What is the Difference Between Colocation and Cloud Hosting?

July 3, 2024
Colocation, Leeds, Technology
Colocation, Cyber Security, Data Centre, Data Storage, ISO 27001

When it comes to data storage, there are different options available to you – you can choose to colocate at a data centre, or to use cloud hosting through a cloud service provider. But what are the differences between the two? And which one is right for you? Read on to find out more.

What is Colocation?

To colocate is to rent a physical space in a data centre so that you can store your physical servers and other hardware. Data centres provide space, power, cooling, security, contingency & disaster planning, and connectivity, while the customer is responsible for maintaining their own equipment.

What is Cloud Hosting?

To cloud-host is to rent a virtual server space from a cloud service provider. Unlike with colocation, all hardware belongs to the service provider, and they are responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. As cloud service providers do not store any of their customers’ hardware, they are only responsible for ensuring cyber security for customer data.

Who is Colocation For?

Colocation at a data centre is ideal for businesses that want full control over their own servers. Thanks to the stringent security measures in place at data centres, colocation is suitable for companies and institutions that require high levels of reliability and strict adherence to security protocols such as government or healthcare organisations.

Colocation is also perfect for businesses who require high-speed, low latency network infrastructure to suit their own specialised hardware, such as those who intend to use high-performance computing. Colocation is best suited for medium to large enterprises that require control over their physical servers and hardware also need the security and reliability of a professional data centre

Who is Cloud Hosting For?

Cloud hosting is ideal for businesses that do not have specialised equipment or need physical security, and simply require somewhere to store virtual data. It is great for startups and small businesses that need cost-efficient scalability.

In summary, colocation and cloud hosting provide services that have a crossover, but cater to different kinds of businesses.

How can aql’s next generation colocation services empower you?

With over 25 years of enabling businesses and powering a connected society, our Tier 3+ data centres offer state-of-the-art infrastructure, stringent security measures, and expert support, ensuring optimal performance and reliability for your critical IT operations.

As the only data centre operator in central Leeds, we are directly connected to IXLeeds, the UK’s first fully independent internet exchange outside London, providing low latency, high bandwidth and access to an extensive network of regional and national peers. Click here to learn more about our colocation services.