Choosing The Right Data Center Rental: Factors To Consider For Your Needs

For most organizations renting data center spaces makes far more sense than building or buying a data center. Renting is cost-effective, convenient, and scalable. To get the most out of data center rentals, however, you need to choose the right facility and vendor. With that in mind, here is a quick guide as to what factors to consider when evaluating them.

Evaluating a data center facility

Here are the three key points to look at when evaluating a data center facility.

Location

As with all real estate, location is often a strong influence on cost. It’s therefore vital to evaluate your options carefully. For example, if you want to run time-sensitive applications and services, it may be worth paying extra for prime real estate near your users. If, however, your users will accept a slower service, then you could get more overall value from a lower-cost location.

Security and compliance

Most data centers make it easy to evaluate their security and compliance by achieving recognized certifications in that area. For example, many data centers hold ISO 27001 certification along with certification in key compliance programs such as HIPAA, PCI/DSS, and GDPR.

Infrastructure

The core infrastructure of a data center is network connectivity, power infrastructure, and climate-control infrastructure. Additionally, some data centers may implement special infrastructure for specific purposes. Here are the key points you should check.

Network connectivity

Network connectivity can essentially be divided into two components. The first is the physical infrastructure. The second is the carrier agreements. Both need to be robust enough to meet your needs.

In terms of infrastructure, all components must be of a similar standard. For example, there’s little to be gained from implementing fiber optic cabling if the network uses outdated networking hardware and protocols.

In terms of carrier agreements, arguably the most important point is that the data center is carrier-neutral. This means that clients have complete freedom to use whatever vendors they wish however they wish. It is definitely helpful if there is a wide selection of potential vendors. Ideally, there should also be a healthy interconnection ecosystem.

Power infrastructure

When evaluating power infrastructure, the first point to check is that the data center has the level of redundant infrastructure you need. Data center power redundancy is generally classed as N+1, N+2, and 2N.

With N+1 and N+2, the center maintains one/two additional backup component(s) for every essential component required for operation. With 2N, there is a complete duplication of critical power infrastructure. This effectively creates two entirely independent systems.

Additionally, some businesses may wish to evaluate the sustainability of the power infrastructure and/or power contracts.

Climate-control infrastructure

There are two strong reasons to look closely at a data center’s climate-control infrastructure. Firstly, effective climate control is vital to maintaining operational efficiency. Secondly, the more modern a climate-control solution is, the more cost-effective it is likely to be.
Additionally, modern climate-control solutions also tend to be significantly more sustainable than traditional ones.

Special infrastructure

If you are interested in implementing solutions based on developing trends that require specific hardware, then it’s advisable to check if a data center facility supports them. It’s fairly likely that data centers will support edge computing and artificial intelligence (AI). If, however, you are interested in quantum computing, your current options are likely to be more limited.

Scalability

When looking at a data center’s infrastructure, it’s advisable to evaluate its scalability. Check how easy it is both to add and to remove components. Also, find out what options you have if you need this done quickly but do not have staff/a vendor available. Would the vendor be able to provide you with remote hands support? If so, what are its terms?

Evaluating a data center vendor

In addition to evaluating the data center facility, it’s advisable to evaluate the vendor behind it. Here are the two key points you should check.

Support and managed services

Make sure you clearly understand what support the vendor can offer and on what terms. For example, these days, it’s common for vendors (in all sectors) to offer different support packages for different contract types. They may also offer a premium support option as a distinct, value-added service.

Additionally, check what managed services and ad-hoc services the vendor can support. Again, make sure you are clear on the terms according to which these are offered.

Pricing structure and value

Check that the vendor’s pricing structure is transparent and fits with how you manage your finances. If a vendor looks like they offer good value but you do not like their pricing structure, check if they offer customized pricing. Also, check how easy it is to update your tariff and/or contract.