Data Center Operation: IT Optimize

Helps explain exactly what the Software Support Contracts for StruxureWare Data Center Expert and StruxureWare Data Center Operation contain. *Updated September 2015

Data centers today lack a formal system for classifying software management tools. As a result, confusion exists regarding which management systems are necessary and which are optional for secure and efficient data center operation. This paper divides the realm of data center management tools into four distinct subsets and compares the primary and secondary functions of key subsystems within these subsets. With a classification system in place, data center professionals can begin to determine which physical infrastructure management tools they need – and don’t need – to operate their data centers.

High density IT equipment stresses the power density capability of modern data centers. Installation and unmanaged proliferation of this equipment can lead to unexpected problems with power and cooling infrastructure including overheating, overloads, and loss of redundancy. The ability to measure and predict power and cooling capability at the rack enclosure level is required to ensure predictable performance and optimize use of the physical infrastructure resource. This paper describes the principles for achieving power and cooling capacity management.