Web Hosting Blog

Co-location is also referred as Colo. A web server which is located at a dedicated facility designed with the resources that include a secured rack, security and support, dedicated internet connection and regulated power supply. Customers can physically house their hardware and other equipments in the secure and safe environment of co-location centers. There is a potential risk of fire if kept in the offices and warehouses. Most of the co-location facilities offer high security, fire detection and extinguishing devices, power generators for back-up, multiple connection feeds, filtered power etc. Co-location sites are dedicated towards providing services to rapidly expanding business of eCommerce and Web Hosting.

Co-location hosting provides the opportunity of keeping the server in a premiere co-location facility which focuses on the needs of the co-location server. Co-location offers features such as video surveillance, Fire proof facility and high bandwidth availability.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Co-location :

A] Advantages:

1. Control over administration of web server
2. Higher flexibility
3. Overall hosting costs are reduced.
4. Option available for upgradation whenever required.
5. Availability of large storage space.
6. The storage location provides fast internet connection, special infrastructure for servers, security etc.
7. Full customization facility.
8. Option of using existing hardware.
9. Less dependence on external customer support services due to remote administration.
10. Hardware specification are according to customers hence able to deliver better performance.
11. Maximum uptime for large sites.
12. Depending on the budget customers can purchase high capacity, fast and powerful servers
13. Availability of High bandwidth is one of the most important advantages.
14. Server’s are under constant surveillance of the security.

B] Disadvantages

1. It’s the customers responsibility of Web Server Administration
2. Initial cost up-front
3. Expensive
4. Need to maintain own equipment
5. Hardware may become outdated in a short span of time.
6. Need to update own equipment
7. Need to purchase own equipment.

SWsoft now acquired by Parallels which is a server virtualization firm designed container based server virtualization software (Virtuozzo Containers Version 4.0). Virtuozzo Containers 4.0 encompasses the enhancements and features for improving usability, data center management and business continuity.

The Parallels Virtuozzo Containers 4.0, virtualization software, dynamically partitioned a single Windows and Linux operating system case into highly scalable virtual environment also named as Containers. As per the current requirements of data centre enterprises, high performing and flexible virtualization solution is necessary. Keeping such requirements in mind Parallel has introduced the Virtuozzo 4.0. The company claims to help IT administrators to effectively manage the fast growing virtual infrastructure. Virtuozzo virtualization is capable of handling performance sensitive workloads for example Oracle databases and Microsoft SQL server 2003.

Parallels Virtuozzo offers thrice the density as compared to the others which allows data center managers to maximize the number of virtual containers per physical server. With the increased density by Virtuozzo, administrators can reduce operating system sprawl in the data centre.

Virtuozzo by used over the operating system, customers get the benefits of hardware reduction and also reduction in the number of images of the operating system.

Key Areas in which Virtuozzo Containers 4.0 offer new functionality and features:

Efficiency: Virtuozzo 4.0’s architectural enhancement offer greater levels of stability and performance. The new efficiency feature includes real time optimization of hardware resources, improved Virtuozzo file system, effectively manages utilizes hard disk resources.

IT administrators can effectively manage their infrastructure from anywhere with the use of Infrastructure Manager of Virtuozzo 4.0. The Infrastructure manager is a powerful tool for managing the virtual Data Center.

Business Continuity: Parallels Virtuozzo 4.0 delivers a comprehensive set of backup enhancements. Virtuozzo Container 4.0 consists of the new features to drive uptime, such as Windows Server 2003 and Red Hat clustering services.

Simple to Use and Manage: Virtuozzo 4.0 adds onto the previously present resource management of virtual CPU improvements, burstable CPU limits, hardware device sharing and forwarding.

Virtuozzo is beneficial to data centers as well as web hosting service providers.