Collocation centre

A colocation centre (also spelled collocation, colo, or coloc) or carrier hotel is a type of data centre where multiple customers locate network, server and storage gear and interconnect to a variety of telecommunications and other network service provider(s) with a minimum of cost and complexity. Most Internet exchange points provide colocation.

Fire protection systems, including passive and active design elements, as well as implementation of fire prevention programmes in operations. Smoke detectors are usually installed to provide early warning of a developing fire by detecting particles generated by smouldering components prior to the development of flame. This allows investigation, interruption of power, and manual fire suppression using hand held fire extinguishers before the fire grows to a large size. A fire sprinkler system is often provided to control a full scale fire if it develops. Clean agent fire suppression gaseous systems are sometimes installed to suppress a fire earlier than the fire sprinkler system. Passive fire protection elements include the installation of fire walls around the space, so a fire can be restricted to a portion of the facility for a limited time in the event of the failure of the active fire protection systems, or if they are not installed.

Remote Hands services provided by on-site technicians who perform diverse tasks at the customer’s request including equipment server reboots, circuit testing, cable and card replacements and regular exchange of backup tapes or other removable media. Around-the-clock Remote Hands services are available at all of our data centers.

“Beyond the Guard” Security means that the facilities are secured 24/7 with a wealth of security features designed to keep your business information safe and sound. Ingress and egress are controlled by electronic keycards with pin codes. All cabinets, cages and suites are locked, and CCTV monitors facility activity.

Bad Locations for a Datacenter

Because I am a native of Philadelphia, I am very familar with the area and the history of certain commercial development areas. A few months ago, an outside firm started a Data Center Facility in the old Philadelphia Navy Yard. This is the worst place in Philadelphia to build a telecom facility. Since 1998, many local telecom companies have all looked at and passed on the Navy Yard. Why? For starters there is ZERO fiber optic access there. There aren’t even aerial poles. The copper service that does exists from the local LEC (Verizon) is underground and is heavily corrided due to flooding. Oh, yes, flooding, theres that too!
The new firm most likely took on a heavy expense of demarcing fiber into the building through the Navy Yard grounds. So they effectively have a single fiber entrance. Agauin, not ideal. Not very carrier diverse either since all the carriers will be on the same fiber trunks in the same conduit. And loop service access (DS-1 and DS-3 cross connects for MPLS) will be terrible.
Its a shame they didn’t reach out to local telecom experts, since the overwhelming concensus would have been to stay away from the Navy Yard. There are 3 solid carrier hotel buildings in Philly, all of which have diverse power, multiple diverse fiber entrance, and the list goes on. The Navy Yard was probably picked by this firm because off the low operating cost and tax incentives, but at the end of the day, not being in a true carrier diverse building will hurt over time.