* Integrating management of data center facilities with information systems
Convergence has had a significant impact on enterprise networks and data centers, with voice and video and data frequently carried on the same IP network. But one aspect of the data center that is lagging in “connectivity” is the facility itself.
A data center is a lot more than a collection of computers and network gear. It is a controlled environment with sophisticated temperature and humidity controls. Un-interruptible circuits with standby batteries in case of a power failure provide enormous amounts of power. Physical-access control through biometrics and security monitoring through cameras and sensors provide a blanket of protection against unauthorized access. Fire-suppression systems and various other mechanical systems are also part of this unnoticed infrastructure.
Yet today, none of these systems are connected to the network. There are many good reasons why the data center facilities should be just as “wired” into the network as the computers.
Most data center managers can pull up a facilities report and find out how much they spend on electricity each month. But they would find it hard to determine which parts of the data center are consuming the most power, or how power consumption fluctuates over time. Network management systems can provide an overview of the computers and network elements in the infrastructure. Looking at a logical diagram of the data center, operations managers can see failed systems blinking red and quickly identify the source of a problem. Overlaying security cameras, fire controls, sensors, electrical supplies and cooling systems over such a diagram would give the data center manager a comprehensive overview of the facility.
Companies are already combining research in intelligent buildings with new mesh networking technologies such as Zigbee to build intelligent data centers. Vendors such as HP, with its Intelligent Building initiative, and Cisco, with Connected Real Estate, are gradually bringing this vision into reality.
Integrated management of the data center offers many advantages:
* Improved facilities security through the integration of security cameras, sensors, intelligent tags and door-access controls (biometrics, smartcards, RFID).
* Better situational awareness during an emergency, through the integration of fire suppression, sensors, environmental and electrical controls.
* Lower total cost of ownership through better accounting of power, water and other utilities.
* Remote control of data center facilities and reduction of on-site staffing needs.
* Higher availability for the computers and networks through better management of the supporting facilities.
While many data center facilities controls have been automated in the past, the convergence of IP and building automation will bring further benefits. Data center managers can integrate building management into their existing network and systems management software by converging all this information on a single, common IP network. This will greatly increase the coordination of resources in the data center. It’s time to re-examine building facilities.
