With every recession, companies make valiant attempts to reduce their spending. One of the first things to go is marketing. Then the C-Suite starts to look for other potential savings, including in the area of servers and data management. But the need to process and analyze data, access the internet, and other tasks doesn’t go away. To be competitive, data centers also need to cut costs, and find ways to do more with less.
Sometimes this involves moves and changes that, while they cost time and even money to implement in the short term, will result in later gains in the long term. Let’s look at some strategies that can help optimize your data center.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
How optimizing server configurations can lead to cost savings.
How improved airflow leads to long-term savings.
How remote monitoring can save time and money.
Optimize Server Configurations
One of the best ways to cut costs is to optimize your server configurations. Servers will use less floorspace, giving you room to add new servers in the same number of square feet.
How do you do this? Well, first you start by replacing your existing Cable Management racks, with Horizontal Zero U Cable Management Racks. This unique design is used to mount ZeroU Cable Managers in the same U space as the active component, replacing conventional 1U and 2U cable managers and recovering rack space which can now be used for active devices.
When you use An D Cable’s slim 4” Vertical Cable Managers, (VCM), you can save even more space allowing you to gain floor space and move racks closer together.
This alone can result in a cost savings of between $4,000 and $9,000 per 4 system installations.
But that’s just the start of how you’ll save money. When you use AnD Cable Products’ slim 4” Vertical Cable Managers (VCM), you can save even more space, as they enable you to gain floor space by moving the racks closer together.
Below is a Whitepaper we’ve written that will take you through this step-by-step.
WHITEPAPER – Optimizing Server Cabinet Rack Space to Maximize Efficiency and Reduce Costs
Not only do Zero U Cable Management Racks save space, but they can also help you improve server airflow no matter what your HVAC configuration. Not only are “spaghetti mess” wires ugly and potentially damaging, but they also impede airflow. This results in higher operating temperatures and reduced efficiency along with the potential damage to equipment.
But also as rack density increases, so do challenges to HVAC systems. This is why hot and cold aisle containment, assisted by the right rack systems and better cabling solutions is essential. This is true for both hyperscale data centers and edge data centers. Whether hot or cold aisle containment is right for you will depend on your situation.
But either way, optimizing your rack space is just the first step. Adding the right containment plan and HVAC solution can also save you a lot of money in the long run.
This eliminates temperature changes from workers entering and exiting the data center floor, saves time and money spent on on-site personnel, and can facilitate repairs by pinpointing problems and taking the guesswork out of repairs.
A cloud server means monitoring can happen anywhere, managers and technicians can receive real time alerts, and solutions can be immediately deployed. It’s one of the best ways to do more with less.
Finally, there are infinite ways to go green with your data center. Not only are renewable energy sources available, but there are many ways to conserve energy. Many are listed above, like server optimization, hot and cold aisle containment, and remote monitoring. But there are also countless examples of how Amazon, Facebook, and other tech giants are “greening” their data centers.
With the greater demands of AI, remote work, and increased internet speeds and 5G demands, these steps are more important than ever. Green initiatives are vital to energy and cost savings over time.
A global recession still looms, and while it may be short lived, there are always ups and downs in any industry. Preparing for the next downturn is not just taking advantage of savings now, but it a viable way to plan for a better, more sustainable future. That sustainability impacts not only your business, but the companies you serve and the planet we all live on.
Doing more with less isn’t just a short term solution. It’s a better way of doing business. Make a start by Contacting Us to discuss your needs.
FAQs
Why should a company optimize its data center for a potential downturn?
With every recession, companies look to reduce spending. By optimizing the data center, a business can cut costs and find ways to “do more with less” without sacrificing the essential functions of processing and analyzing data.
What are some strategies for optimizing a data center to reduce costs?
-Optimizing server configurations to use less floor space.
-Improving airflow for greater HVAC efficiency.
-Using remote monitoring systems.
-Going green when possible.
How does optimizing server configurations save money?
By replacing existing cable management racks with Horizontal Zero U Cable Management Racks and using slim Vertical Cable Managers (VCM), companies can save space and add new servers within the same footprint. This can result in significant cost savings, estimated to be between $4,000 and $9,000 for a 4-system installation.
How does improving airflow contribute to cost savings?
Poorly managed cables can impede airflow, leading to higher operating temperatures and reduced efficiency. By using products like Zero U Cable Management Racks and implementing hot and cold aisle containment, data centers can improve airflow, leading to greater HVAC efficiency and lower energy costs.
What is the benefit of using remote monitoring?
Remote monitoring, through physical layer network security, monitoring, and control systems, allows managers and technicians to monitor systems and make changes from anywhere. This eliminates temperature changes from personnel entering the data center, saves time and money on on-site staff, and facilitates repairs by pinpointing problems.
About the Author
Louis Chompff – Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cable labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and rack space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more. Visit https://andcable.com or shop online at https://andcable.com/shop/
Data centers are often made up of hot and cold aisles, and the design of the hot / cold aisle data center is far from new. However, the traditional setup causes warm air exhaust from one aisle to flow into the air intake of the next, meaning that the overall efficiency of the data center is impacted. And really, that’s what hot and cool aisle containment is all about.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
The benefit of remote monitoring in temperature control.
What Hot, Cold, and Partial Aisle Containment methods are.
The importance of liquid cooling and airflow.
Balancing hot and cold aisles is more important than ever to running an efficient data center
As rack density increases, especially in edge data centers and hyperscale data centers, the need for efficiency increases. This is also impacted by the fact that there are more green data centers, who may be generating their own energy using solar or other renewable resources.
How does containment work and how does it impact your data center?
Remote Monitoring and Temperature Control
Of course, before we get to containment itself, it’s a good reminder to revisit physical layer monitoring. To know how effective any containment effort is, it’s necessary to monitor temperatures. This is most often done with temperature indicating panels, three per rack at the top, middle, and bottom, so that intake temperatures can be monitored regularly.
Of course, someone entering the area to manually check temperatures is yet another disruption to airflow, so remote monitoring as a part of physical network security is essential. This allows managers not only to monitor these temperatures, but receive alerts and take action if something goes wrong.
But the most important fact for this discussion is to know what temperatures are so that efficiency and the effectiveness of containment can be monitored.
What is Aisle Containment?
