ServerTech Blog - Information for the Data Center Equipment Manager

Free Interop expo pass or 25% discount off of full registration

Hey everyone,

Fall has finally arrived and with that also comes a new wave of data center trade show across the globe.  Server Technology is sending our power experts around the world to exhibit at these events and answers all your questions.  One of the larger events of the season is Interop, New York.  Visit their website here.  And, lucky for you, we also have a discount code/free expo pass for those of you who are attending: FREE EXPO PASS OR 25% DISCOUNT COUPON  Stop by booth 548 and learn more about the Server Technology Total Solution, which includes Sentry Power Manager v5.0 and our new firmware version 6.1.

In related news,  Server Technology will be again powering the NOC (Network Operations Center) throughout the show with both cabinet PDUs and our Sentry Power Manager (SPM) v5.0.  Our high quality components guarantee that the Interop Net will be up and running 24/7, measuring and monitoring all the power activity of the devices deployed throughout the trade show floor.  Our heavy investment in our patented designs will allow the Interop IT staff to securely distribute power, manage outlets, trend, and report on the temperature, humidity, and power of all the racks on the show floor as well as at the off-site facility.  In fact, we invite anyone interested to view the SPM v5.0 deployed in the Interop Net here: https://199.45.9.202/ Username: spmdemo; Password: sti01.

If you are looking to see what other events are coming up through the rest of 2011, visit our events calendar. 

Video Interview: Calvin Nicholson talks about what's new for data center power

 

Calvin Nicholson, Director of New Technologies, at Server Technology talks about data center power with Rich Tehrani, CEO of TMC, at Interop 2011. 

Topics discussed in this video:

How Server Technology is powering the 2011 Interop NOC.

How often power is exceeded on a server.

Specific example of how Server Technology has helped companies with powering their devices.

Maximizing circuits

Wire-Free Power monitoring with RF Code

Higher-Densities (480V 3-Phase)

A new version of Sentry Power Manager (5.0) COMING SOON

What problems are data centers experiencing today?

Hot spots in the data center

Capacity on circuits

 

NEW VIDEO: How to Globally Monitor Your DC Power

 

In this video, we give you an introductory level tour of the basic features and functions of the product.

What is Sentry Power Manager (SPM)?

SPM is a 1U appliance and software package capable of monitoring and managing multiple Sentry CDU devices in IP-based enterprise networks. SPM brings your entire network of Smart and Switched CDUs to a central interface.

What solutions does SPM offer?

> Do you have multiple CDUs in one or more locations that you would like to access from a single point?

> Would you like the ability to see a centralized overview of power throughout your global network?

> Would you like quick access to an alarming devices?

> Do you need a tool to monitor, report, and trend your aggregate power and environmental information across your entire network?

> Are you looking to collect information that can be used to calculate your PUE for data center efficiency metrics?

> Do you need the ability to export database information to your Building Managment System (BMS)?

> Do you have a large deployment of CDUs that require management of different access rights?

> Do you need a fast and easy way to push firmware updates out to your indivual CDUs?

Data Center Pulse: Chill Off - CDU Overview Video

  

This is a very cool video that Data Center Pulse posted on their YouTube Channel.  It features our very own VP of Sales and Marketing, Graham Leonard, as he walks us through a 3-Phase POPS CDU.  This video is a great introductory level presentation of a Server Technology Sentry CDU.  Take a look.

BICSI's Coming to Las Vegas!

Server Technology is on the way to Vegas for the annual BICSI Fall Conference.  It is being held at the MGM Grand and is from September 12th-16th.  Below are the exhibit hall hours.  Server Technology will be there for the entire show demoing our state of the art, world class CDUs and our Sentry Power Manager.  If you would like a demo or if you would just like to test drive a Server Tech Sentry CDU then stop by booth 404 just inside the main entrance.

We hope to see you there!

Sunday, September 12

• 3-7:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Visitor Registration
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. BICSI Exhibition and Reception

Monday, September 13

• 3-7:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Visitor Registration
• 4:30-7:30 p.m. BICSI Exhibition and Reception

Tuesday, September 14

• 7:15-8:15 a.m. Breakfast and Exhibits
• 3-7:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Visitor Registration
• 4:30-7:30 p.m. BICSI Exhibition and Reception

Wednesday, September 15

• 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch in the Exhibit Hall

Server Tech Gives Back

Today we shut down our manufacturing lines for a short time to help feed hungry kids in northern Nevada. Instead of producing our power distribution units, we set out to stuff bags full of food for the Northern Nevada Food Bank Back-Pack Kids Program, a program that distributes backpacks full of food every week to 17 area schools.

