A cold site or a hot site is, in the strictest sense of the term, an empty server facility with enough power, space, and cabling that it can be set up with equipment in short notice in the event of a disaster. Planning for data center redundancy involves serious consideration of an off-site backup facility. This research note discusses:
- Pricing, vendors, and availability for disaster recovery options.
- Selection criteria for matching service with corporate recovery goals.
- A case study of an Info-Tech Research Group client that outsourced its Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP).
Options for backup facilities are plentiful, but the decision must be based on budgetary restrictions, as well as tolerance for downtime.