Aisle containment is essentially isolating aisles by relative temperature. Essentially it means placing doors at the end of each aisle, and then adding panels, or barriers, from the top of the cabinet upwards.
The more airtight this containment is, the more efficient cooling can be, and the easier it is to manage airflow. It’s pretty simple, but there are a couple of different approaches, each with its own pros and cons.
Hot vs. Cold Aisle Containment
There are two ways to manage aisle containment: hot and cold aisle containment. And they work exactly the way they sound.
Hot Aisle Containment: Hot aisles are contained, leaving the rest of the room at a more comfortable cool aisle temperature. It’s also easier to manage in many cases.
Cold Aisle Containment: Cold aisles are isolated or contained, which means the rest of the room stays at the warmer hot aisle temperature. This can also make getting the right amount of airflow tricky due to pressure changes, but managed properly it can deliver the most uniform temperature air to servers..
Choosing the right type of aisle containment for your data center depends on your situation, but there are some differences between new data center construction and retrofitting an existing data center.
Retrofitting vs. New Data Center Construction
In the case of a new data center, most of the time hot aisle containment is the method of choice. This is easier to set up in a new data center, as that allows you to start with the type of containment you need, and to set up HVAC systems and sensors to accommodate that.
This creates an easier environment for technicians to work in when necessary, and is overall a more efficient choice. However, things are different when it comes to existing data centers
Existing data centers are easier to retrofit with cool aisle containment. While there is some additional monitoring, the way cooling systems work simply means this process is simpler in a currently operating system without creating expensive downtime for making moves and changes and installing containment.
That doesn’t mean that no new data center will be built with cool aisle containment. It simply means that hot aisle containment is a more frequent choice.
Partial Containment Solutions
When it comes to retrofitting, sometimes full aisle containment in either format is not possible. In those cases, partial containment is a solution. How is this achieved?
Often plastic strips can be used, similar to those you would go through walking into an industrial freezer or even certain restaurant kitchens. These can be hung at the end of aisles and from the tops of servers to the ceiling, just like other containment methods.
While not as effective, partial containment can be easy to retrofit and implement, and in some cases is about 75% as effective as full containment. For existing data centers looking for a quick and inexpensive efficiency solution, partial containment is a viable option.
But containment is just a part of rack cooling solutions, and there are some new and exciting ones.
WHITEPAPER – Optimizing Server Cabinet Rack Space to Maximize Efficiency and Reduce Costs
Data center cooling has evolvedfrom older, inefficient systems to more contemporary ones in a relatively short period of time. However, one thing that has been around for a while but is experiencing a boom in denser, modern data centers is liquid cooling.
Why? Well, in most cases liquid cooling is more efficient than air cooling in data centers, and when the two are used in conjunction, generally the best results can be achieved. The larger data centers get, the more power they consume, the greater the push towards a blended approach to cooling that not only saves power and is better for the environment, but prolongs the life of equipment and saves space as well.
But even with the addition of liquid cooling, it’s all about efficient use of rack space and the airflow around them.
It’s All About Airflow
No matter what kind of aisle containment is used, and no matter how efficient the cooling system, saving space, improving efficiency, and keeping things organized, maximizing rack space efficiency and airflow is vital.
Whether you are retrofitting a data center or engaged in new construction, we have the rack system that’s right for you.
Contact AnD Cable Products today for all of your cable, rack, and physical network security needs. We’d love to start a conversation about the right solution for you.
FAQs
What is hot and cold aisle containment in a data center?
Hot and cold aisle containment is a data center design strategy that separates the hot exhaust air from equipment from the cold supply air. This is done by physically enclosing either the hot aisles or the cold aisles to prevent the mixing of air, which improves cooling efficiency and reduces energy costs.
What are the two main types of aisle containment?
The two main types are hot aisle containment and cold aisle containment. Hot aisle containment encloses the hot aisles, directing hot exhaust air directly to the cooling units. Cold aisle containment, on the other hand, encloses the cold aisles, keeping the cool air localized for the equipment intakes.
Which type of containment is better for a new data center?
For new data center builds, hot aisle containment is often preferred. It is generally easier to integrate with new HVAC systems and provides a more comfortable working environment for technicians, as the majority of the room remains at a cooler temperature.
Which type of containment is better for retrofitting an existing data center?
For existing data centers, cold aisle containment is typically the easier and more cost-effective option for a retrofit. It is a simpler process that can be implemented without significant downtime.
Can partial containment be used, and how effective is it?
Yes, partial containment is a viable solution when full containment is not feasible. This can be achieved using plastic strips or similar materials and is noted to be about 75% as effective as a full containment system.
Why is monitoring important for aisle containment?
Regardless of the containment method, remote monitoring and temperature control are crucial. They allow data center managers to assess the effectiveness of the containment efforts, identify any thermal inefficiencies, and optimize the cooling system for peak performance.
About the Author
Louis Chompff – Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cable labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and rack space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more. Visit https://andcable.com or shop online at https://andcable.com/shop/
Fires are not super common in data centers, but they do happen, and most often when they do, they are not reported (at least not in the news). Much of the reason for this is that fires are usually small and quickly contained. It is unusual for a data center to become fully engulfed.
Even when such fires are reported on, details can be sketchy, causes, and investigations hidden behind NDA’s and are therefore difficult to learn from. While companies want to retain control over the narrative and how it impacts their reputation, the information around fires can and should be shared within the industry to prevent further similar events. And there are some things you can do now – such as remote monitoring – to keep your staff and facilities safe.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
The few key fire risks common to all data centers.
The importance of fire prevention and how to accomplish it in a data center.
The use of fire-rated busbar trunking systems and the guidelines for their testing.
Remote monitoring can help your data center keep staff and equipment safe from fire damage
The OVHCloud Incident
On 10 March 2021, near midnight local time, afire started in the OVHCloud SBG2 data center, quickly got out of control, and even damaged two other nearby data centers. The fire started near two UPS units, one of which was worked on that same day.
The company is considered a European alternative to the giant US cloud operators and is a key participant in the European Union’s GaiaX cloud project. Data centers serve some key functions in the French government, the UK vehicle licensing department, and others. Operations were directly impacted by the fire, although the company did have backup data centers, and quickly restored service to most customers.
But poor design and operational practices that seem to sacrifice dependability for innovation have caused some issues, including major outages, for OVHCloud. The fire just punctuated an ongoing issue but also caused many data center operators and customers to pause and think about something probably not mentioned often enough: the risk of fire in data centers.
