EMA Radar for Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) By Steve Brasen ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES (EMA ) Radar Report December 2012

Transcription

1 EMA Radar for Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) By Steve Brasen ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES (EMA ) Radar Report December 2012

2 (DCIM): Q Table of Contents Executive Summary... 1 The DCIM Landscape... 1 Assessing the DCIM Market... 2 Characteristics of a Preferred Solution... 3 Architecture and Integration... 3 Functionality... 4 Deployment and Administration... 6 Cost Advantage... 6 Vendor Strength... 7 Evaluation Criteria... 7 Feature Eligibility... 7 Financial Evaluation... 7 Notable Absences... 8 EMA RADAR TM for Data Center Infrastructure Management... 9 DCIM Market Overview... 9 DCIM Value Leaders DCIM Strong Value Awards Emerson Network Power Most Comprehensive itracs Best Visual Modeling Nlyte Best Scalability DCIM Vendor Profiles Cormant, Inc. Profile Emerson Network Power Profile FieldView Solutions Profile itracs Profile Modius Profile Nlyte Software Profile Raritan Profile

3 (DCIM): Q Executive Summary Although only fully defined in the past few years, Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) has been broadly accepted as the primary method for achieving effective and efficient IT implementations, operations and management processes. The ability to leverage analytics and detailed modeling capabilities to provide real-time visibility across complex IT ecosystems enables organization to optimize a variety of critical infrastructure support elements, including energy efficiency, heat distribution, space management, network connectivity and system performance. Of the hundreds of solutions on the market claiming these capabilities, only a handful have been identified by Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) to deliver full DCIM support. In this EMA Radar Report, seven of these leading DCIM solution sets have been reviewed and empirically compared across a broad range of measurements that identify product strengths and overall cost efficiency. The DCIM Landscape It seems that nearly every management vendor even remotely supporting data center services today is leveraging the DCIM moniker as a description of their product set. This is unfortunate as very few solutions in the marketplace are able to rise to the level of providing true DCIM capabilities and the misuse of the term only serves to create confusion amongst consumers and detracts from identifying the real value of DCIM management practices. At its core, DCIM enables a holistic view of the IT ecosystem that dynamically recognizes the relationship of one device to all the others. In other words, when a device is introduced, changes or fails, DCIM processes help determine how the disruption will affect the performance of all other devices and conditions in the environment. Solutions that offer limited infrastructure visibility (for example, just data on energy consumption) cannot be considered DCIM platforms because they cannot achieve holistic monitoring and management of the infrastructure by only looking at a narrow set data center environment elements. All DCIM solutions must, at minimum, provide automation support in three key areas: data collection, infrastructure modeling and analytical reporting. Data collection is an aspect of asset management All DCIM solutions must, requiring the development and centralized storage of a detailed device at minimum, provide inventory that also provides on-going health status of every physical automation support in three asset in the IT infrastructure. Additionally, data collection processes key areas: data collection, must continuously monitor environmental conditions, such as energy infrastructure modeling consumption, temperature, humidity and airflow. Collected data is and analytical reporting. used to develop a digital model of the infrastructure that is regularly updated to ensure it provides an accurate representation of existing conditions within the environment. Although not strictly required, this model is ideally presented in a graphical view that visually presents all the data center elements in an easily digestible format. This environment model is essential to establishing and presenting visibility into the interrelationships of all supported IT assets. To determine these relationships, however, requires a level of analytics that interpret the complex IT ecosystem to rapidly identify any potential problems or inefficiencies. These reported, displayed or alarmed conditions provide the critical intelligence necessary for informed decision making on environment improvements that will drive more effective IT performance and greater cost efficiencies. 1

4 (DCIM): Q DCIM is a relatively young discipline with management practices that have only been identified in the past few years. It is no surprise, then, that automation solutions are still radically evolving. Many have been built on older, proven management platforms that have extended their capabilities to support the holistic monitoring and management requirements of DCIM. Others have been purpose-built from the ground up to achieve these capabilities, and still others are a combination of the two leveraging key elements from matured technology to provide a fully integrated platform directly targeting DCIM goals. The product evaluations included in this EMA Radar should be considered a snapshot in time as all the solutions are undergoing continuous development improvements. Today, for example, very few solutions natively provide full Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFDs) in determining airflow and its relationship to thermal conditions (though several do integrate with third-party solutions that provide this capability). As DCIM solutions evolve, it can be expected that CFDs will play a more crucial role in the identification and prediction of environment inefficiencies. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that the leading DCIM solutions available on the market today are already delivering very robust management experiences and quantifiable Returns On Investment (ROI). It is undeniable that the leading DCIM solutions available on the market today are already delivering very robust management experiences and quantifiable ROI. Assessing the DCIM Market To assist enterprises in the identification of value solutions that deliver true DCIM capabilities, EMA has evaluated the leading platforms available on the market today. EMA s review process began with the determination of critical DCIM features and capabilities. This list was used to establish evaluation KPIs that were ranked and weighted to correspond with the requirements EMA determined to be prioritized by organizations that have adopted or plan to adopt a DCIM platform. The prioritization determinations have been based on discussions with IT operations and facilities managers, survey-based research responses and EMA s own experience and knowledge of enterprise requirements and best practices. From these KPIs, a minimum level of functional requirements was established to identify which management platforms qualify for recognition as true DCIM solutions. Minimum requirements included providing automation to perform all three principle process elements (data collection, infrastructure modeling and analytical reporting) and the ability to holistically deliver visibility across the entire data center infrastructure (including physical assets and environmental conditions). After an extensive review of the numerous products claiming DCIM capabilities, EMA identified only ten candidates that could be reasonably considered to deliver true DCIM functionality. The identified DCIM vendors were invited to participate in the evaluation process and were submitted a detailed questionnaire on the capabilities, cost and supportability of their respective product sets. More than 150 points of comparison were considered and all responses were carefully vetted for accuracy. EMA also conducted interviews with vendor customers to confirm product capabilities and indicate customer satisfaction with the product sets. Scoring of the vendor solutions was mathematically calculated by correlating available features, architectures, pricing and capabilities with the predetermined KPIs. Some individual feature scorings were adjusted based on customer first-hand experiences with the product sets. Final scoring of each product set was used in the product comparison charts and in the determination of award winners. 2

5 (DCIM): Q Characteristics of a Preferred Solution The EMA Radar Report standardizes the evaluation of product sets in specific management disciplines by comparing vendor and product review elements in five distinct categories. Identified below are the elements EMA believes are indicative of an ideal DCIM solution in each of the primary categories: Architecture and Integration The ideal DCIM solution is architected to provide a centralized management console for supporting all locally and remotely supported IT infrastructure elements. If multiple management servers are necessary to support especially large or geographically distributed environments, all servers should be managed from a single master server and accessed from a single interface. A Web-based interface is critical for enabling access to the management system from any location, including mobile devices. Scalability of the product set is achieved by enabling expansion that is based on increasing enterprise requirements (i.e. growing number of support endpoints and data centers, expanded DCIM process needs, etc.). EMA favors a modular approach in achieving scalability as it allows organizations to adopt and expand the platform according to their size and level of DCIM maturity, but to be effective all modules must be fully integrated. Data collection is an essential component of DCIM, so the breadth of data center components and environmental elements that are recorded must also be considered. Data collection is an essential component of DCIM, so the breadth of data center components and environmental elements that are recorded must also be considered. An ideal platform will automatically detect and record asset and status data from all data center endpoints, including (but not limited to) servers, environmental units (i.e. chillers), networking devices, storage devices, environmental sensors, power distribution units (PDUs) and intelligent racks. Additionally, the increased adoption of embedded technologies (i.e. IPMI, Dell DRAC, HP ilo, Intel DCM, etc.) provide opportunities for detail data mining even when systems are powered down, so direct integrations with these platforms greatly increases a solution s value. To increase data collection opportunities, a broad range of protocols must be employed, such as SNMP, WMI, Modbus, and BACnet, and all collected information should be recorded in a single, centralized data repository. All management elements within a DCIM solution should be fully integrated with each other, and direct integration with third party management products should be established to extend the platform capabilities. Direct integration implies the solutions share common code, employ common data collection processes, utilize a common management interface, and/or store data in a common repository without the need for additional customization. Some examples of direct integrations with DCIM platforms would be federated access to Configuration Management Databases (CMDBs), integration with virtualization management platforms (e.g. VMware vcenter), the ability to directly execute automated tasks on server management solutions (e.g. Microsoft System Center, IBM Tivoli, CA Server Automation), and the ability to directly access and update records on a service desk (e.g. BMC Remedy). Additionally, robust APIs should be provided to allow the easy establishment of custom integrations. 3

