Champion the Complexities of a Successful DCIM Implementation

PRESENTED BY

Ajay Nagar Director  of  Integra.on  and  Services,  DCIMPro  

Learning Objectives

•  Participants will get an understanding of the similarities and differences between BMS and DCIM systems, and how they complement each other

•  Participants will determine the necessary pre-work require before starting to implement DCIM

•  Participants will discuss the advantages of DCIM systems and how it impacts facilities operations

•  Participants will learn what it takes to successfully implement DCIM system

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Exercise 1

•  What is a DCIM? –  DCIM Functions –  Benefits of a DCIM System –  Your experience with DCIM –  BMS-DCIM Relationship

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DCIM

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Data Center Infrastructure Management

DCIM – What is it?

Solution set (products – hardware and software, services) that extends the traditional data center management function to include assets and resources found in the Facilities and IT domains •  Provides accurate and meaningful information about data center

assets, resource usage, and operational status from lowest level of facilities infrastructure to the IT stack

•  Monitor, measure, manage and/or control data center utilization and energy consumption of all IT-related equipment, such as servers, storage and network equipment, and facility infrastructure components, such as PDUs and CRAH/CRACs

•  Rooted into Facilities monitoring / access or IT Asset Lifecycle Management

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DCIM Functions

•  Environmental Monitoring

•  Asset Management

•  Inventory Management

•  Power/Energy Management

•  Network Management

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•  Capacity Management

•  Change Management

•  Alarming and Alerting

•  KPI Dashboards, Reports

•  Customer Portal

DCIM Benefits

•  Maximize Uptime •  Avoid Downtime •  Optimize facilities operations •  Understand physical location of devices •  Reduce energy costs •  Enhanced visibility and real time dashboards •  Improved collaboration between IT and Facilities

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BMS-DCIM

•  BMS are robust, comprise of standardized software platforms and communication protocols

•  BMS monitors and controls building related systems– power and cooling systems, HVAC, Lighting, Access Control, Fire..

•  My facility has a BMS, why do I need a separate DCIM system…? –  DCIM provides more detailed information than BMS –  Helps data center manager run the wide range of critical

systems under their care –  Specialized IT focused functions

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BMS vs DCIM

•  Predictive Analysis –  BMS lacks predictive analysis. It monitors, alarms, provide

trends that portend a problem. –  DCIM provides trend information and the monitoring data to

invoke preventive maintenance before something critical fails.

•  Data –  Data Center devices produce a lot of data –  Predictive analysis requires accumulation, storage, and analysis

of huge amount of data, which is overwhelming for a BMS –  DCIM converts massive data from multiple monitoring systems

into useful information that can prevent a serious crash.

•  DCIM emphasizes a lot on efficiency

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BMS vs DCIM

•  Control – Facilities and IT •  Protocol

–  BMS uses BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks, Serial, DeviceNet, XML… –  DCIM, being IT focused, mainly uses IP

•  DCIM Functions –  Electrical phase balancing –  Rack and cabinet environmental monitoring –  Rack/Cabinet Security –  Failure scenarios –  App/DB/processes monitoring

•  Hardware is essential component of BMS

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BMS vs DCIM

•  DCIM puts a lot of emphasis on processes •  Integration is a key component to DCIM success. BMS

typically stands beside and work on its own •  Primary Users – Facilities and IT •  BMS – General building management tools. DCIM – data

center specific

BMS and DCIM are not mutually exclusive but complement each other

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Review Exercise 1

•  What is a DCIM? –  DCIM Functions –  Benefits of a DCIM System –  Your experience with DCIM –  BMS-DCIM Relationship

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Exercise 2

•  Why do you need a DCIM system? •  What are the biggest challenges in your daily life?

–  Do you do any manual repetitive tasks?

•   Identify the metrics that matter to all stakeholders –  Modernization, compliance, audits, capex, opex –  Better planning, expansion, visibility (including for customers) –  Make the data center leaner and greener –  Visibility into power, cooling, space, IT asset utilization, carbon

emissions and water consumption.

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DCIM Opex Savings

•  A constant, uniform temperature in the room is needed to supply the IT equipment?

•  Connect and control multiple CRACs together, managing supply temperature or room outlet temperature.

•  Overcooling the room, operating CRACs at a very low temperature

•  DCIM environmental sensors provide real time data to operate CRACs to provide on-demand, uniform inlet temperature to the IT equipment

•  Run CRACs at higher temps at lower volume – immediate energy, money, OPEX saving

•  Space, Power, Cooling optimization

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DCIM Capex savings

•  Save on CAPEX by optimizing and realizing existing capacity

•  Facility size is based on KW/MW of consumption planned for the floor –  Assume future power load of the room –  Based upon manufacturer’s rating –  Shows maximum load not measured values

•  Provisioned power = actual consumption + stranded power

•  DCIM provides data, information, and power to repurpose the provisioned power with lowest risk

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DCIM Capex savings

•  DCIM models the IT equipment capacity requirements based upon real measured values

•  DCIM gives visibility into current and projected needs and existing infrastructure

•  Defer Capex (buying more capacity – space, power, cooling equipment..) with the lowest possible risk

•  Speeds up decision making

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Review Exercise 2

•  Why do you need a DCIM system? •  What are the biggest challenges in your daily life?

