Data Center Knowledge » White Papers

Benefits of 10GBASE-T Adoption

Michael Potts — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:58:47 +0000

10GBASE-T is the standard technology that enables 10- Gigabit Ethernet operations over balanced twisted-pair copper, including Category 6A unshielded and shielded cabling. It provides flexibility in data center network design due to its 100-meter reach capability, and the requisite backward compatibility that allows most end users to upgrade from their 10/100/1000-Mbps networks. The ecosystem currently in place has the adoption of 10GBASE-T poised to surge.

This white paper from Commscope explains that the economic and technical barriers to end-user adoption of 10GBASE-T have been overcome, and 10GBASE-T is moving toward massive deployment. It discusses the performance increases offered by 10GBASE-T and how it helps to enable new use models, including unified networking and virtualization. Next, it points out the declining costs of 10GBASE-T and its role in making 10GBASE-T desirable for broad adoption. Lastly, it concludes that 10GBASE-T provides end users with backward compatibility with existing networks and flexibility in network designs.

Learn how to implement 10GBASE-T to the greatest capacity within your data center. Click here to download this white paper on the end user benefits of the adoption of 10GBASE-T.

Consolidating Data Center Support

Michael Potts — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:24:24 +0000

Although most enterprises today have multiple IT providers, it is worthwhile for large organizations to consider consolidating data center support processes under just one multinational provider. This can provide more consistent security, scalability, administrative simplicity, performance, and resilience across multiple locations.

This white paper from CyrusOne examines the benefits of consolidating a system of multiple specialized data center providers into a single, global provider. It lists the main factors impacting the choice of one global provider vs. specialized providers, listing standardized reporting as a heavily weighed aspect. It then provides three options for collocation, explaining the benefits of one global provider, One U.S. provider and multiple international service providers, and multiple providers.

Learn to identify the collocation provider option that works best for your data center. Click here to download this white paper on the benefits of considering a consolidated collocation approach over one of multiple collocation providers.

Dealing with Mixing Below Your Data Center’s Floor

Michael Potts — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:46:25 +0000

Many data centers supply cooling far in excess of what is required or have problems distributing cooling where it is really needed. The most cited cause for such inefficient cooling is a phenomenon known as mixing, in which cool and warm air mix before entering server intakes. Often, when mixing is discussed, the area under the raised floor is ignored because it is hidden from sight.

This white paper from AdaptivCool offers and in-depth analysis of the issues that occur when computer room air conditioners (CRACs) inject vast quantities of relatively warm air under the raised floor of a data center. It describes the disconnect between above- and below-floor zones of influence for individual cooling units and the dangers associated with obvious solutions to the problems. Lastly, it offers strategies for placement of above-floor and under-floor air-movers to dynamically manage airflow.

Learn to reduce mixing both above- and below- floor without significant changes to data center infrastructure. Click here to download this whitepaper from AdaptivCool on the importance of considering below-floor space when creating cooling-cost-reducing strategies for your data center.

Preventing IT Equipment Overheating In Winter

Michael Potts — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:30:39 +0000

As businesses have come to rely more upon electronic equipment such as servers and telecom switches, the problem of keeping heat-sensitive IT equipment cool in heated buildings during the winter months has become critical. Standard central air conditioners may provide adequate cooling during warm months, but as the buildings HVAC system switches to heating rather than cooling, equipment can suffer from overheating. This can lead to costly damage and system downtime. The traditional solution of precision cooling systems is normally effective, but does suffer from some drawbacks.

This white paper from Movincool examines the benefits of using ceiling-mount air conditioners to keep server rooms and closets cool inside heated buildings. It discusses the importance of system cooling, citing the ease with which overheating can be missed or ignored. It then reviews the significance of cooling systems throughout the history of the computer, explaining the differences between mini-splits and precision cooling systems, and the drawbacks associated with precision units such as their large size, high cost of installation and limited placement flexibility. Next, the functions of a ceiling-mount air conditioning unit and the advantages to utilizing them are explored, such as low cost, easy installation and flexible placement, as well as what to look for when choosing a self-contained, ceiling-mount air conditioner.

Learn the many advantages of ceiling-mount air conditioning systems and the dangers of overheating. Click here to download this whitepaper on the history of server cooling, the drawbacks of standard mini-split and precision cooling systems and the benefits of self-contained, ceiling-mount air conditioners.

Please visit the Data Center Knowledge White Paper Library for all the latest expert insights on technologies to run your data center.

Reclaim Wasted Data Center Cooling Capacity

Kevin Normandeau — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:09:57 +0000

High-density equipment within data center infrastructure is becoming more common, and yet many data centers are not adequately equipped to handle the additional cooling requirements. Because of this, cooling issues such as recirculation and mixing of hot and cool air, as well as poorly controlled humidity are becoming more costly.

This white paper from Opengate defines cooling over-supply and the dangers of the mixing of cooling overprovision with hot exhaust air from IT equipment. Next, it provides examples for quantifying cool air bypass and hot air recirculation, and solutions to eliminate leakage and bypass while providing tools to report the actual cooling being demanded by the equipment. Lastly, it demonstrates these solutions through detailed examples of reclaiming stranded cooling.

