Last Updated:
JLehr
When talking about data center capacity, we talk about power, space or cooling capacity.
You may experience one or more of these typical power, space or cooling capacity issues in your data center (see screenshot).
When you have modelled the data center in IT Advisor, use the add-on capacity management module to design to solve these issues.
IT Advisor: Capacity makes daily tasks significantly easier for you by applying advanced calculations on your design. The asset provisioning functionality will guide you to obtain the optimum data center design, such as suggesting the best location for your next equipment because of the right amount of free space, cooling, power, and redundancy available.
Note: Using the Capacity module requires a preconfigured and valid power path, including an upstream connection to one of these power sources:
- UPS
- Input breaker on a PDU/Power Panel (assuming it is connected to the mains supply)
How does ITA know what the available capacity is?
The system calculates how much capacity is used to guide you on how much capacity is available. This happens automatically and you don't need to set anything up for the system to provide you with guidance, other than modelling your power equipment in the system, including correct breaker values, and a valid power path.
In addition to the power information available in each rack (physical breaker limits), the system relies on the enabled power capacity strategy for calculating estimated load. Again, you don't need to set anything up, and in most cases, you can go with the default settings. However, an option to change strategy is available if you want to explore other options.
Power information on equipment in the racks
The available capacity is defined by the physical breaker limits on the rack PDUs and receptacles in the racks, and upstream limitations (UPS capacity), or you can choose to introduce additional design limit configurations if you like to plan capacity based on custom predefined values on racks and rack PDUs.
- Breaker size (derated capacity of the breakers in the power path)
- UPS capacity (upstream limitation)
- Design limits (on racks and rack PDUs)
Capacity strategies
See Understanding estimated load and how it is calculated
Where are the calculations used?
The system calculates power consumption for estimated load and reserves capacity for advanced setups, including failover load, PSU uncertainty, and distribution redundancy.
The tooltips provide an easy overview of power values relevant to your specific setup, showing the numbers and a graph (including phase balancing bars).
Examples of capacity calculations in various redundancy setups
These simple examples illustrate how the capacity is calculated in various redundancy setups.
Tooltip with capacity details
Capacity Management
Finding the best location for a new server
Tags
Cooling
Working with Capture Index
Designs with perforated tiles on a raised floor
Working with the 3D temperature map
Reports
Getting live data from external systems
Associating Live Data from an External System to the Layout
Impact Analysis on Virtual Machine Hosts
VMware integration enabling migration of virtual machines impacted by alarms
Locating virtual machines hosts with impact in the layout
IT Impact Simulation
Simulating impact
Configuring simulated impact layout
Filtering and finding equipment in simulated impact list
Exporting List View table
