Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Colocation and Data Centers : Oddball Co-Location Help

[mkrug]

Hey all, I've been a silent guest of the forums for awhile, and the wealth of information contained here is nearing mythic. However, this is a question I cannot find what I'm looking for.

I'm having some trouble finding data centers that will allow me to run cable tv to a server. I've been told that it is policy to not allow that. Indeed, I can see where the issue would come in if I'd stream cable content/copyrights/yadda yadda. However, I'm willing to sign off that that is not what I want to do at all.

We have a customer who monitors local advertising (commercials) nationally, and compiles the commercial data.

I'm looking at Houston and Denver ATM. Houston in particular really doesn't have many options that I've found.

Am I really breaking taboo, or is this something that shouldn't be that big of an issue?

[tulix]

Allowing - you shouldn't have problems with that. Now providing you with a cable - different story - don't know why, but it is difficult for a DC to provide you with a cable. Like Comcast didn't do that for some of Atlanta DC customers period.

[RyanD]

I know this is possible, Comcast has an entire rack in the AtlantaNAP that they deliver cable feeds to customers with.

[ObjectZone]

Originally Posted by WireSix

I know this is possible, Comcast has an entire rack in the AtlantaNAP that they deliver cable feeds to customers with.

Wow. That's very interesting that they actually need a whole rack to do that.

--Chris

[digitalforest]

Cable is just another cable. Colo providers are in the business of providing connectivity, so I find it baffling that you are encountering resistance on this one.

[speedcolo]

One challenge is that many (most?) datacenters have no structured wiring for RG6. I've never looked at the specifics, but I'm not sure I'd even want it running in the same raceway or tray/ladder-rack as other cabling types (anyone have any info on that)?

Another thing I've experienced, is a Cable Guy showing up saying "I have an order to run cable into your building to Company X". If a colocated customer of the datacenter just places the order, the cable company tech may try to treat the datacenter like any office building. If asked to terminate at a demarcation point, they may hold-up the set-top box they brought and say they need to install the coax "all the way to the TV".

There are probably ways to get a proper order placed, but a large cable co. is very used to serving ordinary subscribers. It's easier to deal with fiber-based LECs, who are used to central offices, telco entrace facilities and demarcs. Now, the Cable Co may also BE a fiber-based LEC, but if you order TV service, you get Cable Guy, not a fiber tech.

To be fair, I've also experienced LEC technicians insist that they need to run a T1 cable through a datacenter, all the way to a cabinet, because their customer paid $50 for "premium wiring".

[Jay Suds]

I have seen it done in other facilities we've been in during the past. Certainly, one issue is just if the cable provider has facilities in the building where the data center is. That's not always the case.

[sailor]

Originally Posted by ObjectZone

Wow. That's very interesting that they actually need a whole rack to do that.

--Chris

Its too far of a run for them to pull individual cables from the pole out front so they put main feeder cable in and a head end - so its like having a pole in the data center to do feeds from. Apparently the signal strength is better for them that way.

[Amish_Geek]

With Docsis 3.0 out now, wouldn't it make more sense for the customer to get a 50mb or 100mb cable internet connection at their office, plug the cabletv into a box in their office, and use the 100mb down/20mb up to sync the data to a box in the datacenter?

[csrush]

Originally Posted by speedcolo

One challenge is that many (most?) datacenters have no structured wiring for RG6. I've never looked at the specifics, but I'm not sure I'd even want it running in the same raceway or tray/ladder-rack as other cabling types (anyone have any info on that)?

Another thing I've experienced, is a Cable Guy showing up saying "I have an order to run cable into your building to Company X". If a colocated customer of the datacenter just places the order, the cable company tech may try to treat the datacenter like any office building. If asked to terminate at a demarcation point, they may hold-up the set-top box they brought and say they need to install the coax "all the way to the TV".

There are probably ways to get a proper order placed, but a large cable co. is very used to serving ordinary subscribers. It's easier to deal with fiber-based LECs, who are used to central offices, telco entrace facilities and demarcs. Now, the Cable Co may also BE a fiber-based LEC, but if you order TV service, you get Cable Guy, not a fiber tech.

To be fair, I've also experienced LEC technicians insist that they need to run a T1 cable through a datacenter, all the way to a cabinet, because their customer paid $50 for "premium wiring".

speedcolo,
That last comment is so funny, ie customer paid $50 for "premium wiring".[/ That happens alot more than most members think, so many times on the job. Lol!

[mkrug]

Agreed.. I once had a data center sales rep tell me that they had "special power" when referring to an electrical question...

At any rate, thanks for the responses! I hope I'm not violating any rules by asking if anyone could recommend me providers of such services in the following areas? I'm batting zero.

Houston, TX
Erie, PA
Denver, CO
Albuquerque, NM

Yes, weird areas, heh. We work with a company who monitors marketing (commercials) locally around the country, and compile the data for market research. The areas they cover are not exactly "prime" as far as data centers go

[fastdeploy]

Originally Posted by mkrug

Yes, weird areas, heh. We work with a company who monitors marketing (commercials) locally around the country, and compile the data for market research. The areas they cover are not exactly "prime" as far as data centers go

This topic has come up at least once on WHT before and it's a hard one to solve.

I don't think getting cable in a data center is so much a function of "resistance" per se as it is merely a problem of facilities - i.e., cablecos simply do not put the presence in the building. In many cases data centers are in business-zoned areas which quite frequently do not have trenched in coax in the streets - at least, not in our part of the world. And, if they do, they don't bring the coax into the DC building - and, generally, you're probably looking at the low 5 figures to trench it into the building.

I've gotten many many colocation service requests over the years for similiar "market research" companies who want DC colo in several small and mid-market television markets and it's a very tall order. Though data centers may exist in those markets it's very very tough to find even a small percentage with existing coax facilities.

I'd be inclined to look to the cablecos themselves and see what they can do for you. Colocation with them seems unlikely but perhaps there is an alternative to bring backhauled signal in to a central location, though I'm kind of wondering if "market research" might directly compete with what they offer some of their advertising customers.

[mkrug]

No clue why I never thought to go directly to the Cable/Network providers. Guess that's what happens when you get old *sigh* Anyway, good idea. So potentially, I can just get multiple services from someone like Direct TV, and tailor those to each prospective local market. Outside of the box, but hey, never know. Could put dishes all over my little DC, haha. I'll give this a shot and post the results.