Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure: Optimizing Business Value

Netw ork-Critical
Physical Infrastructure: Optimizing Business
Value

By Wendy Torell
White Paper #117


Executive Summary
To stay competitive in today's rapidly changing business world, companies must update
the way they view the value of their investment in Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure
(NCPI). No longer are simply availability and upfront cost sufficient to make adequate
business decisions. Agility, or business flexibility, and low total cost of ownership have
become equally important to companies that will succeed in a changing global marketplace.
?2005 American Power Conversion. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used, reproduced, photocopied, transmitted, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright owner. www.apc.com Rev 2005-0 2Introduction
Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI) is the foundation upon which Information Technology (IT) and telecommunication networks reside. It is the "backbone" of the business, as its elements provide the power, cooling, physical housing, security, fire protection, and cabling which allow the Information Technology to function. Figure 1 illustrates these critical NCPI elements and their integration into a seamless end-to-end system supported by management systems and services. Viewing NCPI as a whole rather than as individual components is essential to designing and deploying an integrated, understandable system that performs as expected. When individual elements are purchased in isolation from other NCPI elements, the end result is typically a complex and unpredictable NCPI system made up of multiple vendors' products that haven't been designed to work together. Management becomes more complex because a variety of management systems must be used to provide visibility to the entire system, and multiple service contracts become necessary. Appendix A of this paper provides more detailed descriptions of each of these NCPI elements. Figure 1 - An integrated NCPI system
F aabling Se nidrc e C urity P go nw iN lNCCPPII o er o CRacks andPhysical Structure NCPI Elements are combined intoan integrated system Management Services Fire Cabling and Power Racks Securityand CoolingPhysicalStructure
?2005 American Power Conversion. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used, reproduced, photocopied, transmitted, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright owner. www.apc.com Rev 2005-0 3Most successful businesses today depend on a stable information technology platform. In order to maintain these IT business operations, four layers or building blocks must be present. Figure 2 illustrates this layered model and the importance of having an integrated NCPI system as a foundation to maintaining business functions. In addition to the NCPI, this includes the information technology and the processes and people to support the operation of these systems. The information technology includes data processing, storage, and communications systems, both hardware and software. Without appropriate planning and design of this technology, the network and ultimately the business cannot function. All processes for operating in this data center or IT environment must be clearly defined, well documented, and standardized in a simple manner for all users to comprehend. When such processes are not effectively implemented, inconsistencies in the operation and maintenance of systems are inevitable leading to unexpected downtime. It is also necessary to have the people to support the operations. This includes having the appropriate staffing level and the right level of skill and training. When proper planning for staffing levels and training / skill levels has not occurred, human error is inevitable. Figure 2 - NCPI is a critical layer of reliable IT business operations

Reliable IT BusinessOperations
?People With inadequate staffing level or skill set, business success becomes very difficult
Process ? The staff's success depends greatly on
having well defined, documented processes
Information Technology ? Proc... [download for more]