What are the Fire Risks?
When broken down there are a few key fire risks common to all data centers, and most of the time they are relatively easy to mitigate.
Electrical Equipment – temperature changes can increase this risk, and of course, a source of risk is also backup power equipment. Generator rooms that contain gas or diesel fumes can create intense fires quickly that would be hard to fight.
Cables – data center power cables are usually not enough to start a fire by themselves, but a damaged cable can release sparks or overheat and cause a small fire or thermal incident that can then spread. Proper cable management and monitoring of underfloor and overhead cabling can help prevent these events.
HVAC Infrastructure – heating and cooling units present some fire danger to data centers and should be inspected often and monitored carefully. Its operation is also critical to maintaining optimal temperatures in the data centerto prevent other thermal events.
External Fire Sources – California wildfires. The recent blaze in Boulder. The Texas fires last year. All are examples of external fire risk to data centers, specifically those Edge data centers in less populated areas.
Most of these can be controlled by properly managing the data center, but there are some events that can only be prepared for. Having fire suppression systems and plans in place is critical regardless of the likelihood of the danger.
Fire Prevention Systems
Of course, the best prescription for dealing with fire is prevention. The key to this in the modern data center environment is a complete remote monitoring system. The A150 Network Monitoring System is designed specifically for data centers, IT rooms, and confidential lab operators with virtual graphics showing temperature, rack power consumption, and humidity.
But most importantly for this topic, the system provides alerts for mission critical events like the sudden temperature changes associated with fires, smoke alarms, and sprinkler activation alerts. You can also be alerted to things like power spikes, a rise in server temperatures, or even UPS unit failures so you can make emergency repairs and mitigate fire risk before one starts.
The reality is that anything you can do to prevent fire before it happens is preferrable than anything you can do to suppress and extinguish an active blaze. However, those are contingencies you need to prepare for.
Fire Rated Power Distribution Systems
There are two primary principles when it comes to any fire safety plan, anywhere. They are the two P’s: prevent (which we discussed above) and protect. Part of both of these is the vital role of uninterrupted power. Enter the role of a fire-rated busbar trunking system.
These systems can be operational for a period of up to two or even three hours depending on their ratings. They’re also cased in a fire-retardant self-extinguishing resin that essentially protects the power supply itself. The idea is that this will give first responders time to extinguish the fire before it can spread.
How do you choose the right one for your data center? Well, there are established guidelines that indicate the type of fire, the duration they were tested for, how they endured water spray, such as that from sprinkler systems, and the power supply integrity in a fire situation.
Technically, they look like this:
BS IEC 60331-1: 2019 – Tests for electric cables under fire conditions; circuit integrity
BS 8602:2013 – Method for assessment of fire integrity of cast resin busbar trunking systems for the safety-critical power distribution to life safety and firefighting systems
BS 6387:2013 (CWZ Protocol) – Test method for resistance to fire of cables required to maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions. Fire-resistant cables are classified by a sequence of symbols (for example, CWZ) in accordance with the fire resistance criteria they meet, the selected test temperature, and the length of the fire resistance test per BS 6387
NFPA 75 – Standard for the fire protection of IT equipment
ISO 834 – Fire resistance tests- elements of building construction
ATEX & IECEx – ATEX certification is given to equipment that has gone through rigorous testing outlined by European Union directives and proved safe to use in specific environments with explosive atmospheres, according to the zone/s they are certified to be used in.
The most important part of this discussion is the planning stage. It’s vital to have a disaster plan in place and address both prevention and keeping a fire from happening in the first place to protect the data center and minimize the fire’s impact.
The more we learn from data center fires, the more likely we are to be able to prevent them going forward, and mitigate the damage in the rare event they do occur.
Physical Layer Environment Network Security Monitoring and Control
Full visibility, network security and control of your physical layer environment. Monitor your entire hybrid cloud and IT infrastructure from a cloud-based, integrated dashboard:
Why is a fire-rated power distribution system important for data centers?
A fire-rated power distribution system helps reduce the risk of fires in data centers. While fires in these facilities may not be common, they can lead to significant and costly downtime and data loss.
What are the primary fire risks in a data center?
The main fire risks come from electrical equipment, cables, HVAC infrastructure, and external sources such as wildfires.
What is the difference between fire prevention and fire protection in this context?
Fire prevention focuses on proactive measures to stop a fire from starting. This includes using remote monitoring systems to detect early signs of trouble, like sudden temperature changes or power spikes. Fire protection involves measures to protect the power supply and other critical systems after a fire has started, ensuring they remain operational.
What is a fire-rated busbar trunking system?
A fire-rated busbar trunking system is an alternative to traditional cabling for power distribution. It is encased in a fire-retardant resin and is designed to remain operational for up to three hours during a fire, helping to ensure a continuous power supply.
Are there any industry standards or guidelines for these systems?
Yes, these systems adhere to various established guidelines and certifications, including BS IEC 60331-1, NFPA 75, and ATEX.
About the Author
Louis Chompff – Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cable labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and rack space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more. Visit https://andcable.com or shop online at https://andcable.com/shop/
Computing on the edge: it seems that everyone is doing it, from big industry to manufacturers, from ISPs to Cloud Computing centers. When you can locate computing and analytics power closer to machines connected via the IoT and other data sources, the faster you can gather data, and the more data you can store and analyze in a timely manner. For some, edge data centers seem like the final frontier for data.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
The challenges faced by edge data centers.
The solutions for efficient space usage in edge data centers.
Economic impact of efficient space utilization.
This has resulted in data centers that vary in size, from the size of a very large cabinet to those contained in the space of a small shipping container. But like any journey to the edge, there are challenges and risks. There are two primary ones we will address here:
Temperature – Because of the small spaces edge data centers often occupy, airflow and temperature control can be tricky.
Space – Smaller size also means that saving space is critical, and on the flip side, can also enable more airflow and indirect cooling in a confined area.
In this way, the two primary challenges are related, and often a solution that mitigates one will also help mitigate the other. Let’s take a quick look at each of these.
Controlling the Environment on the Edge
The temperatures that edge data centers operate at are critical. And there is a huge difference between the cooling we need for a building designed to keep people comfortable, and a building designed to serve machines. Think of it this way: if someone opens the door to your office, you may feel a blast of warm or cold air, depending on the time of year. Your discomfort disappears quickly when the door closes, as the HVAC system takes over, and brings air back into the broad temperature tolerances humans can endure.