6 (DCIM): Q Functionality The core of any DCIM platform is in how it is able to manipulate and present the extensive infrastructure data it has collected in such a way as to enable a holistic visibility into the environment for informed decision making. Further, this view of the interconnectivity of the IT ecosystem should be leveraged to initiate automated activities for the dynamic optimization of the environment. Nearly every data center management practice can be enhanced through this process. However, EMA has identified several specific areas of support that DCIM platforms should include to be considered comprehensive: Asset Management Attribute and status details on all data center physical asset should be collected and recorded in a centralized data repository. Key device details should include: brand, model, configuration (e.g. CPU, memory, disk), hostname, owner, purchase cost/value, operating system, IP address, MAC address, firmware versions, health status, network performance status and attached peripherals. The solution should have the ability to group assets by organizations, user roles, physical locations or network segments to enable consolidated views and reports. Ideally, a percentage of ownership should be assigned to each asset so that accurate calculations can be performed for chargeback and metering. Visual Modeling Collected asset data must be modeled to enable a holistic view of the complete physical, virtual and environmental IT ecosystem. These models should be graphically imaged to enable easy identification of physical asset locations, configurations, and status. The more detailed the data center imaging, the more rapidly administrators can absorb infrastructure conditions and make decisions on environment optimization. 3-D visualizations, for example, provide more accurate representations of infrastructure details than 2-D visualizations. Graphical representations should be provided for multiple scales from individual devices, to racks, to whole data centers, to an entire facilities location, to geographical regions supporting multiple IT infrastructures. Power Management Details on energy consumption and distribution of the entire power train should be recorded. This includes data for individual devices, racks, Power Distribution Units (PDUs), Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs), on-site generators and provider sub-station feeds. All energy consumption should be historically tracked, metered by use, and alarmed to ensure power caps and other limitations are not exceeded. Automated power control should also be included enabling the initiation and scheduling of graceful shutdowns of servers and other devices during periods of non-use. Thermal Management Data must be collected on thermal conditions across the infrastructure from live readings taken directly by sensors, chillers, embedded server technologies, or other temperature recording devices. Estimated temperature conditions are also possible by calculating server configurations with performance data, but these will likely yield less accurate results. Thermal data should be visually modeled and mapped to allow rapid identification of hot spots and indicate opportunities for reducing costs and power consumption related to cooling. Airflow conditions will also affect heat distribution, so an ideal solution will identify air flow requirements of devices and model how existing airflow affects thermal conditions across the data center. 4

7 (DCIM): Q Space Management Features should be included to enable the rapid identification of available space and environment resources. These include physical data center floor space, physical rack space, weight capacities, as well as power and networking availability. Automation that quickly identifies available space based on administrator-identified requirements will greatly simplify processes for device adds, moves and changes. Hypothetical Modeling An advanced DCIM solution is able to leverage current environment status and historical trending data to create hypothetical models. In this way, a move, add or change event can be introduced into a what if scenario that accurately predicts the impacts of that alteration on the IT environment, before actually implementing it. For instance, prior to the deployment of a new server, a hypothetical model can be created to see how that server will affect power and thermal condition of device that will share that rack as well as those on neighboring racks. Leveraging this, administrators can optimize the new installation before deployment, greatly reducing error and remediation time. Hypothetical modeling also allows organizations to proactively identify optimal data center configurations without impacting production environments. Access and Control Remote console access to servers and other devices allows enterprises to geographically consolidate administrative staff while improving security and reducing unexpected failure incidents (e.g. tripping over a power cable) by minimizing physical traffic in the data center. Types of remote console access include IP-based network access, serial console over IP access, full Keyboard-Video-Monitor (KVM) access, and access to service processors (i.e. embedded technologies). Integrating remote console access directly into a DCIM platform allows administrators to instantly react to alerts and conditions reported by the solution and feed the results back into the system without engaging in swivel-chair management. Reporting and Alarming Reports are essential to identifying the status of the environment, identifying areas for improvement and achieving proof of compliance. Critical reports should be provided out of the box that identify critical IT health conditions across the infrastructure. For example, Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratings should be continuously calculated and reported to provide a key indicator of the level of computing energy efficiency in relation to total data center environmental costs. Alarms should also be provided to immediately alert administrators when conditions (such as power, temperature or performance spikes) exceed established thresholds. Organizations that engage in environmental certificate (REC) trading or are subjected to related regulatory compliance will also require periodic reporting of energy consumption and associated carbon generation. For the latter, a DCIM platform will need to record details on the source of energy (i.e. coal fired, solar, wind, etc.) at each supported facilities to calculate the resulting amount of total carbon emissions. 5

8 (DCIM): Q Deployment and Administration The single most critical element in the introduction of a DCIM platform is the ease in which asset data is collected and recorded. In The single most critical fact, EMA s general investigation of DCIM adoption indicated more element in the introduction than half of the attempts either stalled or failed due to an inability of a DCIM platform is the to rapidly collect sufficient infrastructure details to enable a holistic ease in which asset data modeling of the infrastructure. Essential to the simplification of an is collected and recorded. initial DCIM solution deployment are features for auto-detecting devices, automated data collection processes and direct integrations with data recording elements (e.g. intelligent sensors, racks, and PDUs). The process can be further eased by integrating the solution with devices that read barcodes and RFID chips which reduce the amount of necessary manual data entry. Visually modeling the collected data can also be a time consuming task if left to purely manual processes. An ideal solution will natively provide and continuously update a massive library of device images that can be selected and dropped into the data center graphical representation. Out-of-the-box graphical elements should include servers, racks, environmental equipment, PDUs and networking devices all of which should be pre-populated with details on the device dimensions, weight, power consumption, thermal requirements, indicator lights and cabling ports. Recognizing that it is not possible to provide pre-built representations of all data center devices, a facility should be natively included to easily build custom device graphics. The resulting visual model of the data center should provide an accurate representation of real-world IT infrastructure that intuitively displays status and conditions of the environment so administrators can rapidly respond to conditions and events. Vendors must also display a commitment to supporting the DCIM platform and the user community. Maintenance contracts should be offered that deliver responsive and continuously available live support as well as timely product updates. Vendors should offer professional services that are staffed with support professionals that are knowledgeable about their solution set and DCIM processes to assist customers with training, problem solving, environment optimization and the initial product deployment. Vendors should also engage the user community by hosting on-line forums and regular conferences or meetings to educate organizations on effective use of their platforms and on DCIM best practices. Cost Advantage Pricing models for a DCIM platform should be simple to understand and easy to calculate. Of the platforms EMA evaluated, nearly all offer fixed license pricing based on the number of supported endpoints (i.e. individual servers, devices, or racks). Similarly, maintenance costs are typically calculated as a percentage of the total license costs; however, some vendors offer the first year of maintenance for free. Naturally, any product comparison that is limited to just cost elements will favor solutions offered at with the lowest license fees. However, EMA recommends organizations perform price comparisons that recognize their unique enterprise requirements. Purchasing a low-cost solution may impede an organization from achieving long-term DCIM goals and purchasing a more comprehensive solution may not be cost-effective if the advanced features are never used. It is important to right-size a solution based on projected future requirements as well as existing goals. 6

9 (DCIM): Q Vendor Strength Consumers should always be aware of a vendor s stability and commitment to a platform prior to adoption of the solution in order to be sure of its long-term viability. A vendor that is financially strong with high revenue and vast equity is more likely to continue support for a management platform. Solution providers that invest heavily in research and development will also be assured of maintaining continual value in the platforms architecture and feature set. Strategic and channel partnerships also increase vendor relevance in the market space and customer loyalty extends visible credibility. Additionally, a vendor s vision and strategy for development, innovation and foresight of future requirements indicates whether a management solution will maintain optimal value in a dynamic marketplace. Evaluation Criteria Feature Eligibility In order for a product set to be credited with a feature or capability in EMA s evaluation, it was required to meet three strict criteria: The features needed to be generally available with the solution set at the time of the evaluation (i.e. by August 2012). Any features that were in beta testing or were scheduled to be included in later releases of the management suite were not eligible for consideration. All features needed to be self-contained within the included package sets. Any features not directly included in the evaluated package sets but available separately from the same vendor or thirdparty vendors for an additional cost were identified as available through direct integration and acknowledged in the Architecture and Integration evaluation. All reported features must be clearly documented in publically available resources (such as user manuals or technical papers) for verification. Financial Evaluation To enable product license cost comparisons that are as fair as can possibly be attained through analytical process, EMA developed three sample infrastructure models and asked vendors to provide price quotes for each. Price quotes needed to encompass all products, add-ons and modules necessary to achieve the functionality credited in all the other sections of the evaluation. Where possible, price quotes were verified through discussions with end users and other public sources. The three models used in EMA s evaluation were: Small Infrastructure Model: 100 racks consisting of: 3500 servers (35 servers per rack) cores (4 cores per server) 100 additional devices (i.e. switches, routers, storage, chillers, etc.) 50 additional data collection points (sensors, PDUs, etc.) Supported by 14 administrators (250 servers per administrator) 7

10 (DCIM): Q Large Infrastructure Model: 2000 racks consisting of: 70,000 servers (35 servers per rack) 280,000 cores (4 cores per server) 2000 additional devices (i.e. switches, routers, storage, chillers, etc.) 1000 additional data collection points (sensors, PDUs, etc.) Supported by 200 administrators (350 servers per administrator) Multi-Site Infrastructure Model: Supporting five large data centers and five small data centers based on the environment criteria established above. Costs for the highest level of maintenance were applied to price quotes supplied for each model and annualized over a period of ten years. Total costs for the solution licenses and ten years of maintenance were than calculated for each of the three models and empirically rated on a pricing scale (i.e. rated from 1 10 with a two decimal point level of accuracy). Ratings for all three models were then averaged to provide the final scoring reported in this evaluation. Notable Absences In addition to the solutions identified in this evaluation, a few other product sets were determined to achieve true DCIM functionality but were not reviewed by EMA. Here is the list of non-participating vendors and the reasons they were not included in this evaluation: CA EMA engaged CA for participation, but the vendor was unable to meet the deadline for completion of the detailed product survey. Lacking sufficient information, EMA was unable to perform an in-depth analysis of the vendor s DCIM product set. However, EMA believes CA did make an honest (though not timely) effort to participate. IBM EMA approached IBM for participation but was informed, IBM is currently making significant investments in (the DCIM) space and planning a solution that is an integral part of our strategy at the intersection of facility management (IWMS), IT asset management, and energy management. We intend to provide customers a solution based on the same platform and architecture as other Tivoli solutions. We will have to decline at this time to participate until our solution is completed. Schneider Electric Despite multiple attempts by EMA to contact the vendor, Schneider Electric was completely unresponsive to requests to provide product information. Lacking sufficient details, EMA was unable to perform an in-depth analysis of the vendor s DCIM platform and recommends caution in adopting solutions from a vendor that does not openly provide details about its products. 8

