Colocated Hosting is another Web Hosting option some businesses are using for their hosting needs.

When it comes to choosing a Web Hosting account, there are many, many decisions to make – and this is especially true for business websites. Most businesses opt to have their own dedicated server, to avoid sharing resources. This also allows them to set up the server as they see fit. However, there is still another decision to be made – whether the server should be rented or bought.

Many people think that if they purchase a dedicated hosting package that they are buying a server, and this is just not the case. In fact, if you are getting a dedicated hosting package, you are most likely renting it from the Web Hosting Company. However, you can buy the server, and then pay the Web Hosting Company to house that server and connect it to the Internet. When you go with this option, it is called colocated hosting.

As you can see, the two are very similar, and one may wonder why they would choose the more expensive option (buying) over the cheaper option (dedicated hosting). While the two are quite similar, there are some differences, and overall, colocated has more advantages. The first advantage is that you have an entire server and all of the bandwidth that goes with it – and you can do anything that you want with that server.

Also, while it may seem like you are paying more, you will actually be paying less for a colocated server. The initial outlay is greater – but then, you own the server, and the fee that you continue to pay each month will not include any charges that are associated with a dedicated server, such as upkeep and maintenance. It is over time that you will spend less money by buying your own server.

Of course, the cost of buying a server and using colocation will vary depending on several different factors. First, it will be determined how much space you require for your server. Data centers contain cabinets that contain racks, which hold the servers. The cabinets usually hold forty racks. These racks hold the computers that house the servers, and one unit of a rack is about 1.75 feet. So, the space is quoted in U, or Units, with one unit, or 1U equaling 1.75 feet. Options usually include 1U, 2U, or 4U. The more units that are required, the more the colocation service – and the server in general – will cost.

When you purchase a server, you are essentially purchasing a computer, and that computer must be taken or delivered to the Data Center for colocation services. You may opt to purchase the server and deliver it to the data center yourself, or you could order one online, and have it directly delivered to the data center. You will have to set up the server, which can be done locally, before you ship the server to the Data Center, or remotely, after the server is delivered to the data center by the company that you purchased it from. Note that some data centers or colocation service providers will also sell you the server, where no delivery will be required.

So, which option is going to be better for you? Most people would think that the option that is going to cost them the least money in the long run is the best, but this is not necessarily true. There are many things to consider. If you choose colocation, you are in charge of all of the hardware, as well as hardware failures. If you have dedicated hosting, however, the host is responsible for all hardware, and malfunctions.

With colocation services, you will have to buy a license for any software that the server runs. With dedicated hosting, this is the responsibility of the Web Hosting Company. If a server needs to be upgraded, you have to buy new equipment if you have chosen to purchase your own server. However, if you are using dedicated hosting, you can just simply request to upgrade your account.

Overall, the only real advantage of Colocated Hosting is the fact that you will pay lower monthly fees. However, if hardware must be repaired, replaced, or upgraded, this lower monthly payment can turn into big bucks!