Abstract:
A data center physical infrastructure management system has a cabinet having rack spaces and a sensor. A data communication system transmits signals to a management database. Personal or automated intervention is determined algorithmically by a data processor. A human interface for the data center management system is provided. Removable electronic assets contained in the rack spaces each have an identifier tag. An identifier tag reader is installed on the cabinet body. A door sensor provides a signal responsive to whether a cabinet door is closed, open, locked, or unlocked. Also, a secure contact arrangement has a base terminal formed of electrically conductive material, and first and second electrically conductive elements. A resilient non-conductive element is interposed between the first and second electrically conductive elements, and a compression element compresses the resilient non-conductive element to cause the first and second electrically conductive elements to communicate with one another.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/306,606, filed Nov. 29, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/418,189, filed Nov. 30, 2010 and entitled “Physical Infrastructure Management System Having An Integrated Cabinet”, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety 
         [0002]    This application incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/332,900 filed Dec. 11, 2008 and entitled “Physical Infrastructure Management System.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Servers within data centers often process high value information, and many organizations&#39; revenues depend upon continuous, uninterrupted processing of that data. Power metering, IPLM (Intelligent Physical Layer Management), environmental control, asset tracking, and security measures reduce unnecessary operational risk, along with its associated potential negative impacts to the organization and its customers. 
         [0004]    Information technology staff must also determine existing, new and planned equipment venues quickly and accurately. Such timely determinations save operational expense, facilitate uninterrupted continuity of business operations, and increase the return on the ongoing investment in data centers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with the invention, there is provided a data center physical infrastructure capacity management system that is managed by IT personnel. The system includes a server cabinet having rack spaces and a sensor. A data communication arrangement propagates communications signals from the sensor to a management database that receives information from the communications signals, the received information being stored. A data processor determines algorithmically the need for intervention to the data center physical infrastructure, which may take the form of changes to the physical infrastructure, and issuance of alerts to IT personnel. A human interface enables human interaction with the data center management system. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the received information corresponds to environmental data. 
         [0007]    In a further embodiment, the intervention that may be required by the data processor is determined to be a selectable one of human and automated intervention. 
         [0008]    The intervention determined by said data processor may take the additional form of changes to the representative underlying data center system management database. The human interface, in one embodiment, employs a graphical user interface that displays icons representative of predetermined condition states of the data center. 
         [0009]    The data processor in an advantageous embodiment of the invention includes a computer, and the algorithmic determination of the need for intervention is responsive to any combination of temperature data; humidity data; a sensor address; a device serial number; the adequacy of a system ground connection; and the number of occupied rack spaces. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a further apparatus aspect of the invention, there is provided a cabinet for holding removable electronic assets. In accordance with this aspect of the embodiment, there is provided a cabinet body having a plurality of rack spaces, each rack space accommodating one of the removable electronic assets. A plurality of identifier tags are attached to respectively associated ones of the removable electronic assets, and an identifier tag reader that is installed on the cabinet body communicates with at least one of the identifier tags, providing a tag reader electrical signal responsive to the communication with the at least one of said plurality of identifier tags. A cabinet door is attached to the cabinet body, and a door sensor provides an electrical signal responsive to closed, open, locked, and unlocked states of the cabinet door. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of this further aspect of the invention, there is further provided a data output for providing data responsive to the tag reader electrical signal. A database stores asset information responsive to the presence of the removable electronic assets in respective ones of the rack spaces. The asset information is obtained from the tag reader electrical signal, which is itself derived from the identifier tag reader. 
         [0012]    In a further embodiment, the identifier tag reader is an elongated antenna element that is affixed to the cabinet body and extends proximal to a plurality of the rack spaces. 
         [0013]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the database is maintained in a remote server that can be accessed wirelessly or over the internet. 
         [0014]    The cabinet of an embodiment of the invention additionally has an integrated cabinet hub disposed in the server cabinet for coordinating respective data signals from any combination of: a power monitoring arrangement; a physical layer management system; an environmental control system; an asset tracking system; a grounding monitoring system; and a security system. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, there is provided a wireless communication arrangement for delivering data from the integrated cabinet hub to a physical infrastructure management system. A monitoring arrangement, has a graphical user interface that displays icons representative of predetermined condition states of the cabinet. 
