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Eaton provides full solution for firm to bring data center on site

Virtualization Advisors is a leading provider of cloud computing for Florida businesses and state/local government agencies, specializing in network, server and storage virtualization, cloud disaster recovery and cloud IP telephony technology. Offering businesses an easy and affordable way to use virtualization, the company pairs technology with the consultation services and 24/7 support that customers need to effectively implement the solutions. 

Summary

Challenge
Skyrocketing colocation charges prompted the organization to bring its data center on premises, but to ensure continuous uptime, a complete power protection solution was required.
Solution
Results
Since deploying the comprehensive Eaton solution, Virtualization Advisors has enjoyed 100% uptime at its on-site data center.

Challenge: Accessing all necessary components to bring the data center on site

Although Virtualization Advisors took advantage of the benefits afforded by early cloud and colocation adoption, skyrocketing colocation costs in recent years forced the company to consider other alternatives. Ultimately deciding to bring its data center onto the premises, Virtualization Advisors required a power protection solution that could provide exceptional reliability, ample battery runtime to safely shut down systems in the event of a power outage, the ability to manage the system remotely, and the ability to monitor environmental conditions within the data center room.

“Because we had a big power circuit available, a hardwired UPS was an option, but we also considered outlet-based UPSs. The best choice will depend on a company’s physical infrastructure, coupled with their power and runtime requirements.” 

Stephen Ames, Virtualization Advisors owner and CEO
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Solution: Eaton 9PXM UPS and power management solutions

As a certified-level Eaton PowerAdvantage partner that has been reselling the Eaton brand for more than five years, Virtualization Advisors knew exactly where to turn to find the optimal solution. After sizing different Eaton units and considering battery capacity options, Ames ultimately selected the Eaton 9PXM UPS. Available in up to 20 kVA N+1 capacity, the 9PXM features a small footprint and easy rack conversion that make it an ideal solution for an array of data center, mission-critical and retail applications. Having deployed a 12 kVA unit within a 12-slot Eaton RS Enclosure, Virtualization Advisors later bolstered the solution with an additional module to achieve N-1 redundancy, as well as filled the remaining slots with extended battery modules (EBMs) to gain 88 minutes of backup time. 

“We wanted to be able to survive the loss of one power module, as well as extend runtime if an outage occurred during off-hours. I’m going for 24-hour-a-day uptime, so even if I’m not on site, I wanted enough runtime to be able to either power shed or shut down gracefully if needed.” 

Stephen Ames, Virtualization Advisors owner and CEO
To further enhance reliability, Virtualization Advisors added an Eaton Bypass Power Module (BPM) to the 9PXM, as well as Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) software, which provides the tools the company needs to monitor and manage power devices in both physical and virtual environments. The firm also invested in the Eaton Gigabit Network Card, which not only improves business continuity by providing warnings of pending issues and helping to perform orderly shutdown of equipment, but also delivers critical cybersecurity measures. 
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“My business is very focused on IT security so the fact that this card meets all those standards is really big. Just think about what a hacker can do if they’re able to shut down a UPS.”

Stephen Ames, Virtualization Advisors owner and CEO

Virtualization Advisors also deployed the Eaton Environmental Monitoring Probe (EMP) Gen 2, which enables users to collect temperature and humidity readings in rack enclosures and monitor environmental data remotely. Compatible with UPSs and PDUs, the EMP Gen 2 features a translucent case and integrated LED to positively identify the status of each sensor at a glance. Each EMP provides one temperature, one humidity and two dry-contact status data points.

To round off its comprehensive power protection solution, Virtualization Advisors installed Eaton Managed Rack PDUs, which enable monitoring and control of critical factors such as voltage, current and power factor while providing remote on/off outlet switching to allow users to reboot connected equipment. 

"Eaton was able to bring a total solution to the table that covered all of the issues and we were able to run it from an IT-centric model."

Stephen Ames, Virtualization Advisors owner and CEO

Results: With the Eaton solution in place, Virtualization Advisors is now able to...

• Ensure high availability and continuous uptime to its on-premises data center
• Easily add power, redundancy or runtime with the scalability of the 9PXM
• Safely shut down systems remotely if an outage occurs off-hours using IPM
• Improve business continuity and safeguard against cyber crime with the Gigabit Network Card
• Stay apprised of environmental conditions in the rack with the EMP Gen 2

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