However, what happens when you go to an edge data center and open the door? The answer is, it depends on where it is. Large, brick and mortar data centers can be located in areas with minimal environmental challenges and low risk of natural disasters. But edge data centers must be located, well, where they are needed. That means in dusty and dirty environments, areas with extreme temperature fluctuations, and more.
There are really only two choices:
Develop and deploy equipment designed to withstand extremes, at a higher price point. A good example is cellular equipment like that developed by AT&T. However, the cost of this equipment is too high for standard edge data center deployment at scale.
Work with existing, readily available equipment and use unique strategies to combat environmental changes at a small scale, including using tents or shrouds for entry and exit, using handheld temperature and humidity monitors to evaluate current conditions, and developing strategic plans for unexpected events.
Another part of the solution is to use remote monitoring, AI and the IoT in edge data centers to mitigate the need for human intervention. Monitoring the health of equipment and preventing disaster in the first place is one of the keys to efficient management of edge data centers.
This is but one of the challenges data center managers face. The second is the efficient use of available space.
Saving Space
While cooling and environmental control are critical, so is the efficient use of space. This can result in increased airflow and easier HVAC solutions while also enabling more servers to be installed in the same amount of space.
This involves a few key steps:
Rack Selection – Whether a data center uses 23” or 19” racks, there are rack solutions that take up less space, and are also able to use better rack management options.
Cable Management – ZeroU horizontal cable managers makes more room for servers in a single rack, and they prevent the “spaghetti mess” that can happen in server racks, and be especially problematic in edge data centers that are more compact.
Compact Vertical Cable Management – 11U cable managers also save space and keep cables organized and easy to access should moves, changes, or repairs be needed.
Anything that can be done to save space in an edge data center makes facing the other challenges related to environmental control easier, but it also has another impact: an economic one. The less space you need to get the computing power you need, the more compact your data center can be. Alternatively, this can give you space to scale as needed without creating yet another data center space.
At the edge, there are always challenges, but there are also solutions. From controlling the environment in and around the data center to using the space in the most efficient way possible, with the right equipment, these obstacles can be transformed into opportunities to change not only how much data is collected and how quickly it can be acted upon, but where it happens as well.
An edge data center is a computing facility located close to data sources, such as those connected by the Internet of Things (IoT), to enable faster data gathering, storage, and analysis.
What are the main challenges associated with deploying edge data centers?
The two primary challenges are managing temperature fluctuations and efficiently using space.
How can temperature challenges be addressed in edge data centers?
Temperature control can be handled in two ways: by using specialized, expensive equipment, or by using more affordable, standard equipment with strategic solutions like remote monitoring, AI, and IoT to mitigate environmental changes.
Why is space efficiency so important for edge data centers?
Saving space is critical because it improves airflow and cooling, which helps maintain equipment performance. It also allows for more servers to be installed and provides room for future expansion.
What are some solutions for effective space management in edge data centers?
Effective space management can be achieved by selecting the right racks and implementing efficient cable management solutions, such as ZeroU horizontal and 11U vertical cable managers.
About the Author
Louis Chompff – Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cable labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and rack space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more. Visit https://andcable.com or shop online at https://andcable.com/shop/
Data centers use a lot of power, and while the move to renewable energy helps, other efficiencies must be created to keep these power-hungry behemoths in check. It is estimated that 2% of the carbon emissions in the world come from data centers, and that will only increase as we stream more, save more on the cloud, and demand internet that is faster and faster. However, there is a monster or monsters lurking in nearly every data center – zombie servers.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
What zombie servers are and their impact on carbon footprint.
The challenge of identifying zombie servers.
Solutions for identifying and managing zombie servers.
Rather than roaming the world dragging their feet and looking for brains, these zombie servers quietly draw power, making a data center much less power efficient that it could be. It’s not just power either. There is also the hidden cost of the space these servers take up. What are “zombie servers” and what do we do about them?
Just Resting?
Even as demand for larger, faster data centers increases, there is a significant push for those data centers to be more efficient. So many data centers use less power as they expand. This is in part due to Power Useage Effectiveness (PUE) standardsthat determine how well a data center uses the power available to them.
Zombie servers are servers that still use power… but don’t actually do any work. These energy wasters can be difficult to find, especially in large data centers with thousands of servers. Part of the problem is that unlike powering off your laptop, a server is always using energy even when it is “idle.” It’s never truly off. Since the idea is to get equipment to use less energy by doing more work, it is vital that these servers be identified.
“Power! Power!”
The reason quite simply is power usage. Since the server is never truly idle, it is hard to find, because all the servers in a stack may appear to be pulling equal amounts of power, but it can be hard to determine which ones are doing the most work. While AI monitoring helps, it is still not a foolproof solution.
Not to mention the fact that many data centers have not yet implemented that technology. Traditional Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software can help with power usage and cooling, but in order to achieve newer and stricter efficiency standards, data centers must take additional steps we’ll talk about in a moment.
In fact, as recently as 2015, a study found that 1 in 3 servers in data centers were “zombies”, either comatose or consuming energy and doing little to no work. Immediately, many data centers began to take steps to locate, isolate, and remove these zombie servers. “It’s a matter of technical efficiency,” Jonathan Koomey, a research fellow at Stanford Universitytold Computer World.
Wake Me Up or Just Go-Go
There are two choices when it comes to zombie servers: once located, you can either wake them up and put them to work, or you can move them out of the system. Alternatively, you can move their computing functions to the cloud. The problem is a bit more complex though.
Data centers are often fearful of removing some zombie servers in case they may be needed, or are more mission critical than first thought. This can result in zombies staying online and sucking power longer than necessary. However, as power savings have been proven in other instances, more data centers have become proactive in seeking and taking these servers offline.
Zombie Hunting
What’s the answer? In concept, it is pretty simple. An intelligent DCIM can help by creating certain reports either regularly or on demand. They include information like:
Charting of trends
Power capacity trend and analysis
Power charge back reporting
Failover testing
Active power by month and device
The active power by month and device can help you establish baseline power needs and consumption. Then changes can be tracked to determine what servers are underutilized or even not doing any work at all.