11 (DCIM): Q EMA RADAR TM for Data Center Infrastructure Management DCIM Market Overview Value in any solution can be clearly defined by comparing the strength of the platform with its cost effectiveness. The EMA DCIM Bubble Chart below provides graphical representations of evaluated industry leaders positioning in relation to both critical axes. The Product Strength axis combines evaluation scores for Functionality with Architecture & Integration. Cost Efficiency, on the other hand, is calculated by adding the scores achieved for Cost Advantage and Deployment & Administration. The size of each bubble indicates the Vendor Strength as identified in their individual reviews. 9

12 (DCIM): Q DCIM Value Leaders Cormant: Popularly known for delivering comprehensive data center asset tracking functionality, Cormant has expanded its flagship solution, Cormant-CS (formerly known as CableSolve), to manage all power and data connectivity in an infrastructure and visually model the environment. Although one of the most cost-effective solutions EMA evaluated, Cormant-CS achieves outstanding value for its feature set that includes unique mobile device support that allows remote auditing of barcodes and RFID tags as well as mobile console access to the management platform. Emerson Network Power: Leveraging technologies developed for its Avocent, Aperture, and Liebert product lines, Emerson has introduced Trellis, a new management platform purpose built to provide fully integrated DCIM functionality. With direct integrations extending into the vendor s other management solutions, Emerson s DCIM solution delivers the most comprehensive feature set evaluated by EMA. Of particular note is the ability to deliver real-time infrastructure views, broad support for virtualization implementations and direct integrations with every leading embedded technology platform. FieldView: One of the lowest-cost solutions in the DCIM market, FieldView delivers core competency requirements for DCIM. With visualizations that incorporate multi-tenant views and thermographic imaging, FieldView is well-suited to support the essential infrastructure requirements of both large enterprises and service providers. itracs: With the most detailed and comprehensive visual modeling capabilities in the DCIM market, the itracs Converged Physical Infrastructure Management (CPIM ) software portfolio delivers holistic visibility into an entire IT ecosystem. Built on an open systems architecture, CPIM enables simplified integration with third-party management solutions and includes project management capabilities that can track deployment projects through every phase of an implementation. DCIM Strong Value Modius: Focused on helping organizations achieve operational efficiency, Modius OpenData provides monitoring and performance analytics designed to improve data center infrastructure configurations and management processes. OpenData consolidates and normalizes performance data for every device in the data center, including heavy and light equipment and present status information in a variety of reports, dashboards and alarms. Nlyte: Founded by data center professionals determined to evolve infrastructure management processes beyond spreadsheets and Visio diagrams, Nlyte Software introduced a DCIM platform designed to provide predictive intelligence and management controls that organizations need to reduce operational risks and achieve more efficient and highly available data centers. The Nlyte DCIM suite is comprised of a fully integrated set of modules, delivering capabilities for business process automation and intelligent capacity planning that enable the optimization of IT infrastructure power, cooling and space. Raritan: With a focus in developing solutions for power management, DCIM and remote connectivity for data centers of all sizes, Raritan has established a global presence and recognition for enhancing data center management processes. The Raritan dctrack DCIM software and Power IQ Energy Management Software solutions provide real-time information about facilities, networks and devices, and visualizes infrastructures to enable better data center effectiveness and achieve greater energy efficiencies. Of particular note are capabilities for budgeting energy consumption across all elements in the power chain, workflow and change management support, and comprehensive asset management. 10

13 (DCIM): Q Awards The EMA Radar Report process requires an evaluation of many different aspects of the reviewed solutions. During the evaluation process for the EMA DCIM Radar Report, several participants were identified as being worthy of special recognition for specific areas of strength and/or unique areas of innovation. The following are the award winners for the DCIM Radar Report: Emerson Network Power Most Comprehensive EMA s evaluation of Emerson s integrated DCIM solution set centered around the Trellis management platform revealed broad capabilities that cross all the key areas EMA has determined for comprehensive DCIM, including asset management, power management, thermal management, space management, server management, access and control, visual modeling, reporting and alarming. Of particular note is the inclusion of server access and support capabilities that are commonly not provided in DCIM platforms that primarily focus on meeting only facilities requirements. EMA believes the inclusion of resources to directly enhance the security and support processes of servers as well as those of environmental conditions is critical to creating a holistic monitoring and support infrastructure that bridges the gap between facilities management and IT operations. On this basis, EMA has determined that Emerson has provided the most comprehensive DCIM solution set for balancing both sides of the IT infrastructure management equation. itracs Best Visual Modeling The level of visual detail in the itracs CPIM 3D modeling platform coupled with point-and-click navigation simplifies the ability of organizations to rapidly identify conditions across the IT infrastructure. Space management, densities and asset utilization can be optimized using CPIM s in-context view of the spatial relationships and interdependencies that continuously change and evolve in physical infrastructure. itracs delivers a fully interactive 3D model of entire enterprise infrastructures from devices to racks to data centers to office buildings to industrial environments that are enhanced by several advanced features, such as enclosure pads, which allow the location of cabinets, racks, mainframes and other assets to be predefined within an environment. itracs visual imaging also provided detailed graphical representations of end-to-end network connectivity (from structured cabling to in-rack patching) and power connectivity (from the utility on the street down to every CPU in every device on every rack). EMA has determined that the robust modeling capabilities delivered by itracs warrant special recognition for achieving a holistic management DCIM platform that visually represents the complex web of interrelationships that exist in large physical ecosystems. 11

14 (DCIM): Q Nlyte Best Scalability By architecting its DCIM suite functionality as fully integrated modules, Nlyte has enabled organizations to pick and choose which capabilities best fit their requirements and budgets. To simplify pricing models, Nlyte has packaged these modules into logically segmented editions that allow the expansion of DCIM capabilities to directly correspond to the level of enterprise DCIM maturity. EMA s evaluation of the DCIM marketplace indicates that where many solution providers offer platforms that easily scale up into large enterprises, very few offer solutions that also scale down to support mid-sized organizations. The Nlyte DCIM suite goes in both directions, and it does so without compromising on key capabilities. The entry-level Express Edition delivers all the core functionality organizations need to begin their journey into DCIM. As the enterprises move up along DCIM maturity curve, they can easily transition to more advanced editions without impacting established management processes or having to retrain administrative staff. EMA believes the modular approach and eminent scalability architected into the Nlyte DCIM suite deserves special recognition. 12

15 DCIM Vendor Profiles Cormant, Inc. Profile Introduction Building on a platform initially designed from inception for comprehensive data center asset tracking, Cormant has expanded its flagship solution, Cormant-CS (formerly known as CableSolve), to consolidate all enterprise IT infrastructure information including details on power, networking, system health status and space management and identify resources wherever they are (from dock or store room to rack), providing portability of all records and ensuring data is always up-to-date. Using dynamic rack views, floor plans and historical dashboards, information is visually modeled to simplify planning and monitoring. Central to the Cormant-CS philosophy is the premise that infrastructure data that can only be updated on a desktop client, or even on the Web, is insufficient. Data collection is needed as changes are made so that each update is instantly recorded. Cormant-CS achieves this through its use of offline, handheld devices that employ a built-in barcode or RFID scanner. The Cormant-CS handheld application is then capable of promptly displaying, creating, reading and updating all the data that exists in the infrastructure. The Cormant-CS handheld solution also features full access to site plans, rack views, change-orders and audit functions, ensuring whatever work is undertaken can be recorded when and where it occurs. 13

16 Cormant at a Glance Founded: 2001 HQ Location: Locations Worldwide: Total Employees: Ownership: Vendor URL: Twitter: San Luis Obispo, CA Offices in the U.S., U.K. and Philippines Approximately 30 employees private Cormant, Inc. Profile Architecture and Integration The Cormant-CS DCIM solution runs on a single Windows-based physical or virtual console server and is accessed through a centralized, Web-accessible console interface. A single master management console can be used to administrate multiple implementations. The solution can automatically detect servers, networking resources, storage devices, environmental sensors, PDUs, intelligent racks and other networked devices (i.e. phones, printers, etc.). Asset data is collected from these devices in near real time (i.e. within 2 minutes from the time of a change event) with the use of a variety of protocols, including SNMP, WMI, Modbus, SSH, CLI and Web services. Energy consumption data is collected through integration with PDUs, UPSes, power metering devices, and/or estimated based on server up-time. All asset and environment details are stored in a centralized data repository. Direct integration is provided with CA CMDB, and other CMDBs can be queried with the use of an API. APIs can also be employed to provide access to the solution s console, database, reporting, data collection, automated activities and work/change order management. Cormant-CS: Console & Offline Mobile Interfaces / Elevated Rack and Top of Rack Views 14

