Make IT smile!

So, you want to access your data centers remotely, butyou have a ton of servers from different brandsand they all have different control panels & passwords?


.....Now that you have many servers, you're IT managers are going "bananas" trying to keep everything under control!

Well, what can you do?Say hello to AccessIT®!!!

Why wait? schedule a live demo now >>

Remote Access Management - top priority at your Data Center

Over the course of the last 5-10 years, IT organizations from the smallest of the SMB to the largest of the Enterprise have become dependent upon remote access tools to manage their servers and devices.

The problem, however, is that these tools were adopted by different groups within the organization, without a clear strategy (i.e., the Windows team adopted IP KVM and RDP, while the network team bought console servers and adopted SSH).

Over time, the vast majority of IT departments have taken on in-band (i.e., RDP, VNC, SSH) and out-of-band (PDU, KVM, console) tools, as well as the service processors (ILO, DRAC, IPMI), each with their own IP addresses, passwords, usernames and more.

Today, IT managers face the challenge in managing all of these methods of access to their critical infrastructure. They *might* have a spreadsheet with all of the pathways. Others have all of this critical information on a white board, on post its or worse, in the “head” of the administrators.

This presents major issues with operational efficiency and data center security. With regard to efficiency, using a spreadsheet (or worse) means that each time an administrator is notified of an issue, he must first locate the server/device with the issue, copy and paste the IP, password and username for the selected tool just to gain access. If the first tool is ineffectual (RDP when Windows is down), he must do the same for the 2nd tool and if, for instance, the solution is powering down the server, he must do it a 3rd time for the PDU. This is not only a slow, painstaking process, but one that opens the door to human error.

The 2nd major issue with the current state of remote access management is security. When all of the passwords, IPs and usernames to an organization’s critical infrastructure are in a spreadsheet or in someone’s head, you are just begging for trouble. These pathways allow access to the most sensitive data in an organization, but they are not currently being treated that way. To ensure the security of a data center’s servers and devices, a RAM solution that locks down this critical information must be adopted.

With Minicom's AccessIT®, a data center can drastically increase how quickly his users can access and remediate issues on their servers and devices, all while utilizing the tools and hardware currently deployed, all while improving security and locking down remote access.

Why wait? schedule a live demo now >>

Why Remote Access Management? Security and Efficiency

The benefits of remote server access

Post by Eran Kessel (VP Marketing & Products) - Years ago, the idea of operating and maintaining data centers remotely, or with “lights out” in the server room, seemed radical. Now it’s standard procedure. Why? Because of three compelling advantages:

1. Increased data security—with remote access, the data center can be secured from unwanted visitors.

2. Improved operational efficiency—with remote access, your IT staff can fix problems from their computer screen—they don’t have to be onsite. Remote access means doing more with less.

3. Better cooling/power efficiency—one of the major causes of cooling inefficiency is service staff who open doors and wander around. With remote access, server rooms are sealed tight.

Remote Access Management™: maximizing the benefits, minimizing the risks
Despite the above, many companies are not maximizing their benefits. Worse, they may have actually created new security risks. This comes from the fact that remote server access tools have been adopted gradually, one at a time, often supplied by the manufacturers of the data center’s existing equipment. To maximize the benefits of remote server access, while minimizing the risks, companies need a strategy and a dedicated software solution for Remote Access Management.

What are the new security risks?
A critical security risk lies in access management: the vast majority of organizations store their passwords, user names, IP addresses, server names and more in a single spreadsheet or homegrown database. This provides IT personnel with almost unrestricted access to security-critical data, even data that has no relevance to their tasks. Windows admins can see how to access Unix machines, network admins can see how to access servers etc. There is no benefit to this, and considerable security risk. All an employee, intern or consultant needs to do is download the spreadsheet to a flash drive, and they can carry a corporation’s secrets out of the building.

The solution: task-appropriate access
To improve corporate security, a Remote Access Management solution should limit servers and IT tools to task-appropriate access, e.g. Windows admins should be able to access Windows servers only. An admin that only require RDP access should not have access to power and KVM.

Measuring operational efficiency: resolving critical issues faster
When a server goes down, resolution speed is what matters. With a spreadsheet or custom database, speed is a problem: first, the IT admin is notified of the issue. Then they have to open the spreadsheet, locate the name of the server, and copy and paste its IP address and password and username info. Dozens of mouse clicks and many minutes can pass before a device can be found. If, for example, an attempted RDP solution fails, the operator may try a KVM fix, and the copy and paste process begins again.

