Schneider Electric, Intel integrate DCIM, KVM for improved data center server access

Schneider Electric has introduced what it claims is the first data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software that provides server access without the need for additional hardware. The new product module for Schneider's StruxureWare Data Center Operation is the result of leveraging Intel's Virtual Gateway technology to provide full server lifecycle access and power cycling for remote management.

“Virtual Gateway is an extension of Intel’s Data Center Manager (DCM) software, and provides important technological advances for our middleware,” says Jeff Klaus, general manager of Intel Data Center Solutions. “The joint effort with Schneider Electric broadens the use of our technology and will help data centers eliminate unnecessary hardware spend.”

In combining DCIM and software KVM technology, Schneider Electric says its StruxureWare Data Center Operation: Server Access allows IT managers, data center managers/operators and facility managers to launch, manage, troubleshoot and control servers directly from the DCIM software, providing a comprehensive “single pane of glass” solution from the facility down to the server level, including a physical model for the location of servers, which enables identification of potential issues such as power or cooling impact.

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KVM (keyboard video mouse) switches provide remote access to servers, and can control multiple servers. However, by utilizing software KVM technology and eliminating the need for hardware, Server Access can reduce technology costs by up to 50 percent.

“By partnering with Intel to provide an integrated software KVM and DCIM approach for managing the data center, we’re continuing to bridge the gap between IT and facilities,” comments Soeren Jensen, vice president of Enterprise Management and Software for Schneider Electric. “As the first DCIM vendor to offer software-only server access capabilities, we view Server Access as an important component to improving energy efficiency in data centers and facilities.”

“Intel and Schneider Electric are bridging facilities and IT by offering vKVM [virtual keyboard video mouse] and DCIM in one integrated product suite,” asserts Jennifer Koppy, research manager for IDC's Datacenter Trends & Strategies team. She adds, “Virtualization and cloud computing disaggregate IT from physical systems and make adding new workloads as easy as deploying a virtual machine. The connection between facilities and IT is critical because these new workloads affect power, cooling and connectivity, and have an overall impact on efficiency and capacity.”

Data Center Operation: Server Access will be available as a part of Schneider Electric's StruxureWare for Data Centers platform as of August 30, 2013. More information is available here.