Colocation Vs Managed Hosting

When it comes to the matter of control over your infrastructure, there is a good debate between Dedicated Hosting vs Colocation Hosting. In the following comparison, we are going to compare the two methods of managing IT infrastructure.
So let's understand each term in detail before we get into a comparison

What is Dedicated Server Hosting?

Dedicated server hosting often called as Managed hosting is a type of service where the service provider owns the hardware as well as software and provides it to the customer to use. The Managed hosting is self-explanatory and states that the service provider not only provides the server but is also responsible for maintaining the hardware/infrastructure, provides support on software, manages power/backup, internet, and everything else that takes to keep the servers functioning.

What is Colocation Hosting?

In case of Colocation Hosting, the customer has to purchase its own hardware and software, set it up at the colocation center, configure it and maintain it on regular basis. The customer can, however, rent/lease space to rack its own servers and only pay for space, power, internet and air conditioning. The method is highly effective but has its own limitations.

Benefits of Dedicated server/Managed hosting.

• With a Managed Hosting service, you can choose the hardware that you want and also the service level at a reasonable cost

• If there is any hardware or software failure, there's always a team that will take care of the issue for you

• A dedicated server means that the machine is entirely assigned to you. Hence you need not worry about the security of the server.

Known disadvantages of Managed hosting

• The certainty of getting the right set of hands running and maintaining your server is low.

• Sometimes compliances are a major issue because not all of the Data Centers are truly compliant.

Benefits of Colocation

• If you already own set of hardware when it comes to added advantage as you do not have to purchase

• You have complete control over your hardware and machine

• You have complete authority to install hardware or software of your choice

• Additional flexibility to manage your hardware

• Complete security because only you will have access to your cabinets

Limitations of Colocation Service

• You need to have a dedicated team of skilled hands at your end

• Every time there is a hardware failure or upgrade required in the system, someone from your end has to visit the Colocation center

• Expensive in the initial phase as you will have to buy hardware
  

So, which is better than the other? Well, it is a quite situation based question as it depends a lot on the nature of the business and requirement. Both are equally good in their own way.