The key is a truly holistic approach using all the modern tools at our disposal. The piecemeal approach of shutting down a server here or there will result in only minimal power savings. Optimizing all aspects of on-site infrastructure is essential.
Physical Layer Environment Network Security Monitoring and Control
Full visibility, network security and control of your physical layer environment. Monitor your entire hybrid cloud and IT infrastructure from a cloud-based, integrated dashboard:
Zombie servers are underutilized or completely unused servers that remain powered on and consume energy, space, and cooling resources within a data center. They are “undead” because while they are technically operational, they aren’t actively performing useful work. A 2015 study found that as many as one in three servers in some data centers were zombies.
Why are zombie servers a problem?
Zombie servers cause two main problems: wasted power and wasted space. They quietly draw electricity, making a data center much less power-efficient than it could be. They also take up valuable physical space that could be used for active, revenue-generating servers. This inefficiency goes against the industry-wide push for higher Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) standards.
Why are they so difficult to find?
Finding zombie servers is difficult, especially in large data centers with thousands of machines. Servers are never truly “off” and always draw some power, even when idle. This makes it challenging to distinguish them from servers that are doing work. While modern tools like AI monitoring can help, many data centers have yet to implement such technology.
What can be done about zombie servers?
-Once identified, there are two main options for dealing with zombie servers:
-Recommission them: Put the server to work on a new task. This is a good option if you have a need for the server’s computing power.
-Decommission them: Take the server offline and remove it from the data center. This frees up space and reduces power consumption.
-Alternatively, some organizations opt to migrate the functions of a zombie server to the cloud.
How can my organization proactively hunt for zombie servers?
Proactive zombie hunting requires a holistic, systematic approach rather than a piecemeal one. The most effective method is using an intelligent Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) system. This software can generate reports to help you:
-Establish baseline power needs and consumption.
-Track changes to identify underutilized servers.
-Analyze power capacity trends.
-Monitor active power by month and device.
-By using these tools, data centers can locate, isolate, and remove or repurpose these servers, leading to significant power savings and improved efficiency.
About the Author
Louis Chompff, Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cabel labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more. Visit https://andcable.comor shop online https://andcable.com/shop/
So what’s next for the post COVID world of 2021? How do data centers plan for the coming vaccine, the impact on their operations and expansion plans? Here are 4 drivers of change you should keep in mind when making your plans.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
How remote work has effected data centers.
How faster connectivity has effected data center planning.
How remote monitoring and artificial intelligence have effected data center management.
The post COVID era presents some unique challenges for data centers
Work From Anywhere is Here to Stay
Both businesses and employees have learned that working from anywhere, specifically from home, does not mean a less productive workforce. On the contrary, many people are more productive from home, value not having to commute to an office every day and have adjusted to the new normal.
Companies have discovered thousands in savings from a smaller physical footprint, and those savings are enhanced by benefits to the environment as well. Companies like Twitter and other tech giants have promised employees the option to work from anywhere indefinitely.
While some people remain anxious to return to the office (and will do so as soon as they’ve been vaccinated) many more are more than happy to continue working remotely. Whatever the post COVID workplace looks like, it seems work as we know it has already changed forever.
Faster Internet, More Data and 5G
Regardless of where people work from, the need for faster internet, more data transmission, and the continuing expansion of 5G mean data centers will experience more demand and require more moves and changes than ever before. This is about more than just technology and changing devices. It is also about the physical arrangement of data centers – an area likely to pick up once the vaccine becomes available.
The physical layer of data centers will change post COVID, as devices grow into the Internet of Things (IoT), high performance cables come into common use, and the demand for greener operations is prioritized. Perhaps the most important factor is that data center managers stay in touch with emerging trends and remain nimble, able to adapt when needed.
Remote Monitoring
Monitoring equipment, maintenance, and up time will become even more important – despite the vaccine. Customers have come to expect reliability, and it is no longer optional. However, the additional demand on human technicians to perform moves and changes means that monitoring should be automated whenever possible.
Remote monitoring systems can help do just that, allowing personnel to focus on more pressing tasks. A sensor network can send messages when human attention is needed, and can also monitor physical spaces for unauthorized access, providing an additional layer of physical security.
These monitoring systems continue to advance, and many can even react intelligently to many issues, readjusting HVAC and humidity systems and shifting loads away from problematic devices as needed. Automation creates a number of labor saving opportunities and can even alert human managers to issues before failures can cause service interruptions and additional issues.
Artificial Intelligence Adoption
Even as hardware evolves, cables become more sophisticated, and the physical spaces in data centers changes, software also continues to improve. From simple tasks like monitoring remote sensors and sending alerts, artificial intelligence can do much more.
Think of AI as the brain of the data center. It can monitor hardware, shift server loads as needed and intelligently, learn efficiency and streamline operations, prevent downtime, and even alert human managers as needed when software changes will not solve problems.
Artificial Intelligence can also be used to project future needs, generate expansion plans and ideas, and even develop plans for the physical layer of the data center. From optimal server rack placement to cabling choices to ventilation and HVAC needs, modeling can tell you what will and won’t work ahead of time, and AI can be a big part of that.
Post COVID, artificial intelligence will impact nearly every business going forward, and the increase in the number of enhanced data centers using this technology continues to rise.
What Will Next Year Bring to Data Centers?
“It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future,” said the Danish Politician Karl Kristain Steincke in 1948. Nothing much has changed since then. The future is still hard to predict. But there are some things we do know:
A vaccine or several of them will become available, meaning work as we know it will likely shift again to a more “hybrid” approach – the new normal
More data will be created, stored and shared than ever before
Like 2020, next year will be one where many changes will happen. What changes are you making in your data center? What things do you think will be trending into the new year?
AnD Cable Products and Epson Labelworks have teamed up to develop the Ultimate Data Center Cable Labeling System with a selection of bundled cable labeling products that, when used together will revolutionize your cable management, efficiency and costs.
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How has the “Work From Anywhere” trend affected data center planning?
The widespread shift to remote work has changed network traffic patterns, with more data moving to residential areas. This has increased the demand on data centers and requires them to expand to handle the new traffic distribution.
What role do high-performance cables and IoT play in post-COVID data centers?
With increased data demands from technologies like 5G, data centers need to adopt high-performance cables to handle the traffic. IoT devices are also being used to enable more efficient remote monitoring, allowing for better control over physical infrastructure.