One of the key aspects you will like are the peer reviewed case study data from ASHRAE which have been updated with CFD model analysis. These studies reveal more information and provide visual cues about best practice on ceiling grate return and other passive cooling methods.

Learn the ability to more closely match the cooling supply volume to IT consumption. Click here to download this white paper on the benefits of reclaiming the wasted cooling capacity which results from hot air leakage and cool air bypass.

Network Optimization Through Cloud Architecture

Kevin Normandeau — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:26:39 +0000

As organizations are challenged to respond to changes in demand in the most cost effective ways possible, the interest in cloud computing will continue to increase. With this growing trend toward cloud computing comes significant confusion about how to experience the benefits of adoption while mitigating potential risks and preparing for the next generation of management technologies.

This white paper from Emerson provides a detailed overview of cloud computing technology, detailing common types of cloud architectures and services as well as driving factors and perceived risks impacting widespread adoption. It goes on to explain best practices for optimizing critical systems for the deployment of cloud architectures in existing facilities, implementing high-density system configurations, and optimizing power architectures for high availability. Finally, it explores how the utilization of next-generation technologies promotes an integrated approach to data center infrastructure management.

Learn the benefits of optimizing your data center infrastructure through cloud computing. Click here to download this white paper from Emerson on identifying the risks of cloud computing, and the best practices for deal with them.

Designing Around Harmonic Currents

Michael Potts — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:23:36 +0000

Companies are designing, consolidating and re-designing data centers to accommodate the need for more capacity while also dealing with shrinking budgets and limited availability of additional power from utilities. Due to regulations and new technology, harmonic currents, once an extremely relevant issue to the data center, can help you design a more cost-effective power distribution system for modern computer systems.

This white paper from StarLine defines harmonics and linear and non-linear loads, examining their significance to power flow. It goes on to detail options to mitigate harmonics and their costs in order to balance the real harmonic load against the cost of the solution. Lastly, it illustrates the benefits to both cost and productivity inherent in better system and device design over expensive harmonics mitigating devices.

Learn the fundamentals of harmonics and their effect on power distribution in the data center. Click here to download this white paper and help drive more realistic and cost-effective power distribution designs in the data center.

The Importance of Real-Time Power Monitoring

Michael Potts — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:37:09 +0000

With the growing costs of power and an increased uncertainty in power availability, energy conservation has become a major concern in the data center. Increases in the demand of computing power to satisfy mission critical applications along with the emergence of virtualization have had major effects on server density, making the need for an efficient energy management plan even more important. With the detailed knowledge of energy consumption gained from real-time monitoring within the data center, administrators can feel secure that they are making better, more energy conscious decisions.

This white paper from Raritan answers some of the most challenging questions associated with energy management while providing detailed explanations of how to correct some of the most common false assumptions regarding power consumption. It goes on to discuss methods for measuring the difference between IT equipment power load vs. total facility power load, and calculating Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). Lastly, it demonstrates what to do with the knowledge gleaned from these calculations, and how to make the best use of it while planning your data centers energy management strategy.

Learn the importance of accurately calculating your data center’s power needs. Click here to download this white paper from Raritan on energy requirement calculations and the advantages that come with real-time power monitoring.

The Growing Importance of ITaaS

Michael Potts — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:43:45 +0000

For years the idea of IT departments running like an internal service provider has been elusive, with much of IT spending being devoted to “keep the lights on” activities. This has hindered IT’s ability to maintain business innovation, with less focus on infrastructure and application development and more on IT operations. With the advances of virtualization and cloud computing, IT is now changing focus, moving away from cost optimization and focusing on improving business processes and transforming their operating models and infrastructure into environments previously seen in cloud computing providers.

This white paper from Cisco details the benefits of providing IT as a service (ITaaS), such as speed and agility, leveraging virtualization to enable cloud computing and unified, converged infrastructures. It goes on to discuss the required building blocks for the cloud computing era and the need for new operating models that resemble service care provider environments rather than an enterprise. Lastly, it offers Cisco’s solutions which all focus on transforming IT to be delivered as a service. These services are offered as either standalone or fully integrated solution, which include Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud and Cisco Converged Infrastructure.

Learn the importance of delivering IT as a service to improve business agility. Click here to download this whitepaper on the benefits of ITaaS and the Cisco solutions helping to standardize and automate IT environments to accelerate the change to cloud computing.

Energy Efficiency: The Software-Oriented Approach

Michael Potts — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:14:51 +0000

Power efficiency is becoming a primary concern to data centers. Advances in server equipment technologies and computing power have placed a premium on effective energy efficiency measures in the data center.

This white paper from Square D details the steps to successfully implementing an energy efficiency strategy through software. It explains the importance of data-interpreting software to efficiency management and the ways this software assists in the implementation process. It demonstrates the importance of measuring energy metric and developing an energy baseline, and provides benchmark historical and current performances as examples. Next, it stresses the importance of energy modeling, which allows predictions of energy use in the system under various parameters, the hardware used to create these models, and the software installed on these devices. Finally, it offers strategies to cut energy consumption and methods that allow its control in real-time.

Learn the benefits of investing in efficiency measuring software during the implementation of energy saving methods. Click here to download this white paper on achieving maximum energy savings through the use of efficiency analyzing software.

Please visit the Data Center Knowledge White Paper Library for all the latest expert insights on technologies to run your data center.