At TotalChoice Hosting, colocation isn’t just about renting space. It’s about delivering a premium, hands-on experience from the moment you place your order — and this Dell PowerEdge R440 is a perfect example.
Step 1: The Web Order
This journey started like many others—with a client ordering our 1U colocation package directly from the TotalChoice Hosting website. As soon as the order was placed, our sales team reached out personally to finalize the details:
- Sent client a guide on Michigan Colocation Rack and Stack
- Provided the client’s dedicated IPv4 allocation
- Confirmed technical specs (power, uplinks, IPMI, etc.)
- Asked if the server would be shipped or hand-delivered
Step 2: Arrival via Client-Managed Shipping
The client chose to ship the server directly to our Michigan data center and took advantage of our White Glove Receiving & Rack Service.
While the client is responsible for arranging shipping, we provide clear guidance on packaging and delivery requirements:
- Use proper OEM-grade or better protective materials
- Include asset details inside the box
- Ensure signature-required delivery to our facility
- Send tracking info to our support team
Once the Dell PowerEdge R440 landed at our loading dock, our technicians took over — unboxing, inspecting, and preparing it for rack deployment.
Step 3: Honeymoon Service Begins
All new colocation clients enjoy our 30-Day Honeymoon Service — Gold-Level Smart Hands, completely free during the first month.
That includes:
- Free rack & stack
- Free cabling, power setup, and uplink testing
- Remote KVM/IPMI configuration
- Real-time setup assistance
After the Honeymoon period, clients can choose from four Smart Hands service levels to fit their ongoing needs — from basic tasks to full technical management.
Step 4: Inspection
After arrival, our techs performed a full intake inspection:
- Verified hardware integrity (PSU, fans, RAM, drive trays)
- Patched into our staging VLAN to confirm network behavior
- Verify successful POST (Power on Self Test) and clean boot.
Everything passed — the R440 was clean and stable and ready to rack.
Step 5: Rack, Stack & Connect
We mounted the server in Cabinet 19 – Slot 04, connected to dual redundant 120V PDUs, and patched it into our monitored blended bandwidth network on a fully monitored 1Gbps unmetered connection.
- Dual power feeds tested
- Neatly dressed and labeled cabling
- IPMI and KVM confirmed operational
- Switch port and MAC verified
- Logged into our internal DCIM inventory and added an inventory asset tag.
Step 6: Client Handoff
We sent the client:
- High-res photos of the rack installation
- IP and reverse DNS confirmations
- Uplink port info
- onboarding verification
- Access instructions and Smart Hands contact info
All of it — zero hassle, no delays.
Why It Matters
This is how we do colocation at TotalChoice Hosting:
- Clear communication
- Free expert onboarding
- Hands-on hardware care
- Real transparency
When your business depends on your server, we treat it like it’s ours.
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