Auto-discovery is the process of automatically searching for and identifying data center assets, IT and facility infrastructure, and their associated information via standards-based protocols over a network.
While having a process that automatically populates a comprehensive database is desirable, there are many reasons why auto-discovery fails to fully meet this need.
Why Auto-Discovery is Not Enough
Contrary to popular belief, auto-discovery is not the solution to populating your asset database, because:
- Some important data is simply not discoverable. This includes rack-level network patching, rack-level power connectivity to rack PDUs, structured cabling, asset locations, asset images, asset dimensions, asset weight, environment sensor locations, bus drops and below-the-floor outlets locations, rack PDU outlets, equipment prices, equipment owners or customers, and warranty details of equipment.
- Human error, inaccuracies, and the inability to poll for specific information often means that manual updates and management is needed.
- Many data center professionals face strong opposition from their internal networking team to run a blind poll across these protocols on their network to collect data.
- You cannot be confident that you’ve achieved high success in the discovery of all assets in each cabinet. Anything less than 100% will require manual effort to close the gap.
Accurate Data Center Asset Management with DCIM Software
Data center managers need to manage and monitor all the IT and facility equipment within the data center. The asset database is the centralized information warehouse for details about this equipment. Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software provides centralized access and visualization for this data, including the ability to quickly identify what assets are in place, where they are located, and their independence. With DCIM software, you can assess physical space availability and capacity requirements, visualize the full power and network chain and it’s capacity, identify where to make a move, add, or change, ensure power and cooling availability, and identify trouble spots for fast restoration.
Accurate, up-to-date information regarding infrastructure assets and their interdependencies is critical for ongoing data center asset management. Auto-discovery should be considered just the first step in populating the asset database.
Want to see how Sunbird’s world-leading DCIM software makes it easy for you to track and manage all your assets? Get your free test drive now!