RF Code introduces rack-level tracking solution for data centers managers
10 September, 2010
category: RFID
RF Code Inc. announced a new solution enabling data centers managers to track and manage assets down to the rack level, in both fully enclosed and open racks.
The new solution leverages infrared and RFID technology “localize” or pinpoint asset location in a specific rack. When coupled with the active RFID technology to track assets in large, dense metal environments, this automated infrared approach allows data centers to track assets down to the server level.
Data center managers can now know at all times exactly what rack houses exactly what server, even when servers move – for repair, for replacement, for load rebalancing or even because of theft.
The components of the solution installed in each rack include:
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A740 “peel and stick” control box locator, which emits a unique rack ID via infrared. It can be placed anywhere on or in the rack without having to take up too much space.
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IR enabled asset tags that easily attach to individual servers using the peel and stick method. These IR enabled asset tags receive the IR signal from the A740 and capturing the unique ID encoded in the infrared signal. It reads only transmissions sent by the IR emitters closest to the tag, which eliminates the possibility of a tag reading an IR signal that may be from an adjacent rack.
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The tag receives the rack ID, and transmits it, along with the unique ID of the individual server, to RF Code mounted active RFID readers. In a data center with open racks, a single reader can cover between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet. In a data center with enclosed racks, a single reader can cover 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. This means that in a 25,000 square foot data center, only 5 readers are needed.
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RF Code software – Zone Manager or Asset Manager – reads the stream of tag data containing the unique tag ID and corresponding infrared ID from the active RFID readers and determines the precise rack location of the asset tag.