Over a typical shift, the wasted minutes can add up to wasted hours of valuable work time.

The solution: a minimum 6x faster server access and resolution
Minicom compared the mouse-clicks required to access a server with RDP and a spreadsheet, vs RDP and our AccessIT dashboard.
The spreadsheet took 37 clicks simply to access a server. AccessIT software cut the number of clicks to six. And that was a best-case situation. For each service attempt—KVM, iLO, PDU—the number of clicks, and the server downtime—jumps drastically.

A proven solution: AccessIT® from Minicom
AccessIT from Minicom was designed from the ground up to meet IT managers’ mission-critical requirements for secure web-based, centralized remote access management.

AccessIT provides fast, secure, trouble-free access to every aspect of a data center’s infrastructure, and streamlines access to remote access tools such as RDP and KVM. It supports all major manufacturers of KVM switches, PDUs and console servers, and supports the industry’s leading in-band and out-of-band remote access services, including RDP, VNC, VMWare, SSH, Telnet, HP iLO, KVM IP, and any proprietary web-based or customized applications.

For complete details, and to read how major customers have deployed Minicom solutions,

visit www.minicom.com

Schedule a live demonstartion now >>

Defining a remote access strategy for an enterprise, is it that simple?

Post by Eran Kessel

Remote Access Management is a way of effectively managing and securing all the remote access protocols (i.e. RDP, VNC, SSH, KVM IP, SP, IPMI and more) in your data center. But why use remote access management anyway?

Well, nowadays IT personnel are often physically removed from their data center where all the IT infrastructure resides. "Lights-out" data centers and disaster recovery sites have become necessities for medium to large enterprises. Now days IT staff are always on the move, they work from remote offices, from home, while on the road, or from branch offices. The ability to work remotely has been made possible due to the increased reliability and usability of the internet and of remote access tools like KVM IP, RDP, VNC, SSH, Telnet and others. But, with all of these tools comes their associated IP addresses, passwords and user names, and IT managers need a way of organizing all this information. The current default option for keeping track of all these tools are spreadsheets, which require a lot of copying and pasting, and are not very secure. Organizations need a way to quickly and securely gain access to these remote access tools, which is why Remote Access Management is a requirement.

What are the benefits of a Remote Access Management strategy?

Different tech teams need different tools to accomplish their specific jobs. Different types of servers are better served by specific technologies and tools. Each technical team, or even an individual, will argue for the tool they like best. Employees will be more productive if allowed to use the tools they know and love, and aren't forced to compromise. So, having a Remote Access Management strategy not only means that you have an efficient and secure method for managing your many remote access tools, it also increases your IT efficiency and allows freedom of choice for your IT staff.

So, how does the enterprise IT define a remote access strategy for itself?

Defining a RAM strategy is quite simple and requires a few simple steps. First step is to map all remote access protocols that are being used by the IT staff, second step is to simply associate the right remote access protocol to the appropriate server or network device in the data center, let’s refer to them as targets. Third step is to assign the correct access rights to each of the IT staff, according to the organizational work flow.

Minicom's Access Management solutions aim to dramatically Increase IT efficiency & security, to save on IT costs and to simplify the daily workload of the IT staff by:

•Tighter security - Avoid unwanted access to IT assets, centrally manage and log all activity

•Enforced uniformity – All for one, and one for all! IT staff all operate through same web interface

• Open platform eco-system - Avoid dreaded vendor lock-in and integrate your choice of 3rd party KVM, Power or Serial device into the system

•On-Demand Remote Access - assign multiple access protocols to same target, whether In- band or OOB. Solve problems on the spot, in the most efficient manner

•Real Needs - Maximize past investments, Minicom's industry leading Real NeedsTM approach allows you to upgrade and repurpose running legacy KVM systems and to avoid costly replacements

Eran Kessel is a VP Marketing & Products at Minicom

3 Common Mistakes Made When Relocating Data Centers

Post by Eran Kessel

Mistake #1: IT managers create an organizational disaster when trying to keep track of IP addresses, password, and user names on spreadsheets. accessing servers and IT equipment is a given because of the increased dependency on remote access tools like KVM IP, RDP, VNC, iLO, SSH and others. All these tools are associated with confidential information which must remain secure.