Each department at Server Tech was assigned different food items to donate to the program. We collected everything from main course items to healthy breakfasts and snacks.

The event was organized by our Community Action Committee. In the past the committee has raised money for U.S. soldiers in Iraq by hosting an ice cream social and developed a sustainability garden for a local under-privileged middle school so students would have access to more fruits and vegetables.

New VIDEO: Smart Power Monitors--Add Intelligence to Any Existing Server Rack

Calvin Nicholson walks us through Server Technology's new Smart Power Monitors in this video: Smart Power Monitors Video on Youtube

The dual input, dual output Smart Power Monitor PDU allows the ability to easily add input current load and power monitoring to any existing cabinet via an integral web based interface or through a serial connection.
This allows you to determine:
1) if there is available power to add additional devices to the cabinet.
2) if you are close to exceeding the circuit's capacity potentially leading to an over current protection device tripping and bringing down the input feed.
3) if each CDU is properly loaded to ensure redundancy when one of the two input feeds is lost.

This product is perfect for large storage solutions like SAN's where the CS-2HD can be added to existing installations to determine the power draw of these systems.
Note: In an A and B power input-feed configuration, each Cabinet Power Distribution Unit (CDU) should not be loaded to over 40% of the rated capacity to ensure that if one of the two power feeds is lost that the whole load can be supported by the remaining CDU

Visit the servertech website for more on Smart Power Monitors here

Video-Benefits of deploying 415V in the N. American Data Center

In this video, Robert discusses the use of 415V 3-phase power in the North American data center.

Benefits of 415V 3-Phase Power

It turns out that building to a 415V 3-phase power distribution system within the data center makes an appreciable impact on efficiency. According to various UPS manufacturers, the design difference between the current standard 208/120 volt 3-phase circuits and the burgeoning 415/240 volt 3-phase circuits results in roughly 2% efficiency gain when converting from the North American standard industrial voltage of 480/277 volt. Additionally, it is common at the device level, to see a 1.5% efficiency gain when using 240V over 208V.

For more on this topic, please view our brief video.

Runtime: (3:50min)

Have you updated your Sentry Smart and Switched PDU firmware recently?

If you have not updated your Switched or Smart PDU firmware to version 6.0g, here are some features you may be missing.

• RADIUS Support
  RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting service.  The Smart and Switched PDU firmware supports the authentication and authorization features of RADIUS. See release notes for details.

• User-defined session timeout periods
  Allows users with administrative access rights to adjust the session timeouts for both the web and command-line interfaces. This is particularly useful when the PDU needs to be accessed frequently throughout the day. The default timeout period is five minutes. Now admins can adjust the timeout period between one and 1440 minutes.

• Input Current Measurement Resolution Update
  For products that previously reported current (amp) in 0.25 A increments, this update increases the resolution to 0.125 A increments. For products that reported in 0.50 A increments, now report in 0.25 A increments. This update provides support for Server Technology's new Digital TRMS input current measurement hardware that provides 0.01 A resolution with better than 2% accuracy.

• Updates SSH Authentication Methods
  Allows admin to individually enable and disable the support SSH authentication methods (password and keyboard-interactive).

• New Smart Web GUI and other features
  Upgrading the firmware from v5.3x to v6.0x provides the user with a refreshed web GUI. Those that are familiar with the Server Technology Switched PDU interface will find many similarities. Additionally, the Smart v6.0x firmware will provide the ability to poll a supported networked UPS for voltage for a more accurate power (watt) calculation and a watts per area calculation.

To download the latest firmware visit the Server Technology website at www.servertech.com or our FTP site (http://tinyurl.com/ms3zzs).

Video: 60Amp 1U-wide 208V Switched PDU Demo

Andy Szeto, Product Manager, walks you through the CW-24V 60Amp 3-Phase 208V 1U-wide Switched CDU. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL4YdUZvkCc

Highlights of the video/CDU include:

• 60A, 3-Phase, 208V
• 1U-Wide/ 1.75" (44mm) Wide
• 21.6kW Solution
• Control Outlet State Via Web or Serial Interface
• Group Outlets as well as turn them: On, Off, or Reboot
• 3 Central LEDs
• Top Cord Entry for Overhead Busways
• 3-Phase Load Balancing
• Invert LEDs via Web GUI
• 21.6kW at 60A 3-phase/ 18kW at 50A 3-phase
• 6 Branch Circuits (3 C13 and 1 C19 per branch)
• Circuit Breakers
• Master and Expansion Unit controlled from a single IP Address
• Optional Temperature and Humidity Probe (2)
• Accessories: Sentry Power Manager (SPM)