Virtual Data Center Inventory for IT Component Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of IT components in data centers increases, managing them becomes increasingly complex, necessitating a simplified approach to locate and track these components effectively.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a virtual representation of the data center, a mobile computing device scans identification markers to determine the location of target IT components, displaying a map that indicates the position of the markers and the components, facilitating the identification and tracking of IT components within the data center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of IT components in data centers increases, then the capacity and functionality of the data center improves, but the management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual representation (digital twin) of the physical data center layout. This virtual copy contains identical spatial information about IT components, racks, and infrastructure elements. By working with this simplified digital model rather than physically navigating the complex real-world data center, managers can locate components, plan maintenance, and navigate the facility more efficiently, thus resolving the contradiction between having many components and managing them effectively
2Quantity of substance
If the number of IT components in data centers increases, then the capacity and functionality of the data center improves, but the difficulty of locating components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces identification markers as intermediary objects placed on IT components and infrastructure elements. These markers serve as reference points that bridge the virtual representation and physical reality. When combined with the virtual data center model, these markers enable precise location tracking and facilitate easy navigation to specific components, solving the difficulty of locating items in large-scale data centers
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual representation serves as a digital copy of the physical data center layout, storing precise location information of all IT components. This copy can be queried and displayed on mobile devices to guide users to component locations, making it easier to detect and locate components even as the quantity of IT equipment increases
3Device complexity
If manual methods are used to locate IT components, then the equipment complexity is low, but the time required for location increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual data center representation stores pre-mapped location information of all IT components, allowing users to query and retrieve location data instantly through mobile devices. This eliminates the need for manual searching or physical navigation, significantly reducing location time while introducing minimal equipment complexity (mobile device with virtual model)
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual representation is created in advance with complete spatial mapping of the data center layout and all IT component locations. This preliminary digital mapping allows for instant query and location determination without requiring real-time manual measurement or search, thus reducing time required for location while keeping equipment simple
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method simplifies the management of data centers by enabling efficient location and tracking of IT components, improving navigation and maintenance processes within large-scale data center environments.
Implementation Method 1
scanning, by the mobile computing device, a first identification marker... scanning, by the mobile computing device, a second identification marker
Data Source
AI summary
Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for locating a target IT component in a data center. A first identification marker is scanned by a mobile computing device. A location of the first identification marker in the data center based on a virtual representation of the data center is determined by the mobile computing device. An identity of the target IT component is received. A location of the rack containing the target IT component in the data center based on the virtual representation of the data center is determined by the mobile computing device. A map of the data center, wherein the map of the data center includes first indicia of the location of the first identification marker and second indicia of the location of the rack containing the target IT component, is displayed by the mobile computing device.