Fix it: Organizations should use a remote access management SW to gain quick and secure access to their IT hardware using all thier remote access tools. Remote access management provides companies with the tool to securely organize all their protocols, IP addresses, and passwords, which allows the IT staff to work together no matter where they are located.

Mistake #2: Technical teams are often forced to compromise on tools they do not like to use. Different technical teams need different tools to do their different jobs, and different technologies are better served by certain tools. Every team or individual will advocate for the tool they like best because in turn they will be more productive with the tools they know and are accustomed to.

Fix it: Let your IT staff enjoy the freedom of choice in remote access tools by employing a remote access management strategy that provides an efficient and secure method for managing many different remote access tools.

Mistake #3: Businesses unnecessarily replace hardware and invest in new proprietary power, KVM, and serial equipment, rather than using their existing, up and running server room or data center infrastructure. This ineffectively increases overall costs for the company.

Fix it: By adding a remote access management solution such as AccessIT™, designed by Minicom, you have the ability to keep your current hardware and accommodate IT products from a wide range of vendors. AccessIT allows businesses to continue reaping the already-made investment in their existing IT equipment, knowledge, and training, while also giving the liberty to choose their own IT infrastructure products according to what fits their needs and their budget. In short, this solution reduces overall costs and allows your business to invest its money elsewhere.

Looking for more ways to avoid mistakes? You can learn more about how to efficiently manage your data center at the Winds of Change: Creative Concepts for Increasing Data Center Efficiency, hosted by the Data Center Alliance at Georgia Tech University on December 8, 2010.

Can’t make it? No worries! the DCA will be covering the DCA Event live on ustream.tv

Don’t miss out if you are unable to attend, bookmark our ustream.tv channel (http://bit.ly/dK1rM5) and log-in December 8th to see what’s happening on the conference floor!

Eran Kessel is a VP Marketing & Products at Minicom

5 Tips on How to Increase Data Center Efficiency

Post by Nir Dary

1. Reduce Clutter! I don’t know about you, but many of my fellow IT friends have been faced with the same challenges in the server room: How can I free up my overcrowded server room? How can I eliminate cable clutter in the rack? one solution I found is to combine a KVM LCD drawer with a KVM switch. This creates a less cluttered work environment, now I’m using up only one U of rack space instead of 2 and the drawer KVM cables connect to the KVM switch on the same U, providing better cable management. Now that my equipment is all neatly organized I can access it more easily, save time,increase productivity and provides a safer work environment.

2. I need a reboot, and I need a reboot now! When servers crash, the resolution time is critical crucial and you must get your system up and running as soon as possible. In addition, you must do it without making any mistakes because you don’t want to get to the point of no return where you end up recycling a downed server. With time of the essence, the best way to bring your server back to life is with one click. Yes, one click. There is technology out there that provides direct access to PDU remote reboot features without a separate login and password, with the option of going through your KVM or serial session. There is no need to decode which power port is associated with a given target. Each server has icons for both remote access and power control right next to it, making the transition from access to control easy and immediate.

3. Consolidate your system! For daily maintenance of your servers, you rely on in-band software access services like VNC, RDP, Telnet and SSH. And, when it comes to dealing with server crashes, I bet you need out-of-band tools like console servers, KVM switches, managed PDUs and service processors. Sounds like a case of an overpopulation of remote access tools. The cure: Access all your IT assets at one address. You should manage all your remote access tools from one consolidated place with all your IT assets and their associated access methods. With one click access, IT managers can maintain and troubleshoot their data centers.

4. Lower your operational costs! Companies are always looking to cut costs and increase efficiency. As I researched ways to cut my operational costs, I found Minicom’s “Real Needs” approach. The unique approach provides a management SW portal to access and control all of your mixed-vendor IT hardware. This means you can use all your existing equipment- servers, consoles, switches, PDUs etc-regardless of the manufacturer, save your money for future investments.

5. If you would like to learn more about how you can make your data center more efficient, and learn more about changes in the IT remote access field, the Data Center Alliance is hosting the following event at Georgia Tech University on December 8, 2010: Winds of Change: Creative Concepts for Increasing Data Center Efficiency

Nir Dary is a Tech Support Manager at Minicom

Viridity Software Joins the Data Center Alliance

The Data Center Alliance (DCA) welcomes Viridity Software, and is excited to add their data center energy resource management (ERM) solutions to the DCA’s offerings.

