gridXpert for datacenters
One environment for infrastructure and rack monitoring
The gridXpert datacenter edition from fortop integrates advanced infrastructure monitoring and PDU or rack metering in one environment. Various monitoring mechanisms help prevent “power losses” and unnecessary energy consumption.
Integrated monitoring
The operation of a datacenter is often divided across separate departments and staff working independently. Consumption data from PDUs or “rack or customer meters” is frequently read out using different software than the equipment responsible for monitoring the rest of the electrical infrastructure. Rising energy costs, sustainability targets and the increasing demands placed by colo customers on information make integrated monitoring essential. This supports capacity planning, the identification of downtime and day-to-day management.
Developed for colo datacenters
The gridXpert datacenter edition is specifically developed for “colo datacenters”. The system combines customer contract management with monitoring of the energy infrastructure from “point of supply through to the rack” in one software environment.
This results in a fully reliable measurement system with clear advantages:
- Prevention of unnecessary energy losses through continuous monitoring of datacenter efficiency.
- Reliable kWh customer billing through various monitoring mechanisms, such as continuous square comparisons and monitoring of the current transformer ratio and serial number.
- Improved utilisation of available power capacity through, among other things, 3-level redundancy monitoring, visualisation of failure scenarios and real-time alarming.
Infra monitoring
Datacenter managers must continuously strike a balance between costs and uptime. Can additional customers be added without compromising redundancy?
Adding capacity with insight
By monitoring the electrical infrastructure, a datacenter manager can add capacity without increasing the risk of downtime. For capacity planning and fault analysis, relevant measurement data is continuously stored, allowing you to look back in time as if watching a film.
For a complete overview of the infrastructure, third-party devices such as UPS systems, generators and cooling units can be integrated into gridXpert.
Key functionalities:
- Real-time monitoring of redundancy at three levels.
- Continuous monitoring of PUE and the efficiency of transformers and UPS systems.
- Registration of disturbances such as short-circuit currents and voltage dips down to millisecond level.
- Continuous monitoring and reporting of power quality in accordance with international standards (gridcode compliance monitoring).
Customer, rack and contract management
Customers and contracts can be monitored against both technical and commercial contract values. This enables better utilisation of available power capacity and allows for tailored billing.
Information per customer and per rack
Temperature and humidity measurements can be integrated. By making information available per customer and per rack via reports or an API, services to the colo customer can be expanded.
Key functionalities:
- Continuous monitoring of power levels within commercial and technical contracts.
- All parameters are logged per rack and can be made available in various ways via the gridXpert web interface, reports or different integrations.
- Web visualisation of all racks individually.
- Configuration of racks, customers and contracts via the gridXpert web interface.
- Optional monitoring of temperature and humidity.
Dutch reliability at its core
gridXpert is a fully Dutch development and is easily accessible through the use of intuitive web interface technologies. UPS systems, generators and other third-party devices can be integrated into the web-based SCADA application. The software is purchased as a one-off licence and installed locally on a virtual server.
Key functionalities:
- Proven technology supporting up to 15,000 objects in one system, with demonstrated reliability in both small and large-scale installations.
- The gridXpert datacenter edition is a 100% Dutch product and an in-house development incorporating the many years of knowledge and experience of fortop and its customers.
- From “sensor to screen”, fortop has in-house specialists.
- A team of experienced professionals with in-depth knowledge of the systems and their operation.
Management and maintenance
gridXpert is “open” and uses standard technologies. The system is installed on the customer’s local server and can be managed remotely. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) can be concluded, including corrective, adaptive and preventive maintenance.
Annual update licence
With an annual update licence, you are assured of up-to-date functionality and:
- Remote installation, configuration and management, keeping installation and maintenance costs under control.
- Availability of an annual update licence.
- Installation on a standard virtual Windows server, without specific in-field hardware.
- A 100% web-based user interface with responsive design, enabling monitoring and analysis on any device within the network via a standard web browser.
Janitza power analysers
The power analysers are a crucial component of a robust monitoring system. With Janitza, fortop holds a strong position in the market. The Janitza analysers are extremely reliable, operate continuously and are capable of accurately measuring the high proportion of harmonic currents in a datacenter.
With various solutions for optimal integration into new installations and existing datacenters, it is possible to build a robust measurement system. In combination with gridXpert, Janitza devices provide additional functionalities such as fully automated power quality monitoring (IEC 61000-2-4 Class 1) and fault recording down to millisecond level, including short-circuit currents and voltage dips.
Features of the Janitza measurement solution:
- Various smart retrofit solutions for integration into existing datacenters
- Recording and monitoring of voltage dips and short-circuit currents
- High reliability
- Fault recording
