Overview of Colocation

Overview of Colocation

A colocation is a stack of computing and networking fabric that brings up multiple virtual networking functions and multiple service chains on them.

The main characteristics of collocations are:

• Opportunity to connect branch users (endpoints) to a hybrid cloud or data center.
• Usage of vManage as the orchestrator responsible for provisioning the devices in a colocation.
• Each colocation does not have visibility of other colocations on the same site or across sites.

The main benefits of colocation are:

• Flexibility: Colocations can enable you to build a scalable environment. You can acquire a package today and later scale it up or down according to your requirements. Also, colocation can allow you to make long-term plans without the risk of making a significant capital investment.

• Interconnectivity options: Many colocation providers are carrier-neutral data centers. They can provide a wide range of connectivity options.

• Security and compliance: Colocations have state-of-the-art security to avoid any breach. It also has policies and controls to meet various compliance standards.

Colocation for Multi-Cloud Connectivity

Cisco Cloud OnRamp for Colocation enables organizations to connect Cloud/IaaS/SaaS applications to branch offices with operational ease. The solution also enables the aggregation of WAN connectivity towards one or more public cloud providers.

Cloud OnRamp for Colocation is useful in certain environments such as:

• Multinational organizations that prohibit using direct internet connections to cloud and SaaS platforms at the branch level.
• Global organizations that require high application QoE with granular security.
• Employees that require connectivity to the enterprise's resources and applications.
• Remote users that require secure VPN connections to enterprise resources over inexpensive direct internet links without backhauling traffic to a VPN firewall at a central data center.

Internet Hand-off for Colocation

Organizations can use Cisco SD-WAN Cloud OnRamp for Colocation to deploy a consistent solution for internet access. The design is similar to the traditional backhauling of internet bound traffic to a data center. In this case, instead of an on-premises data center, the colocation provider can provide the rack space, power, and network connections for an organization to deploy dedicated security services. The organization can then. Route all internet bound traffic to the colocation site where dedicated security services are deployed to inspect internet bound traffic and protect the organization from internet threats.