17 Cormant, Inc. Profile Functionality Comprehensive and timely asset data collection provides the intelligence necessary for a holistic view of the IT infrastructure. With Cormant-CS, asset, infrastructure and connectivity details can also be directly collected from endpoints, captured by devices using Cormant-CS online and offline mobility, imported from spreadsheets and third-party solutions, or manually entered by administrators. Recorded asset details are user configurable and extensible and may include: device brand, device model, device configuration (e.g. CPU, memory, disk), device hostname, device owner, purchase cost, operating system, IP address, MAC address, firmware versions, device health status, network performance status, attached peripherals and a variety of other user specific data. With Cormant-CS the ability to manage all power and data connectivity has been embedded in the product. This means that a vital part of the infrastructure, the ITS (Information Transport System), is managed as part of the DCIM solution, achieving compliance for large organizations to standards such as TIA/EIA 606B. The solution also allows administrators to record energy provider details, including electricity cost and source of power (e.g. coal fired, solar, wind), which are essential for identifying compliance with green initiatives and certificate trading programs. Built-in scripting capabilities using standard programing languages are provided to allow knowledgeable administrators to extend the monitoring and automation capabilities of Cormant-CS. For instance, it is possible to script network queries over a variety of protocols, including SNMP, WMI, XML, and CLI. Scripts can also be used to perform calculations, such as PUE, and can be triggered by events, scheduled or manually initiated. Deployment and Administration Cormant believes portability of information is the key to accurate, up-to-date information and has, from version 1 of the Cormant-CS solution, included mobility options. The offline solution synchronizes with the server on demand, whereas the solutions for tablets and smartphones are online, updating in real-time. These mobile platforms can be used to read barcodes and RFID tags, increasing accuracy and simplifying the process for recording changes wherever and whenever they are made. EMA believes mobile data collection capabilities significantly simplify initial implementation of the platform as well as enables prompt and accurate updates of asset details. Within the management solution, collected asset data can be grouped by user role, organization, or the device s physical location, allowing different sites or business units to manage their own resources. Individual devices may also be owned by multiple groups. Data center visualizations can be created natively on the platform or in third-party software (e.g. CAD) and imported into the solution. Graphical device representations include details on asset dimensions, weight, power consumption and heat requirements. Cormant recommends that administrators complete instructor-led training, and scripting knowledge is required for extending automation capabilities. Annual maintenance contracts offered by Cormant include 24x7x365 phone and support as well as 24x7 (except holidays) Skype chat support. The vendor also offers consulting services to assist with implementation, auditing, training and process changes. 15

18 Cormant, Inc. Profile Cormant-CS: Dashboard View Cost Advantage Cormant has priced the Cormant-CS solution as a fixed price per managed asset. Annual maintenance contract costs are calculated as a percentage of the total purchase price. EMA s analysis of Cormant s pricing indicates the solution to be one of the most economical DCIM solutions in the marketplace. Vendor Strength As an independent and private company, Cormant does not publically release financial details. However, the vendor has reported it has been profitable for over 80% of its eleven years in business. Cormant reports that over 94% of its client base has continued to renew their annual support contracts over the past nine years. The vendor partners with channel partners to engage customers and extend the platform reach to the global marketplace. Cormant s vision is to provide a highly configurable, structured, flexible, intuitive, and mobile solution with the ability to manage any infrastructure and deliver the most critical DCIM capabilities to organizations with the flexibility to meet unique enterprise requirements. Cormant s current short-term road map vision includes the development of a flexible, rules-based workflow engine that allows organizations to plan the deployment of one to 100,000 devices. This includes providing more detailed modeling to play forward the infrastructure changes and model multiple scenarios. Cormant also foresees the growth of co-location data centers and is planning to provide additional filtering that will drill down to the device level and allow co-location sites to provide Web-based views of individual customer equipment. Additionally conduit and routing modeling is planned for inside and outside the data center to help manage both power and data cabling. Cormant has indicated it reinvests roughly a third of its profits back into R&D and believes this is the key to a long-term success strategy. 16

19 Strengths and Limitations Cormant DCIM strengths are: Asset management Customers have reported to EMA that consolidated asset management was the primary reason for adopting the Cormant-CS platform. APIs and customizable options simplify the collection of comprehensive asset data. Mobile device support Cormant-CS natively provides full mobile device connectivity, enabling direct device auditing of barcodes and RFID tags and greatly simplifying methods for ensuring asset records are accurate and up-to-date. Additionally, the Web-based console interface is designed to be remotely accessible on mobile devices. Cost effectiveness EMA has identified Cormant as providing one of the lowest-cost DCIM solutions in the marketplace relative to its functional capabilities. Cormant DCIM limitations are: Cormant, Inc. Profile Remote server console access The platform is not natively designed to directly provide remote console access to servers or embedded technologies (e.g. native KVM access). However, Cormant suggest these capabilities can be enabled with scripting. Direct third-party integrations Cormant identified no direct integrations with third-party platforms other than CA CMDB. EMA defines direct integrations as those that natively share functional or architectural elements (i.e. shared code, console integration, common agents, common data repositories, etc.). However, integrations with third-party solutions can be established through the use of APIs and EMA interviews with Cormant-CS customers have identified several successful product integrations via the APIs. Limited hypothetical modeling The solution currently does not provide predictive analytics for infrastructure modeling to forecast device and environment impacts prior to a move, add, or change event. 17

20 Emerson Network Power Profile Introduction The Avocent business unit of Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (NYSE:EMR), was formed in 2010 to develop and deliver enterprise-class IT infrastructure management and control solutions. Emerson Network Power was already well established as a provider of data center management solutions with popular brands including the Aperture and Liebert business lines when it acquired Avocent in 2009, solidifying its position as a leader in the DCIM market space. In 2011, Emerson leveraged the DCIM capabilities from the three business lines and created the new, purposebuilt Trellis platform, delivering a modular and scalable platform for performing dynamic infrastructure optimization. Key functions of Trellis include: inventory management, power systems management, change planning, energy insight and site management. In addition to the core Trellis platform, the following integrated product components were evaluated by EMA: Aperture software suite Avocent Universal Management Gateway Avocent Data Center Planner software Avocent DSView management software Avocent Rack Power Manager Avocent MergePoint Unity KVM appliance Avocent ACS serial over IP console server Liebert SiteScan Liebert Nform 18

21 According to Emerson, the Trellis suite should not be considered a repackaging of existing IT products for DCIM rather, the entire platform and each of the application components have been designed to function collaboratively to meet customer requirements for data center operations across IT and facilities systems supporting monitoring, threshold and automated response capabilities, management, DC resource planning/allocation, and the diagnostic triage necessary for successful data center operations. Emerson Network Power at a Glance Founded: 1890 HQ Location: Locations Worldwide: Columbus, OH (Avocent Business Unit is based in Huntsville, AL) More than 150 countries Total Employees: Approximately 50,000 Ownership: Vendor URL: Twitter: Public (NYSE: EMR) Emerson Network Power Profile Architecture and Integration Although the capabilities of the three major business lines (Aperture, Liebert & Avocent) that formed the hardware and software backbone of the Trellis platform were initially developed independently, Emerson invested heavily into the Trellis platform to provide integrated application functionality, designed to deliver a unified management experience. The Trellis centralized management console provides a single interface to support all DCIM management processes in a single environment or across multi-site implementations. On the one hand, the legacy independent development of the packages does not lend itself to a completely seamless merging of the product sets (i.e. shared code elements across all management processes), but on the other hand the integration efforts have enabled consolidated functional support such as common data collection process, shared data repositories, and a centralized interface that are most critical to unifying support activities and avoiding swivel chair management. What s more, the individual solution components can be adopted independently as organizations grow and increase DCIM requirements, allowing the solution to scale with organizational needs while still maintaining functional integration. Both the software and appliance hardware components of the Trellis solution employ agentless, real-time data collection across a variety of protocols, including SNMP, modbus, backnet, OPC, Velocity and IPMI integration. Up to 10,000 data points per minute can be collected, filtered and analyzed by the Trellis platform, and Complex Event Processing (CEP) capabilities in Oracle Fusion have been incorporated into the solution to deliver prioritized and actionable alerts and alarms, facilitating rapid problem identification and resolution. The Trellis core platform is built on a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), enabling integrations via published and consumed Web services. Additionally, SOA Web services provide federated integration with IT Service Management (ITSM) platforms, such as service desks (e.g. BMC Remedy), management platforms (e.g. IBM Tivoli, HP Operations Manager, Cisco UCS) and CMDBs (e.g. BMC Atrium, HP UCMDB and IBM Tivoli CCMDB). Through the Avocent Universal Management Gateway, broad integrations are enabled with embedded technologies including HP ILo 2/3 BladeSystem, Dell DRAC4/5/6, Dell idrac (M1000e chassis), IBM Blade Center, IMM, Cisco UCS, Sun ELOM/ 19

22 Emerson Network Power Profile ILOM, Fujitsu irmc/irmc S2, IPMI 1.5/2.0, RSA and Intel vpro for data collection and the execution of remote activities. Trellis also leverages virtual machine management systems (VMware vsphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, etc.) to integrate virtual process within their physical host environments. Further integrations are possible though APIs that provide third-party access to the solution database, reports, data collection, automated activities and ITSM. Emerson Network Power Trellis: Inventory Manager Functionality Management of IT and facilities infrastructures are unified with the Trellis platform by combining hardware and software to collect, filter, process and analyze data from devices across the IT infrastructure. Asset records and visual imaging allows for the identification of rack and data center space availability with details on environmental status including power, thermal, humidity and weight requirements and conditions to enable informed decision making on the optimal deployment, configuration and management of data center components. Virtualization infrastructures can be manually or automatically mapped and complex IT components, such as blade servers, can be accessed to provide a centralized management platform for supporting the entire data center infrastructure, regardless of the health or status of the operating system or network connection to individual devices. Servers may be accessed via a broad range of connectivity, including serial console over IP, direct KVM, KVM over IP, single interface into RDP, service processor access and standard IP-based remote network access. The Trellis DCIM solution provides the ability to monitor and measure energy consumption and associated costs on individual systems or across the entire IT ecosystem, simplifying power and cooling capacity planning. Energy consumption can be further reduced with automated capabilities for the graceful shutdown of systems during periods when they are not in use. 20

