Colocation Resources
Everything you need to know about data center colocation
What is Colocation?
Colocation (often abbreviated as "colo") is a data center facility where businesses can rent space for their servers and other computing hardware. Instead of maintaining your own data center, you place your equipment in a facility that provides the power, cooling, bandwidth, and physical security your infrastructure needs.
This approach offers enterprise-grade infrastructure without the capital expense and operational complexity of building and maintaining your own facility.
Key Colocation Concepts
Power & Redundancy
Data centers provide redundant power with multiple utility feeds, backup generators, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Power is typically measured in kilowatts (kW) per rack or cabinet.
Common Power Configurations:
- - 2-5 kW: Standard office servers
- - 5-10 kW: High-density computing
- - 10+ kW: AI/ML, high-performance computing
Cooling Systems
Proper cooling is critical to prevent equipment failure. Modern data centers use sophisticated cooling technologies to maintain optimal temperatures.
Cooling Technologies:
- - Air Cooling: Traditional CRAC/CRAH units
- - Liquid Cooling: Direct-to-chip cooling
- - DTC: Direct-to-chip for high-density
Network Connectivity
Quality colocation facilities offer diverse network connectivity with multiple carriers and low-latency connections to major internet exchanges.
Key Features:
- - Multiple carrier options
- - Direct cloud on-ramps (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- - Low-latency connections
Physical Security
Enterprise data centers implement multiple layers of security to protect your equipment from unauthorized access and threats.
Security Measures:
- - 24/7 security personnel
- - Biometric access controls
- - Video surveillance
- - Mantrap entries
Understanding Tier Classifications
The Uptime Institute's Tier Classification system is the global standard for data center reliability and availability. Here is what each tier means:
Tier I - Basic Capacity
Single path for power and cooling, no redundancy. Expected availability: 99.671% (28.8 hours downtime/year)
Tier II - Redundant Components
Single path with redundant components. Expected availability: 99.741% (22 hours downtime/year)
Tier III - Concurrently Maintainable
Multiple power and cooling paths, only one active. Expected availability: 99.982% (1.6 hours downtime/year)
Tier IV - Fault Tolerant
Multiple active power and cooling paths. Expected availability: 99.995% (26.3 minutes downtime/year)
Common Colocation Configurations
Rack Space
Rent individual rack units (U) in a shared cabinet. Ideal for small deployments.
- Starting at 1U of space
- Shared power and network
- Most cost-effective option
Full Cabinet
Dedicated cabinet (42U) with allocated power. Perfect for growing businesses.
- 42U of dedicated space
- 2-10+ kW power allocation
- Private locking cabinet
Private Suite
Dedicated caged or suite space. Best for large deployments and sensitive workloads.
- Custom space allocation
- Enhanced security controls
- Scalable infrastructure
Key Considerations When Choosing a Data Center
Location & Latency
Choose a location close to your users or main office. Consider disaster recovery requirements and geographic redundancy for mission-critical applications.
Power & Cooling Capacity
Ensure the facility can meet your current and future power requirements. High-density computing (AI, ML) requires significantly more power and cooling than traditional servers.
Network Connectivity
Verify the facility offers your preferred carriers and network services. Look for diverse fiber paths and direct cloud connectivity if needed.
Compliance & Certifications
Confirm the facility meets your industry compliance requirements (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, etc.) and holds relevant certifications.
Scalability & Flexibility
Ensure the provider can accommodate your growth. Look for flexible contract terms and the ability to easily add power, space, or connectivity as needed.
Support & SLAs
Review the provider service level agreements and support options. 24/7 remote hands support and clear escalation procedures are essential.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Colocation Solution?
Use our comparison tool to find the data center that meets your specific requirements.
Search Data CentersColocation buyer guides
23 guides for commercial colocation buyers, from the basics to contract renewal.
Learn the basics
Core colocation concepts and how the models compare.
- What Is Colocation? Plain-English Buyer GuideWhat colocation means for buyers: cabinets, cages, and suites — plus how to compare facilities and request quotes.
- Colocation vs Cloud: Cost and ControlCompare colocation vs cloud computing: total cost, performance control, compliance, scalability, and when to choose each or a hybrid model.
- Wholesale vs Retail Colocation: Which Fits?Wholesale vs retail colocation: footprint, power, and fit-out responsibility — then request the right type of quote.
