Stoppages are not an option: as the backbone of the digital transformation, data centers have long been part of companies’ business-critical infrastructure. Data center managers need complete transparency on the status of the entire IT and OT infrastructure. Both areas must be equally dependable for data centers to remain efficient and available. At the same time, they also need to function without any compromises being made and while using as little energy as possible. And now, there is a new perspective: Rittal and Paessler are providing a solution that enables joint IT and OT monitoring.
Paessler and Rittal are simplifying the long-sought-after live and immediate overview of IT and OT; they are combining their Paessler PRTG and Rittal CMC III monitoring solutions in the context of the Paessler Uptime Alliance programme. This means that for the first time, users will be able to see what is going on with their IT and OT simultaneously with one powerful tool, and in the way they need it for their work: on a central dashboard for IT and data center OT, in individually configurable dash-boards or, for example, as a service-based management overview.
Security without any gaps in monitoring
A comprehensive view is called for, especially when it comes to monitoring security. Paessler PRTG integrates and monitors IT systems and helps detect failures in them very early on, an essential function in times of expanding IT environments. Failures due to physical risks of the OT also have to be prevented. A cable fire, a burst water pipe or even an open door must be detected straight away. Virtual protection is of little use if the data center is on fire or if the servers are under water. By connecting to the CMC III, PRTG users are aware of such occurrences instantly and are alerted about them when necessary.
Proven software and OT experience
“Paessler and Rittal, two companies that have established widely used standards are combining their solutions,” says Uwe Scharf, Managing Director Business Units and Marketing at Rittal: “Many IT administrators value PRTG as their standard daily IT tool, while their data center OT is built with Rittal OT solutions and monitoring. This has rapidly led to a large user base.” Moreover, Helmut Binder, CEO of Paessler AG adds: “Rittal is a good fit for Paessler and not just because of its OT’s reliability. By combining Paessler PRTG with Rittal consulting and components, customers gain a detailed overview of their data center energy consumption, allowing them to improve the entire system in terms of energy usage.”
With RiMatrix, Rittal has developed a flexible modular system for the fast and secure build-up of IT infrastruc-ture. It includes all supporting pillars such as rack, power, cooling, security and OT monitoring. The CMC III solution monitors all relevant physical environmental parameters, from humidity to vandalism. With RiZone, Rittal simplifies the integration of OT devices into a data center infrastruc-ture management system. Thus, the solution serves to optimize the utilization and availability of a data center as well.
PRTG from Paessler is one of the most widely used IT monitoring solutions worldwide; it is synonymous with ease of use, a practical range of functions, numerous interfaces and an ecosystem of partner solutions, all of which interact with PRTG to provide overarching and comprehensive solutions for a precise overview of the IT.
How do the OT parameters get into IT monitoring?
Paessler and Rittal have optimised the open interfaces. With just a few clicks, PRTG users can activate the function. CMC III infrastructure can be included in the central monitoring with the help of the predefined SNMP Rittal CMC III hardware status sensor in PRTG and the automatic network detection. Using the generic sensors in PRTG, the measurements from the sensors – and thus the entire data center environment – can be integrated into PRTG via several different protocols. Besides SNMP, ModbusTCP or OPC UA can also be used for this purpose.
The building floor plans or server enclosures can be mapped graphically and the devices and the associated measured values can be clearly displayed. In addition, QR codes generated in PRTG simplify the assignment of the measured values on site: The technician simply scans the QR code on the device and then sees the associated values, including their history, on their laptop or smartphone.
You can learn more about Paessler PRTG and Rittal IT infrastructure at Hannover Messe. Rittal: Hall 11, Booth E06; Paessler: Hall 5, Booth B29.