How to Compare Chicago Data Centers: Key Factors to Consider

Data centers are integral to modern business operations. This means the choice of data center vendor often has a significant impact on how well a business runs. With that in mind, here is a straightforward guide on how to compare Chicago data centers including the key factors to consider.

Factors to compare when choosing a data center

Here is an overview of the 7 main factors to compare when choosing a data center.

Location: The physical location impacts latency, disaster risk, and compliance. Choose a site that offers fast, reliable connections to your user base. Make sure that it has an acceptable level of disaster risk and can meet the requirements of relevant compliance programs and laws.

Security and compliance: Physical and cyber security are essential. Look for 24/7 surveillance, biometric access controls, and fire suppression systems. Check if a data center complies with relevant industry standards and local laws.

Uptime: Look for a provider with high uptime guarantees, ideally 99.99% or higher. Tier certifications (I to IV) from the Uptime Institute can help assess redundancy and reliability levels.

Infrastructure: The quality of network connectivity, power, and cooling systems will have a strong influence on the quality of the client’s experience. It will also influence a data center’s sustainability.

Scalability: The facility should accommodate future growth in power, space, and connectivity without costly migrations. Flexible contract terms and modular infrastructure are beneficial.

Support and services: Evaluate the technical support offerings, including on-site staff availability, remote hands services, and customer service responsiveness.

Cost: Consider both upfront and operational costs. Balance affordability with the quality of infrastructure, services, and support.

Evaluating providers in Chicago

Overall, evaluating providers in Chicago is much the same as evaluating providers in any other area. That said, there are some particular, local considerations that are worth keeping in mind. Here is an overview of the five most important ones.

Location within the metro area

Consider whether you need a facility in downtown Chicago (for low latency and interconnectivity) or in the suburbs (which may offer lower costs and more space). Each has trade-offs in terms of real estate pricing, access, and potential for expansion.

Disaster resilience

In Chicago, the main regional disaster risks are extreme temperatures in summer and winter. There is also a small risk of tornadoes, particularly between April and June (inclusive). Check what provisions a facility has to manage these issues.

Infrastructure

Chicago has some of the best internet connectivity options in the world. That said, details can make a significant difference, so it’s vital to check the specifics of what the provider offers.

Likewise, Chicago benefits from a reliable and dense power grid, supported by multiple substations and access to diverse energy sources. It is, however, down to the provider to make the most of this by deploying energy-efficient and therefore sustainable infrastructure in their facility. The provider also needs to ensure that there is sufficient redundancy.

Scalability

As Chicago is a city, there is often little, if any, room for data centers to expand their physical footprint. It’s therefore important for them to be designed with scalability in mind. In particular, look for facilities that have a modular design, as this facilitates incremental changes.

Support and local expertise

Ensure the provider has a strong local operations team familiar with the regional infrastructure and responsive to the specific demands of operating in a large metropolitan area like Chicago.

DataBank’s advantages in the Chicago market

DataBank always balances consistent implementation standards with adapting to local considerations. Here are just four of DataBank’s advantages in the Chicago market.

Strategic geographic distribution

DataBank operates four data centers across the Chicago area, strategically positioned to cater to various business requirements. Facilities in downtown Chicago (ORD1 and ORD2) provide proximity to the city’s financial district. Suburban locations in Mount Prospect (ORD3) and Oak Brook (ORD4) offer expansive space and are situated near major transportation hubs.

High-density power and cooling capabilities

DataBank’s Chicago data centers support high-density deployments with robust infrastructure, including N+1 and 2N power configurations, advanced cooling systems, and multiple megawatts of critical IT load capacity.

This allows businesses to run power-intensive applications with high reliability, while also providing room for scalable growth and performance optimization.

Comprehensive security and compliance

DataBank’s Chicago data centers implement the highest standards of physical and digital security. Physical security includes security personnel on-site 24/7, full video surveillance, and robust authentication systems (including biometric authentication). This enables DataBank to comply with a range of compliance standards and local laws.

Diverse connectivity options

With access to multiple on-site carriers and interconnection hubs, DataBank’s Chicago data centers offer robust connectivity solutions. The presence of services like Megaport further enhances network flexibility, allowing businesses to establish private, direct connections to leading cloud service providers.