Colocation Service

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  1. Colocation Service - Technical Deep Dive

This document details the technical specifications, performance, use cases, and maintenance considerations for our standard “Colocation Service” offering. This service provides dedicated server hardware housed within our secure, highly-available data center facilities, allowing clients to maintain complete control over their hardware and data while benefiting from our infrastructure. This document is intended for system administrators, DevOps engineers, and IT professionals considering utilizing this service.

1. Hardware Specifications

The Colocation Service offers a range of customizable server configurations. The baseline configuration, detailed below, represents a commonly deployed setup. Custom configurations are available upon request, subject to availability and compatibility with our infrastructure. All hardware is enterprise-grade and rigorously tested before deployment.

1.1. Server Chassis

  • **Form Factor:** 1U Rackmount Server
  • **Chassis Material:** SECC Steel (Cold-Rolled Steel, Electrog galvanized, Coating)
  • **Dimensions:** 1.75" (H) x 17.2" (W) x 28.0" (D) – Standard 19" Rack Mount
  • **Drive Bays:** Up to 4 x 3.5" Hot-Swap SAS/SATA HDD/SSD Bays (Configuration dependent)
  • **Expansion Slots:** Up to 7 PCIe slots (Configuration dependent, including PCIe 4.0 x16, PCIe 3.0 x8/x4)
  • **Cooling:** Redundant Hot-Swap Fans (Minimum 3, N+1 Redundancy)

1.2. Processor

  • **CPU:** Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 (32 Cores/64 Threads per CPU) - See CPU Architecture for details.
  • **Base Clock Speed:** 2.0 GHz
  • **Turbo Boost Max 3.0:** 3.4 GHz
  • **Cache:** 48MB Intel Smart Cache per CPU
  • **TDP:** 205W per CPU
  • **Socket:** LGA 4189

1.3. Memory

  • **RAM Type:** DDR4-3200 ECC Registered DIMM (RDIMM)
  • **RAM Capacity:** 256GB (8 x 32GB DIMMs) - Scalable to 1TB. See Memory Technologies for ECC details.
  • **Memory Channels:** 8 per CPU (16 total)
  • **Memory Speed:** 3200 MHz
  • **Memory Error Detection:** ECC (Error Correcting Code)

1.4. Storage

  • **Boot Drive:** 480GB SATA SSD (Read/Write: 550MB/s / 520MB/s) - See Storage Technologies for SSD details.
  • **Operating System:** Customer-provided/installed. Supported OS list available at Supported Operating Systems.
  • **Data Storage:** Up to 16TB SAS HDD (7200 RPM, 6Gbps) in RAID configuration (RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10 available) – Configuration dependent. See RAID Levels for configuration options.
  • **Storage Controller:** Broadcom SAS 9300-8i HBA with 8 external SAS ports.

1.5. Networking

  • **Network Interface:** Dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) ports – Intel X710-DA4. See Networking Basics for details.
  • **MAC Address:** Unique MAC addresses assigned to each port.
  • **Network Redundancy:** Support for Link Aggregation (LACP) and Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG) – See Network Redundancy Techniques.
  • **BGP Support:** Available upon request.
  • **IP Address:** Customer-provided IP address space.

1.6. Power Supply

  • **Power Supply:** Redundant 80+ Platinum 750W Power Supplies (N+1 Redundancy) – See Power Supply Units for efficiency ratings.
  • **Input Voltage:** 200-240VAC
  • **Input Frequency:** 50/60Hz
  • **Power Distribution:** Dedicated PDU (Power Distribution Unit) per server.

