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Virtual Data Centre (VDC)

Keep what works, move what makes sense, and connect it all with a platform that’s flexible, secure and future‑ready.

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An automated, secure and highly scalable hosting alternative

A modern, VMware‑based IaaS that gives you cloud agility without the public cloud headaches. VDC bridges the gap between legacy on‑prem VMware and hyperscale platforms, delivering a low‑risk “lift and shift” experience with a familiar VMware interface, 24×7 support, and consumption‑based pricing. It’s available on a PAYG, no‑contract model across two UK regions for cost‑efficient, resilient hosting.

What this means for you: simpler operations, predictable costs, and a clear path to modernise at your pace, without managing hardware or retraining teams overnight.

 

 

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The Node4 Approach

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    Start with the reality you have

    We look at your environment, goals and constraints, then map a practical route from on‑prem to a more flexible model, without forcing an “all‑in cloud” leap.

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    Make migration low‑risk and familiar

    We use proven VMware tooling to replicate and test, then cut over when you’re ready, minimising disruption while removing the effort of hardware management.

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    Run hybrid, not fragmented

    Keep what needs to stay close, move what makes sense, and connect the pieces. VDC sits alongside colocation and public cloud when you need it.

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    Optimise continuously

    With PAYG, hourly billing, and self‑service, you scale safely and only pay for what you use. Our UK team stays close with round‑the‑clock support.

We suffer huge losses in a network-down scenario, making SD-WAN an attractive technology platform. Node 4 have been a real asst in helping us validate the SD-WAN business case.

Author Credit

Network Consultant | C&D Foods (Part of ABP Food Group)

Benefits

Cost‑effective, predictable billing
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Long‑term contracts and rigid terms make it harder to scale when you need to. With VDC, you only pay for what you use, just like public cloud, but without the lock‑in. Billing reflects your actual monthly consumption, so costs stay fair, flexible and under control.

Self‑service control, without the wait
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When business changes, you need to move fast. Waiting on tickets slows everything down. With VDC, you’re in the driver’s seat. Add resources, tweak configurations, or spin up new services in real time, no delays, no chasing support.

Migration made simple
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Moving platforms shouldn’t feel like open‑heart surgery. We make it smooth and low‑risk. Our VMware‑based platform keeps things familiar, while our experienced team handles the heavy lifting. We’ve done this hundreds of times, so you can focus on running your business, not firefighting a migration.

Fully managed, fully supported
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A robust, secure platform is only half the story, you need the right people behind it. With Node4, you get 24/7 UK‑based support and a team that can manage everything from your VDC environment to databases and security operations. We’re here to keep things running, so you don’t have to.

Try VDC with £250 free credit
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Changing providers is a big decision, you need proof it works. That’s why we’ll give you £250 credit to test VDC for yourself. Build, simulate, and explore in a safe environment before you commit. No risk, no pressure, just a chance to see how much easier life can be.

Slide into our VMs

Meet VDC slide, our cloud migration service that effortlessly moves your virtual machines to our VDC platform. Plus, this laaS platform offers a no-contract, pay-as-you-go infrastructure with a familiar self-service interface, meaning your IT admin teams will feel right at home.

Find out how VDC Slide can help you easily migrate your VMware workloads to our VDC service on our product guide

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Let’s talk about your hosting options

Thinking about your next move? Now’s the perfect time to explore what’s possible. Book a free mini‑workshop or discovery session and get practical answers, not sales pitches.

Virtual Data Centre Demo

30–60 minutes

See VDC in action. We’ll walk you through how it works, what it delivers, and whether it’s the right fit for your business. 

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Cloud Pricing Comparison

15 minutes

Find out how VDC stacks up against other cloud options and where you could save. Includes a free comparison report.

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1:1 Cloud Discovery Workshop

60 minutes

Sit down with our Cloud Technology Practice Director, Andrew Slater, for a one‑to‑one session on all things cloud. We’ll explore your goals and uncover ways to unlock real value. 

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Introducing Virtual Datacentre Webinar

Learn all about Node4's new transformational infrastructure-as-a-service platformVirtual Data Centre (VDC), and how it offers a true alternative hosting platform.

Join our Cloud Technology Practice Director Andy Slater, for this on-demand informative webinar, as we delve into this new generation of cloud service.

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View case study

Together

Discover how Node4 provided Together for Mental Wellbeing with a secure, resilient Virtual Data Centre solution

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FAQs

What is the difference between a traditional data center and a virtual data center?

Traditional Data Center: A physical facility that houses servers, storage, networking equipment, and cooling systems. It requires significant capital investment, ongoing maintenance, and physical space. Organisations own and manage the hardware, which means high upfront costs and less flexibility.

Virtual Data Center (VDC): A software-defined environment that emulates a physical data center using virtualisation. It runs on shared infrastructure and is accessed remotely via the internet. VDC offers pay-as-you-go pricing, scalability, and eliminates the need for physical hardware management, making it more cost-efficient and agile.

In short: Traditional = physical hardware you own and maintain; VDC = virtualised resources delivered as a service.

What is the difference between cloud and a virtual data center?

Cloud: A broad term for on-demand IT resources delivered over the internet by providers like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. It includes compute, storage, and services on a global scale, often across multiple regions.

Virtual Data Center: A specific type of cloud infrastructure that mimics a traditional data center virtually. It gives businesses greater control and customisation (e.g., building virtual networks, firewalls, and VMs) while still offering cloud-like flexibility. Think of it as a private, software-defined data center hosted in the cloud.

Key difference: Cloud is a broad service model; VDC is a specialised implementation that feels like managing your own data center, virtually.

What are the three types of data centers?

The three primary types are:

  1. Enterprise Data Centers – Owned and operated by a single organisation, usually on-premises or near headquarters. Offers full control and customisation.
  2. Colocation Data Centers – Third-party facilities where businesses rent space, power, and cooling for their own hardware.
  3. Cloud Data Centers – Large-scale facilities run by cloud providers, offering virtualised resources on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis.

Get in touch

If you’d like to know more about our virtual data centre services or the wider range of solutions we provide that can benefit your organisation, get in touch with us today. Our team of virtual cloud server experts will be happy to help with any query you may have.

Calls sales 0345 123 2222 or email info@node4.co.uk

You can also learn more about our range of services, including our IT security, data centre services, colocation hosting and managed IT services.