Automated Infrastructure Management (AIM) Presented by Michael Fronte, P.E., RCDD

Transcription

1 Automated Infrastructure Management (AIM) Presented by Michael Fronte, P.E., RCDD

2 Justifying AIM Goals Scope of AIM Understanding active versus passive systems Defining needs versus wants Identifying true costs Decision maker(s) criteria Qualifying an AIM system provider Respecting standards and processes

3 Justifying AIM Cabling inventory by location Physical plant loss Repair downtime MACs Reports staff and vendor management Disaster recovery Cost Savings $$$

4 Justifying AIM Page Two Monitor activities Manage physical layer activities Protect assets Network hardware Intellectual property Difficult and complicated to implement? Management efficiencies and security capabilities

5 Justifying AIM Page Three 28% of downtime in data centers is due to change and human error 1 Every hour of downtime costs $100K 2 49% of Fortune 1000 IT managers listed reducing costs as a top priority Symantec Survey 2 - mvalent 2008 Market Survey

6 Scope of AIM Scalable From a data center To a multi-story building To a campus To a global network

7 AIM Manufacturers/Suppliers The following is a short list of manufacturers/ suppliers offering passive and/or active AIM systems: dctracks by Raritan imvision (ipatch) by CommScope/Systemax itracs with OEM partners Nexans, Siemon & TE Net Docs by Brady RIT There are many other fine options available

8 Industry Standards Standards-based design ANSI/TIA-606-B Administration Standard for Commercial Telecommunications Infrastructure ISO/IEC TR :2011 Information technology -- Implementation and operation of customer premises cabling -- Part 2-1: Planning and installation ti - Identifiers within administration systems

9 Industry Standards Page Two ANSI/TIA-606-B requires four classes of system administration: Class 1: Single building with one TR Class 2: Single building with multiple TRs Class 3: Campus with OSP Class 4: Multiple campuses Clearly, different classes require varied degrees of documentation.

10 Regulatory Considerations Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) New or enhanced standards for publically traded firms and public accounting firms Top management must individually certify the accuracy of financial information More severe penalties for fraud Increased independence of outside auditors Increased oversight role of board of directions Source: p

11 Regulatory Considerations Page Two HIPAA Protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information Sets national standards for the protection of electronic protected health information Security rules specify administrative, i i physical and technical safeguards Source:

12 Common Active and Passive Define spaces Software Attributes By nation, state, county, town, address, floor, room #, rack/cabinet, etc. You decide! Like setting-up file folders on your computer Place termination hardware in spaces Patch panels and WAOs Connect the dots! Build backbone and horizontal cabling between the termination hardware

13 Common Active and Passive Software Attributes Page Two Place IT equipment Racks/cabinets WAOs Patch from termination HW to equipment. End-to-end trace functionality. Standard libraries- cabling and equipment. B lkl di h i f il bl b ilt Bulk loading mechanism for available as-built information. Save on implementation costs!

14 Common Active and Passive Software Attributes Page Three MACs Extra modules Space Power Cooling etc. Photo Source:

15 Topology Interconnect Patching directly from active network hardware to passive AIM

16 Cross-connect Topology Page Two Permanent patching from active network RF9 hardware to passive AIM Pthi Patching from passive AIMt to passive AIM

17 Slide 16 RF9 Suggest adding an cross-connect image Rob Faber, 3/5/2013

18 Topology Page Three AIM active electronics Master Distribution Source:

19 Passive System Sample Screen Shot Source: p// / y / / / /gp

20 Bulk Loading Sample Template WAOs

21 Active System Characteristics Include hardware Special patch panels for some systems Controllers for monitoring Patch cords 8 or 9 conductor twisted-pair Similar for fiber

22 Active System Characteristics Page Two Allow for real time monitoring of any cabling, patching, hardware changes Especially good for remote locations Some have partners OEM Business Technology Utilize standard networking discovery tools

23 Active System Sample Screen Shot Source: com/solutions/

24 Needs Versus Wants What is the minimum desired functionality? What would be nice to have? What is unnecessary/undesired? Budget is always a factor Everything costs something to implement to maintain Can additional desired features be purchased in another module at a later date?

25 True Costs AIM software and/or hardware AIM training for staff, vendors, etc. AIM server and possible workstation upgrades Related software AutoCad Visio etc.

26 True Costs Page Two IMPLEMENTATION!!! Discovery Do we have up-to-date as-built information such as drawings, pull schedules, equipment lists by location, etc.? Do we need to perform a complete inventory? Does the software have import functionality drawings cabling infrastructure equipment spreadsheets

27 True Costs Page Three IMPLEMENTATION!!! Does the client s staff have the bandwidth (time) to implement the new AIM Does this work need to be outsourced? If outsourced: By AIM supplier By independent d party

28 True Costs Page Four Recurring AIM supplier annual support contracts Train new employees, vendors, etc. Related software upgrades MACs In-house or outsourced?

29 Convincing the Decision Maker(s) Focus on one aspect or a limited number capabilities of the AIM, Cabling connectivity IT room equipment Focus on the needs Address the nice-to- haves H f ll ddi i l f /f i li Hopefully, additional features/functionality can be utilized at a later date

30 Convincing the Decision Maker(s) Page Two Be careful about trying to convince too many client groups/departments about all of the robust capabilities of the AIM!!!!! Turf wars This is how we ve always done it here. Big Brother will be watching. We do not have the staff to support that. Our group uses another product for our UPSs, CRACs, AHUs, CFD, etc. Let them see how well the AIM works for a limited number of applications so they consider it!

31 Qualifying an AIM Provider Product robustness Offerings suitability References Financial stability Staff Implementation support On-going support/updates/patches Service contracts Value: You get what you pay for!

32 Standards and Processes Absolutely l vital to any successful AIM implementation and on-going operation! Require the unwavering support of all lllevels l of management. E ti d l t i t t / h tb Exceptions and last minute requests/changes must be justified to and approved by high level management.

33 Standards and Processes Page Two Absolutely vital to any successful AIM implementation ti and on-going operation! The exception cannot be the rule, and the rule cannot be the exception. Potential negative impact on: quality, Efficiency/productivity, morale, good employee turnover, costs, etc.

34 Standards and Processes - Page Three Chaos equals cash for contractors, t consultants, service providers, etc. Need the commitment of all team members. All members of all teams should participate in their creation/modification. Living and breathing documents. Train and recertify all stakeholders.

35 Standards and Processes - Page Four Enjoy the benefits! Quality Efficiency Less stress Lower employee turnover

36 Special Thanks! We would like to extend our special thanks to Bob Faber of fsnake Tray for assisting with the preparation of this presentation and for the opportunity to share this information within the BICSI community. Bob s contact information is: Bob Faber Snake Tray Director of Business Development BICSI Assistant Northeast Region Director Cell Office Fax Toll Free

37 Contact Information For additional information, please contact: