"Must Have" Colocation & Data Center Checklist

Complex Drive offers the best blend of facilities and personalized support available anywhere.

If you can find a provider in San Diego that can offer and deliver on "ALL" of the items on this checklist for a better price than Complex Drive, let us know. Not only will we match their price, we will give you a $500 service credit.**

The "Facilities" Checklist

When selecting a datacenter, there are many things to consider. First and foremost is the facility. Here is a simple checklist for you:

Redundant Power

• Does the facility have two internal power systems from which to draw power?
• Can the provider offer power circuits in any Voltage or Amperage you require?
• Can the provider offer fully redundant circuits? True N+1 power?
• Is each redundant power circuit connected to a separate UPS, ATS, Generator, and SDGE Circuit?
• Ask to see a power diagram and all of the major components on the diagram.
• Is the Datacenter supported by redundant generators which feed all mission critical areas?
• Can the provider provision new power for you within 1 business day – guaranteed?
• Can they provide 100Amps 110v primary power and 100Amps 110v redundant power per cabinet footprint? (Can they properly cool it? See below)
• Is the power monitored and is the power usage reported to you at least once a month?
• Does the provider offer a 100% Uptime Guarantee on Power?

Connectivity

• Does the provider have 4 or more multi-gigabit connections to major Tier 1 Internet backbones?
• Does the each of the IP provider have separate and divergent fiber SONET paths into the Data Center?
• Does the provider utilize and control their own BGP4 routing, and can you speak with their BGP engineer?
• Does the provider offer end-to-end HSRP (Hot Standby Routing Protocol) redundancy for every customer at no charge?
• Does the provider offer Dual Ethernet connections to every customer at no charge?
• Does the provide bill bandwidth using the dreaded 95th percent billing, or do they bill based on average usage?

HVAC

• Does the provider have a raised floor environment for proper air flow and cooling of your equipment?
• Is the Data or Colocation Center configured for HOT ROW / COLD ROW?
• Are all HVAC and Humidity control systems fully redundant?
• Does the provider have enough capacity to support equipment failures? Is the cooling system N+1 Redundant
• Can the provider cool 100Amps 110v primary & 100Amps 110v redundant power in each cabinet footprint?
• Can the provider guarantee 70˚ intake temperature and 45% relative humidity within the Data or Colocation center 24/7/365? (Temp & % are + or - 5˚)
• Has the provider ever asked customers to purchase at their own expense, specialized doors or exhaust fans to try and mitigate temperature within the Data Center?

Fire Suppression

• Does the provider have water-free fire suppression systems?
• Does the provider offer a multi-zone, dual Agent system? (Both C02 & FM200)
• Are their sprinkler systems ANYWHERE in their Data Center?

Security

• Is the facility accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year?
• Does the provider offer Photo ID cards for added security?
• Does the provider combine Photo ID cards with Biometric readers for maximum security?
• Does the provider have more than 1 employee on premises at all times, including grave yard shifts?
• Does the provider inventory all equipment and provide online access to this inventory list?
• Does the provide offer multi-layer access that enables you to limit certain resources for people on your access list?
• Does the provider offer a web portal by which to add or update this security list?
• Does the provider have security cameras through their facility?
• Can the Data Center team provide card reader output, biometric output, and security footage of entrances and exits on CD upon request should a security incident ever occur with one of your employees while working on your equipment within the Data Center?
• Does the security system that is in place provide sufficient coverage to enable your company to pass any external audits that you may be subject to? (Companies that process credit cards, store medical or financial data, may be subject to external audits)

Facilities & Amenities

• Does the facility provide a customer work area, with tools available in case something was forgotten?
• Do they provide wired and wireless Internet access in all work areas?
• Do they provide crash carts with Flat Screens, USB and PS2 keyboard and mouse, KVM switches, and stools?
• Do they provide break rooms equipped with Television, Microwaves, and Toaster Ovens?
• Do they provide FREE Soda, Water, and Premium Coffee Service?
• Do they offer professional Conference Centers with White Boards and Projectors that customers can reserve for their use?
• Do they offer and can they facilitate Catering Services for meetings held in the conference centers?

The "Human Aspect" Checklist

If your provider has met all of the above requirements they have passed the first test. Now start focusing on the human aspect of things. Here are the questions to ask:

• Is the facility staffed (not just monitored) 24 hours a day?
• Does the provider offer free remote hands services 24/7/365?
• Is there a minimum of 3 onsite technicians on each graveyard shift?
• Does the company suffer from high turn-over in the NOC staff?
• Is the 24 hour staff capable and knowledgeable enough to provide application support and resolve complex technical issues?
• How long are the average hold times for the support department? 1 Minute or Less?
• How long does it take to answer the phone during the graveyard shift? 5 Rings or Less?
• What is the average response time for a customer case? 5 Minutes or Less?
• Does the staff carry current technical certifications?
• Can they provide the 20 Minutes or Less / Anything You Need / Absolutely Free Guarantee?
• Can the support department provide hands on support for replacing drives, racking equipment, OS reinstalls, RAID rebuilds, etc for an hourly fee?
• Is the hourly fee for labor more than $100 per hour?
• Can Frontline Technicians escalate problems to management and networking resources 24 hours a day without prior approval?
• When needed, can you speak directly to senior network engineers to help solve issues or troubleshoot?
• Will the company help set up and manage BGP for customers that have more than one primary IP service?
• When needed, can you speak directly to the comapny's BGP engineers?

Regardless of the questions you ask, Complex Drive has you covered. We look forward to hosting you soon!

** Customer must provide an actual dated copy of a competitors bid in order to receive the discount and service credit.