Why is remote monitoring so critical for data centers today?
Remote monitoring has become a necessity for ensuring reliability, especially with fewer on-site staff. Automated monitoring systems with sensor networks allow technicians to oversee operations and respond to issues like HVAC and humidity problems from a distance.
How is Artificial Intelligence (AI) being used to manage data centers?
AI is functioning as the “brain” of the data center, helping to monitor hardware, shift server loads, and prevent downtime. It can also analyze data to predict future needs and generate expansion plans for the physical infrastructure.
What are the key certainties for data centers in the post-COVID era?
The article identifies several certainties, including the continuation of a hybrid work approach, the creation of more data, rising customer expectations for speed, and a larger role for AI in data center management.
About the Author
Louis Chompff, Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cabel labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more. Visit https://andcable.comor shop online https://andcable.com/shop/
For years, artificial intelligence, or AI has been the topic of science fiction, from Skynet in the Terminator movies to more benevolent systems. But AI has now become a reality, and that reality has put artificial intelligence in data centers, and the trend is growing. Data centers employing this technology are often referred to as enhanced data centers.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
How AI can increase efficiency and emissions control.
How AI improves server and human resource management.
Use of artificial intelligence in data centers continues to grow
But this idea of an enhanced data center will likely become the norm, as customer expectations rise. Unprecedented demand means and centers rapidly reaching capacity mean a need for one of two solutions: increased capacity and increased efficiency. Artificial intelligence can help with both. Here’s how.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Emissions Control
Data centers use a lot of power, and that power often converts to carbon emissions. While technology advances and the use of solar can help, there are other solutions as well. It’s all about the efficient use of power, HVAC efficiency and flow rates, and more.
How does it work? Well, sensors, relatively small ones, can be placed throughout the data center to measure airflow rates, temperature, humidity, and power consumption in detail, down to individual racks and components. The artificial intelligence algorithm will learn from data it gathers, and can do one of two things with that data:
The AI can take control – cycling HVAC systems as they are needed, redirect fans and other smart devices, increasing or decreasing speed to enhance flow rates, and more. This technique is being deployed in both new and existing data centers when possible.
AI can report – What the AI can’t control, such as physical placement of racks, wiring, and more can be reported on and recommendations madeto human operators who can make those changes.
For instance, let’s say that you have a human maintenance crew who performs certain tasks at the data center such as cleaning, moves, additions, and transfers. This involves those bodies impacting airflow, opening and closing doors adding to HVAC loads, and more. The AI can recommend the best time when there is the lowest demand on these systems, to perform these tasks.
This reduces energy loads and therefore carbon emissions, but it can do even more.
It’s All About That Balance
Server balance is a critical function of data centers and has been overseen by human managers up until now. But smart data centers are using AI and predictive algorithms to assist these managers, freeing up their time to perform other important tasks.
Much like the advantages gained with sensors and algorithms that learn HVAC needs, the predictive management software will learn as it goes, and distribute loads to servers that will handle them best. This analysis and learning not only saves time but helps decrease wear and tear on overloaded equipment and removes the human error factor that can lead to critical mistakes and downtime.
AI has also made human resources management simpler. Through automating some processes, it frees up data center personnel, and makes scheduling simpler, helping to prevent short- staffing. Then, through video conferencing and using similar technology, companies can get even more done remotely.
Keeping it Up, Locking it Down
The concern of downtime is a real one, and one that can keep data center managers up at night. Keeping up with and preventing downtime manually can seem like an impossible task. AI can help, anticipating downtime based on server loads, traffic, and other factors. Not only can it predict downtime, but AI offers other advantages as well.
Because of the other things it has “learned” AI can devise solutions, and advise human managers on workarounds and prevention, keeping downtime to an absolute minimum. While it’s not yet possible to eliminate downtime completely, stellar numbers can be achieved using AI.
But what about data center security? Threats from malware, hackers, and other digital threats are an ever present danger. AI can analyze traffic at a granular level, and often stop such threats before they get a chance at a foothold.
Like downtime, security breaches are inevitable as new threats arrive all the time. But AI can help minimize risk, isolate threats, and remove them to minimize any damage and data loss.
Designing the Physical Layer of Data Centers
There’s more to the picture than just security, uptime, and human resources. There’s also the matter of the design of data centers themselves. What is the ideal placement for servers and server racks? What is the most efficient method to achieve maximum airflow in the data center? What impact will moves and changes have on HVAC and other systems?
There will always be a physical layer to every data center, and security related to that physical layer is nearly as vital as digital security. An AI algorithm, in combination with AR software, can help you design your data center physical layer the right way from the start, and even guide you as you make those inevitable moves and changes.
The same sensors that feed the AI data about efficiency and power savings can also detect pressure changes, unauthorized data center access, and other data points that help you keep the physical layer of your data center functioning properly and secure at the same time.
More to Come
This is by far simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to physical layer security, the use of AI in data center enhancement, efficiency, and more. Artificial intelligence is set to impact every single business in one way or another, and the data center is no exception.
Want to learn more about the security of the physical layer of your data center? Need materials to make your enhanced data center design a reality? Contact AnD Cable Products today. We’d love to start a conversation about your needs and can provide you with the right solutions for your data center today and into the next innovations in data center management.
Cable Management Just Got More Economical, Efficient and Robust
AnD Cable Products and Epson Labelworks have teamed up to develop the Ultimate Data Center Cable Labeling System with a selection of bundled cable labeling products that, when used together will revolutionize your cable mangaement, efficiency and costs.
UniTag® Reusable Cable Labels – A plastic snap-on cable labeling system that provides a quick and easy way to mark and identify cables
Epson Labelworks PX Printers – A portable label and wire marker solution with exclusive time and costsaving features for creating custom labels
Epson’s PX Label Tapes Fit Onto AnD Cable’s UniTag® Cable Labels PERFECTLY!
What is the difference between an AI data center and a traditional data center?
AI data centers are specifically designed to support the immense computational demands of AI and machine learning. Unlike traditional data centers that primarily use CPUs for general computing tasks, AI data centers rely heavily on powerful GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) and other specialized AI accelerators.
How does AI improve data center efficiency and operations?
AI is used to optimize data center operations in several key ways. It can be used for predictive maintenance to anticipate hardware failures before they happen, for automating tasks like workload distribution to prevent resource shortages, and for optimizing energy consumption by adjusting cooling systems in real-time based on temperature and workload.
