Going the Wireless Way in Modern Data Centers

In this day and age, Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) is needed for data centers to scale professionally. Tools, standards and best practices are available today so that the internal organization, monitoring and administration of the data center facility becomes easier. All devices are intelligently monitored and controlled by the DCIM system. Using an Ethernet wire solution to tie all of these devices together leads to additional overhead of cabling, cooling, switches and even rack space.

Modern solutions have tested and are now proponents of Wi-Fi technology as an answer to the additional overhead. Here is a comparison of Wi-Fi solutions to wired solutions:

• Security: A Wi-Fi network when designed as per industry standards, can have the same or more security than a traditional network. Points to keep in mind are firewalls, encryption, Intrusion Detection and Prevention System and authentication systems.
• Cost Factor: Ethernet cabling has significant costs and maintenance associated with it. It can cost $150 to $1000 per drop whereas the wireless connection is considerably cheaper. It is also easier to move Access Points to newer locations and the physical maintenance of the wires is ruled out completely.
• Carbon Footprint: A Wi-Fi solution is much easier on the environment. It reduces the carbon footprint of the data center with reduction of materials such as copper and plastic.

Along with the growth of the DCIM market, wireless solutions are gaining momentum. There are a number of solutions in the marketplace that have done fairly well since their launch. Wireless companies are forming coalitions with data centers and software companies to provide best of breed DCIM solutions for the next generation.

In addition to the comparison mentioned above, DCIM solutions also provide real-time visibility to many of the various parameters that determine the efficient running of a data center. Physical attributes, such as temperature and humidity, can also be monitored by DCIM solutions. However, it is not just the data centers that are looking to Wi-Fi as a more efficient alternative to wired systems. In a recent news bulletin, leading coffee chain Starbucks announced that it plans to switch to Google as its Wi-Fi provider, replacing its wired AT&T solution in more than 7000 stores in the US.

There are many advantages of converting to Wi-Fi systems, DCIM being the one most applicable to modernization of data centers. Lifeline Data Centers provide the most innovative and best fit data center solutions with the right mix of modern and traditional to suit your needs.

Alex Carroll

Managing Member at Lifeline Data Centers

Alex, co-owner, is responsible for all real estate, construction and mission critical facilities: hardened buildings, power systems, cooling systems, fire suppression, and environmentals. Alex also manages relationships with the telecommunications providers and has an extensive background in IT infrastructure support, database administration and software design and development. Alex architected Lifeline’s proprietary GRCA system and is hands-on every day in the data center.