         [0016]    In an advantageous embodiment, there is provided an environmental sensor installed on the cabinet door. Also, an electrical contact arrangement having a cabinet door portion and a cabinet body portion conducts signals from the environmental sensor that contain environmental information to the cabinet body. Additionally, in some embodiments, there is further provided a credentials monitoring arrangement for controlling the state of the cabinet door. 
         [0017]    There is additionally provided a secure contact arrangement that has a base terminal formed of electrically conductive material and first and second electrically conductive elements. A resilient non-conductive element is interposed between the first and second electrically conductive elements. A compression element applies an axial force through the first electrically conductive element, the resilient non-conductive element, the second electrically conductive element, and the base terminal. The applied axial force compresses the resilient non-conductive element to cause the first and second electrically conductive elements to communicate electrically with one another. 
         [0018]    In an advantageous embodiment there is further provided an electrical contact monitoring arrangement that determines whether adequate axial force has been applied by the compression element so as to compress the resilient non-conductive element and thereby cause the first and second electrically conductive elements to communicate electrically with one another. The electrical contact monitoring arrangement additionally serves to determine whether adequate axial force has been applied by the compression element to urge the first and second electrically conductive elements into electrical communication with the base terminal. Preferably, at least one of said first and second electrically conductive elements is provided with a resilient contact element for communicating electrically with the other of the first and second electrically conductive elements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Comprehension of the invention is facilitated by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1A  depicts a physical infrastructure capacity management system &amp; integrated cabinet architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1B  depicts a variant of the system architecture for an integrated cabinet, wherein one of the functional modules also serves as the intelligent cabinet hub; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1C  depicts yet another variant showing a wireless Ethernet network uplink to save data center switch ports; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2A  depicts a graphical representation of a data center layout; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2B  depicts a magnified excerpt of the data center layout; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3A  depicts a server installation process, facilitated and enforced by Physical Infrastructure Management (PIM) software and by the integrated cabinet; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3B  sets forth the legends for the PIM software graphical user interface symbols; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4A  depicts an integrated cabinet intelligent door arrangement according to the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4B  depicts details of the intelligent door connector and of the temperature, and optionally humidity, sensor boards; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5A  depicts a physical structural representation of one embodiment of the integrated cabinet; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5B  depicts an excerpted portion of  FIG. 5A  that has been magnified to show greater detail; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  depicts a connected series of eight data center integrated cabinets; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternative connection configuration for a series of eight integrated cabinets; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  depicts a prior art connection of disparate functional modules as implemented within a physical infrastructure management system; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a graphical representation that illustrates resource savings that are achieved with the use of a physical infrastructure management system according to the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  depicts a simplified representation of an integrated cabinet equipped with a ground bond sensor; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11A  depicts a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11B  depicts two principal parts of the invention represented in  FIG. 11A   
           [0038]      FIG. 11C  depicts a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  depicts a schematic diagram of a circuit that is included within the hub for processing ground bond sensor signals. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]      FIG. 1A  depicts a physical infrastructure capacity management system &amp; integrated cabinet architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention. It contains top level data center network management software  110 , such as IBM Tivoli, Physical Infrastructure Management (PIM) software  115 , and a physical intelligent cabinet (enclosure not shown), the cabinet containing an integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  and a collection of functional modules: A power module which is a block representing a modular power outlet unit  121 ; an intelligent physical layer management module (IPLM)  122 , an example of which appears in Panduit&#39;s current PViQ product line; an environmental sensors module  123 , wherein examples of sensed parameters include temperature, humidity, air flow, differential pressure, vibration, and ambient light level, and automated temperature measurements can provide data to PIM software to simplify computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis of data center facilities; an asset tracking or asset location module  124 ; a cabinet security module  125  for determination of cabinet door position and lock status, the cabinet security module  125  may also include a credential reader or a security camera link; display and beacon modules which are in a variety of user interface modules  126 ; and a ground bond sensor and electrostatic discharge (ESD) policy enforcement module  127 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 1A  shows all of these modules  121 - 127  connected to integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  through a serial data sub-network  130 . In this embodiment, the sub-network may employ an RS485 physical topology or other serial data sub-network, as shown. 