What are some of the main challenges of using AI in data centers?
The biggest challenges include managing the massive power and cooling demands of AI hardware, dealing with network bottlenecks caused by rapid data transfer between processors, and the overall high cost of specialized AI equipment and infrastructure.
Why are cooling and power consumption such big issues for AI data centers?
AI computations, especially training deep learning models, generate significantly more heat than traditional computing tasks. This requires advanced cooling solutions, such as liquid cooling, to prevent overheating. As a result, AI data centers consume a much larger amount of energy, which puts a significant strain on power grids and operational costs.
How do AI data centers handle the massive amounts of data required for AI?
AI workloads require high-speed networking and low-latency interconnects to move large volumes of data quickly between processors. They also need high-performance storage solutions, such as NVMe SSDs and parallel file systems, to handle the vast amounts of both structured and unstructured data, including images, videos, and sensor data.
About the Author
Louis Chompff, Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cabel labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more. Visit https://andcable.comor shop online https://andcable.com/shop/
In order to meet demand, data centers are facing the need for physical expansion of their capabilities, such as the addition of new server racks, greater capacity HVAC systems and more. The problem is that those needing to making physical changes cannot do so remotely. Fortunately, there is a solution, which combines traditional data center infrastructure management (DCIM) with the application of the Internet of Things (IoT). Once implemented, data center IoT can help minimize the need for on site interventions, reduce costs and enable better data collection.
Key Points
–IoT for Automation: Combining traditional data center infrastructure management (DCIM) with IoT automates operations, which is crucial for meeting increased demand, especially with the rise of remote work.
–Cost Savings and Efficiency: Implementing IoT can lead to cost savings in three main areas: monitoring air flow, HVAC, and space; improving resiliency systems like uninterruptible power supplies (UPS); and reducing the need for on-site staff through remote monitoring.
–Data-Driven Insights: IoT devices are more cost-effective and easier to deploy than wired monitors. They can collect vast amounts of data from numerous locations, which provides data-driven insights for both facilities management and IT teams, helping to predict maintenance needs and support “self-healing” infrastructure.
The Case for Data Center Automation Grows Stronger
Data centers face a number of unique challenges at the moment. Those that were operating at 75-80% capacity prior to COVID-19 have suddenly found themselves operating at 95% thanks to widespread work from home requirements driving a jump in demand. Not only do data centers need to meet current demand levels, with continuing uncertainty around when things will ‘get back to normal,’ the need to consistently deliver over an extended period of time.
In order to physically expand however, Technicians need to be on site, installing new server racks, horizontal cable management racks, additional cabling, and maximizing data center floor space. And they have to do all this while maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, and protecting the health of every essential worker who needs to be on site.
Enter DCIM and the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is the first real application of using operational technology towards data center automation. The idea is to implement monitoring and repair solutions with minimal human intervention after the initial installation. What does this look like?
Using IoT to Drive Automation
The Internet of Things is in the driver’s seat when it comes to changes in DCIM. IoT Devices are cheaper to create and install. Wired monitors are more difficult to deploy, generally cost more, and lack the efficiency of wireless monitoring devices. To your bottom line, data center IoT devices can collect more data from numerous locations and end points for less cost.
Also, since they are wireless, IoT devices can be monitored from anywhere. But that’s not all. Even pre-COVID there was a growting trend towards data center automation, remote access and management. More data means better predictive analytics when it comes to future maintenance needs and even setups for self-healing infrastructure.
It’s critical that as much data as possible is gathered, collected, and controlled correctly, and those tasks are perfectly suited for IoT solutions. The more data center automation that is already in use, the less it will cost to upgrade to a more robust monitoring system.
This is where the maturity of the DCIM comes in: the more up to date the DCIM, the easier it is to keep current. But it’s not just about the IoT and devices. You still need skilled people at the heart of it – automation doesn’t catch everything. But that being said, there are at least three areas where implementation of data center IoT will save you money.
Potential Cost Savings
Where will cost savings come in to play? There are essentially three areas:
The monitoring of air flow, HVAC, and utilization of space – More on this in a moment.
Resiliency systems, like UPS systems – Individual batteries can fail or require too much electricity to maintain a charge and degrade system performance on backup power.
The human element – While you need skilled people to deploy and analyze data, the disruption of HVAC equilibrium and additional space needs can be offset by remote monitoring.
Some changes are so subtle, they won’t be caught by human monitoring anyway, particularly battery performance and other issues. Without integrating a data center IoT you might not even know there is a problem unless you are specifically looking for it.
The Effect of the Physical Layer on IoT
Is system management new? No. But there are new ways to manage passive assets like HVAC that make data centers more efficient and profitable. But in addition, there are two camps of thought about the data center, and the IoT can help bridge that gap.
The data center itself often falls under facilities management. That team is concerned with physical security, power usage, fire suppression and more. The IT department, on the other hand, wants the data center to deliver data and services, and do it quickly. The facilities side may not be monitoring data performance, and the IT side may not be considering power management at all.
This is where the IoT shines. Remote systems monitoring allows facilities management to see the impact changes they make may have on overall performance, and the IT department can see the limitations of the physical layer, and make data driven decisions about usage and proposed changes.
Components of a Good Physical Layer Monitoring System
Many DCIM systems are designed by the IT side of the data center and lack the robust physical layer monitoring that is necessary in a modern data center. What makes a good physical layer monitoring system? There are several factors involved.
100% Wireless – A wireless system that can monitor hundreds of sensors simultaneously will work for even large data center environments
Real-time Monitoring and Event Storage – Real-time, user set alarms and alerts and event storage on the cloud for later analysis
Low-Maintenance IoT Devices – Small, maintenance-free devices with long battery life
3-D Visualizations – That allow effective monitoring with no infrastructure changes
Energy-Reducing System – Allowing data centers to save more than 20% on power usage
A good system will have custom data center IoT devices and sensing probes available for specific use, and a cloud server where data can be easily accessed, analyzed, and managed.
Want to compliment your current DCIM or looking to upgrade or install a new one? Contact us about the A150 System, which includes all of the components and cloud services like those mentioned above. We’d love to talk about how we can help you make your data center more profitable through this innovative data center automation technology.
