Data Center Software: Data Network Functionality

Data networks—systems that use transmission lines, data switching, and system controls to transfer data between different access points—are at the heart of data center operations. To make it easier to manage more aspects of data center operations under one platform, our data center software suite includes mapping functionality for the design and management of data center network assets and data connectivity. This blog describes our data center software’s data network functionality, highlighting the main benefits and a few key features we think our readers will find helpful.

Figure 1. Cadence data center software's IT deployment traffic light system shows availability for data network connections

Data Network Functionality: Benefits

Cadence data center software’s data network functionality supports the design and management of the network assets and their connectivity by empowering operators with a full virtual picture of the data center’s network routes and connections. This functionality allows users to build and import data network connections between a variety of network ports, such as patch panels, servers, storage units, switches, firewalls, routers, and enclosures with copper or fiber definition.

A range of dialogs and flowcharts help software users visualize connections within their network. Users can add multiple networks, such as production or testing, and assign port connections to them.

The software’s data network functionality helps operators:

• Improve their capacity planning process with clear visibility into data network connectivity, port availability, and capacity bottlenecks
• Visualize data network capacity with an easy-to-use interface and a range of result plots
• Manage more aspects of data center operations under one platform
• Gain insight into existing and available capacity on each network, including available patching connections inside each cabinet

Figure 2. Plot for patching copper ports used

Users can also assign network assets to any user-defined network, view intuitive visual representation of network routes, assess current data network connectivity on a logical level, streamline server and switch port allocation planning, and integrate with existing data network external tools as desired.

Data Network Functionality: Specific Features

Software users can see all data network connections to and from a selected IT equipment object by using the intuitive flow chart view. Data network connections can be created or edited on the property sheet of the relevant object. When looking for connectivity to a network switch on a particular network, software users can automatically search through the structured cabling to identify available switches in any connected cabinet.

Figure 3. Device connections displayed in a data network flow chart view

Software users can easily import and export data network connections as a CSV file. The software gives users the option to import and export either structured connections (between two patch panels) or device-to-device connections (between servers, switches, and routers).

Figure 4. Structured cabling view

Figure 5. Device-to-device data network connections

Plots of the patch panel, port availability, copper, and fiber can be displayed on cabinets or on individual IT equipment within the software. Users can then quickly identify available ports on a specific network.

Figure 6. Plot for production available fiber ports

Manage More Aspects of Data Center Operations Under One Platform

The data network functionality is a great example of how we continually build out our data center software suite to manage more aspects of data center operations under one platform. Fill out our free trial form to get the conversation started on how this functionality (and other key features!) could work in your own operations setup.