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when shopping for a data center - the actual server package is the last on my list of concerns - any reputable data center can upgrade a server when needed. The real issues are security (physical and network), facility redundancy (power, comm, switches, environmental etc..) - to implement these things properly, it takes hundreds of thousands of dollars - these facility requirements are not flexible in my opinion - Current server technology is changing constantly as are the needs of my sites but facility requirements have not changed significantly in 15 years. I would only lease from a provider that has proper data facilities and can upgrade my server(s) within 24 hours if the need arises.
As for comm failures - most of these will boil down to failures within the facility and not charged to the network provider. Having worked as a network provider for 22 years, these systems are pretty robust - but when your switch fails, and you have no replacement in country (don't laugh - happens every day) your servers will be communicating with nothing. Same goes for power - the wind storms in Central Europe in the late 80's (hell, it was the year I met my ex) took down half the Pfaelzerwald and our power for 9 days - had we not had diesel powered generators and extensive battery backup we would have been dead in the water.
If my service provider was down for 9 days, I'd be looking to kill someone.
Bottom line in my mind - facility trumps server hardware every time and you've mentioned nothing of the facility these "servers" are to be installed in. I can put a better server in my basement for less but my basement is not suited as a data center so I lease for a leading provider so I can sleep at night.
Just my 2 cents
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