ups special feature


asset at its expected location, the network manager can be alerted in order to determine whether the asset is missing or is actually present but disconnected (e.g., powered off). This feature helps to prevent potential device theft or unauthorised device relocation. The mapping of all physical connections also enables network administrators to optimise data centre capacity by tracking switch port availability in the database. This may include management software that can graphically display tracked assets within the network, providing a virtual map of servers and other active data centre equipment as well as the connectivity between them, which can be used to monitor port consumption and notify network managers as the network approaches capacity limitations.


Root cause analysis procedures can be automated through real time monitoring of patch field connectivity events.


the size of the data centre, this process may take hours or more to troubleshoot. This downtime can impact business services and is inefficient. With the integration of an intelligent solution, root


biography


Shahriar Allen is the vice president of the Managed Network Solutions team with responsibility for hardware/software solutions. Prior to joining Panduit, Shar spent five years at Avid Technologies in various senior leadership roles in the software, engineering and consultative services groups. Before Avid, Shar was director of engineering in 3Com’s video and home appliances division. His experience also spans technology management roles at Motorola and Inland Steel. Shar received his BS in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.


cause analysis procedures can be automated through real-time monitoring of patch field connectivity events. An ‘event’ within the physical layer is defined as a change in state of the patch field or monitored links (i.e. a connection or disconnection of any link or network asset). With an intelligent software and hardware solution, IT managers can identify the connectivity event, alert administrators with an instant notification, and then actually guide technicians directly to the source of the problem, reducing mean-time-to-repair (MTTR) or possibly even attacking the problem before it even impacts the business. To avoid human error and reduce cost related to moves, adds and changes (MACs), intelligent patching solutions offer the ability to guide network administrators through planning and implementation of cabling changes. As the MACs are being completed, the system records the time and date of the actions, and automatically updates the database to reflect the new patch configuration, ensuring that patch field information is 100 per cent accurate at all times and an audit trail is available for regulatory compliance as required. These solutions streamline operations and maintenance processes, resulting in lower technical service costs and increased network uptime and reliability. These benefits not only ensure business continuity, but also support adherence to achieving service level agreements (SLAs). For even greater response times and reduced costs, network maintenance can be directed remotely (via web access) or locally from a network management station.


Asset tracking and capacity optimisation Intelligent patching solutions also offer the ability to identify and track the movements of all assets connected to the network. These systems identify new assets connected to the network as well as existing assets that have not been used for a prescribed period of time. Also, if the database is unable to locate a given


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Automated documentation Through a combination of static inventoried demarcation points and active monitoring of asset movement throughout the network, intelligent patching solutions automate the documentation of the physical layer to ensure that sensitive information is recorded accurately and securely. In situations where data warehousing protects


critical information, the ability to restore the physical infrastructure links that access data is just as important as the ability to restore the content itself. This can assist in the process of recovering data centre and LAN configuration information. As the system monitors the physical infrastructure, its database continuously records asset movements and configuration changes occurring throughout the system, eliminating the need for manual record keeping. The database information may also be used to provide a snapshot of the enterprise network, guiding the recreation and restoration of all connectivity points throughout the network (including the data centre and all data closets) as par t of an emergency or disaster recovery measure.


Looking ahead


When planning, designing or consolidating a data centre, it is critical to understand that standards and best practices alone are not adequate without consideration for the interdependencies of key elements that impact risk tolerance, performance expectations and the overall system availability that customers and key business stakeholders expect. While intelligent patching provides holistic monitoring and management of the connectivity at the physical layer, today’s automation systems must expand functionality to include energy, environmental and capacity capabilities in order to effectively reduce risk, reduce cost and support agile growth and sustainability initiatives. In addition to connectivity monitoring, systems must enable enterprises to understand what is happening from an energy consumption perspective. They must help to monitor and measure heat generation or humidity within the data centres, so that data centre owners and managers have a complete end-to-end solution for monitoring the physical infrastructure. A smart cabling strategy that includes HSDT cabling solutions effectively monitored and managed by a robust DCIM solution paves the way to promote operational advantages, sustainability, and a reliable infrastructure with improved overall network performance.


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