23 Emerson Network Power Profile Native to the Trellis platform is an interface for modeling a graphical reproduction of managed data center facilities, including detailed information on available space, power, cooling, weight, airflow, cabling and IT component status. Graphical displays provide detailed views of racks, individual IT components, or a high-level view of the entire data center infrastructure. Thousands of pre-built device representations are provided out of the box and include details such as device size, weight, power consumption, heat requirements, air flow, indicator lights and cabling ports. Custom visualizations can be created locally in the solution suite or created in third-party software (e.g. CAD) and imported into the solution. In addition to current-state models of the IT infrastructure, hypothetical models can be created to determine how additions and changes to the environment will impact power consumption, thermal conditions and space limitations before implementation. Reports can be generated on a wide variety of status indicators to ensure IT operation processes are in-line with established best practices. These include details on assets, energy consumption, regulatory compliance, usage-based metering, billing and chargeback, thermal conditions and network/port utilization. Analytics are included to dynamically determine historical trending, endpoint usage, capacity requirements and predicted environment changes. Threshold-based automation triggers can initiate alarms, alerts, and remotely deploy and executed scripts. Default thresholds and templates are pre-set with the solution, but can be manually reset by administrators to conform to established standards. Deployment and Administration To assist in the challenging project of collecting detailed information on all supported IT component across the managed infrastructure, Trellis allows asset data to be entered manually by administrators, imported from third-party packages, or automatically collected from the endpoints themselves. Automatic data collection can be performed on servers, environmental equipment (i.e. chillers), embedded server technology (i.e. Intel vpro, IPMI, etc.), networking devices, storage devices, environmental sensors, intelligent power distribution nodes, and any other IT component that is remotely accessible by the platform. Collected data center assets can be grouped in a variety of methods, such as by user role, organization, physical location, network segment, device type, level of criticality and relevant function. Each device or group of devices can be assigned as owned by a particular organization. Devices that are utilized by more than one group can be allotted a percentage of ownership, allowing accurate reports to be run on the status, performance, and cost of all assets employed by each individual business unit. Process management capabilities are also included to simplify project planning, capacity, planning, change management, contingency planning, environmental governance, compliance management and service management. Supporting features include the ability to develop step-by-step process workflows, to create project timeline visualizations with current and future state configurations and to reserve power, cooling and space resources for upcoming projects. Maintenance customers receive access to download the latest product updates, 24x7x365 phone support, support during business hours and access to new and updated visual device representations. Emerson hosts online forums and regularly holds user conferences to continually engage customers and provide education opportunities 21

24 Emerson Network Power Profile Emerson Network Power Trellis: Energy Insight console Cost Advantage Comprehensive product sets always come at a premium cost, so it is no surprise that the unified Emerson Network Power DCIM product line reviewed in this evaluation are collectively offered at a higher cost. However, Emerson s modular approach to DCIM allows organizations to pick and choose which components are most applicable to their business, enabling more cost-effective implementations than offered by single platform competitors in environments requiring a subset of management capabilities. The Trellis pricing model achieves this by offering fixed functional pricing per component (i.e. Inventory Manager, Change Planner, Site Manager, etc.) and entitled ecosystem scaling (i.e. by device count). On other DCIM portfolio management software solutions, such as Avocent Data Center Planner, the product has a unitary functional capability so the pricing only ties to entitled ecosystem scale (i.e. the floor asset count). For DCIM portfolio hardware appliances solution components, such as the Avocent Universal Management Gateway, there is a fix model price that is related to the capabilities of the product and model configuration. By offering this modular approach, Emerson allows enterprises to scale out their DCIM solution as requirements increase and budgets become available. EMA advises organizations to review internal DCIM needs and perform independent pricing evaluations based on the unique enterprise requirements. 22

25 Emerson Network Power Profile Vendor Strength As a subsidiary to Emerson Electric, one of the largest power equipment manufactures in in the world (in fact, number 120 on the Fortune 500), Emerson Network Power is advantaged by a stable budget, a multinational presence, and extensive channel markets. Revenue for Emerson Electric in fiscal year 2011 was reported at $24.26 billion, with $9.3 billion in equity, and a debt/equity ratio of Emerson Network Power has been a recognized leader in data center management solutions for over 15 years. Globally, Emerson Network Power has established relationships with approximately 2,000 channel partners. The Emerson Network Power Innovation Partnership Program spans IT and facilities across Avocent and Liebert business units and is supported by a dedicated channel management team. The program is comprised of four segments based on partner types and the role and value they provide customers. These include distributors, resellers, solution providers delivering value-added solutions, and contractors building or assisting in the building of data centers. Additionally, strategic alliance relationships have been developed with several major IT systems software and hardware vendors, ITSM solution providers and IT services companies, including IBM, Dell, HP, Cisco, EMC, Infosys and Oracle. The Emerson DCIM vision is to optimize infrastructure availability, efficiency and capacity to deliver significant cost savings and agility gains while ensuring high availability and SLA performance. Emerson believes this approach requires a truly open, scalable, reliable and unified platform that is holistic across IT operations and facilities management, is enabled for real time, and is capable of dynamically executing closed-loop control to drive corrective action and optimize resource utilization. The vendor s long-term strategy for advancing DCIM value is to achieve these goals while tightly aligning the solution with IT systems management, ITSM and IT as a service. Emerson s roadmap is focused on comprehensive monitoring enhancements, intelligence and insights, policy based control framework, ITIL alignment, automation, predictive modeling, analytics, as well as autonomics with mobile, social and cloud enablement. EMA DCIM Radar Award: Most Comprehensive The integrated Trellis management platform s capabilities cross all the key areas EMA has determined for comprehensive DCIM, including asset management, power management, thermal management, space management, server management, access and control, visual modeling, reporting and alarming. Of particular note is the inclusion of server access and support capabilities that are commonly not provided in DCIM platforms that primarily focus on facilities requirements. EMA believes the inclusion of resources to directly enhance the security and support processes of servers as well as those of environmental conditions is critical to creating a holistic monitoring and support infrastructure that bridges the gap between facilities management and IT operations. On this basis, EMA has determined that Emerson Network Power has provided the most comprehensive DCIM solution set for balancing both sides of the IT infrastructure management equation. 23

26 Strengths and Limitations Emerson Network Power s DCIM strengths are: Breadth of support Emerson s impressive array of data center management support is unsurpassed by any single DCIM vendor. In addition, integrations with third party solutions allow great extensibility in achieving unique enterprise IT requirements with the unified Trellis platform. Real-time infrastructure views Data collection occurs in real time allowing accurate and up-to-date holistic views of the infrastructure for prompt problem identification and remediation. Embedded technology support The ability of the Avocent Universal Management Gateway to access service processors and other embedded technology greatly expands the hardware and software management capabilities on physical servers. Virtualization support Out of the box, the Emerson DCIM solution has the ability to map virtual to physical infrastructures and leverages virtual machine management systems (vsphere, Hyper-V, etc.) to integrate virtual process within their physical host environments. Emerson Network Power s DCIM limitations are: Emerson Network Power Profile Complex infrastructure requirements Although the Trellis platform is fully integrated, customers have indicated a reluctance to adopt the solution because of the number of individual software and hardware components that need to be implemented to achieve full DCIM capabilities. Energy provider information is not recorded The platform does not natively provide the ability to manually or automatically enter details about the energy provider, such as provider name and source of power (i.e. coal-fired, solar, wind, etc.). Carbon footprint is not calculated Organizations needing to achieve green regulatory compliance are often required to identify the actual amount of carbon emissions produced as a result of energy consumption. 24

27 FieldView Solutions Profile Introduction Initially released in 2006, the FieldView Solution s Data Center and Infrastructure Monitoring Software is designed to gather, store, and report on data center device and environment information to enable informed decision making for optimal infrastructure planning. Trending is performed on collected data and displayed in a dashboard view, providing at a glance reporting on site efficiency, power consumption, PUE, space utilization and other statistics. FieldView 5.0 and 5.1, the latest releases of the product, introduced heat mapping capabilities, which directly interprets data from environmental sensors to create a thermo graphic image of the data center. The FieldView architecture includes multitenant features designed to support the needs of both enterprises and service providers in supporting SaaS and Cloud infrastructures. FieldView Solutions at a Glance Founded: HQ Location: Locations Worldwide: 2001 (as a predecessor to FieldView) Edison, NJ U.S. only Total Employees: Approximately 40 Ownership: Vendor URL: Twitter: Private 25

28 FieldView Solutions Profile Architecture and Integration The FieldView console is hosted on a centralized Windows-based server that is fully accessible via a Web-based interface. Data is collected in near real time (i.e. within two minutes from the time of an event or status change) with the use of a variety of connection protocols, including SNMP, Modbus, BACnet, OPC, XML and SOAP. Data can also be collected directly from a number of embedded server technologies, including Dell Remote Assistant Card (DRAC), HP Integrated Lights-Out (ilo), Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), and Intel DCM. Energy consumption data can be collected directly from PDUs, UPSs, power metering devices, and other building management and electrical power management systems. The FieldView application is able to scale to continuously monitor hundreds of thousands of physical data points across an IT infrastructure including those that consume over 100MW of power and span over 500,000 square feet. The solution offers APIs to enable third-party access to the platform s databases and reports. FieldView: Data Center View with Thermal Mapping Functionality FieldView provides asset management for tracking individual devices and their location in racks, including views for each tenant in multi-tenant (co-location) data centers. Collected details for each asset include the device brand, model, configuration, hostname, owner, purchase cost, operating system, IP address, MAC address, firmware versions, system health status, network performance status, attached peripherals and many other user defined fields. From collected asset and environment data, visual models of the IT infrastructure can be developed that provide graphical representations of current energy consumption, device alarms and heat (thermographic) mapping. Historical snapshots of the data center environment can also be graphically displayed. FieldView delivers integrated power monitoring across the data center and facilities from the utility feed down to individual servers. Information on the energy provider, such as electricity costs and source of power (i.e. coal fired, solar, wind, etc.), can be manually recorded, and branch circuit monitoring enables the tracking of energy usage by row or cabinet. FieldView 5.0 is fully compliant with ASHRAE TC 9.9 Guidelines for Data Center Cooling and also incorporates the RCI (Rack Cooling Index). 26

