Keeping track of data center assets is a security issue that HP says can be addressed through its new radio-frequency identification (RFID) tagging system. 

With its Factory Express RFID Service, HP is optionally affixing RFID tags to the equipment it ships to customers so the gear can be tracked through the wireless auto-identification sensors.

“The tag can be affixed to the case or the palette,” says Frank Lanza, HP’s worldwide director for RFID in the technology solutions group. “The RFID tagging service is for blade servers, storage racks, any kind of equipment a customer might use in the data center.”

The RFID tags, which cost between $5 and $10 apiece, can be affixed to the outside of HP ProLiant and HP Integrity server systems, HP StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array products, HP StorageWorks Modular Smart Arrays, HP server enclosures and rack infrastructure. RFID tagging for other equipment is available at additional cost.

Tagging data center assets is a way to track equipment for purposes of audit and compliance. HP also offers a complete RFID package, with readers and management software, which would typically run from $200,000 to $500,000, says Lanza.