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Do dual-corded servers, connected to separate uninterruptible power supplies, draw power from both U
Dual-corded servers are intended to share the load from UPS systems for overload protection. But do they really work? Expert Robert Macfarlane discusses dual-corded equipment and why data center managers need to be careful when shopping for them. FAQ
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What best practices should we follow for normal operation during a UPS maintenance window?
A UPS maintenance window can be stressful. Expert Robert Macfarlane has a few strategies for helping data center managers rest a little easier during their next UPS maintenance. FAQ
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What is the difference between modular and centralized uninterruptible power supplies?
When considering what kind of UPS to implement, it helps to have all the facts. Expert Robert Macfarlane discusses the differences, advantages and disadvantages of modular versus centralized UPS systems. FAQ
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Data Center Library: Enterprise Data Center Design and Methodology
A review of Enterprise Data Center Design and Methodology by Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Enterprise Architect Rob Snevely. Books
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Bob McFarlane: Blogs and more
Expert Bob McFarlane recently hosted a blog that tackled the full array of problems that face anyone managing a data center's physical environment. The best of the blog is here. Special Report
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The Price of Power
Traditionally, power consumption was just a cost of doing business, well within the realm of facilities management. But as both the price and demand for power continue to rise, it's a problem IT can no longer afford to ignore. Our four-part series on... Special Report
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Power-hungry or just powerless?
Are you all powerful or just powerless? Take this quiz to assess your power know how in the data center. The questions are more difficult than you might think, so do a little pre-test prepping by reading our Power Playbook. Quiz
- See More: Essential Knowledge on Data center backup power and power distribution
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DC power: Coming soon to a data center near you?
As data center operators look for new ways to improve energy efficiency, a move to DC power is all but inevitable, some experts say. News | 08 Dec 2011
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Fuel cell technology pitched as data center power source
An Oregon startup is positioning fuel cell technology for targeted use in data center environments. News | 30 Nov 2011
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Raritan tracks data center assets: News in brief
Raritan’s new asset management tags help data center managers keep tabs on their infrastructure; and other data center facilities news. News | 14 Sep 2011
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APC links to HP Operations Manager: News in brief
APC infrastructure management software integrates with HP Operations Manager for real-time power and cooling monitoring; and more news in brief. News | 03 Jun 2011
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Terremark sees value in containerized data center modules
The flexibility and reduced lead time offered by containerized data center infrastructure has won over colocation provider Terremark. News | 31 May 2011
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Raritan tool finds spare data center capacity: News in brief
Raritan dcTrack helps managers unearth spare data center capacity; Wave2Wave intros a data center on wheels; and iTRACS and TBD Fusion strike partnership. News | 31 May 2011
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HP upgrades NonStop with Intel Itanium 9300: News in brief
HP’s fault-tolerant NonStop platform now runs on a quad-core NB5400c Integrity BladeSystem running Intel’s Itanium 9300 processor. News | 28 Mar 2011
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CA Spectrum replaced by AccelOps: News in brief
Texas radiology clinic replaced CA Technologies’ Spectrum monitoring suite with AccelOps to save on maintenance. News | 22 Mar 2011
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APC ties data center management tool into VMware: News in brief
APC’s InfraStruxure 6.2 now correlates location of VMware VMs back to their physical hosts; and SIOS is promoting SteelEye Protection Suite for marooned HP Serviceguard shops. News | 15 Mar 2011
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Intel dishes on Itanium "Poulson" chip: News in brief
Intel discussed key details about its upcoming Itanium processor, code-name Poulson, and other data center news. News | 24 Feb 2011
- See More: News on Data center backup power and power distribution
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Why monitoring data center power consumption is vital
Monitoring data center power consumption is the first step to reducing energy expenses, but many facilities still lack key monitoring capabilities. Tip
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Avoiding single point of failure design flaws
Redundancy can help a data center avoid downtime, but sometimes hidden flaws in the electrical design can still create a single point of failure. Tip
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Limitations of the EPO switch and the danger of downtime
An EPO switch is not required in all data centers. Data center owners should consider whether the risk of unplanned downtime is worth the advantages that installing an EPO can offer. Tip
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Addressing the EPO switch and data center downtime
An EPO switch can be a major liability, potentially leading to accidental downtime, but electrical code doesn’t require all data centers to have a big red button. Tip
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Best practices for backup power maintenance
Testing generators and inspecting batteries are just part of maintaining a backup power system that can help prevent unexpected data center downtime. Tip
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Data center management using DCIM tools
DCIM tools can help facilitate data center management and energy monitoring, but DCIM software does not come without its own set of challenges and limitations. Tip
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Addressing data center power failure and its root causes
Data center downtime is most often a result of human error. But with proper capacity planning and battery selection, among other steps, a data center power failure can be averted. Tip
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Addressing data center power path issues and common failure points
The loss of power in the data center is often troublesome and unexpected, but knowing these common failure points and ways to mitigate power path issues can ease the burden. Tip
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Does DC power win the direct current vs. alternating current debate?