The Data Center Alliance brings together the best-in-class IT infrastructure manufacturers into one place, where IT decision makers can find the data they need to make smart decisions about their growing data center needs. For companies looking for balanced, factual data to improve productivity in the fields of power, KVM, network management, remote access, environmental monitoring and air flow, the DCA is the answer.

After the successful DCA kick-off event in California in July, we have already begun planning for the next DCA event – watch this space!

Join the DCA

Send me DCA updates

Minicom Will Introduce New Version of Remote Access Management Solution at Data Center World

We are introducing an Enterprise Edition of our remote access management platform, AccessIT™, at Data Center World, presented by AFCOM, Las Vegas, October 3rd - 6th.

AccessIT Enterprise Edition is ideal for:
· Businesses with remote branches
· Testing labs with a large number of servers and simultaneous remote users
· Large, "lights-out" data centers where remote access is the only means of accessibility
· Any organization that relies heavily on IT uptime

Designed to meet the needs of large organizations, AccessIT Enterprise Edition can accommodate more than 250 servers and network devices, and more than 10 users.

Visit us at Data Center World (AFCOM), Las Vegas, Nevada, October 3rd through 6th, 2010, Booth #329.

Webinar: Increase Operational Efficiency with Strategic Remote Access Management

Space is limited.Reserve your Webinar seat now at:https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/346894848

In this webinar, co-hosted by Data Center Alliance members Digi, Minicom and Server Technology, you’ll learn:
• How the integration of Digi, Minicom and Server Technology’s solutions can dramatically increase your IT staff's efficiency and reduce server downtime.
• How you can provide IT staff with a secure, single pane of glass for seamless, single click access to your servers and devices using both in-band and out-of-band access (i.e. KVM and service processors).
• How to increase operational efficiency and security with a remote access management strategy, while leveraging existing hardware and software tools.
• A demonstration of the integrated solution in action.
• What the Data Center Alliance is, why it was formed, and its value for data center end-users, VARs and consultants.


Title: DCA Members Digi, Minicom & Server Technology present “Increase Operational Efficiency with Strategic Remote Access Management"

Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees:
Windows® 7, Vista, XP, 2003 Server or 2000

Macintosh®-based attendees:
Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Minicom and Digi: Successful Remote Serial Access Management

In-band and out-of-band access of network devices such as routers, switches and servers are critical in designing and maintaining robust data centers. Console servers offer a secure method of accessing these devices, either through a web-based interface, or a serial or modem connection when the network is down or unavailable.

In order to deliver a high level of IT service and to reduce downtime, IT managers need a secure, efficient way of remotely managing access to their many console servers, such as Digi Passport, as well as their PDUs, KVM switches, and software access services. Using Minicom’s AccessIT, IT personnel get consolidated and seamless remote access to all their servers, routers, switches, firewalls and other network devices from one intuitive management console.

One click brings users directly to the desired serial device. IT staff does not have to maintain databases and spreadsheets listing the IP addresses and passwords for each Digi Passport anymore. They log in once, and get a “single pane of glass view” of all their computer systems and network devices.

Check out the application note for pretty pictures and more details.

Data Center Alliance Road Show Overview

Data Center Alliance’s First Event Provides Innovative Ideas for Increasing Data Center Efficiency

Speakers from PG&E, ENERGY STAR, and industry leading data center companies share valuable insights

The Data Center Alliance (DCA) today announced that they successfully hosted their first event, titled “Winds of Change: Creative Concepts for Increasing Data Center Efficiency,” on July 27th at the Biltmore hotel in Santa Clara, California. The event explored solutions for data center efficiency challenges to an audience of CIOs, facilities managers, data center managers, IT managers and system administrators.

The Data Center Alliance event was sponsored by DCA members Digi International, Elliptical Mobile Solutions, Minicom, PDI, and Wright Line. Together with other alliance partners, these companies have joined forces to leverage the core strengths of each organization, and to fill the information gap in the marketplace by providing a centralized, comprehensive source for building successful IT infrastructures.

Digi’s presentation about their integrated console management platform made a compelling case for centralized access control as a driving force in helping data enters run more smoothly. It was hard not to be convinced by Elliptical Mobile Solutions’ concrete value proposition for their modular data centers: their “Data Center in a Box” offers operational expenditures savings for clients from 40% to 65%. Minicom demonstrated how remote access management increases operation efficiency while maintaining security. Equally exciting was PDI’s talk about their power solutions, and the innovations they have introduced in order to track and reduce data center energy use. Wright Line’s erudite explanation about how to eliminate chaos cooling gave participants a road map for creating predictability in their data centers.