Physical Layer Environment Network Security Monitoring and Control
Full visibility, network security and control of your physical layer environment. Monitor your entire hybrid cloud and IT infrastructure from a cloud-based, integrated dashboard:
By using wireless IoT sensors, data centers can collect real-time data on air flow, HVAC, and power usage. This data allows for predictive maintenance, automated adjustments, and optimized energy consumption, which reduces operational costs and improves overall efficiency.
What are the main cost savings associated with data center IoT?
-Operational costs: Automated monitoring of air flow, HVAC, and space reduces energy waste.
-Resiliency: Real-time monitoring of systems like UPS helps prevent failures and costly downtime.
-Human resources: Remote monitoring capabilities reduce the need for on-site technicians and allow for more efficient allocation of staff.
How does IoT help with data center management?
IoT bridges the gap between facilities management and the IT department by providing both teams with data-driven insights into the physical infrastructure. This unified view helps them collaborate to identify potential issues and optimize operations.
What are some of the challenges in implementing IoT in a data center?
-Interoperability: Ensuring different devices and systems can communicate with each other.
-Data Deluge: Managing and analyzing the vast amount of data generated by thousands of sensors.
-Security: Protecting a larger network of devices from cyberattacks.
-Scalability: Handling the growing number of connected devices and associated costs.
What is the future of IoT in the data center industry?
-Edge computing: Processing data closer to the source to reduce latency.
-AI Integration: Using AI to analyze IoT data for smarter automation and decision-making.
-5G connectivity: Providing the high-speed, low-latency network needed for real-time applications.
About the Author
Louis Chompff – Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cable labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and rack space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more. Visit https://andcable.com or shop online at https://andcable.com/shop/
If there is one thing that is certain in the current environment, it’s uncertainty. From COVID 19 to unprecedented racial tensions and unemployment crisis, we are facing a fluctuating and unpredictable economic recovery. These factors are affecting every single business, and business continuity across many sectors.
Business continuity can be disrupted by any number of events and preparing for them is often called “Black Swan” planning, disaster planning, or at its most basic, unexpected event planning. Anything from natural disaster to personal issues that disrupt the best of plans can be considered a threat to business continuity. IT infrastructure is critical to maintaining that continuity, from cashflow strategies to the protection of data. The right decisions when it comes to technology can be the difference between success and failure.
For many businesses, their data is their business. When it comes to data centers, it is the only thing that keeps them going. But how does the right infrastructure help with cashflow?
Optimized Use of Space: Real estate costs money and using the right physical racks and cable managers means servers take up less room.
Flexibility: One of the keys to business survival at times like these is flexibility. Being able to shift the application or data and to lock down and suspend use of non-critical assets is vital.
Increased ROI: While some businesses will struggle, others will shift and have critical projects that must be prioritized. This is a great way to increase ROI in challenging circumstances.
Process optimization: Not only does your hardware need to be configured correctly, but your processes should be streamlined and as efficient as possible
The more efficient your IT physical layer and software performs, the greater your cost savings will be, and the more easily you can stabilize cashflow.
Adapting to New Ways of Working
If you had told anyone that the new way of working would be remote for the majority of employees in 2020, many would never have suspected that big companies like Google, Twitter, and Facebook would be transitioning their workforces to work from home scenarios. However, the new reality means just that.
Not only are companies seeing increased efficiency, but they are also seeing cost savings from workplace infrastructure to the coffee pods in the break room that seem to never run dry now.
But a remote workforce creates IT challenges. Remote access to servers requires a new level of security both virtual and physical. Employees need secure VPN logins they can access from nearly any Wi-Fi connection, ways to secure and protect equipment they use remotely, and more.
Since Work from Home can include work from virtually anywhere, these factors have come front and center to the IT world. Devices from laptops to apps installed on personal phones and tablets can all be keys to a productive remote workforce. Physical items like privacy screen protectors and places to secure company devices when not in use are key. Off-site data and equipment security is a vital part of the “new business normal.”
Physical Layer Network Security
A common concern for IT personnel is the security of their remote sites. Even offices, as more employees transition to a work from home environment, will no longer have personnel standing by to “keep an eye on things.” This brings up the real value of remote monitoring.
A150 Remote Physical Layer Network Security Monitoring Elements
The diagram above describes simply the way a remote physical layer network security monitoringsystem would work. Sensors and cameras would be deployed depending on the needs of the facility, and the data would be sent to a controller. This data could then be monitored by nearly any devices with an internet connection.
Everything in the environment could be monitored, including:
Humidity
Temperature
The presence of water
Power usage
Server tampering or movement
Server room doors and entry points
AC Unit Status
And more. All of these factors trigger remote alerts and even physical alerts like sirens or light alarms on site. This ensures that data centers and servers are monitored even from a distance, and various items can be controlled from that same application, allowing the user to take action on the data they receive.
Without physical security, the usefulness of IT for continued business continuity is clearly threatened. “We basically work the same way as home security systems, but for business IT,” says Jumie Yuventi, VP Product Management of the A150 Physical Layer Network Security system. “Data center management platforms take the responsibility of 24×7 real time monitoring, warning notifications (by emails and /or SMS), data analysis and data archiving, so IT and facility managers can sleep better at night knowing A150 is keeping an eye on everything.”
The New Digital Outreach
You can be doing everything in your power to ensure data security both on and off site, and you can be doing your best to create opportunities to stabilize your cashflow and keep your business working.
But how do you communicate these things? The days of a simple meeting in a conference room with a slide presentation are now gone, and remote digital selling has taken its place. This means that not only do you have to communicate the new way things are working to your employees and internal partners, but to your customers and clients as well.
Consumers want to know now, more than ever, that you can be trusted with their data, that you are doing everything to make sure it is secure, and that your employees are safeguarding your data at all times.
The shift to remote selling, remote working, and remote monitoring has brought about changes that will affect nearly every business for years to come. To ensure business continuity, you must adapt and evolve with the changing times. Tools like efficient cable management and physical security are an important part of that process.
Want to understand how your physical layer can be both more efficient and more secure? Contact us today!
Physical Layer Environment Network Security Monitoring and Control
Full visibility, network security and control of your physical layer environment. Monitor your entire hybrid cloud and IT infrastructure from a cloud-based, integrated dashboard:
Louis Chompff – Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cable labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and rack space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more. Visit https://andcable.com or shop online at https://andcable.com/shop/
Louis Chompff – Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products
