This is a question I get asked a lot, should folks collocate their hosting servers or have them all in one spot. Now both have their advantages and disadvantages, so I’m not going to tackle every single argument you might here for one side or the other right here, right now.

First, for those of you who might not know what collocation is, let us put a definition with the word. Collocation is the placement of hosting servers in more than one location. Another good way to explain it would be to call it a service whereby a company that owns a server houses it in another company’s data center due to the greater security, stronger backbone or other technological reasons.

I am a big fan of collocation, so here is my most defining argument on why you should be a fan of it as well.

The advantage of having your servers more spread out is that if a natural disaster hits, or something else really bad it will not kill your entire network. Say you have data centers located in the north, south, east and west of the United States. If you southern data center goes out – that is only one forth of your business that is effected.

Disagree with me? I would love to hear more reasons for this and against it. Drop me an E-mail at mitch@mitchkeeler.com and let me know which side of the fence you are on.

+ Check Out the Podcast This Was From! Listen to the Web Hosting Show, Episode 95!