CONNECTIONS_65-e

more sophisticated the integration, the more
successfully data centers will be able to serve
the market in the future.
Insight into data center infrastructures with
the DCIM software inteliPhy net
The cabling must be planned for the new
architecture in detail and with foresight. For
the journey to 800 Gigabit and beyond, data
centers need a detailed scaling and migration
strategy. And that strategy has to be about
more than just high density. The interdependencies
between racks, cabling density,
weight, cable pathways, cable management
and airflow also need to be investigated.
The new PDU affects everyone
A current example which will also influence
future planning: Where conventional connector
strips were previously sufficient, remotely
Smart Power Distribution Units:
a cost-saving solution
050.6975 050.7137
The DCIM software inteliPhy net from R&M
enables asset management of IT hardware.
controllable, hydraulically-magnetically
protected PDUs with network modules will
soon be used. They are intended to make
the electrical infrastructure safer and more
intelligent. Once again, it becomes apparent
that a single advance entails a number of
interdependencies.
The infrastructure planners have to accommodate
additional bus cabling and sensors
in the rack. For network planners, it is a
matter of how many ports and IP addresses
the intelligent PDUs take up. Operators and
customer care want to know if changes and
maintenance require expensive interruptions
of operation. The sustainability manager
needs information about power consumption.
The provision of detailed information
for each connected IT device helps to determine
the current, contemporary PUE and
to plan the data center’s energy balance in
the future.
Homework: Digitizing
One prerequisite is that data centers also
digitize their own operations.
They will understand the correlations more
easily if they can fully map operation in
superordinate, multifunctional management
software. This requires deep insight into
the facilities and infrastructures on the
basis of digitized data. In this way, operation
managers can be relieved of their two main
tasks: Planning the status of the installations
of all sections and documenting their current
status as well as ensuring efficient operation.
The software should be able to simulate how
new, additional or changed IT, applications
and services affect operations. It should make
it possible to develop scenarios for spaces,
racks, cabling, power supply, cooling, sensors,
and other gray space elements.
With such a solution, those responsible
could take a «virtual» future journey through
their data center. They could avoid surprises,
gain planning certainty, avoid oversized
investments and bottlenecks, and efficiently
implement customer requests.
070.5066
The ActiPower 4.0 Power Distribution Unit
from R&M is intended to bring about cost- and
energy-saving data center operation.
The smart Power Distribution Unit
ActiPower 4.0 from R&M aims to save
costs and reduce power consumption in
data center operation. The switching relays
of the ActiPower 4.0 consume 70 % less
energy than comparable products. The
PDUs can withstand environmental temperatures
of up to 60° Celsius. They can be
managed remotely via Ethernet ports and
the DCIM program inteliPhy net. They can
communicate with sensors for temperature,
humidity, water, smoke, vibration and
door contacts.
Thinking multidimensionally
All this means that it’s increasingly about more
than just «plug & play» or about uploading
new software. Today, and in the near future,
digitalization projects are deeply affecting
data center processes and infrastructures. The
details and deadlines of individual projects can
often only be determined at short notice.
There is growing recognition that data
centers are increasingly dealing with multidimensional
correlations. Today, it is particularly
important to pay attention to the integration
of non-computing areas. This is crucial in
order to keep the computer room running
efficiently whatever the load.
That’s why it’s important to take a holistic
approach. The better the IT hardware, power
supply, connectivity, cooling and security
solutions interact, the more cost-efficient,
secure and sustainable the overall performance
will be. The more comprehensively
the correlations are understood and the
www.rdm.com/solutions/
data-center/
www.rdm.com/
bladeshelter/
www.rdm.com/actipower-
4-0-smart-pdus-for-your-dc/
050.7091
Carsten Ludwig
Market Manager Data Center
carsten.ludwig@rdm.com
10|2023–65 CONNECTIONS | 7