–  Do you do any manual repetitive tasks?

•   Identify the metrics that matter to all stakeholders –  Modernization, compliance, audits, capex, opex –  Better planning, expansion, visibility (including for customers) –  Make the data center leaner and greener –  Visibility into power, cooling, space, IT asset utilization, carbon

emissions and water consumption.

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Implementation

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DCIM Implementation

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Requirements   Vendor/Solu.on  Install,  configure,  implementa.on  

•  Data  Center/IT  Manager  makes  the  purchasing  decision  •  IT  Manager  is  the  PM  •  Vendor  implements  a  turnkey  DCIM  •  3-­‐6  months  •  IT  uses  DCIM  

DCIM Journey

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Solu.on  Document  Processes  

Business  Requirements   Pilot/POC/  

Beta  

Deployment  (phase  out)  

Ongoing  refinement  

DCIM  Journey  

Exercise 3

•  DCIM Implementation pre-work –  Current state, systems, processes –  Stakeholders and players involved –  Use cases, users and their purpose –  Tasks, steps, milestones on the way

•  New build/retrofit facility

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Understand that DCIM..

•  ..is a collection of many components, not a standalone system

•  ..spans both IT and facilities, can create disagreements over budget, responsibility, ownership and management

•  Organizational and processes changes alongside the implementation of an integrated and scalable DCIM solution is the key to success.

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Homework

•  Document existing SOP and map your desired SOP with timeframe

•   Assess and document current state of your data center and businesses –  Include all tools, processes, systems, department functions,

relevant owners/

•  Clearly define the goals that you anticipate DCIM will help you achieve

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Document  Processes  

Business  Requirements  

DCIM Champion, Committee

•  DCIM Champion/Advocate –  High level executive with influence within and admiration of

the organization –  Advocates the project by constantly praising its benefits –  Provides support for both the PM and project team by liaising

with upper management to address their worries

•  DICM Committee –  Steering committee to make sure DCIM supports business goals

and objectives. IT, Facilities, Sales, Marketing, Finance.. –  Create project charter, work groups and assign experts –  Monitor implementation progress, control scope and resolve

conflict

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New Build

•  Best and easiest to incorporate DCIM metering and sensors in power and cooling systems

•  More flexibility and potentially less disruptive •  Actual DCIM implementation might not take place for

months after facility is designed, built, and is ready. But keep an eye on the future

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Retrofit

•  Existing (especially older) facilities tend of have lower energy efficiency and far less energy monitoring

•  The BMS are not very granular in the amount and type of data gathered; may capture device status and alarms

•  Retro-fitting meters and sensors is one of the major impediments of DCIM adoption. –  Sites with lower levels of redundancy of power and cooling

systems presents special challenge.

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Retrofit - PUE

•  PUE = Total Facility Energy / Total IT energy •  Essential: Energy metering at the point of utility

handoff to the facility and collecting IT energy usage (UPS output?).

•  Other facilities equipment (chillers, CRAH/Cs, cooling towers,) should have energy meters and environmental sensors installed

•  Allowing DCIM to provide an in-depth analysis and enabling optimization of cooling infrastructure, –  Early failure detection warnings –  Predictive maintenance functions.

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Retrofit – White Space monitoring

•  Rack level power and environmental monitoring •  Older floor-level PDUs lack branch circuit monitoring

and adding CT (Current Transformers) requires hot-work; an impediment.

•  Install metered rack PDU/power strip instead. One rack at a time, IT equipment usually have redundant power supply so no shutdown required. –  Worst case, equipment/rack shut down for a brief period.

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Retrofit – Environmental

•  Industry standards, regulations, business efficiencies, $$ require high power densities. –  Average readings in the middle of cold aisle no longer sufficient

•  Monitoring environmental at every rack has become critical; temp sensors front and back of rack, ASHRAE recommends 3. Wireless sensors and intelligent PDUs are great options –  Added benefit – heat map, provides indication of the sources of

heat loads –  Lets you raise CRAC Supply temperature at rack level

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Retrofit – IT Equipment

•  IT equipment refreshes more frequently than facilities •  Key operating parameters such as power usage, air

intake, internal temperature, CPU load, etc. are easily available out of IT hardware.

•  Big complete DCIM systems can poll IT hardware for these parameters, mitigate the need and cost for metering and environmental sensors.