         [0042]    While the serial data sub-network  130  preferably resides within a single integrated cabinet, designated generally as  135 , it may also span multiple cabinets (not shown). In this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the RS485 subnet includes additional power conductors, for example 12VDC, so that each module can operate from a single power supply (not shown) contained as part of the hub. The figure implies the presence of these additional power conductors, but does not show them explicitly. The multiplicity of sub-network conductors may take the form of multi-conductor cables (not shown), or alternately, a physical backplane (not shown) that accepts plug-in functional modules. 
         [0043]    The function modules  121 - 127  communicate with integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  via a communications link  131 . In some embodiments of the invention, there is provided an optional redundant communications link  132 . 
         [0044]    Integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  communicates upward in the diagram through an Ethernet connection  140  to Physical Infrastructure Management (PIM) software  115 . Other connection protocols can be used in the practice of the invention. PIM software  115  provides data aggregation, visualization, capacity planning functionality, and issuance of alerts to physical infrastructure issues that can potentially affect information technology uptime. 
         [0045]    Integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  contains in some embodiments of the invention multiple communication ports (not shown) in order to allow daisy chaining of hubs. This feature reduces the number of data center switch ports (not shown) that would be required to support the physical infrastructure capacity management system to less than one per cabinet. Ports placed on the front of the cabinet hub may be offset from the front of the cabinet. 
         [0046]    Some embodiments of the present invention comprise PIM software  115  that uses its functionality to process and consolidate information for further use by top-level data center network management software, such as IBM Tivoli  110 , HP OpenView, Microsoft System Center, or the like. 
         [0047]    The collection of functional modules  121 - 127 , the integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120 , and the physical cabinet (not shown) constitute integrated cabinet  135 . The combination of the integrated cabinet appliances along with PIM software constitutes the physical infrastructure capacity management system. As stated, the physical infrastructure capacity management system optionally includes top level data center network management software  110 , which in this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention is IBM Tivoli. 
         [0048]      FIG. 1B  depicts a variant of the system architecture depicted in  FIG. 1A , for an integrated cabinet. Elements of structure that have previously been discussed are similarly designated. In this embodiment, one of the functional modules, specifically power module  121 , also serves as part of an overall intelligent cabinet hub  150 . More specifically, overall intelligent cabinet hub  150  constitutes a cabinet hub and power supply functionality combined within a single appliance. In this embodiment, power module  121  performs the dual roles of a power outlet unit and of a hub. Although the figure shows a specific embodiment wherein power module  121  fulfills dual roles, in other embodiments of the invention, any of the other functional modules can incorporate the additional hub functionality. 
         [0049]      FIG. 1C  conveys yet another embodiment of the invention that is provided with a wireless Ethernet network uplink  155 . The use of wireless Ethernet network uplink  155  serves to reduce the number of otherwise required data center switch ports (not shown). Elements of structure that have previously been discussed are similarly designated. This figure also shows an alternate serial data subnet topology, consisting of multiple sections. In addition to the foregoing, the topology represented in this figure reduces the number of otherwise required module connections, and increases system reliability. Moreover, the particular subnet topology of this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention allows for detachment of intelligent doors (not shown) without affecting the communicability of other functional modules. 
         [0050]    The specific illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1C  is shown to have the function modules combined in respective sections. As shown, modular power outlet unit  121 , intelligent physical layer management module  122 , asset location module  124 , user interface modules  126 , and ground bond sensor and electrostatic discharge (ESD) policy enforcement module  127  constitute one section, that is generally designated as section  160 . Section  160  communicates with integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  via a communications link  161 . There is optionally provided in this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention an optional redundant communications link  162 . Similarly, environmental sensors module  123  and cabinet security module  125  constitute a further section, identified as section  165 . Section  165  communicates with integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  via a communications link  166 . There is optionally provided in this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention an optional redundant communications link  167 . 