In the debate over direct current vs. alternating current, AC power is considered less risky. But should data centers reconsider the potential cost-saving benefits of DC power? Tip
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Four ways to reduce data center power consumption
Data center managers can cut their utility bills by following these four steps to reducing data center power consumption. Tip
- See More: Tips on Data center backup power and power distribution
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Powering modems with SMPS-based power supplies
Data center physical infrastructure expert Robert McFarlane discusses SMPS-based power. Ask the Expert
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Weighing centralized versus modular UPS in the data center
Power and cooling expert Robert Macfarlane explains the differences between central and modular UPS systems and discusses their merits and shortcomings. Ask the Expert
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UPS maintenance outage
A reader wrote in asking what the best practices were for running a data center when maintenance is being done to the UPS. See what expert Robert McFarlane had to say. Ask the Expert
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More on power supplies
One of expert Robert McFarlane's answers has stirred up even more questions. Read this answer to find out more about power supplies. Ask the Expert
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The Big Red Button
Expert Lance Harry explains the significance of the "big red button" and how it relates to fire safety in response to a reader's question. Ask the Expert
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Dual power question
We're building an existing room into a high thermal density datacenter. Our facilities HVAC rep intends to supplement the new CRAC Units with existing general house HVAC registers, to assist with managing the high heat loads. Will this arrangement ca... Ask the Expert
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How important are isolated grounds?
My facilities manger doesn't think I need isolated grounds in my data center. I thought they were necessary for high-performance hardware. How do I convince him I need them? Ask the Expert
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What is the kVA/rack limit?
According to the latest studies, power consumption per rack is increasing. What do you think about a boundary (or limit) in kVA per rack in near... Ask the Expert
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Obtaining reasonably accurate numbers for actual power consumption is difficult enough
A reader questioned our expert on one of his responses. See how he defended himself. Ask the Expert
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Dual power supplies and power grids
A reader asked: Following on an earlier question about dual power cords, do the power supplies have to be of the same phase? Or can they be from entirely separate power grids. (We will have effectively two supply systems with inline diesel rotary U... Ask the Expert
- See More: Expert Advice on Data center backup power and power distribution
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intelligent power management (IPM)
Intelligent Power Management (IPM) is a combination of hardware and software that optimizes the distribution and use of electrical power in computer systems and data centers. While the installation of IPM involves up-front cost and ongoing maintenanc... Word
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power usage effectiveness (PUE)
Power usage effectiveness (PUE) is a metric used to determine the energy efficiency of a data center. PUE is determined by dividing the amount of power entering a data center by the power used to run the computer infrastructure within it. (Continued.... Word
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green data center
A green data center is a repository for the storage, management, and dissemination of data in which the mechanical, lighting, electrical and computer systems are designed for maximum energy efficiency and minimum environmental impact... (Continued) Word
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Electric plugs for each country
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uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
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Power production and cogeneration options for data centers
In this Q&A, an expert discusses the feasibility of implementing independent power production or cogeneration systems, and speculates on future trends in data center power use. Podcast
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Backup power in a shipping container: Active Power's PowerHouse
Active Power demonstrates PowerHouse, its data center backup power product in a shipping container, at the HP Technology Forum in Las Vegas. Video
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Common data center hurdles: Cooling and power distribution problems
A data center manager discusses his primary problems: aging AC units and not-so-green hardware. Video
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Reducing data center power consumption: Data Center Decisions conference
At Data Center Decisions, keynote speaker Matt Stansberry explained the importance of metrics and benchmarks to reducing power consumption. Video
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Data center power consumption: Key theme at DCD
At Data Center Decisions, keynote speaker Matt Stansberry explained the importance of metrics and benchmarks to reducing power consumption. Video
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Power and cooling in the data center
Uptime Institute Executive Director Ken Brill breaks down best practices for data center power and cooling strategies and discusses some poor practices that have actually increased energy consumption. Video
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APC exec discusses data center voltage options
Rob Bunger of APC discusses different voltage options for data centers, including alternating current (AC) options to increase power distribution efficiency. Video
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Why monitoring data center power consumption is vital
Monitoring data center power consumption is the first step to reducing energy expenses, but many facilities still lack key monitoring capabilities. Tip
-
DC power: Coming soon to a data center near you?
As data center operators look for new ways to improve energy efficiency, a move to DC power is all but inevitable, some experts say. News
-
Fuel cell technology pitched as data center power source
An Oregon startup is positioning fuel cell technology for targeted use in data center environments. News
-
Avoiding single point of failure design flaws
Redundancy can help a data center avoid downtime, but sometimes hidden flaws in the electrical design can still create a single point of failure. Tip
-
Power production and cogeneration options for data centers
In this Q&A, an expert discusses the feasibility of implementing independent power production or cogeneration systems, and speculates on future trends in data center power use. Podcast
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Raritan tracks data center assets: News in brief
Raritan’s new asset management tags help data center managers keep tabs on their infrastructure; and other data center facilities news. News
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State of the Data Center: 2011
Special Report
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Choosing UPS systems for the data center
Selecting the right UPS for data centers is complex. This buying guide can help you sort through the features offered by today's UPS systems. Buying guide
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Limitations of the EPO switch and the danger of downtime
An EPO switch is not required in all data centers. Data center owners should consider whether the risk of unplanned downtime is worth the advantages that installing an EPO can offer. Tip
-
Addressing the EPO switch and data center downtime
An EPO switch can be a major liability, potentially leading to accidental downtime, but electrical code doesn’t require all data centers to have a big red button. Tip
- See More: All on Data center backup power and power distribution
About Data center backup power and power distribution
Find news and tutorials on power management in the data center, including how to manage data center backup power and saving energy.