William Dunckel, Senior Project Manager at Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), captivated the audience with his keynote speech on “Myths and Facts Driving Data Center Energy.” Bringing charts and statistics to life, Dunckel drove home the necessity of reducing the carbon footprint of data centers, and outlined strategies for making it happen.

“It’s encouraging to see the dedication of the data center community to this important initiative,” Dunckel said. “The existence of this event bodes well for the future of the environment.”

Kathy M. Diehl, Regional ENERGY STAR Program Manager, spoke about the hot topic "ENERGY STAR for Data Centers." Her talk addressed the development of the "Guiding Principles for Energy Efficiency Metrics for Data Centers," giving a colorful context to the standards that are now used. Diehl's speech highlighted the reality that most stand-alone and larger buildings housing data centers have the means for tracking and curbing energy use.

“With ENERGY STAR’s help, it is easy to establish an energy management program that will benefit both your company’s bottom line and the environment. I am happy for the opportunity to inform the attendees of this event about ENERGY STAR's efforts to support energy efficiency for data centers,” said Diehl.

“The DCA is proud to host an event with such relevance and substance. After hearing all our speakers, attendees have the tools to make major positive changes in many aspects of their data centers, such as scalable designs for rack enclosures, data center mobility, lowering cooling costs, remote access management, power management, and facility design. We are already planning the next DCA event!” said David Zucker, Executive Director, DCA.

Here are some photos from the set up:

Minicom Demonstrates How Vendor Neutral Remote Access Management Plays Vital Role in Data Center Efficiency

Along with IPswitch, Talariax, and Orsenna, Minicom hosted a seminar entitled “Supervision and Administration of Information Technology”” at the Bedford Hotel in Paris on July 1st. The focus of the seminar was on how companies can meet the challenge of monitoring their IT networks and systems to avoid unplanned downtime.

Denis Adda, Minicom’s Associate Vice-President for EMEA, and Thierry Destombes, Minicom’s Sales Manager for France, highlighted the value of remote access management for IT infrastructures, and gave a live demonstration of how it works.

Weren’t in Paris on the first? Check out our new white paper on the value of Remote Access Management.

PG&E Senior Manager to Deliver Keynote Address at the First Data Center Alliance Road Show

Come hear William Dunckel speak about “Myths & Facts Driving Data Center Energy” in Santa Clara, CA on July 27, 2010. It’s the first Data Center Alliance event, and it’s going to be a lot of fun: great speakers, networking opportunities, and free breakfast.

William (Bill) Dunckel works as Senior Project Manager in the Customer Energy Efficiency division of Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Dunckel also serves as the Energy Committee Chairman of the Critical Facilities Roundtable, a consortium of data center and critical facilities owners and operators in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been improving quality and efficiency of manufacturing and high tech service processes since 1980. Dunckel, a licensed professional industrial engineer with degrees from UC Berkeley and San Jose State University, has also been a graduate engineering professor and a member of SJSU’s Center for Manufacturing Excellence.

Register now

Extend the Life of Your PS/2 Data Center Equipment

Minicom’s PS/2 to USB Converter, a small, plug & play converter which enables the use of a USB keyboard and mouse with PS/2 devices, transforms PS/2 equipment from outdated hardware to valuable tools for today's data centers.

For many years PS/2 was the keyboard/mouse technology of choice for servers, KVM switches, and KVM extenders. Today, USB is the industry standard. Like any adoption of new technology, this shift is accompanied by some growing pains, and IT managers must grapple with how to incorporate USB technology within a budget. The PS/2 to USB Converter lets IT managers use their existing PS/2 KVM switches, servers, and KVM extenders with a USB keyboard and/or mouse, updating capabilities for IT equipment that would otherwise be obsolete.

Learn more about the PS/2 to USB Converter

New! USB capability for Smart 108/116

Minicom's KVM IP Solutions Showcased by Rackwise at Datacenter Dynamics Sydney, Australia

Rackwise, the internationally recognized leader in Data Center Management and Intelligence solutions, featured Minicom's KVM solutions at Datacenter Dynamics Sydney, Australia, on June 16th.

