How Server Colocation Contributes to Sustainable IT Practices

Keeping a server doesn’t seem like a big deal in terms of sustainability and its environmental impact. However, not all hardware is equally nature-friendly, and not all IT practices can be considered sustainable. Therefore, companies are becoming increasingly conscious about their choices when the question comes to the possibilities of saving energy, generating less waste, and producing a lesser carbon footprint.

In this regard, the use of server colocation services is one of the major drivers determining the future directions of the global IT market. How does the managed server colocation compare to the traditional in-house server setups and what are its key environmental benefits?

What is server colocation? Main technical differences compared to traditional in-house server setups

Server colocation is a specialized service where businesses and organizations place their server hardware in a third-party data center, rather than hosting it on-premises. This is where the word “colocation” comes from, as it means placing many objects of a similar purpose in the same physical location.

In these colocation facilities, all customers can rent space for their servers and other computing hardware, according to their requirements. Here, they can use not only the server itself, but they also gain the access to the data center’s infrastructure that provides dedicated power supply, cooling equipment, security services, and also all required connectivity solutions.

This kind of environment is typically strictly controlled and monitored in order to ensure the highest possible efficiency. But of course, colocation differs from traditional in-house server setups. There are several important differences which should be noted.

Firstly, sharing resources (especially on smaller scales) is typically more cost-efficient than maintaining an in-house data center or even an individual piece of hardware. This way, business entities can share the overhead costs associated with physical infrastructure (for example, power supply, or building maintenance), with other users of the same service. They can also select customized services such as GPU colocation, if necessary. Furthermore, companies can also save on staffing costs, as they do not need to employ specialists to manage the IT equipment, or to provide physical security, or to ensure regulatory compliance in situations when the client must adhere to stringent requirements related to data safety and privacy.

Unlike in-house data centers, colocation facilities are flexible in a sense that their services are relatively easy to scale. For example, instead of buying or upgrading existing services in its inventory, the client company can expand its operational capacity by simply renting additional space as their needs grow. On the one hand, this can be done without any delay or large upfront investment; on the other hand, they do not need to face constraints of physical space or infrastructure limitations of their own premises.

Security and reliability are also significantly improved in server colocation facilities. These centers employ advanced security measures such as continuous video surveillance or biometric access controls, combined with secure entry points to guard against unauthorized access. Meanwhile, reliability is boosted through the use of equipment redundancy for load balancing, power supply, and internet connectivity. This way, it is possible to achieve much better uptime than when using typical in-house setups.

Another major difference is associated with the environmental benefits of server colocation. Let’s look into this aspect in detail.

Environmental benefits of server colocation

Aside its advantages which are tied to cost-efficiency, server colocation also has multiple – and very significant – advantages in terms of sustainability and ecological impact. These environmental benefits are not easy to notice at first, but they do exist, and they also make colocation a more eco-friendly option compared to traditional in-house servers.

Reduced energy consumption

Colocation facilities are specifically engineered and built with aim to maximize energy efficiency. This is often achieved by combining modern HVAC systems, innovative cooling techniques like liquid cooling, and the use of energy-efficient power supplies. Many colocation centers invest in achieving lower Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) scores, which indicate a more efficient use of energy, leading to reduced overall energy consumption. For example, advanced TRG data centers and similar providers often utilize hot aisle/cold aisle configurations to improve air circulation and reduce cooling needs.

Minimized carbon footprint

Less energy used also directly translates into reduced carbon footprint. But additional measures are also used to achieve the same goal. For example, these specialized data centers are often sourcing  a part or even the entire energy pool from renewable sources. To support the shift toward low-carbon practices, some server colocation facilities offer carbon-neutral hosting by purchasing carbon credits to offset their emissions. Through this approach, companies not only can reduce their direct emissions from IT hardware, but also support the adoption of green technologies and promote environmental awareness.

Lesser e-waste generation and better recycling

Colocation providers generally adhere to strict standards for recycling and responsibly disposing of electronic waste. This adherence is achieved through partnerships with certified e-waste recycling firms which ensure that all obsolete or defective components are disposed of or recycled in compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Companies that select this kind of service can better and more easily prevent toxic substances found in many electronic components from contaminating landfills and the environment.

Longer useful lifespan for equipment

Many server colocation providers have possibilities to refurbish older equipment for reuse within frameworks of different environmental programs or solely based on their own initiative. This approach helps to extending the product lifecycle and reduce the need for new computational and infrastructure-related resources.

At the same time, through professional management of environmental and operational parameters, data centers often maintain server hardware within optimal temperature and humidity ranges. This stable environment helps prevent hardware malfunctions and extends the operational lifespan of the equipment, thereby reducing the need to refresh hardware, making upgrades less frequent.

Optimized use of resources and decreased IT footprint

In a colocation environment, the infrastructure is shared among multiple clients, which are sometimes called simply “tenants”. This aspect is beneficial at its roots because it allows for maximizing the utilization of physical and energy resources.

The “sharing” model means that the same physical space can support higher workloads without needing to expand the facility’s footprint. The scalability and upgradability of colocation companies allows their clients to expand their IT infrastructure without needing to construct new buildings or install new equipment, thus conserving materials and reducing waste.

Server colocation also helps to consolidate the existing IT resources. Higher equipment density and more efficient use of servers eventually leads to less energy wasted, and less e-waste generated. For example, physical machines often use virtualization technology that allows multiple virtual servers to run on a single physical server, significantly reducing the number of physical machines required. This reduction in physical servers not only cuts down on the energy used but also decreases the environmental impact associated with the production, maintenance and disposal of server hardware.

Conclusion

The server colocation undoubtedly contributes to a more sustainable IT infrastructure. Through a more efficient use of resources, professional management of facilities and hardware, proper disposal and recycling of electronic waste, and by choosing renewable energy sourcing, data centers have almost a universal competitive advantage in comparison to in-house server setups.