1.7. Remote Management

  • **IPMI:** Integrated Platform Management Interface (IPMI) 2.0 compliant BMC (Baseboard Management Controller).
  • **Remote Access:** Secure remote KVM-over-IP access.
  • **Remote Power Control:** Remote power on/off/reset functionality.
Component Specification
CPU Dual Intel Xeon Gold 6338 (32 Cores/64 Threads per CPU)
RAM 256GB DDR4-3200 ECC RDIMM (Scalable to 1TB)
Boot Drive 480GB SATA SSD
Data Storage Up to 16TB SAS HDD (RAID configurable)
Network Interface Dual 10GbE (Intel X710-DA4)
Power Supply Redundant 80+ Platinum 750W
Remote Management IPMI 2.0 with KVM-over-IP

2. Performance Characteristics

The Colocation Service configuration delivers robust performance suitable for demanding workloads. The following benchmarks represent typical performance figures. These tests were conducted in a controlled environment and may vary based on specific application configurations and load.

2.1. CPU Performance

  • **SPEC CPU 2017:**
   *   SPECrate2017_fp_base: 185.2
   *   SPECrate2017_int_base: 275.8
   *   SPECspeed2017_fp_base: 98.5
   *   SPECspeed2017_int_base: 142.1
  • **Linpack:** HPL (High-Performance Linpack) – 2.8 PFLOPS (Peak Performance)

2.2. Storage Performance

  • **SSD Read Speed (Sequential):** 550 MB/s
  • **SSD Write Speed (Sequential):** 520 MB/s
  • **HDD Read Speed (Sequential):** 200 MB/s (typical for 7200 RPM SAS HDD)
  • **HDD Write Speed (Sequential):** 180 MB/s (typical for 7200 RPM SAS HDD)
  • **RAID 10 (4 x 4TB SAS HDD):** ~800 MB/s read, ~600 MB/s write. (Performance varies with RAID controller and workload)

2.3. Network Performance

  • **Throughput (10GbE):** 9.4 Gbps sustained throughput.
  • **Latency:** < 1ms within our network infrastructure - See Network Latency for more details.
  • **Packet Loss:** < 0.01%

2.4. Real-World Performance

  • **Web Server (Apache/Nginx):** Capable of handling 10,000+ requests per second with optimized configuration.
  • **Database Server (PostgreSQL/MySQL):** Sustained performance of 5,000+ transactions per second with appropriate indexing and query optimization. See Database Performance Tuning.
  • **Virtualization (VMware/KVM):** Supports up to 50 virtual machines with 4 vCPUs and 16GB RAM each, depending on workload. See Virtualization Technologies.



Benchmark Result
SPECrate2017_fp_base 185.2
SPECrate2017_int_base 275.8
SSD Read Speed (Sequential) 550 MB/s
10GbE Throughput 9.4 Gbps

3. Recommended Use Cases

The Colocation Service configuration is well-suited for a variety of applications, including:

  • **High-Performance Computing (HPC):** The dual Intel Xeon processors and large memory capacity make this configuration ideal for computationally intensive tasks such as scientific simulations, financial modeling, and data analytics.
  • **Database Servers:** The high storage capacity and RAID options provide a reliable and performant platform for running large databases.
  • **Web Hosting:** Supports high-traffic websites and web applications with consistent performance.
  • **Application Servers:** Suitable for hosting business-critical applications with demanding resource requirements.
  • **Virtualization Environments:** Provides sufficient resources for running multiple virtual machines concurrently.
  • **Gaming Servers:** Supports dedicated game servers with low latency and high availability. See Game Server Hosting.
  • **Data Archiving:** Large storage capacity for long-term data retention.
  • **Disaster Recovery:** Provides a secure and reliable offsite location for disaster recovery solutions. See Disaster Recovery Planning.

4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

The Colocation Service configuration competes with several alternatives. The following table compares it to two common alternatives: a cloud-based virtual machine and a dedicated server with a lower processor tier.

