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  Pricing out Colocation centers in San Francisco  
Digital Realty trust bought the eXchange at 200 Paul Ave. They are jacking up the prices for cabinets there by $100/month. I am now having to go around town and seek quotes from other colocation centers. If you hunt around, you can find various prices. Here are some things to remember to ask for when getting a quote:
  • How much power is included in a rack? Usually, 20 Amps. If you really load a rack up, you may need 30 Amps per cabinet. Ask how much an additional 10 Amps would cost monthly and for the setup. Get these numbers included in your contact. You can always add a page to the contact you sign with any colocation company and insist they sign it part of your terms in doing business with them.
  • How many access cards do you get per cabinet? Are there fees for more cards? Explain that you will not need 100 access cards, but if you rent an additional cabinet, you may need to provide additional access to the customer in that cabinet.
  • How much are cross connects? Do you have to pay one time fees or monthly fees? Ask them if you need to pay the monthly fee for cross connects after the first year. Ask them for free cross connects (usually, colocation companies will throw in the cross connects as they don't cost them squat after setting them up).
  • Ask them how much more racks would cost and wether the price of your rack will go up over time. I didn't do this, but perhaps it is possible to get a number locked into your contract that can be rolled over from year to year. Tell them you want the ability to have the same terms from year to year if you remain a cutsomer. Refuse to sign any contracts over 1 year: they encourage lazyness on the part of the colocation facility.
  • This data is completely accurate.