Rackwise demonstrated RACKWISE DCM's ability to seamlessly point, click, and remotely connect to servers and other device management consoles. As part of their demonstration, Rackwise used one of Minicom's multi-user IP KVM switches, which gives IT managers remote, out-of-band access to their servers from anywhere in the world using a web interface. All equipment used for the demonstrations was located in Rackwise's Product Demonstration Center, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Try Minicom’s KVM IP solution

First Data Center Alliance Event Coming Up!

If you are a CIO, Facilities manager, IT manager, IT decision-maker, or system administrator,this is one event you won't want to miss!

Theme: The Winds of Change: Creative Concepts for Increasing Data Center Efficiency
When: July 27, 2010
Where: Biltmore hotel, 2151 Laurelwood Road, Santa Clara, CA, www.hotelbiltmore.com

Sponsored by the Data Center Alliance

Scalable designs for rack enclosures let you optimize airflow, giving you the ability to control energy expenditure. Exciting developments in data center mobility let you decide where you want your data center to be, and to use innovative technology for lowering cooling costs. Power management can also be an excellent tool for driving down energy use. How you build your facility can directly impact dada center efficiency as well. Delivering uninterrupted uptime and premier IT service requires solutions in order to maximize resources.

Get real-life answers for real-life scenarios from industry leaders about how to make your data center work for you. Enjoy the opportunity to network with others facing the same data center challenges.

Keynote speaker: Mr. Bill Dunckel , PG&E Energy Efficiency. Topic: "Myths & Facts Driving DC Energy"

Guest speaker: Ms. Kathy Diehl, Energy Star. Topic: "Energy Star for Data Centers"

Presentations by Digi International, Elliptical Mobile Solutions, Minicom, PDI, and Wright Line

Register now!

The IT Security Behind the World Cup

“Mahindra Satyam, the soccer tournament's official IT services provider, is responsible for safeguarding 160,000 users, the distribution of 3 million tickets, and 40 terabytes of data.” (full story here)

While you are keeping your eye on the ball, Satyam has to make sure no one hacks into the World Cup ticketing system, and to check out the security status of game attendees. Complying with the laws of each of the 208 participating countries was too complex, so Switzerland was chosen the gold standard.

Interesting angle – Satyam is also responsible for secure access and authentication of the 160,00 event management system users. Wonder if he has any time to watch the games…

When Virtualization Does/n’t Make Sense for the Data Center

There is much heated debate about the virtues of virtualization.

The blog post “Data Center Feng Shui” by Lori MacVittie provides a balanced, middle-of-road approach which cautions against unilateral adoption or rejection of virtualization. In the author’s words:

“There are certainly data center components across all four data center infrastructure tiers – security, network, storage, and application delivery – that can be (and perhaps should be) virtualized. There are also data center components in those tiers that should not be virtualized. Then there are the components that could go either way, depending on the specific organizational and operational goals, needs, and budget. \

In fact, there are times when the same component may in fact be deployed in both form factors simultaneously.”

This approach may be the wisest when it comes to virtualization, although it requires a bit more foresight and planning at the outset. The idea of having a virtualization strategy which examines what makes sense for each component isn’t rocket science. However, with all the hype surrounding the cloud, there’s a value to clearly advocating for the approach of weighing the pros and cons of virtualization on a case-by-case basis.

Have you:
a. Virtualized wherever possible?
b. Shunned virtualization wholesale?
c. Dipped your toes in the water just to check it out?

Move Over LinkedIn – First iPhone App for the Data Center Industry!

Calling all Data Center professionals – check out what the iPhone application has to offer (full story here):

 Latest Network Activity
 News (via the our network blog posts)
 Classifieds/Jobs
 Events
 Forums
 Videos - via our YouTube Channel (DataCenterIndustry)
 PUE/DCiE Calculator - (as defined by the Green Grid)
 Member List

What do you think?

Data Center & Cow Manure: The Scoop on HP’s Innovation

Source for diagram here





















HP’s new “server farm” concept is all over the news. The idea, as outlined in an academic paper, is as follows: take cow dung and convert it to energy in order to power data centers.

From an article on Mobiledia (full story here):



“Patel [Chandrakant Patel, the director of at HP Labs] said that 10,000 cows, each producing 20 metric tons of manure a year, could generate enough electricity to run a one-megawatt facility -- a small to medium-size unit, for instance, used by a bank.”


Don’t think about it next time you are at the ATM…


Read about the UK data center already using the approach outlined by HP

Coverage from SustainLane