ICT Today

July/August/September 2020 I 45 IPv6 protocols for TCP/IP addressing with static or dynamic address assignments. Simple network manage- ment protocol (SNMP) v1, v2c and v3 protocols should be used for third-party DCIM software integration. The web interface should support HTTP or HTTPS sessions with definable ports. Network connections should sup- port encryption and certificates. The email server connec- tion should be outbound only with transport layer secu- rity (TLS) and definable ports. For ease of maintenance, the controller module should support bulk configuration and firmware upgrades. The firmware should log every system change. Networking Through Security Access Panels With this approach, cabinet-level electronic locks get connected to a Wiegand technology-based security access panel that in turn communicates with a building access control solution (Figure 8). The security panels provide power to the locks. The advantage of this approach is that it leverages the same access control system that is used for campus security. On the flip side, it requires wiring from FIGURE 8: In cases where communication with the entire building system is preferred or required, there are controller modules that can be installed in the cabinet. These devices connect any cabinet access attempt to the security panels, allowing building security managers to have more control of equipment access. Networking Through a Separate Controller Module Electronic locks can also be managed through a dedicated controller module located in every cabinet. While this does increase the initial hardware cost, ongoing opera- tional costs can still be significantly reduced by network- ing several locks through advanced IP consolidation tech- nology. The PDUs that support IP consolidation allow multiple PDUs to connect through a single physical net- work connection, IP address and interface, thereby reduc- ing network overhead to monitor at the rack level. For example, some IP consolidation solutions allow up to 32 controllers to be networked under only one IP address FIGURE 7: In cases where the PDUs are already installed, the best option is to deploy networked locks. In this application, the devices integrate with environmental sensors and can be deployed in a secure array, securing several cabinets under one IP connection. with an alternate second connection for failover capabil- ity. This means MTDCs and colocation providers do not have to pass on unnecessary networking costs to their tenants (Figure 7). Like the PDU-integrated system, authentication and management could be provided through interfaces that IT organizations already use. For the widest range of com- patibility and security for the network, ensure that the PDU or the dedicated controller supports the IPv4 and

• Cover