Counting Ports and Cables without an Error
4. June 2020
3 Min read
How to create perfect infrastructure management
Infrastructure management – today, more than just a buzzword. It helps data centers to check, monitor and manage their complex systems in real time, and exclude human error. But how can comprehensive infrastructure management be realized?
For infrastructure management to be able to work, data centers have to create a digital twin, a database-based image of the entire operation. Once set up correctly, the twin can offer highly valuable and reliable support. This is something experienced by the R&M Data Center division.
This is what you can expect of a digital twin
The digital twin bundles and visualizes all necessary information. It promotes
- fast, accurate decisions
- proactive management and forecasts
- the sharing of knowledge and analyses
- provisioning and resource utilization
- planning, maintenance, MAC and migrations
- clear work instructions and supervision
- risk management and danger prevention
- reporting and proof of compliance
- investment and cost control
The concept of the digital twin would seem to be a sensible path to take, particularly today as stakeholders often work at a number of distant locations. In other cases, the responsibility for a large area is focused on one place. In both cases, the digital twin serves to provide those involved with the basis for making decisions automatically, simultaneously and independently of a specific location.
It consists of data and knowledge
In the context of data centers and infrastructure management, what should a digital twin consist of for it to be of real use? The answer: The more data sources are connected and the more information is brought together, the more valuable and useful it is.
First of all, the digital twin consists of complete and correct documentation. Data collection starts off with cabling and patch panels. It also involves the monitoring of connectivity – a process referred to as Automated Infrastructure Management (AIM).
Naturally, it wants to know which IT devices are in the racks and cages. The physical inventory has to be monitored constantly – a process referred to as Asset Tracking.
Finally, the digital twin wants to know something about the environment. This is why it requires information on building infrastructures, temperatures, climate, energy consumption and access control.
And naturally an intuitive user interface is also necessary.
And everything together results in smart Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM).