Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1066130
58 I ICT TODAY delivered. This requires the combination of intelligent power distribution units (PDUs) and data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software. The intelligent PDU provides the instrumentation, consolidates hardware and simplifies networking to reduce cost and complexity, while automating the collection of data through a detailed, consistent, data-based record of conditions. The DCIM software provides data visualization through dashboards that help data center managers to see real-time conditions in trend charts that give insight of patterns and in reports that test redundancy and document performance of device, rack, row, room or site. Many data centers are making the shift toward intelligent PDUs as the first step in implementing enhanced monitoring with DCIM software. In fact, intelligent PDUs is the fastest growing segment in the PDU market, according to a recent forecast report for 2018-2020 by research and analysis firm IHS Markit. "Organizations spent $608 million in intelligent PDUs in 2017, placing revenue for intelligent PDUs at more than 65 percent of the overall rack power distribution global market," the report states. The average sales price of an intelligent PDU in 2017 was $720, almost five times the price of a basic PDU. This growing demand for intelligent PDUs is no surprise. The expanding Internet of Things (IoT) and demand for mobile connectivity are pushing data centers to rely on an exponentially more complex, hybrid infrastructure that affects not only facility designs, but also hardware and user requirements. Yet, many customers who purchase intelligent PDUs often do not fully take advantage of a few important capabilities that would truly boost their return on investment. FIRST, THE BASICS Unlike basic or metered PDUs, intelligent PDUs have a network connection that can be remotely monitored, automate collection of data and share that data with DCIM software. All PDUs distribute power to equipment, but intelligent PDUs include remote management capabilities. The first and foremost use case for intelligent PDUs is to enhance the availability of equipment. Modern-day intelligent PDUs not only manage power distribution, they monitor environmental parameters and physical access control at the cabinet level. This means intelligent PDUs are key in providing constant power monitoring for every branch circuit and the PDU input, temperature at various points within the cabinet, as well as access control for every cabinet access attempt. Intelligent PDUs are available in several functional levels and the level selected will impact the granularity and detail of the reporting and visualization in the DCIM. More complex PDUs collect more measurements at the rack and device level. The level of granularity will determine the ability to associate actions at a rack or device level. FIGURE 1: Intelligent PDUs are crucial in today's data centers, as they provide detailed monitoring and control down to the outlet level. FIGURE 2: Intelligent PDUs are available in several functional levels. The level selected will impact the granularity and detail of the reporting and visualization in the DCIM software.