FEATURES DCIM TOOLS SHOULD OFFER

Dec 23, 2015 Victor Okech Data Centers, Technology 0

In the data center, system and network managers are responsible for the administration of active IT components such as storage, servers, and network components. The facility manager is responsible for the power supply, the structural conditions of the data center and the air-conditioning.

Both domains took far different tools to manage their world. As a result, you lacked a holistic view of the infrastructure components of a data center. This silo perspective still prevails in many data centers.

One way to get out of this unsatisfactory situation is to open the Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM). It builds a bridge between the IT infrastructure, i.e. servers, storage systems, racks, and networking systems such as switches and I/O components, and the system parameters. These include the power, air conditioning, cooling and passive elements such as the wiring.

What DCIM software requires the operator of a data center depends on the individual requirements. Ideally, a management tool is modular and offers the option that the user integrate functions as needed. However, there are some necessary features that should make every Data Center Infrastructure Management product.

In the following checklist, the most important are listed below:

Browser-based application: The application should be available via all modern web browsers, not on specific management interfaces. This simplifies operation and increases flexibility in daily practice.
Real-time analysis: Data should be recorded in real time, processed and converted into corresponding status messages.
Direct installation on the corporate network: The DCIM software should be able to deploy within the enterprise network, without the use of DMZ (demilitarized zone) and VPN (Virtual Private Networks). This makes installation easier, and it reduces latency.
Intuitive user interface: A weakness of some DCIM tools is the operator. Complex user interfaces and little meaningful reports are counterproductive. A DCIM software must bring all relevant information quickly and in a clean form on the screens: utilization of systems, power reserves, development of utilization, trends,
Support for all hardware components and operating systems in the data center: It sounds trivial, but a DCIM solution must interfaces to all systems and provide operating systems. The problem: Different systems should be reconciled, such as servers and network components, as well as air conditioning systems and power supplies.
Down to the level of individual racks or systems detailed information: A DCIM system should provide, for example, information about the power consumption per rack, rack or cabinet row. Also, calculations of the PUE (Power Usage Efficiency) should be carried out.
Security features that stop unauthorized access to data or even DCIM to the monitored end systems.
When planning the locations of servers or other IT systems, it is also helpful if you can import into the DCIM tools the blueprints of the data centers.
Easy integration of new components without programming work is needed on the DCIM system: The software interface requires information systems (servers, switches, etc.), but also components such as ventilation and air conditioning systems, UPS and the building management system.
Support for all protocols and bus systems, which are used in the fields of IT and facility management. These include TCP/IP, SNMP, IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface), DCMI (Data Center Manageability Interface), Modnet, BACnet and OPC (OLE for Process Control).

DCIM consequently has elements of classic system management and facility management. However, the focus is on the physical IT infrastructure and IT components such as racks, servers, and network components.

DCIM should include a plurality of function blocks, from collecting data on the management of cooling systems, power supplies and active IT components to the capacity planning of IT and data center infrastructure and its optimization.