Datacenter Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools are essential for monitoring, managing, and optimizing the physical and virtual infrastructure within a data center. Here are some of the common DCIM tools used in the industry:
1. Schneider Electric EcoStruxure IT
Features: Provides real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and remote management capabilities. It helps optimize power usage, cooling, and overall data center efficiency.
Highlights: Cloud-based monitoring, vendor-neutral platform, and mobile access for visibility into distributed environments.
2. Vertiv Trellis
Features: Offers power, cooling, and space management, along with real-time monitoring and analytics.
Highlights: Integrated with capacity planning and workflow management, enabling proactive operations.
3. Sunbird dcTrack
Features: Focuses on asset management, capacity planning, cabling, and connectivity visualization.
Highlights: Easy-to-use interface, integration with ITSM tools, and robust reporting.
4. Nlyte Software
Features: Provides asset lifecycle management, capacity planning, and energy optimization.
Highlights: Integrates with CMDBs (Configuration Management Databases) and IT workflows.
5. Panduit SmartZone
Features: Monitors power, environmental conditions, and physical security within data centers.
Highlights: Focuses on energy efficiency and compliance with sustainability goals.
Features: Offers power monitoring, rack management, and capacity planning.
Highlights: Vendor-neutral tool with a focus on power and environmental monitoring.
7. Device42
Features: Asset management, dependency mapping, and auto-discovery of devices in the data center.
Highlights: Integrates with ITSM and orchestration tools for dynamic data center environments.
8. FNT Command
Features: Offers full lifecycle management for assets, connectivity, and capacity planning.
Highlights: Focuses on optimizing utilization of resources and streamlining operations.
9. OpenDCIM
Features: Open-source DCIM tool for basic asset tracking, power monitoring, and capacity planning.
Highlights: Free and customizable, though it may lack advanced features compared to commercial solutions.
10. ABB Ability Data Center Automation
Features: Includes monitoring, predictive analytics, and automation tools for data center operations.
Highlights: Focuses on energy management and operational efficiency.
11. Cisco UCS Manager
Features: Designed for managing Cisco Unified Computing Systems, including servers, storage, and networking.
Highlights: Strong integration with Cisco hardware but specific to Cisco environments.
12. IBM Data Center Infrastructure Management
Features: Monitors and analyzes power usage, cooling, and environmental factors.
Highlights: Provides insights into energy efficiency and sustainability.
13. Rackwise DCiM
Features: Manages assets, capacity, and energy usage in data centers.
Highlights: Focuses on reducing operational costs and improving uptime.
14. APC InfraStruxure
Features: Monitors power, cooling, and environmental factors in data centers.
Highlights: Seamless integration with APC hardware and focus on energy efficiency.
15. Zabbix (Extended for DCIM Use Cases)
Features: Open-source tool typically used for network and server monitoring, but can be extended for DCIM needs.
Highlights: Highly customizable and scalable, but requires manual configuration for DCIM-specific tasks.
Key Selection Criteria for DCIM Tools:
When choosing a DCIM tool, consider the following:
– Scalability: Can it handle large, distributed environments?
– Integration: Does it integrate with other tools (e.g., ITSM, CMDB, virtualization platforms)?
– Ease of Use: Is the interface user-friendly, and does it simplify complex operations?
– Vendor Neutrality: Does it support multi-vendor environments?
– Cost: Is the tool cost-effective, given your data center’s needs?
– Features: Does it meet your requirements for power, cooling, asset management, and environmental monitoring?
Each tool has its strengths, so evaluate based on your specific data center requirements and goals.
