Colocation Defined

What is Colocation?

Colocation is the term used to define a high quality data centre that is a network-connected, secure and resilient commercial facility for the housing of telecommunications and IT infrastructure.

Colocation involves the sub-letting of space in a safe and secure environment for Carrier, Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Application Service Provider (ASP) systems and equipment, as well as corporate IT systems, either as primary or business continuity site.

Space can be sub-let in various ways, such as:

• Quarter, half and full rack spaces in shared areas
• Dedicated rooms or cages, typically housing about 10 racks of IT equipment
• Larger areas, normally for large corporate customers, fitted out to customer specifications

Both carriers and carrier neutral organisations can provide colocation facilities.