29 FieldView Solutions Profile FieldView automation capabilities include alerts, alarming, and the remote execution of scripts. The platforms teaming feature provides proactive alerting on the loss of redundancy (e.g. N+1 components) in critical sites meeting a fundamental requirement for highly-available tier IV data centers. Out of the box, FieldView delivers 25 standard reports including those for asset inventories, architectural diagrams, energy consumption, carbon generation, regulatory compliance, usage-based metering, billing/chargeback and environmental status (i.e. temperature and humidity). Custom reports can also be created and any data point can be trended over multiple years of history. All reports can be displayed onscreen or exported to other formats and applications such as Microsoft Excel, PDF, XML, TIFF, MHTML, CSV formats, as well as various BMSs, systems management tools and other infrastructure management software. Deployment and Administration With FieldView, asset and environmental data can be automatically collected, imported from thirdparty solutions, or manually entered by administrators. Assets can be grouped by user role, organization, or physical location, and multiple groups can be designated as owners of individual assets. Data center and device graphical representations are created in third-party software (e.g. CAD) and imported into the solution. Some pre-built device representations are included with FieldView and offer details such as the device dimensions, weight, power consumption and heat requirements. As part of annual maintenance contracts, FieldView offers remote service desk support, including 24x7x365 phone and support, as well as regular software updates. Professional services are also offered by FieldView to assist customers with training, deployment, or problem troubleshooting. Integrated into the solution set is a knowledgebase portal and access to a vendor supported community forum that provides additional resources for administrators to discover best practices and solutions to data center management problems. FieldView also hosts regular conferences to educate its customers about DCIM and its management platform. FieldView: Facilities Report Cost Advantage FieldView s price is based on the aggregate number of data points monitored in the environment. This is a one-time charge that includes the software, database build, implementation and training. The first year of maintenance is included free of charge with the platform purchase. Subsequent years of 27

30 maintenance are available with an annual subscription priced as a percentage of the initial purchase cost. Professional service agreements are also optional and are charged based on time and materials. EMA s evaluation of FieldView s pricing structure indicates it to be one of the most economical solutions in the marketplace when relating price to functionality. When compared against other leading DCIM platforms, FieldView appears particularly cost-effective in supporting especially large environments (i.e. those with greater than 50,000 managed devices). Vendor Strength As a privately held company, FieldView Solutions does not publically disclose financial details. However, the vendor is reported to be cash positive and profitable. FieldView Solutions client base includes five of the ten largest financial institutions, two of the four largest IT companies and several other customers with extremely large data centers. The vendor reports that its management solution today monitors as many as 38 million devices. FieldView Solution s channel affiliations include partnerships with direct sales, resellers and representative firms. The overall mission and strategy of FieldView Solutions is to increase access to more complete infrastructure data to both middle and upper enterprise management those that need to make decisions about the management of the data center and the facility infrastructure that supports it and to support and bridge gaps between both IT operations and facilities management. The long-term strategy for FieldView is to further improve on the asset management and tracking tools. Focus areas on FieldView Solution s roadmap include the development of richer asset management capabilities (such as self-discovery and monitoring power and cooling at the server level) as well as improved business intelligence, customized reporting, hypothetical modeling and internationalization. Strengths and Limitations FieldView DCIM strengths are: Cost effectiveness EMA has identified FieldView as providing one of the lowest cost DCIM solutions in the marketplace relative to its functional capabilities. Multi-tenant views Graphical views and reports segregate each tenant in multi-tenant architectures, such as infrastructures that co-locate multiple IT implementations. Thermographic imaging Dynamic visual imaging of the IT infrastructure models and easily indicates data center hot spots, allowing organizations to optimize temperature distribution and reduce cooling costs. FieldView DCIM limitations are: Native graphics creation capabilities device visualizations must be created in and imported from third-party software. Virtualization support Virtual infrastructures are not mapped and no integration has been established with virtualization platforms. However, virtualization servers can be manually grouped for joint monitoring and management. Power management support Devices cannot be automatically shut down or powered up. FieldView Solutions Profile Hypothetical modeling capabilities What-if scenarios currently cannot be modeled to predict the impact of potential moves, adds, or changes. 28

31 itracs Profile Introduction With more than 25 years of subject matter expertise in infrastructure management, itracs has been focused on improving the performance, agility and value of physical infrastructure as a strategic asset. Primarily targeting the needs of large enterprises, the vendor introduced the itracs Converged Physical Infrastructure Management (CPIM ) software portfolio in 2009, offering a consolidated, holistic approach to enabling informed decision-making support for managed physical infrastructures. Featuring an open systems architecture, predictive analytics and navigable 3D modeling of the entire physical ecosystem, CPIM has been designed to provide intelligence, visualizations and interconnectivity that cross boundaries between IT operations, facilities management, building management systems, and core business practices. 29

32 itracs at a Glance Founded: 1987 Name changed to itracs 2000 HQ Location: Locations Worldwide: Total Employees: ~250 Ownership: Vendor URL: Twitter: Oak Brook, IL Offices in U.S., U.K., and Dubai Private itracs Profile Architecture and Integration CPIM has been designed specifically to meet the needs of large, enterprise-class engagements with complex infrastructure challenges. The platform uses a systems management approach and is architected to scale out support to global infrastructure environments with millions of points of connectivity between hundreds of thousands of assets. Its single point of management is Web accessible and provides role-based access, granting users permissions to management capabilities specific to their job function. Multiple management dashboards can be accessed from a single interface, and multiple databases can be rolled-up into a single unified data repository. Managed assets and their interdependencies both physical and logical can be monitored and optimized either individually, in groups, or as a collective whole. The CPIM software suite offers an open systems architecture that includes the DCIM Open Exchange Framework. This is a technology component, inside the CPIM suite that allows for the open and seamless exchange of data bi-directionally between the CPIM environment and outside data sources and systems. With the DCIM Open Exchange Framework, itracs can send or receive any data point using open industry-standard interfaces and protocols. Agentless data collection is performed near real time (i.e. in less than two minutes from a change event) via SNMP, WMI, SOAP, REST, CMC, HTTPS/WS-MAN, OA SSH/CLI, and IMM SSH/CLI. Data can also be collected directly from embedded technologies, including Dell Remote Assistant Card (DRAC), HP Integrated Lights-Out (ilo), Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), and Intel vpro. Each device and all of its interconnections and interdependencies within the physical ecosystem are visualized, understood and managed in itracs navigable 3D environment. itracs provides direct integration with a variety of third-party platforms including Intel Data Center Manager, CA Technologies ecometer, BMC Remedy, Automated Logic BMS, Lombardi, Liebert SiteScan, APC ISX and HP OpenView (legacy code base). Further integration is possible with the platform s APIs which enable access to the solution s management console, database, report engine and data collection processes. 30

33 itracs Profile itracs Data Center Visualization Functionality itracs CPIM provides a variety of capabilities designed to help manage the entire lifecycle of data center devices, including solutions for discovering, capturing, managing and storing asset details in a context-rich 3D model. Recorded device characteristics include asset model, dimensions, weight, physical location, age, financial details (e.g. cost and leasing), power connectivity, network connectivity, energy consumption, and the myriad of interrelationships and interdependencies with other devices in the data center. Power consumption details can be directly collected from endpoints, PDUs, UPSs, metering devices and all other assets that can communicate over IP networks using open, industrystandard interfaces and protocols. When directly monitored data is not available, performance benchmarks are stored in addition to manufacturer specifications, extending power data to all devices in the infrastructure. itracs PowerEye is an end-to-end energy efficiency strategy that has been integrated into the CPIM solution to enable visibility and management of the entire power chain, inclusive of all interdependencies, supporting the adoption of energy management best practices. The approach allows organizations to calculate the total power efficiency across the entire physical ecosystem and then take steps to optimize it. Collected infrastructure details feed directly into itracs interactive 3D visualizations with scalable views of devices, racks, data centers, facilities and geographical locations. Graphical views provide a complete visual representation of the physical ecosystem, including network cabling, power cabling, thermal conditions, energy consumption, device alarms, and can incorporate additional statistics like server performance, storage capacity, etc. Thousands of device representations are provided out of the box and custom device images can be created either directly on the platform or imported from third-party solutions (e.g. CAD). For management within the cabinet itself, itracs interactive 3D 31