Feature Colocation Service (This Document) Cloud VM (e.g., AWS EC2) Dedicated Server (Lower Tier - Intel Xeon Silver)
**Control** Full Root Access, Complete Control Limited Control, Managed Environment Full Root Access, Complete Control
**Cost** Predictable Monthly Fee (Excluding Power/Bandwidth) Usage-Based Pricing, Potentially Variable Predictable Monthly Fee (Lower than Gold Config)
**Scalability** Limited by Physical Hardware (Requires Upgrades) Highly Scalable (On-Demand Resources) Limited by Physical Hardware (Requires Upgrades)
**Security** Client Responsible for Security (Physical Security Provided) Shared Responsibility Model Client Responsible for Security (Physical Security Provided)
**Performance** Consistent, Dedicated Resources Variable, Potential for "Noisy Neighbor" Issues Lower Performance than Gold Configuration
**Maintenance** Client Responsible for Hardware/Software Maintenance Provider Responsible for Infrastructure Maintenance Client Responsible for Hardware/Software Maintenance
**Initial Setup** Longer Setup Time (Hardware Provisioning) Fast Setup Time (Instant Provisioning) Moderate Setup Time (Hardware Provisioning)

5. Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining the Colocation Service hardware requires careful attention to cooling, power, and security. While our data center provides a robust infrastructure, clients are responsible for the ongoing maintenance of their servers.

5.1. Cooling

  • **Data Center Cooling:** Our data center utilizes a precision cooling system to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level.
  • **Server Cooling:** Servers are designed for efficient cooling with redundant hot-swap fans. Ensure proper airflow around the server chassis. Avoid blanking panels to obstruct airflow. See Data Center Cooling Systems.
  • **Temperature Monitoring:** Monitor server temperatures via IPMI or other monitoring tools. Alerts should be configured for high-temperature conditions.

5.2. Power Requirements

  • **Power Consumption:** The baseline configuration consumes approximately 500-600W at full load. Power consumption will vary depending on the configuration and workload.
  • **Power Redundancy:** Redundant power supplies and PDUs provide power redundancy.
  • **Power Monitoring:** Monitor power consumption via IPMI or PDU monitoring tools.
  • **Circuit Breakers:** Each server has a dedicated circuit breaker. Avoid overloading the circuit.

5.3. Physical Security

  • **Data Center Security:** Our data center features multi-layered physical security, including 24/7 surveillance, biometric access control, and perimeter security. See Data Center Security Measures.
  • **Server Security:** Clients are responsible for securing their servers against unauthorized access. This includes implementing strong passwords, enabling firewalls, and keeping software up to date.
  • **Remote Access Security:** Secure remote access to servers using VPNs and strong authentication methods.

5.4. Hardware Maintenance

  • **Scheduled Maintenance:** Plan for regular hardware maintenance, including firmware updates, component replacements, and system checks.
  • **Remote Hands Services:** We offer remote hands services for basic hardware tasks such as power cycling and cable management. See Remote Hands Services.
  • **Hardware Failure:** In the event of a hardware failure, clients are responsible for replacing the faulty component. We can assist with logistics and installation.

5.5. Bandwidth Management

  • **Bandwidth Allocation:** Bandwidth is allocated on a per-customer basis. See Bandwidth Management for details.
  • **DDoS Protection:** We offer DDoS mitigation services to protect against denial-of-service attacks.
  • **Traffic Monitoring:** Monitor network traffic to identify potential issues and optimize performance.

CPU Architecture Memory Technologies Storage Technologies Supported Operating Systems RAID Levels Networking Basics Network Redundancy Techniques Power Supply Units Data Center Cooling Systems Data Center Security Measures Remote Hands Services Network Latency Database Performance Tuning Virtualization Technologies Game Server Hosting Disaster Recovery Planning Bandwidth Management


Intel-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Core i7-6700K/7700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB CPU Benchmark: 8046
Core i7-8700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB CPU Benchmark: 13124
Core i9-9900K Server 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB CPU Benchmark: 49969
Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Workstation 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000

AMD-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Ryzen 5 3600 Server 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 17849
Ryzen 7 7700 Server 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 35224
Ryzen 9 5950X Server 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 46045
Ryzen 9 7950X Server 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 63561
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 9454P Server 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe

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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️