Protecting Your Data at Each Step of the Networking Path

By Bill Manning, VP of Global Business Power Solutions for APC by Schneider Electric

As a critical component to everyday functions, data is the lifeblood of every business no matter how big or small. As the amount of business critical data grows, the importance of data availability surges – businesses simply cannot afford to lose precious data due to instances of downtime. As a result, the uptime of the physical IT infrastructure that supports the flow of data becomes increasingly relied upon.

While large enterprises have the infrastructure and resources needed to build intricate server rooms to protect and house their data, many SMB’s may not have the money and/or the manpower to properly manage and protect their data infrastructure. Server rooms and branch offices are typically unorganized, unsecure, hot, unmonitored and space constrained. And in many instances, IT deployments can happen on the office floor! Having an unruly and unsafe IT environment can lead to significant business downtime, resulting in financial loss for the organization.

To ensure an organization has a safe and dependable IT environment, SMBs need to protect their critical data at each step of the data networking path – from the computer and server to network router/switch, and to the cloud.

Resource-constrained SMB’s should consider these key steps to ensure their server rooms and network closets are organized for optimal performance:

– Step 1: Powering your IT infrastructure – Simply plugging your IT equipment into the wall is not enough; powering sensitive and critical IT equipment such as a server and network router/switch requires uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to prevent damage or data loss in the event of a power outage. UPSs provide critical battery backup power, keeping equipment running in the event of a power outage and can also mitigate any power disturbances (such as sags and surges) that may affect the quality of the power being distributed to the IT equipment. IT managers would also do well to ensure appropriate power distribution, of which there are two basic methods: plugging IT gear into the receptacles on the back of the UPS or using a rack power distribution unit (rack PDU with UPS) which is fitted with multiple outputs designed to distribute electric power evenly throughout the system.

– Step 2: Keeping power and networking cables in line – Managing power and networking cables shouldn’t be a guessing game. A proper cable management system helps to maintain proper air and cooling flow to IT equipment, reduces troubleshooting time, keeps the space clean and organized and minimizes potential human error (i.e., unplugging the wrong wires or crossing lines).

– Step 3: Cooling – Once the IT equipment is powered and running, proper cooling methods must be in place to prevent IT equipment failures caused by high temperatures and overheating. For SMBs, there are multiple cooling options available. Depending on the server room’s location and the amount of IT equipment within the environment, the office building’s air conditioning system may suffice, or a dedicated cooling solution, such as passive ventilation in which heat can flow into cooler air through a vent, fan-assisted ventilation, or a specific dedicated air conditioning unit for the IT space, can be used.

– Step 4: Organizing IT equipment with enclosures –A well-designed rack enclosure allows for more availability, keeps your equipment and cables organized and allows for effective cooling and power distribution.

– Step 5: Physical security and protection – Human error is the biggest threat to and cause of IT downtime. Therefore, it is important that server rooms and networking closets have mechanisms in place that allow only authorized personnel access to the IT equipment. Installing security cameras and sensors that detect smoke, temperature, humidity and movement can also help to prevent environmental mishaps and unauthorized use of IT equipment. 

– Step 6: Remote monitoring – Remote wiring closets and server rooms can be the bane of an IT pro’s existence. When something goes wrong and the usual network and server management systems cannot point to the culprit, IT is left trying to determine the source of the problem with limited tools at their disposal. UPSs with network management functionality and environmental monitoring systems of IT equipment are valuable for SMBs that do not have a local IT person onsite to monitor and directly address issues. Remote monitoring systems provide IT admins with alerts regarding the status of UPS systems (low or non-functioning battery) and environmental events such as high temperatures, humidity, etc. allowing them to quickly begin the troubleshooting process from any location.

– Step 7: Computer protection – When the data networking path is protected and secured, SMBs can operate their business effectively, but the need to protect the IT environment shouldn’t stop at the server room. Computers should be secured as well. Using a surge protector and battery backup can protect a computer and its data when downtime or a power outage is unavoidable.

– Step 8: Journeying into the cloud – For the resource and space constrained SMB, cloud services are an attractive option for storing and moving applications and data, as it can also add an additional layer of protection against data corruption caused by power issues. However, when using cloud services, protecting the data network becomes increasingly important, ensuring continued access to cloud-hosted data and applications.

Data is at the center of business processes and functions, and thus, a chaotic IT environment can be dangerous to the business. By taking practical steps to improve the IT space, businesses can ensure their data networking path is protected and secured.  

Bill Manning is Vice President of Global Business Power Solutions for APC by Schneider Electric.  He is responsible for new offer design, development, and go-to-market strategies for single phase server and network Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) solutions, with annual revenues of over $1 billion, focusing on providing availability of business critical applications.  Bill has been with APC and Schneider Electric for 17 years and has held various engineering management and director positions with responsibility for technical direction and offer creation of single phase UPS solutions. Prior to joining APC, he held design engineering leadership and program management positions at Texas Instruments.  Bill holds 10 U.S. patents and received his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University and Northeastern University, respectively.