Colocation vs Dedicated Server Hosting: Which Option Is Right for You?

Mont,   Dec, 28, 2022

Are you trying to decide whether to use a colocation provider or a dedicated server hosting company? In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two types of hosting and help you decide which one is right for you.

What is Dedicated Server Hosting?

Hosting a dedicated server entails renting access to a bare metal server located inside a data center. An operating system is preinstalled by the data center staff, but you are responsible for installing and configuring any additional software that is necessary to run your application and services. In actuality, you are renting the power, cooling, and network connectivity in addition to the server hardware.

Dedicated server hosting can be a great option if you need a high level of control over your server environment or if you have specific performance or security requirements. This is frequently an affordable approach to reserve a whole server for yourself. On the other hand, no other customers can use your gear to run their apps, unlike running software in the cloud.

Pros and Cons of  Dedicated Server Hosting

Dedicated Server Hosting Pros

1. Hardware support

One of the main benefits of having a dedicated server is that the hosting company will support your hardware. This means that you won’t have to make any trips to the data center, and you won’t have to worry about stocking replacement parts in case of failure.  

And because data centers continually refresh their hardware, you get all the benefits of advances in server technology and the latest IT trends without having to pay anything extra. 

2. Server maintenance

Monitoring and managing servers can be a time-consuming and expensive proposition, especially for businesses that rely on data-intensive applications. Data centers employ staff to handle all aspects of server maintenance, from monitoring performance to addressing hardware failures. Productivity can be improved while your servers keep on running at peak performance.

3. Scalable

Dedicated servers are highly scalable, meaning that they can easily be expanded to accommodate the growing needs of your business. And because data centers have already made the hardware investment, adding new dedicated servers is a relatively simple and cost-effective process.

Dedicated Server Hosting Cons 

1. Long-term cost

Dedicated server hosting is a great option for businesses that need a lot of power and control over their web presence. While you may get some great features and benefits from a dedicated server, the long-term cost can be a bit higher than you might expect. Take this into consideration when you’re considering dedicated server hosting for your business.

2. Limited flexibility

Dedicated server hosting offers limited flexibility, often requiring customers to choose from several fixed features. Often, customers are forced to pick the most suitable option from among several fixed-feature plans. This can lead to customers paying for unused resources or limiting the use of specific resources to stay cost-efficient.

What is Colocation Hosting?

Colocation hosting is a type of internet hosting where the client leases space from a data center. The client brings their own servers and storage devices and pays for power and bandwidth. The data center provides security and access to the infrastructure for routine management. If your business needs a large amount of data, colocation hosting is a great choice. By renting space from a data center, businesses can save money on overhead costs such as power, cooling, and Internet connectivity. Data centers are also typically carrier-neutral, which means that businesses can choose their own Internet providers.

Following specific security protocols, account contacts can access the infrastructure for routine management in colocation. Based on the hosting company’s offering, hired hands (employees available to help manage colocated devices) are optional.

Pros and Cons of Colocation

Colocation Hosting Pros

1. Control your hardware choices

When you host your servers in a colocation facility, you get to choose your hardware. This is a huge benefit for businesses with specialized infrastructure requirements, especially when it comes to the hardware required for old or new applications. By controlling the components of your server, you can ensure that you get exactly what you need.

2. Control the environment

When running your own servers, it is critical to monitor and control their temperature to prevent overheating and component failure. Colocation facilities offer industrial-grade cooling equipment to ensure your servers always run at a specified temperature. In addition, colocation facilities provide a secure environment for your servers, with redundant power and cooling systems in place to protect against outages.

3. Center location pickable

The cost of running a data center varies depending on the geographical location. Additionally, the network latency to reach those locations from your office is affected by distance. By carefully selecting your colocation facility, you can balance the hosting costs with the network latency incurred to reach the data center.

4. Private Connection To The Colo Facility

For businesses that require both the privacy and speed of on-premise hosting with the advantages of colocation, establishing a dedicated line between their offices and the colocation facility is the ideal solution. By doing this, businesses can use their servers as though they were physically located on-site. Yet, since the servers are actually stored in a data center, there are improved security features, power redundancy, and environmental controls.

Colocation Hosting Cons

1. Manage your hardware

Like any hosting server option, colocation has its advantages and disadvantages. One potential disadvantage is that managing your hardware can be more complicated than with other options. If a hardware failure occurs, you or a team member will need to travel to the location to rectify it. In addition, managing your own hardware can be complex and time-consuming. You may need to hire additional staff or outsource support services to ensure that your hardware is properly maintained.

2. Manage Your Software

When you entrust your server to a colocation facility, you are also responsible for managing the software that runs on it. In most cases, this can be done remotely, but it is still critical to ensure that patches and updates are completed in a timely fashion. If you do not have an in-house development team, this can result in additional costs. But with the right team in place, you can be sure that your server is always up-to-date and running smoothly. And if you ever need to make changes to the code that runs on your server, your team can handle that as well. 

How do you decide if colocation or dedicated server hosting is the right choice for your business?

There are a lot of factors that can contribute to which type of hosting would be best for you. There are a number of things that will affect which type of hosting would be best for you. 

If you need complete control over your server, then dedicated server hosting is the way to go. You’ll have your own physical server that you can customize to your heart’s content. However, this option can be more expensive and requires more technical expertise to manage.

Colocation hosting is a good option if you want someone else to handle the physical aspects of hosting your server. You’ll still have control over your server and its software, but you won’t have to worry about things like cooling and power. Colocation can be less expensive than dedicated server hosting, but it may not offer the same level of customization.

Conclusion

Colocation and dedicated server hosting each has their own set of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when making a decision. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what your business needs and what you’re willing to spend. 

1Byte’s Hosting service is located in Cambodia at the most affordable price, which gives you the best option for your Marketing plan – optimized from hosting a website to lowering your expenses. If you have any further questions about dedicated server hosting and colocation hosting, our experts would be glad to answer them. Visit our service page to find your best plan!