Mike Beck

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Network Closets As A Service

by Mike Beck on 5/30/19 9:39 AM

network closet blog photoNetwork Closets have become key assets in any organization's ability to connect to the internet and the cloud. As more and more applications are deployed at the edge of network, and the rapid increase of IoT devices expand, these spaces are truly vital to the functionality and efficiency of an organization. Many of these spaces were originally janitor closets or small electrical rooms that included a punch down block for a phone system, that have since been converted into mission critical pieces of your network.

Today, these IDF (intermediate distribution frame) IT network closets include dedicated cooling, backup power, power distribution, fire protection, racks, routers, patch panels, network switches, servers and storage, fiber and Ethernet, security, PA systems, VoIP phones, cameras, remote monitoring, cell phone boosters, and Wireless Access Points (WAP). Also, since most equipment will need to be replaced every seven years, developing a plan that will keep all your equipment maintained and upgraded on a continual basis is paramount.

Since network closets are the primary place where Edge of Network applications take place and your company connects to the internet, fortifying your network closet to support these Edge of Network applications and Internet of Things (IoT) devices is a challenge that IT managers and Facility Managers confront on a daily basis. At DVL, our Data Center Engineers can assist your company to ensure Network Closets, IT Closets, and IDF rooms are built and maintained to support your technology. Contact your DVL Engineer to perform a review, an evaluation, or to develop a plan to keep your network closet reliable and efficient to support today's ever-changing IT environment. 

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Hardwire vs. Busway

by Mike Beck on 5/15/19 12:34 PM

When it comes to designing power distribution for your critical facilities, there are many options for you to consider. You must determine what the best fit for your needs and your budget is.

For example, one question you could ask yourself is, if you should hardwire everything down to the powerstrip or use a Busway? In this Cost Analysis Comparison of Conventional Power Whip vs Overhead Starline Busway, we give you the tools to determine which solution is best for your business. starline modular busway for power distributionWant to learn more about Starline and Busway technology click here.

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Topics: electrical distribution, power distribution, busway, starline

Save Thousands by Right-sizing Your Inefficient UPS

by Mike Beck on 11/1/18 11:49 AM

In this age of Hybrid Computing, we have found that many of our customers’ large Uninterruptible Power Systems (UPS) are running very low loads compared to their original design requirements. This is due, in large part, to many applications migrating to the Cloud and Colocation Facilities. However, UPS Power is still required for their remaining “on-premises” and “edge” computing needs.

DVL recently did analysis for a customer who was experiencing this scenario. They had a pair of 750 KVA UPS’s in a redundant configuration (2N) running at 30KVA each. This is a very inefficient point to run a UPS! In addition, they were facing a wet cell battery replacement that would cost them $355K. Without replacing the batteries, they were running the risk of a failure that could jeopardize their entire business. 

DVL’s Data Center Engineer provided a complete analysis of the systems. The results are as shown below:

Option

Description

Cost

UPS Efficiency
at 30 KVA

Annual Energy Cost

1

Replace the wet cell batteries

$355,000

60%

$53,600

2

Replace the UPS’s with two 250 KVA UPS's with VRLA Batteries

$340,000

96.5%

$2,915

3

Replace the UPS’s with two 150 KVA UPS’s with VRLA Batteries

$299,400

97.5%

$2,060

As you can see, it would be cheaper to correctly right-size the UPS rather than replace the batteries. In addition, due to the inefficiency of the old UPS, resizing would also save the customer 90% on their energy costs!

As a PECO Energy Partner, we can also help you obtain rebate dollars that are offered by PECO (and other utilities) to Data Center Customers that make such energy improvements. 

An additional option, worthy of consideration, would be to use Lithium Ion Batteries in lieu of the VRLA type. They would add about $50k to the project cost, but you wouldn’t need a future battery replacement for 15 years.

Are you in this situation with your UPS?  Contact your DVL Data Center Engineer for a complete analysis.

Contact a Data Center Expert

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Topics: UPS, casestudy, facilities, VLRA, Resizing, KVA UPS, Wet Cell

The Gift of a Look Into the Future

by Mike Beck on 12/14/17 8:14 AM

Don’t you just love this time of year? The excitement of the holidays and no pressure at all because you’ve got all the IT projects for 2017 wrapped up, right? Well, consider this Vertiv™ blogpost a fancily wrapped present, just for you (and your IT department)... It’s a look into the future of what 2018 will bring, so you don’t have to worry about what will blindside you in the coming year. Our friends at Vertiv™, who have done a great job being defined as the data center industry thought leader, have these great insights to offer. In addition to a whole array of new CRAC and CRAH units, UPS Systems, and other data center infrastructure equipment, they are positioned as your data center expert to help you save money, time, and energy.2018 Data Center Trends

Please enjoy this short read and let us know your thoughts. One thing that caught my attention was that higher densities are arriving. In my career, this has been one of the most talked about and planned for issues, but seldom seems to materialize. Do you think we are there? Let us know.

We at DVL wish all of you a very happy holiday, and hopefully, with the Vertiv™ insight, we’ve helped your company prepare for a happy new year.

Take a peak at 2018's data center trends.

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Topics: Data Center, vertiv

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