Rittal’s “Smart Package” infrastructure platform

Special features of the Smart Package solution include a high level of scalability and the system’s high redundancy. The Smart Package platform starts with two TS IT racks.
Photo by RITTAL GmbH

At CeBIT 2016, for the first time, Rittal presented the “Smart Package” infrastructure platform for the rapid construction of a data centre for small and medium-sized enterprises. As one of Rittal’s partners, IBM is integrating this offer within its range of standardised data centre solutions.

The Rittal Smart Package gives customers a preconfigured component platform so that they can rapidly develop an IT environment. The platform consists of Rittal TS IT racks and modules adapted to the respective application for climate control, power distribution, UPS, fire protection, monitoring and access protection. The modules are available in different performance classes and can be combined to provide a rapidly deployable solution. This means that companies can have an operating data centre much faster. In addition, the perfectly co-ordinated modules ensure that the data centre has the highest possible operating efficiency.

The Smart Package infrastructure platform was integrated via IBM as standardised modular data centre solutions, which are available in sizes S – XXL. As a general contractor, IBM offers consulting, planning and implementation, right through to complete solutions. Customers receive a turnkey, scalable IT environment from a single source – standardised, optimised in terms of cost and yet tailored to their needs.

“Smart Package was developed by Rittal and is perfect for SMEs. IBM also deploys the solution for its own offerings based on the Scalable Modular Data Center. With our complete solution, we now have a unique product on the market; there really is nothing to compare it to. Thanks to the perfectly coordinated components and the supplementary services from IBM, it is now possible to construct and operate a data centre easier and faster than ever before”, says Marcus Fischbach, Rittal’s Director Business Development.

IBM exhibited the complete range of Scalable Modular Data Center offerings and other standardised data centre solutions at Rittal’s booth. IBM and Rittal highlighted their cooperation in the joint Lefdal Mine project in Norway, where a high-security data centre has been designed and is being built deep underground in a decommissioned mine.

Expanding IT quickly and easily

Smart Package can be employed as a platform in any IT environment; for example, the solution may supplement existing data centres or be installed in mobile containers. The concept is also ideal for companies seeking new locations or who want to add a modern IT environment quickly and simply to existing branches or subsidiaries.

Special features include a high level of scalability and the system’s high redundancy. The Smart Package platform starts with two TS IT racks. These are equipped with the new LCU DX (Liquid Cooling Unit Direct Expansion) cooling solution first shown at CeBIT. The inverter-controlled split cooling unit is mounted inside the IT enclosure and connected via a cable to a condenser mounted externally.

The climate control is designed as a 2N redundant solution: The LCU DX cooling unit has a total output of 6 kW, of which, thanks to redundancy, only 3 kW are actually used for cooling a rack. Alternatively, customers can also use the redundant LCP DX solution with up to 5 kW per rack (LCP = Liquid Cooling Package). The new system is therefore ideal for constructing small and medium IT environments.

In addition, the entire current path (i.e. from the infeed to power distribution and UPS, and through to the sockets) is also designed redundantly. This way, the system achieves a very high level of protection from power failures.

The entry-level configuration of the Smart Package comprises the following Rittal components: the TS IT rack, the LCU DX split cooling unit, power distribution with PDU including production data acquisition, monitoring via the CMC III platform, fire protection with the DET-AC fire alarm and extinguishing system, as well as a UPS from Rittal’s partner ABB.

The Smart Package solution is expandable in increments of two racks. In addition, the concept offers numerous options, for example, for installation in an IT security room or in a container to allow a flexible choice of location.

For more information, please visit www.rittal.com/.

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