Container is a term that describes an isolated IT hosting environment which runs its own Operating System (OS) alone, which might or might not be a different type of OS than the one of the underlying physical server (infrastructure). Unlike the other Virtual Servers (Virtual Machines), the so-called Containers are created through a virtualization technique called OS Virtualization. It is a software assisted virtualization, which allows any computer hardware to run multiple instances with separate OS concurrently.

The instances (VEs), also containers, work like a separate, real computers. Any software application running on a standard  Operating System can use all resources – CPU power, memory and other computing resources as well as files and folders – of a Container based computer.

Containers crated thought an OS Operating virtualization does not feature the same level of flexibility as the Virtual Machines created with full virtualization, for example. A Container cannot use an OS different from the one that runs on the underlying physical server, or a different guest kernel. If the underlying host runs any Linux distribution, the Containers that run on top of it cannot run Windows.

Colocation is a term used to describe a certain type of IT Hosting service provided by telecommunication facilities and data centers to clients who own equipment and need to house it. There are different levels of Colocation – from colocation of a single standard desktop computer or rack server to rack enclosures (cabinets) used for colocation of multiple computing appliances.

The minimum services provided by the host facility (data center) to a client are: space, power feed, access to internet service, power and cooling. The facilities usually house IT equipment into rack cabinets (See “Server Cabinet”, “19-inch Rack” and “Tower Server Rack”), mount them into rack units, connect them to special types of power distribution units (PDU) and connect them to networking equipment (network switches) to provide them with Internet connectivity.