Active rack controller checks power and heat

An APW Enclosure Solutions product story

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Nov 5, 2003

To give the earliest possible indication of possible hardware issues in server cabinets, APW has introduced an all-new version of its ARC active rack controller.

These days, 99% of companies are unable to trade when their network is down.

And in a recent study, Cap Gemini Ernst and Young estimated that the cost of network downtime to major financial institutions such as banks could approach GBP 150,000 per minute.

So, whatever the size of company, network integrity is obviously a critical business parameter.

While most network outages are software initiated, hardware failures also make their unwelcome contribution.

To give the earliest possible indication of possible hardware issues in server cabinets, APW has introduced an all-new version of its ARC active rack controller, giving network managers in the financial sector, government, data centres, insurance and other high availability areas improved functionality, easier configuration, more functionality and closer integration with the host network.

The ARC is a slimline enclosure that can be mounted outside the panel area ("zero U") but it comes complete with a 19in rack-mount kit, giving the user the flexibility to place it almost anywhere in the cabinet.

The ARC is an intelligent controller.

It constantly monitors the cabinet's environment for vibration, temperature and humidity; it can detect power outages, unauthorised door openings or panel removals, log security keypad operations and even be linked to a PIR movement sensor monitoring the computer room and a smoke detector mounted in the rack.

On receipt of an alarm condition, it can be programmed automatically to switch ventilation fans on or off, to broadcast alerts to the network administrator and to control UPS and PSUs if required.

The ARC can be assigned an IP address so that it can be remotely interrogated over the web; it is also Telnet and SNMP enabled.

It has eight independent digital input ports, each with a 12V power source and four controllable outputs, two mains switching and two 12V 1A switching circuits.