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Discussion

Who owns DCIM

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Data Migration

•  Use as much data from existing sources as you can –  Spreadsheets –  Monitoring, legacy systems –  Databases –  DCIMs

•  Run systems in parallel to confirm integrity •  Always check for data accuracy •  Keep some room for manual touch-ups

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Solu.on  

Pilot/POC/  Beta  

Deployment  (phase  out)  

Pilot/POC – Test Drive

•  Roll out solutions on a limited scale to test, validate, verify, and benchmark results

•  Have users interact with (and use) the system for at least 2 weeks

•  Provide data, findings, experiences, and results to your leadership team, DCIM Champion, and the DCIM committee

•  Discover complexities of the system, reinforce trust and confidence. Avoid costly mistakes.

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Pilot/POC helps you to..

•  Clearly define the problem •  Specify attributes of the solution •  Measures of outcome and performance, and how to measure •  Resources, technology requirements •  Implementation and project variables (timeline, milestones,

tasks, interdependencies…) •  Define and refine acceptance criteria •  Data, information, and confidence to get stamp of approval •  Budget and Total Cost of Ownership, ROI calculations

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Solu.on  

Pilot/POC/  Beta  

Review Exercise 3

•  DCIM Implementation pre-work –  Current state, SOP –  Stakeholders and players involved –  Use cases, users and their purpose –  Tasks, steps, milestones on the way

•  New build/retrofit facility

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Pilot/POC/  Beta  

Deployment  (phase  out)  

Ongoing  refinement  

Professional Services

•  Audit, inventory, install, setup, config, scans, discovery, import, migrate, users, floor plan, rack elevation, reports, dashboards, integration etc. –  Requires staff, training, expertise, experience, support, project

management.. •  Professional services are costly, customers are not well

equipped to implement a DCIM •  Win-Win: vendor handles initial install, setup, config, with

end users shadowing. Extensive training and workshop for users to get up to speed. –  in-house staff handling on-site and day-to-day monitoring –  managed service provider manages the system.

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Solu.on  

Pilot/POC/  Beta  

Deployment  (phase  out)  

Phased deployment

•  Phased deployment to deliver rapid wins –  Focus on functionality that can deliver the highest value –  Learn what works and what doesn’t, troubleshoot problem

areas, and secure a quick win that can be built on as the implementation expands

–  Encourage ongoing and broader support for DCIM –  Implementation participation, quick ROI

•  Adjust systems, module, processes, training needs..on the go

•  Document and share benefits and ROI from each deployment phase

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Integration

•  Integrating DCIM with 3rd party systems is a key strategy for expanding and enriching the role of DCIM

•  Create vast repository of data and information •  Enables easier, quicker, and more efficient planning and

expansion •  Simplified management and scalability •  Single pane of glass dashboards, reports, monitoring

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Integration

•  Define clear goals and purpose for each integration. Develop use cases

•  Understand the systems, reach out for information –  Vendors, partners, service providers –  Internet, blogs, communities, peers

•  Gather and document integration mechanism •  Volume and frequency of data transfer •  Institute data quality, validation, control policies •  451 Research – Integration is the single biggest

challenge that DCIM faces

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Training

•  User training – everyday users who interact with the system

•  Admin/config training – Make changes to the tool, administrative tasks

•  On-site vs off-site •  Spread out training activities •  Follow-up quarterly training sessions for first year

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Ongoing  refinement  Ongoing  

refinement  Deployment  (phase  out)  

Optimization

•  Lack of time, awareness, training etc result in not 100% utilization of DCIM

•  Consistent audit/review and optimization is required •  Remove roadblocks, increase awareness at regular

interval. –  Training and feedback, workshops –  Knowledge sharing; ‘DCIM Talks’..

•  Business keeps evolving, so should DCIM

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Business  Requirements  

Ongoing  refinement  

Pitfalls

•  Unrealistic Requirements and Expectations •  Vendors hyping overly complex solutions •  Budget/Schedule. DCIM results takes time •  Not Enough ROI •  Improper Planning •  Lack of Process/Ownership •  User Adoption

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Case Study 1

•  Financial trading, <200 racks deployment –  Phased, POC, proper planning –  Initial deployment of all modules. Advanced functionality

deferred to later phases –  Phase I – 2016 –  Phase II – 2017 –  Phase III – 2018 –  Initial config by vendor, then customer staff took over

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Case Study 2

•  Major Utility Provider on the West coast –  850 racks –  Feature list and price based selection –  3 years into DCIM, looking to rip and replace –  IT made decision, minimal facilities involvement –  No POC/pilot. Demo and decision –  Vendor provided all setup and config. 3 days of training, admin

+user

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Contact

Ajay Nagar, Director of Integration and Services Anagar@DCIMPro360.com | (+1) 978-944-9667

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Thank you

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