RFID Helps Manage Data Centers
The growing demand for cloud computing, along with surging use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is driving investment in data centers – the facilities that house and operate the servers, storage devices and networking equipment that make powerful computing possible.
Data centers store and process large volumes of data, enabling access to information across a network. A typical large data center contains tens of thousands individual pieces of equipment, depending on its size and function. All data centers include [1]:
Typical layout of a large data center, via “The Datacenter as a Computer.” [3]
Servers. Servers are pieces of hardware or software that provide functionality to a data center. They are connected to networks to make data accessible to computers. Servers are typically housed in server racks.
Networking. Networking equipment enables the storage and processing of applications and data through switching, routing, load balancing, analytics, etc.
Storage. Data center storage consists of technologies, software, and devices that allow for the storing of data and applications within a data center.
Software. Software is the non-physical component of a computer system that comprises the programs, procedures, and routines involved in the efficient operation of a computer system.
Cabling infrastructure. The foundation of data centers lies within the cabling infrastructure as it enables the power and data transmissions that are critical to operations. Failure to properly manage these systems can lead to serious issues such as downtime and large expenses.
Power infrastructure. Physical infrastructure such as rack PDUs, remote power panels, busways, floor PDUs, and UPSs are necessary to provide power to IT equipment. Backup power is usually supplied by a generator to minimize downtime.
Cooling infrastructure. Data center cooling equipment such as computer room air conditioning (CRAC) and computer room air handler (CRAH) units are designed to always keep the facility at an ideal temperature and to prevent critical IT equipment from overheating.
Physical security. Data centers may include alarms, electronic door locks, RFID and biometric scanners, and other safety measures to protect the data and assets inside.
A Management Challenge
Data centers are continually being upgraded or modified to meet customer demands. Customers not only own the data, but they may also own the equipment used to process or store the data. Simply locating each piece of equipment is a challenge. Fortunately, the same technology that has helped factories manage their inventory and production is easily applied to the demands of data centers. RFID has been used in factories for decades to track the real-time movement of materials, components and finished goods throughout the production process. It’s an integral part of managing factory operations. No line of sight is needed to track items – a simple scan identifies each item and launches its record in a management platform. Scanners can be hand-held or fixed to scan items as they move across the factory floor.
In data centers, RFID is used to track asset location and to capture details such as installation date, maintenance and repair records and so on. RFID scanners can be stationary or hand-held, for great versatility.
“One of the primary advantages of RFID technology for data center asset tracking is its ability to give improved visibility and real-time tracking capabilities. RFID tags attached to assets generate radio signals, which are detected by RFID readers strategically located throughout the data center. It enables data center operators to track the position and movement of assets in real time, minimizing the need for human searches and mitigating the risk of asset loss or misplacement. RFID enables data center administrators to swiftly detect assets, trace their movement around the facility, and guarantee maximum resource utilization.” [2]
Traditional asset monitoring methods like spreadsheets or barcode scanning don’t offer the power of RFID. RFID tags feature unique identifiers encoded in the EPC memory that can be read automatically by RFID readers. It reduces errors and means that asset data is correctly documented in the data center's inventory management system. RFID technology improves data accuracy, allowing data center managers to make more informed decisions, maximize asset utilization, and reduce downtime. Reducing downtime is paramount in data centers where the cost of downtime is $9,000 per minute , not to mention the costly disruptions in service their customers rely on, such as website access, online banking, email, and any cloud-based applications. Everyone who works online understands the problems even short outages can cause to critical enterprise systems.
What’s inside data centers depends on what’s outside – and underneath
Data center cooling, Douglas County, Georgia, U.S, “The Datacenter as a Computer.”[3]
Data centers are continually being built or expanded. That’s why construction companies that build data centers rely on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create highly accurate digital models of the data center and its critical infrastructure. Knowing the exact location of buried infrastructure is essential before excavation begins.
A digital map shows where underground utilities lie based on survey-grade GPS coordinates. But everyone knows that reality can differ from digital representations due to environmental conditions, miscommunication, or other factors. Few types of construction feature the density of underground infrastructure required by data centers that include:
Chilled water piping
Electrical duct banks and conduits
Telecom duct banks and conduits
Underground fuel systems
Any excavation that occurs at a data center must be extremely accurate to avoid striking underground utilities. A utility strike on any of these systems would be disastrous – with losses in the tens of millions of dollars and disruptions of service. That’s why data centers use RFID to mark the location of buried infrastructure so that it can be identified and verified before excavation begins.
RFID - Versatile and adaptable for all industries
RFID has broad applications in many industries, and Berntsen is a leading developer of adaptable RFID technology solutions designed to manage assets of any kind – from servers to buried water and power cables to tools – and even people. Its InfraMarker RFID solution provides options for hands-free and hand-held applications for indoor or outdoor use, as well as RFID tags for use on virtually every substrate including metal.
Depiction of RFID locating of buried infrastructure at a data center.
InfraMarker RFID is designed to work with any asset management platform so the same technology can be used for managing data center assets and managing data center infrastructure. It’s easily integrated into Esri’s ArcGIS data collection tools to facilitate asset tracking and management. RFID ties the physical asset to its data by identifying, verifying and then launching the appropriate workflow as needed.
This versatile, adaptable technology delivers verified identification while connecting the physical asset to its data in asset management platforms.
To summarize, RFID technology provides exceptional efficiency in data center asset tracking and management, transforming how assets are monitored, tracked, and managed. RFID technology allows data center operators to optimize asset utilization, minimize mistakes, and improve security by providing more visibility, real-time tracking capabilities, greater accuracy, and streamlined inventory management operations.
Footnotes:
Data center cooling, Douglas County, Georgia, U.S. from SYNTHESIS LECTURES ON COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE #46.The Datacenter as a Computer Designing Warehouse-Scale Machines Third Edition Luiz André Barroso, Urs Hölzle, and Parthasarathy Ranganathan Google LLC.