< Previouswww.networkseuropemagazine.com data in demand 20 By Brian Johnson Global Data Centre Leader ABB The word ‘unprecedented’ has been used a lot in 2020. It is particularly true when it comes to the growth in demand we have witnessed for data. A recent report from OpenVault showed that data usage increased by almost 50 percent by the end of Q1 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019, largely driven by an exponential increase in demand for content delivery in entertainment, education and commerce. Making every watt count Although data centres have managed to keep their collective power demand at about two percent of the world’s electricity use (according to the United States Data Centre Energy Usage Report), their energy consumption will grow exponentially as computationally intensive applications, such as video on demand, autonomous vehicles and advanced 5G technology gain wider popularity. To manage these challenges, data centres will need to implement every possible strategy to maximise energy efficiency. To keep emissions to a minimum, ABB is committed to helping data centre operators make every watt count. Key to this is the exploitation of some fairly simple techniques, such as running data centres at higher temperatures, using virtualisation to cut down on the number of underutilised servers, improving the efficiency of modern UPS, and the use of frequency drives vs dampers to control fan loads. More efficient infrastructure Other factors have contributed to keeping data centre power demand in check. For instance, servers, storage devices and infrastructures have become steadily more efficient. The industry has also benefited from the trend toward larger and more efficient cloud and hyperscale centres. The latter, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), consume proportionally much less energy for cooling compared to smaller data centres and represent a steadily growing proportion of all data traffic. However, striving for the ultra-high efficiencies found at the state-of-the-art data centres of large web-based companies is usually not technically or economically feasible. For them, every watt really does count. Key actions for 2021 As we head into 2021, what are the short-term, tactical actions that can provide immediate benefit, yielding significant energy savings in total power usage and cost for data centre operators? Data in Demand – what does this mean for sustainability? As we look ahead to 2021, changes to the way we live, work and socialise are set to continue. With greater connectivity brought about by advances in 5G, including the launch of new 5G compatible devices like the iPhone 12, and greater use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, what does this mean for one of the biggest challenges facing the data centre industry – sustainability? data in demand www.networkseuropemagazine.com 21data in demand www.networkseuropemagazine.com 22 Minimising idle IT equipment IT equipment is usually very lightly used relative to its capacity. However, whenever this equipment is idle, it still consumes a significant proportion of the power it would draw at maximum utilisation. One approach to dealing with this is distributed computing, which links computers to work together as if they were a single machine. Scaling up the number of data centres that work together increases their processing power, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for separate facilities for specific applications. Virtualisation of servers and storage Virtualisation can bring great benefits for most data centres, dramatically improving hardware utilisation and enabling a reduction in the number of power-consuming servers and storage devices. It can also improve server use from an average of 10 to 20 percent to at least 50 to 60 percent. Consolidating servers, storage, and data centres At the server level, blade servers can really help drive consolidation as they provide more processing output per unit of power consumed. Consolidating storage provides another opportunity. Since larger disk drives are more energy efficient, consolidating storage improves memory utilisation while reducing power consumption. Finally, if underutilised data centres can be consolidated in one location, operators can reap vast savings by sharing cooling and back-up systems to support loads. Managing CPU power usage More than 50 percent of the power required to run a server is used by its central processing unit (CPU). Most CPUs have power management features that optimise power consumption by dynamically switching among multiple performance states based on utilisation. By dynamically ratcheting down processor voltage and frequency outside of peak performance tasks, the CPU can minimise energy waste. Distributing power at different voltages To adhere to global standards, virtually all IT equipment is designed to work with input power voltages ranging from 100V to 240V AC. The data in demand www.networkseuropemagazine.com 23 higher the voltage, the more efficient the unit. By operating a UPS at 240/415V three-phase four-wire output power, a server can be fed directly, and an incremental two percent reduction in facility energy can be achieved. To more efficiently distribute the megawatts of power required in a larger colocation or cloud data centre, some customers are even considering moving to Medium-Voltage (MV) for their UPS systems. As a result, where formerly MV UPS was an industrial-only application, advances in this technology, including ABB’s PCS 120 – ITIC compliant product, means that MV UPS is now being used in data centres. Adopt best cooling practices The cooling system of a data centre contributes as much as 30 to 60 