34 itracs Profile visualization allows users to better understand what is in each cabinet and its available space. Visual filters and reports can help users understand the level of fragmentation or lost U capacity through inappropriate spacing of assets within cabinets. With a what-if feature itracs calls Future View organizations can create visual models of current vs. future states so they can predict the performance of the environment or any elements within it and model the outcomes of operational changes or efficiency-driven refreshes. This what-if predictive modeling is conducted in the safety of itracs software to provide insight into affected performance, behavior and capacity requirements before the customer implements changes or new deployments. Reports can be generated to determine the status of assets, total energy consumption, usage-based environmental metering, billing/chargeback, thermal conditions, network/port utilization, power distribution mapping and network connectivity. In addition, the itracs platform can initiate automated processes including alerts, alarms and remote package/script deployment, which can be propagated to other event management systems (e.g. HP OpenView) via SOAP and REST. Deployment and Administration itracs offers a uniform deployment methodology designed to accelerate implementation, optimize data integrity, mitigate risk and contain costs over the lifecycle of the engagement. The company calls this standardized best practices methodology, the itracs Customer Value Lifecycle. It consists of four cycles Discover, Plan, Empower, Optimize. Each phase builds upon its predecessor with the purpose of providing increasing levels of business value to the user. With the combination of CPIM and the itracs Customer Value Lifecycle, the build-out of the infrastructure model can be streamlined. A variety of data center assets can be automatically detected, including servers, networking devices, storage devices, intelligent power distribution nodes, intelligent racks and any other device discoverable by SNMP and WMI. Asset details can be manually entered, imported from third-party solutions or automatically collected and are stored in a centralized data repository. This information is managed in the itracs environment and presented in a holistic view that makes it easy to locate and analyze any asset anywhere within the infrastructure. All assets can be grouped by user role, organization, physical location, network segment, power chain connectivity, asset configuration (e.g. make/model), maintenance, lease, warranty, device age, and virtually any other identifying data point that is collected and entered into the system. New devices can be pre-configured in the solution prior to deployment to help determine optimal implementations. Analytics are provided for historical trending, environment failover, endpoint usage, predicted capacity requirements and predicted environment changes, enabling the customer to leverage infrastructure data in vendor and supply management. Process management capabilities include workflows for optimizing capacity planning, change management, contingency planning and service management. For intelligent capacity planning, itracs provides support for tracking, reporting and planning against available usable floor space, slots/capacity for blade-based systems, network connectivity, power connectivity and other variables. Event management capabilities allow organizations to understand the impact of an outage by quickly presenting which assets may be affected by a change or failure event. In addition to devices with a direct relationship to a failure event, this also identifies assets which are dependent on the impacted infrastructure. For example, users can see which servers will lose access to storage, should a PDU fail in providing power to a storage array. 32

35 itracs Profile The itracs CustomerCare organization offers maintenance contracts that include 24x7x365 phone and support, product updates, and access to new device representations. Support requests can be initiated and administrators are granted access to a knowledgebase portal. The vendor also hosts on-line forms and periodic customer meetings to help educate users. itracs Rack-Level Visualization Cost Advantage itracs pricing model for the CPIM platform is based on a cost per floor-mounted asset basis. Floormounted assets are defined as any physical assets that are bolted to the floor (such as a rack, PDU, CRAC, etc.) and pricing for each is calculated based on four cost elements: a one-time site license fee, a one-time software license fee, an annual maintenance fee (calculated as a percent of purchase cost) and professional services costs (based on a statement of work scoped to meet enterprise needs). EMA s evaluation of the pricing models indicates the itracs solution is economically priced for the high level of functionality offered by the platform, particularly for large enterprises with broad DCIM requirements that will make effective use of the full holistic monitoring and management capabilities. 33

36 itracs Profile Vendor Strength As a privately held company, itracs does not publish publically available financial and revenue details. However, the vendor has reported to EMA that the company is profitable, financially sound, and demonstrating significant year-over-year revenue growth. The company also disclosed that 33% of its numerous CPIM customers are Global 500/Fortune 500 organizations. itracs has developed technology partnerships with several innovation leaders, including Intel and CA Technologies, and is continually seeking collaborative relationships that will further extend the CPIM platform s value to its customers. itracs vision is based on the belief that the DCIM vendors that are best positioned for success are the ones that can deliver quantifiable business value to their customer that is, the ones delivering the best combination of functionality and cost. The vendor believes its interdisciplinary expertise in interconnectivity and visualization is strategic to the enterprise s ability to optimize the efficiency, agility and availability of physical infrastructure as well as the ability of the infrastructure to deliver value back to the business in a timely fashion (i.e. improved time-to-value). itracs forward-looking strategy is to continue enhancing the platform with automation focused on meeting evolving converged infrastructure requirements in three key areas convergence of IT, facilities, and building management systems; convergence of physical and logical layers; and convergence of technology, business process and people. EMA DCIM Radar Award: Best Visual Modeling Of particular note in itracs broad support for DCIM practices is the solution s impressive 3D modeling capabilities. The level of visual detail coupled with point-and-click navigation simplifies the ability of organizations to rapidly identify conditions across the IT infrastructure. Space management, densities, and asset utilization can be optimized using CPIM s in-context view of the spatial relationships and interdependencies that continuously change and evolve in physical infrastructure. itracs delivers a fully interactive 3D model of entire enterprise infrastructures from devices to racks to data centers to office buildings to industrial environments that are enhanced by several advanced features, such as enclosure pads which allow the location of cabinets, racks, mainframes and other assets to be predefined within an environment. itracs visual imaging also provided detailed graphical representations of end-to-end network connectivity (from structured cabling to in-rack patching) and power connectivity (from the utility on the street down to every CPU in every device on every rack). EMA has determined that the robust modeling capabilities delivered by itracs warrant special recognition for achieving a holistic management DCIM platform that visually represents the complex web of interrelationships that exist in large physical ecosystems. 34

37 Strengths and Limitations itracs DCIM strengths are: Outstanding visual modeling Presenting holistic views of the entire physical ecosystem, including detailed server and rack representations, networking and power connectivity. Future views allow hypothetical visual models to be created to proactively identify how changes and additions will affect infrastructure performance and efficiency before those changes are made. Project management capabilities The quick and easy identification of capacity requirements coupled with the ability to track deployment projects through every phase of an implementation directly links the platform s broad data collection and analytics features with service management processes. Integration The open system architecture of the CPIM platform simplifies integration with a variety of third-party management solutions (i.e. security suites, BMS systems, CMDBs, etc.) using open industry-standard interfaces and protocols. itracs DCIM limitations are: itracs Profile Virtualization support No automated mapping of virtual infrastructures or direct integrations with virtualization platforms. Server power management The solution cannot directly and gracefully power down servers during periods of non-use. However, power distribution nodes can be shutdown to hard power off any attached devices. Also, full power management can be achieved with Intel DCM and other third-party integrations. 35

38 Modius Profile Introduction Modius offers software solutions designed to improve visibility and real-time decision support across physical IT infrastructures. The vendor s flagship solution, OpenData, is a monitoring and performance analytics platform that helps organizations improve their operational efficiency by enabling informed decision making about their data center infrastructure configurations and management processes. OpenData consolidates and normalizes performance data for every device in the data center, including heavy equipment (such as UPSs, CRACs, generators, and PDUs) and light equipment (such as ipdus, wireless sensors, and servers). The OpenData reports and dashboards visualize this data to help operators quickly identify potential problem areas in their data centers, make recommendations for improving capacity and reducing energy costs, and realize operational efficiency gains through advanced analytics for better decision support. The Modius OpenData solution also offers comprehensive alarm monitoring of all instrumented equipment in the data center. Modius offers users the OpenData solution in two editions: OpenData Enterprise Edition Designed to meet the requirements of especially large and multi-site deployments, the Enterprise Edition provides monitoring and visibility for capacity management and configuration optimization of critical data center systems, including power, cooling and space. OpenData Standard Edition The basic version of the OpenData platform designed specifically for single-site deployments. Provides monitoring and analytics capabilities for alarming, asset tracking, historical trending and reporting. 36

39 EMA reviewed the OpenData Enterprise Edition for all functional, architectural, and pricing comparison points in the DCIM Radar evaluation. Modius at a Glance Founded: 2004 HQ Location: Locations Worldwide: San Francisco, CA U.S. only Total Employees: Approximately 20 Ownership: Vendor URL: Twitter: Private N/A Modius Profile Architecture and Integration Modius OpenData is deployed on a Windows-based console server, and all data records are stored in a centralized data repository that can either be co-located on the console server or accessed on a separate server. Multiple management consoles can be accessed from a single Web-based interface, and multiple data collection nodes can be rolled-up into a single, consolidated data repository. Designed for multi-site remote monitoring, the solution utilizes a flexible set of collectors, which are small, independent, intelligent software instances that can be installed at each physical site. The software can live on a PC, a server white space, or a data collector device provided by Modius. The collectors can be deployed in any quantity required to cover all sites, from server closets to the data center mechanical yard. Each collector then communicates with the central console server to pass data securely so that it can be stored and accessed from the consolidated data repository. OpenData is built on a Universal Device Coverage foundation that allows the platform to access any device, regardless of manufacturer or type. Asset data is collected in near real time (i.e. fifteen seconds or less from the time of an event or status change) from devices over a variety of protocols including (but not limited to) Modbus-RTU, Modbus-TCP, BACnet-IP, SNMP, ASCII and many proprietary protocols such as Mitsubishi, CAT and Detroit Diesel. The Modius solution set has been integrated directly with Intel DCM to capture power and temperature data from a broad range of IT equipment. The solution also provides direct integration with several thirdparty management platforms including RFCode, Schneider StruxureWare Operations and SAP Business Objects. OpenData also provides a Web services API that allows organizations to utilize third-party reporting packages including Crystal, BusinessObjects, Cognos, JasperSoft, MicroTrends and others. 37

40 Modius Profile Modius OpenData: Data Center Visualization with Alarm Summary Functionality The Modius OpenData Graphical User Interface allows organizations to drill down to each device and identify which alarm points are being collected, how they are correlated, distributed, their polling rates and which alarms require immediate attention. Asset data is natively collected and stored by the Modius OpenData platform, including device brand, model, hostname, IP address and details on the hardware health status. The platform is often utilized to unify several existing point solutions (e.g. homegrown monitors, BMS, PMS, Battery, NMS, Fire & Safety) into a single interface. Similarly, Modius OpenData can consolidate real-time data from multiple locations into a single repository of easily accessed information about availability, capacity and performance intelligence. OpenData also provides comprehensive real-time performance analysis of the extended power and cooling chain from the grid to the chassis and from the chiller to the server inlet. Modius OpenData provides a broad range of report templates as well as tools for creating ad hoc or customized reports. Information stored in the centralized data repository is trended and normalized 38

