The server, network, and storage equipment installed in the IT rack must operate flawlessly and efficiently. Therefore, every mission-critical 19-inch server rack should be continuously monitored by installing a suitable rack monitoring system and effectively protected against a wide range of risks and threats.

This example demonstrates how to reliably monitor a 19" server rack located in a computer room or server room. This efficient server rack monitoring solution consists of the following components:

• 1x Rack Monitoring System 500 II including 19" mounting bracket, IP temperature sensor, and GSM modem
• 1x IP temperature and humidity sensor
• 1x IP smoke sensor for detecting smoke and cable fires in the rack
• 1x IP water sensor for alerting to moisture and water leaks, condensation from the air conditioner, and a burst UPS battery
• 1x IP vibration sensor for alerting to shocks or forced opening of the server rack
• 5x magnetic contact sensors for monitoring the door, rear panel, top, and side panels of the 19" server rack
• 1x Airflow sensor for measuring and monitoring airflow/circulation to the server rack
• 1x Alarm siren including flashing light for visual and audible signaling when hazards are detected in the rack
• 1x USB video camera with day and night vision
• Fan unit for 19-inch server rack

Installing the rack monitoring system and the intelligent sensors is simple and presents no insurmountable obstacles, even for inexperienced users. German instructions can be found here in the technology portal. The manufacturer Didactum®'s hotline, located in Münster, is available to assist with any questions that may arise.

The rack monitoring solution described above monitors important physical environmental parameters, such as temperature, humidity, and air circulation, in real time. Relative humidity (RH) is often not monitored in server racks, so persistently high humidity can lead to corrosion and condensation damage to expensive server, network, and storage hardware. Conversely, excessively low humidity in the IT rack promotes electrostatic discharge (ESD) and can potentially damage sensitive hardware.

The measurement data collected by the rack monitoring system over days, weeks, and months forms the basis for audits, trend analyses, and checklists. Overheating, excessive heat, and potential hot spots become less of a concern with the implementation of a suitable server rack monitoring solution. At the same time, catastrophic events in the IT rack, such as smoldering fires or water damage, can be detected and reported early. Additionally, the physical security of the server rack is enhanced. If the server rack door is opened, the Rack Monitoring System 500 II detects this and immediately notifies the responsible personnel via email or SMS. Video images of the event can be sent directly to the IT manager's smartphone.

Forcible opening or removal of the side panels or rear panel of the server rack—a potential data theft on-site—will also not go unnoticed.

Should critical conditions or catastrophic events occur in the server rack and jeopardize the availability of the installed server, storage, or network systems, the Rack Monitoring System 500 II can perform automatic actions. If the maximum permissible temperature in the server rack is exceeded, the auxiliary fans are activated via a relay circuit to prevent impending blue screens or even potential heat-related failure of the often extremely expensive hardware. Warnings, notifications, and alarms are sent by the Rack Monitoring System via email and SMS. Built-in macro functions allow for individual customization of the alarm message content.

Simultaneously, on-site personnel are alerted to the critical condition of the server rack by a siren with a strobe light.

The rack monitoring system also offers an integrated alarm map function. Create a graphical representation of your server rack(s) using Microsoft Visio and upload the graphic to the 500 II monitoring device. Then, simply enter the sensor data into the alarm map. If a temperature sensor installed in the server rack measures a critical value, this condition will be displayed as a flashing indicator on the built-in alarm map.

Didactum® brand rack monitoring systems support all leading network management systems (NMS) such as check_MK, HP Network Node Manager, IBM Tivoli, OpenNMS, NAGIOS, Paessler PRTG, Solarwinds, WhatsUp Gold, Zabbix, and others. Thanks to the SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, and SNMPv3 support of the Rack Monitoring System 500 II, messages and alarms are transmitted to SNMP-compatible monitoring tools, DCIM, and network management software.

Monitor critical environmental factors in the server rack, such as current temperature, humidity, and cooling air supply, using your network or computer monitoring software. The integrated GSM modem in the Rack Monitoring System 500 II can also be used with NAGIOS, if desired.