The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the need for remote data center management amid travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders. While we touched on this topic briefly in a previous post, we’ll now drill down into some of the technologies that enable data center staff to operate remotely.
Remote Management Tools
1. Console Servers
Console servers connect directly to data center devices via their serial or USB ports and allow administrators to access those devices via the corporate WAN, a virtual private network (VPN), or out-of-band network. This gives administrators visibility into the physical devices and allows them to reboot, reconfigure, and otherwise manage devices remotely.
2. DCIM solutions
Data center infrastructure management (DCIM) solutions collect data from sensors and components such as power distribution units (PDUs) and cooling systems. They enable operational staff to monitor environmental conditions, power consumption, and more and control many aspects of the physical data center infrastructure. Some DCIM solutions even provide physical security functionality such as unlocking cabinet doors for access by onsite personnel.
3. KVM-over-IP switches
KVM-over-IP switches are the remote access version of local KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) devices. They allow administrators to control a remote system by sending keyboard and mouse signals over the network and displaying the remote system’s video output on the administrator’s local machine via a web browser. Administrators can perform almost any function on the remote system as long as it’s powered on and connected to the network.
4. Service processors
Service processors provide low-level access for remote monitoring and management. For example, console redirection enables administrators to redirect a remote system’s keyboard input and video output through a serial port. Remote power control makes it possible to turn equipment off and back on if the system crashes or is frozen.
Implementation Considerations
When implementing remote access solutions, organizations should carefully consider these factors:
Security
It is critical to ensure that the network connections for remote access tools are secure. Sessions should be encrypted to prevent access to sensitive data. Hardware security modules provide a specialized, trusted platform that handles encryption, key management, and other cryptographic functions.
Authentication
The organization will have to decide who will be authorized to access the data center remotely and ensure that robust authentication is used. If the highest levels of security are required, administrators should use dedicated, hardened laptops for remote access.
Performance
The network needs to provide sufficient performance to enable administrators to perform remote management functions in near-real-time without getting bogged down by slow response.
Remote Management in Colocation Facilities
If the data center is hosted in a colocation facility, it may be possible to use “remote hands” and “smart hands” services for operational and support functions that require physical access to equipment. Organizations need to understand how the facility charges for these services and develop an appropriate SLA. However, it will still be important to provide in-house staff with remote management tools.
Conclusion
In addition to ensuring business continuity during the current pandemic and future disruptions, remote data center management provides strategic business benefits. It gives organizations the flexibility to leverage IT talent regardless of location, and to bring in specialists as needed to solve specific problems. It also enables IT teams to respond quickly to downtime events.
The Enconnex team has expertise in remote data center management and can help you select the right tools for your environment. Let us help you optimize your operational processes today and prepare to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
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