A Look At Data Center PDU Features

Who is the “man behind the curtain” in your company's data center? I would like to assume that any one of us untrained could identify a rack server at a glance. You are faced with Oz every time you have to track down your IT manager; racks of blinking machinery humming at the speed of light. But as for the origin of Oz's power (literally), that is harder to see. Now it's my turn to role play. I'll be Toto and stick my nose where I shouldn't and reveal how the show is run. I think we'll discover that the Wizard's power depends upon well-planned data center energy.

Generally speaking, the basic building block of data center energy is a power distribution unit--or PDU--which is little more than a large power strip. Depending on where you work, you might not see something so crude. Larger data centers require more sophisticated solutions. At the base, most data center set ups are anchored by floor-mounted PDUs, very large units that translate a main power source into a usable power load distribution. In the con column for this type of power distribution is the amount of space the units themselves take up, as well as the financial heft.

Companies that want more than a power strip, but less than a floor-mounted unit, will likely find a rack-mounted PDU the most viable data center power solution. Rack-mounted units are available in a varying number of sub-categories:

-Basic PDUs are, as you might guess from the name, the sub-category with the least extra features and that cost the least.

-Metered PDUs are the next step up (so to speak). They offer added functionality in the way of power voltage meters. They have illuminated displays that indicate the power load level.

-Switched PDUs are mostly the same as metered PDUs, adding another level of functionality with the possibility of remote on/off controls.

-Smart or Intelligent PDUs are the best of the best when it comes to rack-mounted PDUs. They combine all of the features of the other sub-categories, and add more complex web-based management capabilities.

A lot goes into choosing the right PDU for each individual business. So which one is right for your firm? It can be hard to navigate all of these various considerations when settling on an appropriate PDU. And making recommendations is outside the scope of this article. The most important first step is finding a reputable PDU retailer. Don't be afraid to be frank about cost. Any data center power retailer worth dealing with will be happy to accommodate your particular budgetary limitations.

If your company is able to, the best recommendation I can make is to choose smart or intelligent PDUs. There's no doubt about it, these PDUs can vastly improve a company's response to power discrepancies as well as adding increased remote capabilities. Beyond that, these power distribution units offer reduced carbon consumption. Data centers have come under fire in the last couple of years for being energy-intensive and wasteful. These issues and their impact on your bottom line will be explored further in our next article.

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