41 Modius Profile with common time signatures, and advanced analytics are applied to deliver a variety of report types, including time-series analysis, comparative bar charts, heat maps and event correlation charts. In addition to onboard reporting, Modius OpenData also provides flexible management dashboards that allow users to track specific management metrics and KPIs over time. The solution comes standard with a variety of dashboard templates pre-built and custom dashboards can be created either by Modius professional services or by end users. Deployment and Administration Modius OpenData can present alarm and performance data inside graphical navigation screens that allow users to quickly see where problems may lie within their data centers or across the globe. Data center visualizations can be created locally in the solution or imported from third-party software (such as CAD). Hot spots on the graphical navigation screen allow the user to drill into device groups, specific alarms or the performance history of individual devices. Hot spots will flash when problems are detected by the system. Devices can be grouped by a number of criteria, including user role, organization or physical location, and a percentage of ownership can be assigned to each endpoint. Modius offers maintenance contracts that include regular product updates and 24x7x365 phone and help desk support. Chat support is also available during regular business hours. The vendor additionally offers its own professional services to assist with training, deployment and problem resolution. Modius OpenData: PUE Reporting 39

42 Cost Advantage The Enterprise Edition of Modius OpenData is priced based on three principle costs elements that are each calculated based on individual organizational requirements: Server Application License Fee A flat cost of $10,000 for a single-site, or $25,000 for a multi-site. Device License Fee License costs are determined based on which category each device falls into: (from highest to lowest cost) facilities devices, rack mounted devices and sensors. Module License Fee Each module (i.e. Monitoring & Alarming, Analytics & Reporting, Business Intelligence for Co-location and Cloud Operations ) requires a license that scales in cost based of the number of supported devices. Software maintenance contracts are also offered for an annual fee calculated as a percentage of the purchase price. Vendor Strength As a privately held company, Modius does not disclose financial information. The vendor has established relationships with channel partner to extend distribution worldwide and to enable value-added service delivery. Partners are generally service providers (or the service rendering unit of a multi-product distributor) that is leveraging OpenData for delivery of consulting services and DCIM enablement. Modius goal is to simplify the operations of its customers increasingly diverse and complex facilities and IT environments while markedly improving performance efficiencies. Modius plans to broaden the analytics and automation capabilities of its software with the goal of providing better decision support through near real-time device-level visibility across the data center operations, optimizing productivity and capacity with a strategic business-focus, and integrating data center operational intelligence with enterprise business intelligence to improve business continuity and mitigate risk. No Modius customers were identified for interview, so EMA was unable to determine customer satisfaction with the solution set. Strengths and Limitations Modius DCIM strengths are: Modius Profile Analytics Integrated analytics allows organizations to transform collected data into actionable information and business intelligence. The Analytics Engine interface includes a wide variety of arithmetic, scientific and Boolean functions. Once the metric (sometimes referred to as a virtual point ) has been created, it can be saved in the system at which time OpenData will treat it as any other native-point being collected. Thresholds can be applied, the value trended, and the point equation can be augmented or modified at any time. Scalability With multiple editions and expandable modules, organizations can adopt an OpenData platform that is right-sized to meet their business requirements. The architecture was designed for massive data collection across one site or multiple, geographically distributed data centers. Additionally, the modular approach allows enterprises to expand the solution as new DCIM capabilities need to be introduced and budgets allow. 40

43 Modius DCIM limitations are: Modius Profile Asset management support The solution does not automatically detect assets, and asset data cannot be manually entered or imported from third-party solutions. Additionally, no direct integration has been established with third-party CMDBs; however, Modius has a fully documented Web services API that provides the mechanism for exchanging data with these applications. No native graphic creation platform Visualizations are typically created on a third-party platform and imported into the solution. Some graphical device representations are provided out of the box and include some detailed characteristics (i.e. dimensions, weight, heat requirements, air flow and indicator lights). Automated power controls Currently OpenData does not include any capabilities for automatically the powering down or up of data center devices. Server remote access Only IP-based remote access is natively provided and it does not include scripting or logging capabilities. Additionally, OpenData currently supports only the Intel DCM embedded technology platform. Virtualization support Virtual infrastructures are not mapped and no integration has been established with virtualization platforms; however, the Modius Web services API provides the mechanism for exchanging data with these applications. 41

44 Nlyte Software Profile Introduction Founded by data center professionals determined to evolve infrastructure management processes beyond spreadsheets and Visio diagrams, Nlyte Software introduced a DCIM platform designed to provide predictive intelligence and management controls that organizations need to reduce operational risks and achieve more efficient and highly available data centers. The Nlyte DCIM suite is comprised of a fully integrated set of modules, delivering capabilities for business process automation and intelligent capacity planning to optimize the use of IT infrastructure power, cooling and space. To achieve scalability, Nlyte Software has grouped the modules into separate editions, each tailored to address the needs of particular organizational requirements and sizes. Because all of the Nlyte Editions are built on the same architecture, moving from one edition to another is quick and easy. The five DCIM solution editions offered by Nlyte today are: Express Edition The entry level DCIM edition includes the following modules: Bulk Data Manager (BDM), Nlyte Data Center Module, Nlyte Floor Planner Module and Nlyte Organizer Module. Standard Edition Includes all the features of the Express Edition plus the following modules: Nlyte Integrator and Nlyte Open Web Services APIs. 42

45 Advanced Edition Includes all the features of the Standard Edition plus the following modules: Nlyte Control Module and Nlyte Report Module. Enterprise Edition Includes all the features of the Advanced Edition plus the following modules: Nlyte Discover Module, Nlyte Dashboard Module and Nlyte Predict Module. Service Provider Edition Specially priced and packaged to meet the needs of the service provider market and help service providers accelerate the on-boarding of new customers, increase customer responsiveness and improve operational efficiency. Nlyte at a Glance Founded: 2004 HQ Location: Locations Worldwide: Menlo Park, CA Offices in the U.S. and U.K. Total Employees: Approximately 100 Ownership: Vendor URL: Twitter: Private Nlyte Software Profile Architecture and Integration The Nlyte DCIM solution is deployed and managed on a single Windows-based application server, and all Nlyte modules are accessed from any network accessible Web browser interface. Asset and environmental status data are collected via agentless processes such as SNMP, WMI, Modbus and BACnet at periodic, user-defined intervals. Energy consumption details are collected directly from PDUs, UPSs, power metering devices, or can be estimated based on server configuration. All collected data is stored in a centralized Performance Management Database (PMDB), which is accessed and referenced by the other modules in the Nlyte solution set. The Nlyte NgaugeAPI provides a Web-based interface that substantially extends third-party integration to the core DCIM solution using standard Web programming approaches. The Nlyte Integrator Orchestrator is a connector for the NgaugeAPI that enables a variety of integration options for connecting physical devices and integrating applications with the Nlyte DCIM suite (largely using Modbus and SNMP protocols). Direct integrations have been developed that extend Nlyte DCIM capabilities to a variety of third-party IT management solutions (i.e. HP Insight Control, VMWare vcenter, BMC Remedy, BMC ADDM), CMDBs (i.e. BMC Atrium and HP UCMDB ), environmental support platforms (i.e. Liebert SiteScan Web, Future Facilities CFD software, Schneider PowerLogic), and power and environmental sensors (i.e. ServerTech PDUs, RF Code and APC Netbotz sensors). 43

46 Nlyte Software Profile Nlyte: Floor Planner Module Functionality The Nlyte DCIM software modules provide capabilities for discovering IT assets, modeling and visualizing the physical infrastructure, controlling data center processes and personnel, and predicting capacity requirements. Data center assets including servers, environmental equipment, networking devices, storage devices, PDUs, intelligent racks can be automatically discovered and a variety of asset details can be collected, such as the device brand, model, configuration (e.g. CPU, memory, disk), host name, owner, purchase cost, operating system, IP address, MAC address, firmware versions, hardware configuration details and operational status. Collected asset details can be viewed and managed in the Nlyte DataCenter Module, which also provides access to the Nlyte Cabinet Planner, where data center moves, adds and changes can be modeled prior to implementation. Capacity planning is significantly eased with the graphical imaging of cabinets by allowing administrators to visually identify available space and resources, and the Nlyte Bulk Auto-Allocation technology delivers a Materials Catalog from which new equipment can be dynamically selected and inserted into an appropriate cabinet model. Additionally, the Nlyte DataCenter module provides the ability to map the power chain, spanning supplier sub-station s feed, UPSs, PDUs, generators and power strips. The solution also provides the ability to model and predict the potential infrastructure and business impact of a failure to the critical power chain serving the data center. A view of an entire data center can be achieved with the Nlyte Floor Planner Module, a CAD-style graphical representation of the physical infrastructure layout. Data center operational details are also provided in the module, allowing easy-to-absorb information to assist with power provisioning, thermal control and space planning. Problem identification is facilitated in the Nlyte Floor Planner as well. Should a monitored device experience a failure event or trip an alarm threshold, the color of the device in the visual model is altered to reflect the changed status, allowing administrations to promptly identify and remediate incidents. With the Nlyte Predict Module, the future state of data center capacities can also be proactively forecasted, allowing organizations to pre-plan optimal implementations of environment changes and new installations. 44