DCIM - The Key to Data Center Management

According to the forecasts of iKS-Consulting analysts, by 2021, the growth in the number of server racks at the largest data center service providers in Russia will reach 49 thousand. And their number in the world, according to Gartner, has long exceeded 2.5 million.

For modern enterprises, data centers are a valuable asset. The demand for resources for storing and processing data is constantly growing, and along with it electricity tariffs are rising. Traditional monitoring and control systems cannot answer the questions of how much electricity is consumed, who consumes it and how to save it. They do not help to find answers to other questions of data center service specialists:

• How to ensure the smooth operation of the center?
• How to configure equipment and create a reliable infrastructure for critical elements?
• How to establish effective management of the most active sites?
• How to improve the data center management system?

That is why outdated non-integrated systems are being replaced by DCIM - the latest data center monitoring and control system that allows you to reduce costs, answer questions and solve a number of other, no less important tasks:

• elimination of the causes of failures;
• data center capacity increase;
• increased return on investment;
• staff reduction.

DCIM combines all components of equipment and IT infrastructure on one platform and provides complete information for decision-making on management and quality service of data centers.

The system monitors power consumption in real time, displays energy efficiency indicators (PUE), monitors environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, pressure ...) and the operation of information resources - servers, switches and storage systems.

Three examples of implementing DCIM solutions

We will briefly describe how the Delta InfraSuite Manager DCIM system was implemented at various enterprises and what result was achieved.

1. Taiwan semiconductor component company.

Specialization: development of integrated circuits for wireless communications, DVD / Bluray devices, high-definition television.

Task. Implement a complete DCIM solution in the new mid-size data center. The most important parameter is continuous monitoring of energy efficiency indicators (PUE). It was also supposed to monitor the state of the entire working environment, power systems, cooling, access to the room, logical controllers and other equipment.

Solution . Three Delta InfraSuite Manager system modules (Operation Platform, PUE Energy, Asset) are installed. This made it possible to integrate disparate components into a single system, where all the information from the elements of the data center infrastructure began to flow. To control costs, a virtual electricity meter has been developed.

Result:

• reduction in average repair time (MTTR);
• increase in service availability and environmental friendliness of data centers;
• lower energy costs.

Despite the fact that with the help of the data center monitoring and control system it is possible to solve a wide range of problems, initially you need to focus on the main problem - the pain point of the business, where the implementation of DCIM will bring maximum benefits.

2. Indian company Tata Communications.

Specialization: The world's largest provider of telecommunications services.

Task. For eight data centers, each of which occupies a four-story building with two halls, where 200 racks are installed, it was required to create a centralized data warehouse about IT equipment. Operating parameters should be constantly monitored and output for real-time analysis. In particular, it is important to see the power consumption and power consumption of each rack.

Decision. The Delta InfraSuite Manager system has been deployed as part of the Operation Platform, Asset and PUE Energy modules.

Result. The customer sees data on electricity consumption for all racks and their tenants. Receives individual reports on energy consumption. Monitors data center operating parameters in real time.

3. The Netherlands company Bytesnet.

Specialization: a provider of computing services, providing services for the placement and rental of servers.

Task. In the data centers located in the cities of Groningen and Rotterdam, it was required to introduce a power supply infrastructure. It was planned to use the PUE indicators at the data center scale for the development of measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Decision. Installation of the Operation Platform and PUE Energy modules of the Delta InfraSuite Manager system and integration of a number of devices of different brands to optimize monitoring.

Result: The staff got the opportunity to monitor the operation of the data center equipment. PUE metrics provided managers with the information they need to improve work efficiency and reduce energy costs. Data on the changing load on the cooling system and other important parameters allowed the company's specialists to ensure the availability of critical applications and equipment.

Modular DCIM solutions make it possible to implement the system in stages. First, the first module of the system is put into operation, for example, to control energy consumption, and then all the other modules in order.

DCIM is the Future

DCIM solutions make IT infrastructure transparent. Together with power monitoring, this makes it possible to minimize downtime in the operation of data centers, which are expensive for business. For centers nearing their limits, the installation of DCIM helps increase the return on existing infrastructure and delay new financial injections.

By analyzing the state of the working environment, the available capacity and the possibilities of building it up, companies begin to plan their capabilities, using accurate data. This helps to avoid financial risks in the form of unjustified investments.