If you operate a data centre you know how important it is to properly distribute, control, and monitor the power going to servers, computers, routers, and other equipment to reduce energy wastage, equipment downtime, and carbon footprint. How is this complex task accomplished?
The answer is by installing a power distribution unit, or “PDU”, a device that distributes power to various pieces of IT equipment in a data centre, and is responsible for managing that supply to ensure that everything has a consistent and dependable source, thus optimizing power distribution.
Power distribution units work kind of like a power strip, they don’t condition or generate electricity but relay the alternating current (AC) from a single source to all connected devices, such as networking equipment, computers, and peripherals.
Most PDUs are connected to the primary power supply, which might be utility power, generators, or a UPS (unlimited power supply). PDUs are very commonly used in data centres. They are often designed to be installed in equipment racks, in order to bring power to rack-mounted equipment like servers, routers, switches, and cooling fans.
In addition to normal power distribution, more sophisticated PDUs provide extensive power monitoring and control, detecting any fluctuations within the circuit, and providing reliable backup power in case of an outage. PDUs can also help determine power usage effectiveness and other important statistics for data centre power distribution and management.
Improved data centre management is a great feature of the PDU, which can be used to track, control, and regulate power usage in server farms both locally and remotely, which can increase the facility’s dependability and efficiency by lowering operational expenses and enhancing the equipment’s overall performance. By combining trend reports and outlet-level power metering, PDUs are able to detect and reboot crashed systems, which eliminates the necessity for experts to visit the site. Any data centre IT equipment that is not in current use can be remotely shut down in order to save energy and help reduce the carbon footprint.
PDUs can also assist in monitoring data centre power usage, and identify any possible power issues. The IT administrators can also track power at the equipment or PDU level by utilizing user-defined parameters and receiving notifications before the issues actually occur so they can be prepared for potential repairs. PDU-based power monitoring ensures the data centre avoids issues and allows mission-critical systems to operate efficiently.
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