percent of its utility bill. Traditional air-cooling systems have proven very effective at maintaining a safe, controlled environment at rack densities of two kW to three kW per rack, all the way to 25 kW per rack. But operators are now aspiring to create an environment that can support densities in excess of 30-50 kW, a level at which air-cooling systems are no longer effective. In these cases, alternate cooling systems such as rear door heat exchangers or liquid cooling may provide a solution. Plugging into the smart grid Smart grids enable two-way energy and information flow to create an automated and distributed power delivery network. Data centre operators can not only draw clean power from the grid, they can also install renewable power generators at a facility to become an occasional power supplier. Conclusion As a result of our ever-increasing thirst for data, 2020 has seen a real maturing of the data centre landscape. It has grown from an ‘IT support system’ to an on-demand scalable service, a true mission-critical industry that enables economies to keep working and families to stay connected. However, this increase in connectivity will inevitably bring new challenges to manage our impact on our planet. By adopting a focused approach, and investing in the most effective technologies, data centre operators can make the most of the opportunities this new ‘decade of data’ will bring and make every watt count. nwww.networkseuropemagazine.com smart workplaces 24 Connectivity and addressing the need for smart workplaces Nick Sacke Head of IoT and Products Comms365 The working office environment may well be transforming. The transition to remote and flexible working has been a gradual process for many over the years, with some business leaders not fully convinced of the productivity and performance levels achievable by employees working from home. www.networkseuropemagazine.com 25 smart workplaces 25 Yet all that changed overnight as lockdown measures were enforced by the government to safeguard the population against Covid-19. Businesses were left with two choices – cease operations or support employees to get up and running from home where possible. But as lockdown measures are eased, what will the future working environment look like for office workers? A combination of remote and office-based working will likely be how we work, but what do business leaders need to consider in order to get employees working to their full potential within flexible office setups? Connectivity and collaboration hold the key. Smarter and more flexible working environments Research during the pandemic shows that more than 39% of adults in employment are now working from home compared to around 12% last year, and two-thirds (63%) of workers said they are open to working from home full time and never going back to the physical office permanently once ‘normality’ resumes. We’ve heard a lot about the ‘new normal’ in recent weeks and how many elements of daily life will be different. It’s safe to say that this will affect the working office environment too, with remote working becoming a permanent feature even once lockdown ends. Businesses are already thinking about how they can roll out a more flexible setup, considering new operational procedures around the management of desk space once some workers return to the office. The concept of ‘hot- desking’ will definitely change, for example, as additional sanitisation will be required for the next user along with appropriate record keeping. The silver lining is that the additional cleaning may reduce and eradicate other bugs and continuity: addressing the need for smart workplacessmart workplaces www.networkseuropemagazine.com 26 and viruses that circulate in office environments. For shared office space, the automation of shared touch- points such as door handles, elevators and sanitary systems is a straightforward way to limit cross-contamination. Use of voice-activated system technology that we already use in our smart speakers at home will be a fundamental element of design to avoid touching common surfaces. Installing new materials for regular touchpoints with properties that interfere with virus reproduction, such as copper (which researchers say kills viruses such as MERS and H1N1 in minutes) could also become commonplace. Technology can also be used to monitor hand soap and sanitiser bottle fill levels, monitor and alarm the mandatory two-metre distance between people via infrared beams, and analyse movement around the office and density in recreational areas by thermal imaging camera systems. Using AI algorithms, the technology can alert when gatherings of too many people are occurring in one place, enabling measures to be taken earlier to restrict numbers and disperse groups. This can also extend to wearable devices that alert the user based on proximity to and time with other individuals. Specialist equipment is also being deployed to take temperature readings of employees and visitors to detect high temperatures, which is a key sign of being positive for Covid-19. Room sensors could be deployed in offices to measure humidity and temperature levels and send alerts when best conditions for virus multiplication are being reached, so that evasive steps can be taken. As government app-based ‘track and trace’ tools start to roll out, initiatives such as these will start to become part of the day to day routine for the entire population. Contact tracing applications that inform us and others about potential exposure to infected persons and monitor how long people are together will be vital to protecting people’s health and wellbeing. Particularly so as lockdown measures ease and everyone starts mixing and interacting