Classification of Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Tools

by Kevin Brown, Dennis Bouley

Executive Summary

Data centers today lack a formal system for classifying infrastructure management tools. As a result, confusion exists regarding which management systems are necessary and which are optional for secure and efficient data center operation. This paper divides the realm of data center management tools into four distinct subsets and compares the primary and secondary functions of key subsystems within these subsets. With a classification system in place, data center professionals can begin to determine which physical infrastructure management tools they need – and don’t need – to operate their data centers.

Conclusion

By sharing key data points, alarm notifications, historical data, and asset tracking information, data center facility and IT infrastructure management software allows users to make informed
decisions based upon real-time power and cooling capacity and redundancy data.

The classification system presented in this paper takes the first step in laying the groundwork for a logical approach which can be summarized as follows:

A Whole Data Center, from which is selected the

Facility and IT infrastructure portion, which is divided into

Subsets, each of which consists of multiple

Subsystems, which are compared and contrasted by illustrating

Primary and Secondary functions, which enable

Efficient investment in management software

…with key steps supported by visualization software

Today multiple management applications across the principle domains of IT room management, building control, security, and power address various parts of the enterprise suite, but no one application does it all. The segmented approach will continue for the foreseeable future. However, innovative dashboards are being developed that will facilitate prudent, informed operational decisions that consolidate information from these sources and enhance uptime and reduce energy costs.

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