest Meet-Me Room|language=en-US|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/2008/04/gallery-one-wilshire/|access-date=2021-09-15|issn=1059-1028}}</ref>

Most [[peering]] points sit in colocation centres and because of the high concentration of servers inside larger colocation centres, most carriers will be interested in bringing direct connections to such buildings. In many cases, there will be a larger [[Internet exchange point]] hosted inside a colocation centre, where customers can connect for peering.<ref>{{cite web|title=Learn About Colocation Benefits And How To Get Started|url=https://www.psychz.net/client/kb/en/learn-about-colocation-benefits-and-how-to-get-started.html|website=Psychz.Net }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Carrier-neutral data center]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|date=2022-03-04|En-Colocation_center.ogg}}
* [https://www.forrester.com/Build+Or+Colocate+The+ROI+Of+Your+Next+Data+Center/fulltext/-/E-RES100241 Build Or Colocate? The ROI Of Your Next Data Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006165341/https://www.forrester.com/Build+Or+Colocate+The+ROI+Of+Your+Next+Data+Center/fulltext/-/E-RES100241 |date=6 October 2014 }}
* [http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2011/10/26/dck-guide-to-modular-data-centers-the-modular-market/ DCK Guide To Modular Data Centers: The Modular Market] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093258/http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2011/10/26/dck-guide-to-modular-data-centers-the-modular-market/ |date=6 October 2014 }}

[[Category:Data centers]]
[[Category:Internet architecture]]
[[Category:Internet hosting]]
[[Category:Servers (computing)]]
[[Category:Web hosting]]