- Carrier-Neutral vs Carrier-Owned Data CentersCarrier-neutral vs carrier-owned explained: interconnect choice, meet-me rooms, and what to check before you rent colocation.
- What Are Cross-Connects in a Data Center?Learn what cross-connects are, how buyers order them, and what to confirm in contracts before you request colocation quotes.
- Tier 3 vs Tier 4 Data Centers ComparedCompare Tier 3 vs Tier 4 data centers: redundancy, concurrent maintainability, fault tolerance, uptime, cost, and which tier fits your workload and budget.
- Remote Hands vs Smart Hands in ColocationRemote hands vs smart hands: what each covers, response expectations, and how to write scope before you sign a colo deal.
Plan your requirements
Size power, cooling, connectivity, compliance and recovery before you ask for quotes.
- Colocation Power Requirements GuideHow to size colocation power (kW) for cabinets and cages—usable IT load, density, redundancy—then request accurate multi-provider quotes.
- Colocation Power Redundancy: N+1 vs 2NColocation power redundancy guide: compare N, N+1, 2N, SLAs, testing, and questions to ask providers.
- Colocation Cooling Technologies GuideColocation cooling technologies guide: compare air, liquid, and high-density options for reliable deployments.
- High-Density AI Colocation: Power & CoolingHigh-density AI colocation: power, cooling, and delivery checks buyers should finish before requesting facility quotes.
- Colocation Connectivity: Cross-ConnectsColocation connectivity and cross-connects guide: compare carrier options, cloud on-ramps, costs, and lead times.
- Colocation Compliance & CertificationsColocation compliance certifications guide: compare SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI, HIPAA, FedRAMP, and buyer questions.
- Disaster Recovery Colocation GuideHow to choose a disaster recovery colocation site: market separation, RTO/RPO fit, network paths, power, remote hands and contract terms for DR space.
- Colocation Migration Planning GuideColocation migration guide: plan sequencing, network cutover, testing, rollback, and risk mitigation.
Evaluate and buy
Build the RFP, read the pricing, compare quotes and verify finalists on site.
- How to Choose a Colocation ProviderHow to choose a colocation provider: compare power, cooling, connectivity, SLAs, security, and pricing.
- Colocation Pricing Guide: How Quotes WorkHow colocation pricing is built: space, power, cross-connects, remote hands, NRC, and renewals — then request comparable quotes.
- Colocation RFP Checklist for BuyersColocation RFP checklist: compare power, space, cooling, connectivity, SLA, compliance, pricing, and terms.
- How to Compare Colocation QuotesCompare colocation quotes side by side: normalize scope, power, term, cross-connects and one-time fees, then score risk before you award a provider.
- Data Center Site Visit ChecklistA colocation site visit checklist for shortlisted buyers: what to verify on power, cooling, security, network and operations before you sign a contract.
Contract and renew
Negotiate terms and SLAs, then plan the renewal before notice deadlines.
- Colocation SLAs and Contract TermsColocation SLA and contract terms buyers should negotiate: uptime measurement, credits, escalators, expansion, exit, and remote-hands rates.
- Colocation Contract Negotiation GuideColocation contract negotiation guide: compare escalators, renewal rights, SLAs, credits, termination, and exit terms.
- Colocation Contract Renewal GuideColocation contract expiring? Learn when to start, how to benchmark your renewal with competing quotes, and how to decide: renew, right-size or relocate.
Compare
Side-by-side comparisons of colocation providers and options. See all comparisons
- Equinix vs Digital RealtyEquinix vs Digital Realty for colocation buyers: listed facilities and shared markets on DataCenter Hunter, interconnection platforms and how to choose.
- DataBank vs FlexentialDataBank vs Flexential for colocation buyers: listed facilities and shared markets on DataCenter Hunter, service focus and the questions to ask both.
- Flexential vs TierPointFlexential vs TierPoint for colocation buyers: listed facilities and markets on DataCenter Hunter, hybrid IT services and questions to ask both providers.
- Equinix vs DataBankEquinix vs DataBank for colocation buyers: two of the largest listed footprints on DataCenter Hunter, shared markets, service focus and how to choose.
- Colocation vs On-PremisesColocation vs an on-premises server room or data center: control, resilience, connectivity, cost structure and when moving into colo makes sense.
- Colocation Cabinet vs Cage vs Private Suite ComparedShared cabinet, dedicated cabinet, cage or private suite? Compare colocation footprints on security, power, growth and control to pick the right one.