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
58 I ICT TODAY
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.