Engineering News

Netshield South Africa, a Westcon-Comstor Southern Africa company, has introduced cloud or network managed Smart Zero U Power Distribution Units (PDUs) to its growing energy smart product portfolio. These units provide active Class 1 metering, so that clients are able to take advantage of energy metering and energy optimisation of cabinets in their data centres. The units also offer the option to add temperature, humidity and fluid monitoring sensors and as a result of being network ready can form part of an overall Internet of Things (IoT) business environment.

“Companies still face challenges with the management of effective power distribution, power protection and power management in their data centres. Making use of one of these Smart PDUs will help companies better manage existing power capacity to improve data centre efficiency, uptime and expansion,” says Inus Dreckmeyr, CEO at Netshield South Africa.

“Smart metering helps users determine power usage and what capacity is available right at the rack (level), which in turn, makes it easier to safely add devices into the environment and by adding optional environmental IoT sensors, users will gain the added benefit of environmental monitoring to ensure their equipment is safe at all times.”

The Netshield Smart PDUs provide users with remote power monitoring and rack sensor information regarding the conditions inside the data centre via a Web interface or SNMP managed by Netshield’s centralised or cloud-based management systems. This means businesses will be able to mitigate risks with user-definable alarms with real-time alerts, giving them control and keeping them in the know no matter where they are.

The units also provide remote monitoring of current, voltage, power, energy usage and environmental conditions, as a result users are warned of potential circuit overloads and nominal consumption increases. In addition they offer remote power switching for emergency shutdowns or to reboot hanging servers.

“A defining benefit is the ease-of-use of the visible on-board LCD display as well as the data that the Smart PDUs provide, allowing users to make informed decisions on load balancing and accurate sizing of IT environments.”

Furthermore, the units can be installed quickly and easily and are a highly cost effective alternative for companies looking to take advantage of reliable, high volume power distribution with extended outlet configurations and vertical Zero U mounting options for high density data centre cabinets. While the Netshield Smart PDUs perform optimally in Netshield cabinets/racks they can also be installed in all third party cabinets. 

“With our Smart PDUs, you gain insight into the point-of-presence consumption of cabinets in your data centre and as a result can better manage power usage through visibility of your consumption as well as the environmental conditions being monitored by the connected IoT sensors. What this means is that you can reduce power consumption and in turn reduce costs,” says Dreckmeyr.

The units measure kWh, kVArh, kW, Kvar, kVA, PF, Hz, VAC and Amp and have bi-directional measurement IMP and EXP as well as dual pulse outputs. They can be used in a single or extended capacity and come with a three-year warranty.

“This product is 100% local. It is locally made and supported, by Netshield, and it’s been designed specifically with the South African market in mind. The Netshield Smart Metering PDUs will solve problems that are specifically pertinent to South African businesses, such as managing power intelligently – especially in the face of a growing digital business landscape,” says Dreckmeyr.

The Netshield Smart PDUs; NSP32C138C19-32A, NSP16C134C19-32A, NSP32C138C19-EXT and sensors are immediately available from Netshield South Africa.