Introduction to Seattle Colocation
Seattle has emerged as a strategic hub for colocation services, offering businesses high-performance data center solutions in a city known for its technological innovation. With its robust infrastructure, access to renewable energy, and proximity to major cloud providers, Seattle colocation services cater to enterprises seeking scalable, secure, and cost-effective IT solutions.
This guide explores the essentials of Seattle colocation, including benefits, key providers, pricing factors, network infrastructure, compliance standards, and future trends.
What is Colocation?
Understanding Colocation Services
Colocation is a data center service where businesses lease space for their IT infrastructure rather than maintaining their own on-premise server rooms. It includes rack space, power, cooling, network connectivity, and security while allowing organizations to manage their own hardware.
How Colocation Differs from Cloud and Dedicated Hosting
- Colocation: The business owns the hardware but rents space in a third-party data center.
- Cloud Hosting: Data and applications are hosted on virtualized infrastructure managed by cloud providers.
- Dedicated Hosting: A provider leases physical servers to clients but retains ownership.
Why Choose Seattle for Colocation?
1. Strategic Geographic Location
Seattle’s location on the West Coast provides businesses with direct access to Asia-Pacific markets and major tech hubs like Silicon Valley and Vancouver, Canada.
2. Low-Latency Connectivity
Seattle is home to major Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) such as the Seattle Internet Exchange (SIX), offering high-speed connections and peering with global networks.
3. Access to Renewable Energy
Washington State generates a significant portion of its electricity from hydroelectric power, making Seattle colocation centers more energy-efficient and sustainable.
4. Proximity to Major Cloud Providers
Many of the world’s leading cloud companies, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud, have a presence in Seattle, enabling seamless hybrid cloud strategies.
5. Disaster Resilience
Seattle is less prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires compared to other tech hubs, ensuring greater physical security for colocation data centers.
Top Seattle Colocation Providers
1. Equinix Seattle (SE2, SE3, SE4, SE5)
- Carrier-neutral colocation provider
- Direct peering with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
- High-density power options and hybrid cloud connectivity
2. Digital Realty Seattle
- Multiple data centers in the metro area
- Offers interconnection solutions via Service Exchange
- Compliance with SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 standards
3. Cologix Seattle
- Offers low-latency connectivity with SIX
- High-availability redundant infrastructure
- Secure colocation with 24/7 support
4. Cyxtera Seattle Data Centers
- Provides enterprise colocation and edge computing solutions
- AI-driven security and compliance monitoring
- Flexible power and cooling configurations
5. Wowrack Seattle
- Tailored colocation services with managed hosting
- Network backbone with multiple Tier 1 providers
- Cost-effective private cloud integration
Key Features of Seattle Colocation
1. Scalability & Flexibility
Colocation providers in Seattle offer scalable rack space options, from single server colocation to full cabinets and private suites.
2. High-Performance Network Connectivity
- Direct access to multiple Tier 1 carriers
- Peering at SIX for optimized network performance
- Multi-cloud interconnect capabilities
3. Power Redundancy & Cooling Infrastructure
- N+1 or 2N redundancy for uninterrupted power
- Energy-efficient cooling technologies
- Backup diesel generators for emergency situations
4. Security & Compliance
- 24/7 physical security, biometric access controls, and CCTV monitoring
- Compliance with SOC 1, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and ISO 27001
- DDoS protection and firewall services
5. Hybrid Cloud & Edge Computing Integration
- Direct connections to AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, and Google Cloud Interconnect
- Edge computing solutions for latency-sensitive applications
- Seamless hybrid cloud deployment strategies
Cost Factors in Seattle Colocation
1. Space & Rack Size
- Single Server Colocation: $50-$150 per month
- Quarter Rack (10U): $400-$800 per month
- Half Rack (20U): $800-$1,500 per month
- Full Rack (42U): $1,500-$3,500 per month
2. Power Consumption
- Standard 110V power vs. high-density 208V power options
- Measured in kilowatts (kW) per month
3. Network Bandwidth & Connectivity
- Fixed bandwidth pricing vs. burstable billing models
- Direct connections to cloud services impact costs
4. Additional Services
- Remote hands support
- Security services (firewall, DDoS protection)
- Managed colocation and IT consulting
Compliance & Certifications for Seattle Data Centers
Seattle colocation providers adhere to industry regulations for data security and compliance:
- SOC 1 & SOC 2: Financial and operational controls
- HIPAA: Healthcare data protection
- PCI-DSS: Payment card industry security
- ISO 27001: Information security management
- Tier III & IV Uptime Certifications: Data center resilience standards
Hybrid Cloud & Multi-Cloud Connectivity
Seattle colocation facilities enable businesses to implement hybrid cloud architectures by connecting directly to public cloud providers. Benefits include:
- Lower latency for hybrid workloads
- Cost savings by reducing cloud egress fees
- Enhanced security with private connections to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
The Future of Colocation in Seattle
1. Rise of Edge Computing
Seattle’s position as a tech hub is accelerating the demand for edge computing solutions, helping businesses deploy real-time applications closer to users.
2. Expansion of AI & Machine Learning Workloads
Data centers in Seattle are adapting to high-density AI and ML workloads by integrating GPU-optimized infrastructure.
3. Green Data Centers & Sustainability
With Washington’s commitment to clean energy, future colocation facilities will focus on carbon-neutral operations and energy-efficient cooling technologies.
4. 5G & IoT Integration
As 5G and IoT continue to expand, Seattle colocation providers will support high-speed, low-latency infrastructure for next-gen applications.
Conclusion
Seattle colocation services provide businesses with a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solution for IT infrastructure needs. With access to renewable energy, high-performance networking, and compliance-ready facilities, Seattle is a premier destination for colocation in the Pacific Northwest.
Whether you’re a startup, an enterprise, or a cloud service provider, investing in colocation in Seattle can enhance your network performance, ensure data security, and support long-term business growth.
