How to Achieve Change Management and Prevent Unwanted Device Installation Globally
Change management was a primary concern for Yellowbook when they constructed their new data center in the Philadelphia region. In the past, Yellowbook has experienced problems with new devices being added to their server racks without proper notification. This has resulted in overloaded circuits, costly downtime, and devices being unsupported immediately following their initial setup.
Yellowbook came to Server Technology with this problem, and with the help of a Server Technology regional sales manager, they were able to identify a solutions that fulfilled their needs.
Yellowbook first required outlet control to prevent unwanted installation of equipment by unauthorized employees. The Server Tech Switched Cabinet Power Distribution Unit (CDU) allows each individual outlet to be turned On, Off, or Rebooted via the network interface. Specifically, they chose the CW-24VD-L30M, which is a vertical, 30Amp, 3-Phase, 208V Delta CDU with (24) IEC C13 Outlets. Switched CDUs put outlet control into the hands of the administrators by assigning different user levels. Switched CDUs also provide branch circuit power monitoring via the onboard LED and network interface. Users can also set email and SNMP traps and alarms based on defined power and environmental thresholds.
The second requirement was redundancy. Yellowbook installed expansion units alongside the master CDU to support the dual power supplies of their installed devices. One IP address can support both CDUs as well as two optional temperature and humidity probes. With the ability to monitor their power, each CDU was loaded so that if a power in-feed was lost the remaining in-feed could support the entire load ensuring redundancy.
The third requirement was a management system that would allow Yellowbook to monitor and control all their CDU's in the entire data center, quickly and easily, from one place without having to log into individual units. The Sentry Power Manager (SPM) was deployed to provide at-a-glance information on all alarm conditions as well as status, current load, temperature, humidity and capacity. They can now drill down to a particular cabinet in order to see what has been plugged in and where. They can now manage all their Switched CDUs outlets' states from one program.
Yellowbook wanted to implement a process so that modifications to their data center were done in a controlled manner to prevent overloaded circuits and downtime. Today, change management has been achieved with the addition of outlet control, redundancy, and a way to globally view and manage all their devices from one central location.
