Data center infrastructure management involves integrating key hardware components to ensure operation as a cohesive whole. This includes generating installation timelines, acknowledging dependencies, and meeting specifications. Robust DCIM tools allow efficient capacity planning, reducing power and cooling consumption. This helps businesses lower operational costs and energy bills while embracing sustainable practices.Cost
The cost of data center infrastructure management (DCIM) is a significant investment. It requires various hardware asset management processes, including request and approval, procurement, life cycle, redeployment, and disposal management. It also includes managing the overall sparing posture to ensure hardware can be deployed quickly when a system is down. Energy costs are a significant part of the data center budget. Inefficient power utilization and cooling can increase the cost of operation by 5% or more. Using DCIM tools to de-rate nameplate server power and optimize the number of servers supported per rack and PDU can save floor, cabinet, and power costs. Having the right software solution is critical to reducing data center infrastructure management costs. Using a single-pane-of-glass to manage IT and critical facilities infrastructure allows you to make smarter capacity planning decisions. DCIM tools can also help you improve efficiency by capturing and modeling IT equipment and facility loads.Scalability
The scalability of data center infrastructure management projects is critical for ensuring uptime and meeting business growth goals. A DCIM project should include:
- A centralized monitoring system.
- An automated change control process.
- Tools that manage documentation and warranty/contract compliance.
In addition, the system should provide real-time visibility into the data center and its interdependencies, such as power, space, and IT equipment. IT admins often over-provision resources to avoid downtime, leading to wasted energy, space, and equipment. A better strategy is to focus on capacity planning, which can save energy and reduce the space occupied by IT hardware. This will also help meet service-level agreements and ensure all IT resources run at total capacity. Many federal agencies use DCIM solutions to improve their data centers’ scalability and energy efficiency. These systems provide visibility and control over the entire data center environment, optimize IT hardware utilization, and increase productivity.Reporting
A DCIM system enables businesses to monitor and manage the entire computer infrastructure. In addition, this type of software enables IT and facilities teams to improve productivity and energy efficiency. DCIM solution automates the entire process, providing all devices with complete hardware and power usage visibility. This information analyzes overall performance and makes informed decisions on capacity planning, efficiency improvements, and other operational issues. DCIM solutions also help businesses reduce costs by identifying under-utilized hardware and providing alerts when resources are overextended. Historically, IT managers have struggled to monitor data center infrastructure systems due to their complexity. Often, the underlying infrastructure comprises a mixture of new and legacy hardware, leading to haphazard documentation. However, this challenge can be overcome using DCIM tools and best practices.Security
Data center infrastructure management (DCM) requires high security to protect the data and hardware. Security measures include physical and virtual protection. Physical protection measures prevent damage from outside interference or theft. These measures include access control systems, 24/7 security guards, and surveillance cameras. In addition to these physical security measures, a data center must be located in an area that isn’t at risk for natural disasters. Data centers should also have a protective system against internal natural hazards like fire. This system should have a raised floor architecture with additional equipment, cabling, and cooling infrastructure below the floor. It should also be built with reinforced concrete to withstand earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Additionally, a data center should incorporate renewable energy into its power supply. This will reduce its carbon footprint and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. It will also help to reduce operational costs by limiting energy consumption.
