The New Data Center

There's a strong case to be made for collocation, especially if your business depends on the Web. Although control issues loom, benefits such as flexible bandwidth, highly reliable Web connections, beefed up security and freedom from server drudgery are hard to ignore. Of course, there are hurdles, the most prominent being the need to feel confident in your choice of provider and in your remote-management setup. And did we mention cost? A top-tier collocation provider charges big bucks for rack space, making your choice of equipment crucial.

We put small-form-factor servers through their paces. In our tests of 1U boxes, IBM's eServer xSeries 330 got our Editor's Choice nod because of its highly innovative features for cable management and remote operation, all-important in a high-density collocation environment. Dell Computer Corp.'s PowerEdge 1550 was a close second and earned our Best Value award for its low price and stellar performance. In 2U units, Hewlett-Packard Co.'s NetServer LP2000r came out on top for its depth of features (click here to find our review of 2U servers).

One drawback is that a small server has a limited number of drive bays and PCI slots. This makes moving data storage off-box a must. In our online-only Sneak Preview we take a look at Network Storage Solutions' new midrange NAS device, the ProStor 180. The features, performance and price of this flexible NAS box make it a good choice for small to midsize enterprises.

Finally, whether you build or rent your data center, environmental considerations are paramount. Crucial factors include power supply, HVAC and cable management, as well as physical security and fire protection. We tell you what questions to ask your collocation provider and when it's worth every penny to call in an expert.

Oh, one last thing: 1U and 2U units are relatively cheap. Rack two, just in case.