with other people outside of their usual ‘bubbles’. Those working in bedrooms or on dining tables will be able to do so temporarily, but it’s not feasible for the long term. Some employees will be used to working from home and others won’t. Remote productivity As the home becomes an extension to the office, there must be separate infrastructure, connectivity and optimisation of the living space for health, for productivity and professionalism. Those working in bedrooms or on dining tables will be able to do so temporarily, but it’s not feasible for the long term. Some employees will be used to working from home and others won’t. Especially with the orchestration of video conferencing and having to learn how to behave on camera, some prefer the culture and interaction that only a live office setting can provide. One of the primary goals for every business is to achieve optimum productivity levels, so with a distributed workforce, business leaders want to be sure that productivity, performance and outputs won’t take a hit. Technology can be deployed to review productivity levels. For example, many call centres already have monitoring technology which reviews how quickly they can pick up and resolve a call, as well as the actions taken during the conversation. Similar technology could be applied across other performance metrics, including measuring the quality and reliability of internet connectivity, which affects our use of cloud applications and collaboration. Unified communication and collaboration (UC&C) tools have also become an essential asset for workers to maintain productivity during the crisis and will continue to be an integral component of the new business environment. Employees need streamlined communication and collaboration systems to perform their roles to an optimum level. A shared digital collaborative space where users can assign tasks, participate in discussions and provide updates is the catalyst for productivity, especially in the absence of a shared office environment. smart workplaces www.networkseuropemagazine.com 27 Connectivity supports business continuity This recent huge spike in remote collaboration technology usage by a legion of remote workers has proven to stress broadband networks and impact application performance. These networks at home and in branches will need to be strengthened by additional connectivity/resilience options to ensure optimised user experience, business continuity and to underpin productivity. With excess pressure placed on home broadband networks due to the increased volume of home working, reliable access to corporate networks and cloud applications has been challenging for many. From WiFi extenders to hardware and software able to prioritise important corporate network traffic, adjustments and upgrades may need to be implemented in order for businesses to maintain business as usual. This is where 4G data services can add a reliable and cost-effective backup and alternative connectivity option, or even primary access where fixed-line options aren't available. With supplementary connectivity resources for resilience and network control through using business- grade 4G incorporating quality of service (QoS) techniques, business traffic can be separated from consumer streams such as Facebook and YouTube, giving it the priority that it requires. Performance of the Internet connection can also be enhanced by combining multiple connections, including both fixed-line and mobile data. Optimisation of the home workplace in terms of connectivity such as this, is essential and easily achieved. Despite home networking challenges, 4G data technology has proved itself capable of supporting workforces, customers and operational processes. And as some start returning to company offices, the technology will continue to support businesses, enabling companies to scale and employ flexible workforces in new regions – both nationally and internationally. Many businesses are looking forward to opening up their offices again and getting back to as close to ‘business as usual’, as possible. Clearly, with the impacts of Covid-19 set to remain for some time, employers need to put in place a number of new initiatives and processes to maintain their duty of care and maintain productivity, without impacting their operations. The combination of remote and office- based working will become the way we work, but with the right connectivity setup and collaboration tools in place, firms can maintain productivity and safeguard business operations in order to thrive, even in the likely event of a future health crisis. nCorporate IT infrastructure has become incredibly complex. The intricacy brought about by digitalisation in recent years has now been exacerbated by the pandemic and its impact on society – think of the enormous spike in online services, remote workers, virtual collaboration and connected devices, with all the challenges they create. This is naturally reflected in the cybersecurity threatscape. Even pre-COVID, businesses were battling fiercer attacks on their environments making it increasingly difficult to protect, and the current circumstances certainly haven’t made things easier. Risks, however, don’t simply revolve around devices and security solutions. There’s another important element to keeping hackers out, and it’s ensuring employees are familiar with potential security threats and on board with recommended processes to help thwart them. human factors in cybersecurity www.networkseuropemagazine.com 28 Adrian Rowley Senior Director Sales Engineering EMEA GigamonWhy the human factor matters in cybersecurity – and how to deal with it human factors in cybersecurity www.networkseuropemagazine.com 29Next >