Server Colocation Service

What Is Colocation and How Does It Work?

Colocation means placing a physical server that you own in a cabinet at a professional data center, where it benefits from the facility's power, cooling, internet connectivity and physical security. You keep ownership of the hardware, so the choice of processor, memory, disks and operating system stays entirely with you, while the provider runs the data center side.

With Oweb's server colocation service, your server runs in the MARS data center in Istanbul, in an environment built to TIER III standards. You keep full control of your hardware without dealing with the power cuts, overheating and single-line internet risks of an office server room.

Who Is It For?

This model is a sensible middle ground for those who want full control over their hardware but do not want to run their own server room. It is typically chosen by:

• Businesses that want to move a server from an office server room to an environment with UPS- and generator-backed power and redundant connectivity
• Teams that already own their hardware and need a specific configuration such as a hardware RAID controller, large amounts of memory or specialized network or encryption cards
• Organizations that want their data to stay in-country, on hardware they own
• Projects that want to place extra devices such as a firewall, switch or backup unit alongside their server

Colocation or Rental? Who Owns the Hardware

With a rented dedicated server, the hardware belongs to the provider, and failed parts are usually replaced by the provider. If you want to start right away without investing in hardware, take a look at our ready-to-use dedicated servers. For projects that do not need an entire physical machine and want to scale resources flexibly, virtualized VDS server plans are a more practical starting point.

When you colocate, the hardware is yours: upgrades and part replacements are under your control, while Oweb provides the data center infrastructure. If you would also like an expert team to handle the operating system, security and performance tuning, you can add our server management service to your plan. If you would rather rent hardware and own it at the end of the term instead of buying it upfront, see our rent-to-own server model.

What to Check Before Choosing a Provider

• Power and cooling: the infrastructure should be redundant. At the MARS data center, power is backed by UPS units and generators, and precision cooling is N+1 redundant.
• Carrier redundancy: a connection that depends on a single carrier goes down with that carrier. The data center receives 2x10 Gbps Turk Telekom and 2x10 Gbps Turkcell Superonline links redundantly from different points.
• Port, line and traffic: the Quota, Unlimited and Unlimited Plus options in the quote form are listed with a 1Gbps port and a 100Mbps line, and the traffic allowance depends on the option. If you need more capacity, mention it in your request.
• IP address needs: if you will run virtual machines, a mail server or several services, choose the right IP block from the start; options range from /30 (2 usable IPs) to /24 (254 IPs).
• DDoS and firewall: if you will run exposed services such as game servers, e-commerce sites or APIs, decide which layers (Layer 3/4/7) need protection and state your Anti-DDoS firewall preference at the quote stage.
• Access and remote management: find out when the provider allows physical access and remote console (KVM) use; at Oweb, 24/7 physical access and free KVM on request are available.

Steps to Move Your Server to the Data Center

1. Fill in the quote form on this page with your internet access option, IP block, processor count and model, firewall preference and any extra devices.
2. Our team reviews your requirements and sends you a tailored quote.
3. Before the move, take a current backup of your data, lower the TTL values of your DNS records and list the services affected by the IP change.
4. Once your server arrives at the data center, it is installed in a cabinet, connected to power and the network, and assigned your IP addresses.
5. Confirm that you can reach the server over KVM, point your DNS records to the new IP addresses and test your services.

Common Mistakes When Moving to Colocation

• Unplugging and moving the server without a current, tested backup
• Not planning ahead for DNS records and IP-bound licenses even though the IP addresses will change
• Choosing an IP block or traffic option that is too small and having to upgrade soon after
• Shipping a rack-mount server without its rail kit or power cables
• Handing over the server without configuring its remote management card (IPMI, iDRAC or iLO)
• Thinking about DDoS protection and firewall needs only after the server is live

If you are not sure which model suits you, describe your current hardware and expectations in the extra details field of the quote form, and our team will help you choose between colocation, dedicated and virtual server options.