QandAs: Tech

What is Co-location?

Answer:
The general definition of colocation is to move or

place items together. For the purpose of computer technology, colocation centers are data centers where several customers keep their telecommunications equipment on the service provider’s property. By having multiple customers house their computer systems, (i.e., servers, routers,) in a shared center, these companies can realize greater cost savings.

A colocation service provides customers with greater bandwidth capabilities; therefore, speeds should increase greatly when a website is accessed. Companies in a variety of industries may find a colocation center a fast and economical way to deploy their networks. An example of potential colocation customers includes web commerce companies, large corporations, and various telecommunication companies.

Depending on the colocation facility, different rules may apply when it comes to cross connections between their customers. Some may allow customers to cross connect with carriers, but not with customers. Often, colocation can be provided by companies specializing in website hosting.