Understanding the backup option that gives you space—but not the gear
The Scenario
Imagine your company’s data center suddenly goes offline due to a fire or flood. You need a place to start rebuilding operations. One option is to use a cold site—a backup facility that provides the basic environment but not the actual equipment.
What a Cold Site Includes
✅ Power supply
✅ Climate control (air conditioning, etc.)
✅ Raised floors (to support server infrastructure)
✅ Telephone/network cabling
✅ Physical space
❌ No computers, servers, or software
❌ No data or backups already installed
You bring your own hardware and restore your systems yourself.
When a Cold Site Is Used
Cold sites are often used by companies that:
- Want a low-cost recovery option
- Can tolerate longer downtime while equipment and data are brought in
- Have detailed recovery procedures and the team to execute them
- Don’t need real-time operations restored immediately
How It Compares to Other Recovery Sites
| Site Type | What It Provides | Cost | Recovery Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Site | Just the building and power | 💲 (Cheapest) | 🐢 (Slowest) |
| Warm Site | Building + some equipment, maybe old data | 💲💲 | 🐇 (Medium) |
| Hot Site | Full hardware + up-to-date data, ready to go | 💲💲💲 (Most expensive) | 🚀 (Fastest) |
Key Takeaway
A cold site gives you a space to start over—but you bring the tech and data. It’s budget-friendly, but not time-friendly. If your business can afford a longer recovery window, it might be a smart backup plan. If not, consider a warm or hot site for faster bounce-back.
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