Cross-Connect Blog

Evaluating a PDU Technology? Would Saving Thousands on Deployment Costs Help Decide?

November 28, 2017


An increasing challenge for many data center managers or facility owners is making the tough decision to specify and purchase networking equipment for their unique business needs. In addition to the cost of equipment, the cost of additional network ports and IP addresses must be considered. Buy-in from multiple departments and business drivers—like budget—add a layer of complexity to choosing and justifying which vendor or product to select. When you have a visual aid, a way to see your thousands of dollars in cost savings down to the network port in each cabinet, it may help streamline the decision.

Now, users can easily understand their cost savings when selecting Chatsworth Products’ (CPI) eConnect® Power Distribution Units (PDUs) by utilizing the eConnect Secure Array Savings Estimator, an online savings calculator.

The below is an example of how the Estimator works. By allowing users to input their own data center attributes—in this case 16 total cabinets at a cost of $150.00—the difference between using traditional networking and Secure Array quickly becomes evident. When extra features like Environmental Monitoring and Electric Locks have been added to the cabinet, the savings grows. With traditional networking, 64 ports will be needed at a total cost of $9,600. With Secure Array, just two ports will be needed at a cost of $300.00. The total savings with Secure Array totals $9,300.00. 

Example 1: Save $9,300 on IP addresses for 16 cabinets

Save $9,300 in this example 

Example 2: Save $28,800 on IP addresses for 50 cabinets

Save $28,800 in this example


What is Secure Array IP Consolidation? 

 

Secure Array IP Consolidation, an award-winning eConnect PDU feature, enables users to link up to 32 PDUs under a single IP address using standard Ethernet cables, reducing installation time and costs. Additional features include outlet grouping, data logging, threshold alarms and PDU cloning. 

Because eConnect PDUs seamlessly integrate with environmental monitoring and eConnect Electronic Access Control (EAC), 16 cabinets can be fully networked using only two connections instead of traditional deployments that require up to four network connections per cabinet. The online calculator demonstrates this substantial cost benefit.

If further justification or buy-in is necessary, or to share the information, you can view, email, or export the report. It is available in English and Spanish. 

To uncover your true savings potential, check out the eConnect Secure Array Savings Estimator today.

Brittany Mangan, Digital Content Specialist

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