A new generation of APC’s InfraStruxure architecture has hit the channel. New features of the scalable data center architecture were introduced last week at a 2010 Editors’ Event in Chicago hosted by Schneider Electric.
APC’s InfraStruxure is a building block in Schneider’s broader energy management portfolio, which the company calls EcoStruxure. “EcoStruxure is designed to integrate our five key domains: power management, data center management, building management, security management, and process and machine management,” explains Barry Coflan, Schneider Electric vice president of buildings business.
InfraStruxure is the data center management piece of the EcoStruxure line Coflan describes. It integrates power, cooling, racks, security, and management into a modular form factor for data center engineering.
At the Editors’ Event in Chicago, APC announced several upgrades to its InfraStruxure product line. “This new generation of InfraStruxure delivers a 25 percent increase in power and cooling capacity, a 15 percent smaller footprint, all while reducing cost by 15 percent,” touts the official APC press release from the event.
In a one-on-one discussion with APC’s vice president of marketing Marc Sherman, Sherman told ChannelPro-SMB that developments to the InfraStruxure line have been borne out of a “driving demand for energy.”
“Our business has greatly evolved as tech has become more important,” Sherman explains. “Our category has done a lot to keep up with demand.”
Among the latest improvements to APC’s Infrastructure are:
- Symmetra PX 100 kW, 250 kW, 500 kW—These are double-conversion uninterruptible power supply units with internal modular designs.
- Modular Power Distribution Unit—This is designed to simplify the installation and reconfiguration of IT devices. “This reduces planned downtime and eliminates the need for new circuit work orders to add IT equipment,” according to APC.
- InRow OA and Refrigerant Distribution Unit—This provides overhead cooling for medium- and high-density applications for customers preferring waterless cooling options.
- NetShelter SX Networking Enclosures—These are optimized rack systems for high-density environments.
In addition to new hardware, the InfraStruxure architecture is also rolling out an upgraded version of its data center management software.
In a press release submitted to EH Publishing, Brogaard Jensen, APC by Schneider Electric’s vice president of enterprise software, says the updated InfraStruxure management software better facilitates “seamless implementation of virtualization and the reduction of overall carbon footprints.”
New features of the management software include a new Data Center Lab application within InfraStruxure Capacity, a data center project management tool. This app enables the design of new data center build-outs and upgrades through simulations and scenario planning.
In addition, the software’s Analysis application has been improved upon, adding an instant overview of data center physical infrastructure operations, including UPS, power distribution, and cooling. Moreover, improved apps enable regular reports that gauge energy consumption, CO2 emissions, power usage effectiveness, and data center infrastructure efficiency.
GEOFFREY OLDMIXON is a Massachusetts-based business and technology writer.
