Colocation, or the placement of servers in a commercial data center (DC), continues to be popular among companies interested in digital growth and scaling on external platforms.
According to iKS-Consulting, by the end of 2023, the number of racks in Russian commercial data centers exceeded 70,000. This figure is anticipated to approach 84,000 during 2024.
The advantages of a commercial data center that attract customers are:
- Reliability. One of the main benefits of data centers is their high level of reliability. This means that the risk of downtime is minimized, and your equipment will always be available to users. Redundant critical systems, including uninterruptible power supplies and network connection duplication, ensure continuous operation even in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
- Security. Data centers provide multi-level protection, from physical security (access control, video surveillance) to cybersecurity (protection against DDoS attacks, data encryption). In light of increasing threats from hacking and data breaches, hosting in commercial data centers becomes an important step in safeguarding corporate data.
- Convenience. Hosting servers in a data center allows companies to focus on their core business processes without being distracted by infrastructure management. Professional data center teams provide technical support 24/7, enabling quick resolution of any issues that may arise. Additionally, many centers offer cloud management services, making integration with existing systems smoother and more efficient.
- Cost optimization. While initial investments in data center services may seem significant, the long-term benefits often outweigh the costs. Firstly, you avoid the need to invest in expensive equipment and its maintenance. Secondly, using resources on a pay-as-you-go model allows to flexibly manage cost by paying only for the services that are truly needed.
However, these advantages will only be realized if the colocation service is provided by a reliable partner. Here’s how to choose a data center that meets your requirements.
Criteria for choosing a Colocation provider:
Colocation services are utilized not only by economic giants but also by young developing companies. Hosting equipment in a data center reduces the cost of operating IT resources and enhances the security of information storage. Nevertheless, each company comes to a data center with its individual tasks, which depend on the scale and specifics of its business.
Choosing a commercial data Center for colocation of server and network equipment is a complex and non-trivial task. In Moscow alone, there are over 80 large data centers and around 30 in St. Petersburg. These facilities differ in size, location, reliability, energy efficiency, the range and specifics of services offered and many other parameters. How can one navigate this diversity and make the right choice when searching for a Colocation data center?
Reputation and experience
If a data center has been operating in the Russian market for a long time and has received numerous positive reviews, this should be considered a plus. It’s advisable to familiarize yourself with reviews not only on the data center’s website but also through search engines where you can find ratings and opinions—take the time to review them.
The first IXcellerate data center was commissioned in 2013, and for over ten years, our data centers have been focused on providing customers with the highest level of Colocation services. This is confirmed by numerous reviews and testimonials.
Reliability level
The reliability of facilities can be assessed through an internal evaluation if you have sufficient expertise within your team. Alternatively, you can hire external consultants or rely on certifications from independent auditors who evaluate compliance with international standards and assign a reliability level based on the operator’s initiative.
The classification system has four levels (Tier/Class/Rate) and is a method for assessing facilities based on expected performance and reliability.
• Tier I — basic infrastructure without redundancy (service availability — 99.671%)
• Tier II — infrastructure with redundant capacity only for active equipment (service availability — 99.749%)
• Tier III — full redundancy of infrastructure without interruption during repairs (service availability — 99.982%)
• Tier IV — fault-tolerant infrastructure (dual redundancy and duplication of the operational system) (service availability — 99.995%).
In case of an outages, such as the loss of one or both power feeds, Tier III and IV data centers will activate diesel generators, allowing the facility to continue operating autonomously until the issue is resolved.
The higher the fault tolerance rating, the better your data is protected and the more stable your website or application operates—this is especially important for customers whose businesses must run around the clock.
Quality of services
Customer-centricity is one of the key features of our operations. We continuously ensure that the quality of services meets the stated standards. We take into account customer feedback and reviews, conduct annual NPS survey and assess satisfaction levels.
In April 2024, IXcellerate received the prestigious CX World Awards 2024 in the nomination of “Best Human-Centric Customer Experience.” This reflects that our interactions with customers occur at a truly high level.
Cost of services and pricing
The desire to save costs and stay within a predetermined budget is understandable. However, it is essential not to compromise on service quality. Therefore, you should first eliminate data centers that do not meet your reliability, security and quality standards, and only then choose among those that offer more favorable pricing.
Typically, data centers offer several pricing plans. You can compare them to find a solution that aligns with your needs and financial capabilities.
Geographic location of data centers
The vast majority of Russian data centers are concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg. This is not surprising, as these cities house a significant portion of the country’s population and are home to the headquarters of many leading companies.
IXcellerate operates four data centers distributed across two campuses located 30 kilometers apart. One is situated in northern Moscow (Altufyevo), while the other is in the south (Biryulyovo). The two locations allow you to choose a data center closer to your company’s office for quick access when needed.
Our campuses are located:
• more than 25 kilometers away from Moscow airports;
• away from areas that pose risks of natural or technological threats.
Customer support and service
Our relationship with customers is based on contracts that clearly outline service parameters and the responsibilities of the data center staff. IXcellerate closely cooperates with carriers, financial organizations, service providers and IT companies.
It is crucial for the data center support to be available 24/7. IXcellerate is that provider. Our duty shift engineers work around the clock, including weekends and holidays, ensuring that you receive responses to inquiries promptly. The response time for requests does not exceed 15 minutes.
If you cannot personally visit the data center to make configuration changes, you can trust our specialists to handle it. Our “Remote Hands” service helps customers to save time and resources in managing racks and servers from various vendors. This service allows for many routine and unscheduled maintenance tasks, equipment installation and configuration without the need for on-site at any time of day or night.
Choosing a data center that meets your requirements
IXcellerate is among the top three leaders of the Russian Colocation market. In 2023, IXcellerate became one of the top players in connected capacity, exceeding 100 MW of total power.
When selecting a data center, it is important to pay attention to the following parameters:
- Scalability of solutions – IXcellerate data centers are designed with a modular approach, allowing for an increase in the number of racks. This is particularly important for steadily growing companies;
- Energy efficiency – the implementation of innovative solutions enables us to reduce electricity costs for our customers.
Much depends on the type of equipment you wish to colocate. IXcellerate offers the capability to host high-density servers, with power load reaching up to 55 kW per rack.
If you have any questions, our specialists will promptly provide the necessary consultations