CommScope’s iTRACS

HEADLINE: CommScope’s iTRACS

iTRACS, originally founded as an independent company, has been focused on infrastructure management since the 1980s. With the launch of the iTRACS DCIM platform in October of 2009, iTRACS decided to focus specifically on the data center market.

Since its deployment, iTRACS has released more than updates and new releases on the original platform. iTRACS DCIM 4.1, with the browser-based interactive SimpleView visual interface, is due for release sometime in June 2015. CommScope acquired Tempe, Arizona-based iTRACS in March 2013 where its business and R&D offices reside. Today, iTRACS is a standalone business unit that is 100 percent focused on DCIM. CommScope, Inc. is headquartered in North Carolina.

Currently, iTRACS is a DCIM Suite that helps organizations optimize the capacity, availability, and efficiency of their data center physical infrastructure. There are three differentiators around which the technology is built upon. The iTRACS DCIM platform is designed around a holistic, open and interconnected architecture. This means that iTRACS aggregates, analyzes, visualizes, and presents all of the information a data center administrator would need to effectively manage the entire data center ecosystem across both IT and facilities.

The functionality of the iTRACS DCIM platform encompasses seven areas of DCIM: Asset/Space Management, Operations Management (monitoring, alarming, etc.), Change Management (workflow), Resource/Power Management, Connectivity Management (network cabling and patching), Availability Management, and Capacity Management/Planning.

“The data center is one of the most complex, interconnected, entities on earth, said William Bloomstein, director of strategic solutions marketing for CommScope. “No asset is an island. All assets are interconnected and interdependent. You cannot modify one without creating impacts – intended and unintended – on others. Smart decisions demand DCIM solutions like iTRACS that enable you to visualize and understand, in rich granular detail, how your space, power, assets, network connectivity, and cooling resources are interconnected and interdependent. One of iTRACS’ unique capabilities is the ability to make this interconnectivity visually understandable and operationally manageable. This is a topic that comes up repeatedly as decision-makers compare and contrast DCIM vendors in an attempt to decipher who comprehends connectivity and who does not.”

Many of the world’s largest organizations and Fortune 500 companies across a wide range of verticals – finance, Internet, media, service providers, transportation, and healthcare – currently utilize the iTRACS DCIM platform.

 

iTRACS CPIM DCIM Solution Details

Converged Physical Infrastructure Management (CPIM) is an innovative product from iTRACS that was introduced in 2009, primarily targeting large enterprises’ DCIM needs.

Asset Management

iTRACS CPIM stores asset information in a single large repository database. It records asset information like asset model, dimensions, weight, age, purchasing details, physical location, network and power connectivity and other related details. Auto discovery of assets is available. The application offers a single pane view into the entire asset base. With this holistic view, it is easy to locate an asset and analyze its performance. Additions and changes to assets are dynamically monitored and recorded. Assets can be manually entered or can be imported from a third party database.

Power Management

iTRACS CPIM collects power consumption data directly from endpoints like PUDs, UPSs, other metering devices and other assets that can communicate over IP networks using basic protocols. Performance benchmarks are stored when directly monitored data is not available. It monitors point-to-point power consumption as well as the entire power chain of the infrastructure. You can measure and analyze the power path not only within the data center but also across the entire building and facility’s infrastructure. This information is managed in the CPIM environment and presented to you in a holistic view using 3D visualization.

Thermal Management

iTRACS offers PowerEye, a powerful end-to-end energy efficiency strategy integrated into the CPIM solution. It provides visibility into the total energy consumption of the infrastructure. Deep-dive reporting lets you know how much power is used across the entire chain. Using this data, you can calculate the power utilization efficiency across the infrastructure or for a specific group or zone and take steps necessary to optimize power resources. Real-time notifications are delivered when power thresholds are exceeded.

Space Management

CPIM creates a holistic view of the graphical representation of the entire infrastructure for a better understanding of where each asset is located. This information enables you to plan and make changes to the infrastructure without disrupting services. While adding or relocating a new asset, you can check the best location for that asset. For any planned change, the impact on resources can be predicted. Deployments can be made faster. Forecasting, planning and the allocation of power, space and resources can be done effectively.

Visual Modeling

CPIM provides a variety of capabilities to manage the life cycle of devices in a context-rich 3D model. In fact, 3D visualization is the key aspect of iTRACS CPIM solutions. The application collects asset information, power consumption details and energy efficiency. This data feeds directly into iTRACS’ interactive 3D visualizations. A rich graphical representation of the entire infrastructure enables you to conveniently monitor and manage each asset in the infrastructure. You can either use the native graphics platform or import designs from third party software like AutoCAD.

Hypothetical Modeling

iTRACS offers Future View for an efficient hypothetical modeling. This module creates a visual model of the current state of the infrastructure and compares it with the past and future states of the infrastructure. This comparison enables you to predict the performance of each device or element within that entity. Moreover, it is easy to understand the effect on power and space arising with the addition or relocation of assets within the infrastructure. This “what-if” scenario enables customers to gain insights into the affected behavior, performance and capacity requirements before new deployments are made.

Access & Control

CPIM uses an open system architecture, which makes it easy to integrate with third party management solutions like BMS systems, security suites and CMDBs using standard protocols. CPIM that is built on Open Exchange Framework easily integrates with VMware, RF Code and HP Systems Insight Manager. Any device that has an IP address can be accessed and monitored using CPIM solutions. Taking advantage of the DCIM browser and iPad interface, users can access CPIM anytime, anywhere.

Reporting & Alarming

CPIM offers a wide variety of templates to quickly create different reports. The interface is easy to use. You can generate different reports for different users, groups or zones. You can create reports to understand the total energy consumption, thermal conditions, network utilization, status of assets, power distribution mapping, etc. The platform automatically initiates processes like email alerts or remote script deployment when required.