         [0051]    The coordination and synergy of the physical infrastructure capacity management system elements as hereinabove described affords the following advantages: 1) the network and sub-network connection topology achieves a reduction in IT switch port usage; 2) elimination of redundant power supplies; 3) reduction of module-borne Ethernet ports, associated computing power and memory requirements; 4) requires but a single PIM software-borne graphical user interface (GUI) in lieu of multiple independent software GUIs; 5) supports top-level data center network management software, by providing physical infrastructure management information. The integrated cabinet, together with PIM software, automates physical infrastructure data collection; 6) the system supports data center capacity planning; and 7) issuance of alerts relating to physical infrastructure issues that can potentially affect information technology uptime. 
         [0052]    In one embodiment of the invention, the PIM system, such as Physical Infrastructure Management (PIM) software  115 , is combined with an integrated rack-unit-level RFID tracking system (not specifically designated) to enable the PIM system to acquire information quickly about the location and type of equipment installed. 
         [0053]      FIG. 2A  depicts graphically the layout of a data center  200 , and  FIG. 2B  represents a portion of the layout of data center  200 , the portion represented in this figure being enlarged to facilitate comprehension of these figures. In this embodiment, each of the grid squares, such as grid square  210 , represents a 2 foot by 2 foot square of floor space. Rows of server cabinets appear, most of which manifest the number 00, except for server cabinet icon  215  located at CX120, which shows the number 24. In this diagram, these numbers represent the number of servers contained within each of the cabinets. A row of switch cabinets  220  bisects the layout of data center  200 , dividing it into a left side  230 , and a right side  231  that is not shown in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0054]      FIG. 3A  is a simplified schematic representation of that is useful in describing a process of installing one or more servers into the data center, which is not specifically designated in this figure. The installation is facilitated by, and is performed in conformance with, PIM software (not shown in this figure), and by the integrated intelligent cabinet hub (not shown in this figure).  FIG. 3B  depicts the legend for the PIM software graphical user interface symbols. The following description of the installation in accordance with the system of the present invention demonstrates a substantial reduction in the time and effort required to memorize and display moves, additions, or changes within a data center, as compared with prior art methods the involve the manual entry of data into spreadsheet files (not shown). 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , frame (1) shows a technician  310  inventorying a server asset  315  with the aid of an asset tag  320 . Asset tags that can be used in the various embodiments of the present invention include bar code and RFID (radio frequency identification) types of labels. By means of a unique code (not specifically designated) contained within the asset tag, the PIM system will associate the labeled equipment with associated data including, for example, model and serial numbers, purchase dates, warranty, physical size, nameplate power consumption, location, and other useful information. Technician  310  transports server asset  315  to an installation site while executing the required procedure for PIM system tracking of the asset location. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 3A  frame (2) the PIM system illuminates a beacon icon  327 , as well as a physical beacon  525  (see,  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) that directs technician  310  to a targeted physical cabinet  325  to conduct scheduled work. Physical cabinet  325  is represented in the PIM system graphical view of data center  200  as server cabinet icon  215 , described above. Technician  310  presents an access credential (not shown) to a credential reader (not shown) mounted on or near physical cabinet  325 . In the practice of this embodiment of the invention, the credential reader is of a known type, and is capable of accepting any of several known types of identification information, such as a finger print, an access control identification card, key fob data, or any other type of credential information. If the PIM software contains a work order (not shown) for technician  310  that requires access to physical cabinet  325 , the system unlocks physical cabinet door  326 . 
         [0057]    At any time, a remotely located PIM workstation makes available the physical cabinet status from within the data center view. PIM floor plan excerpt  340  appearing to the right of frame (2) provides visual indication of the status of physical cabinet  325  after physical cabinet door  326  is unlocked. The visual indication os status is made manifest with the use of icons that symbolize the following: Door CLOSED (icon  342 ); Door UNLOCKED (icon  343 ); and Beacon ON (icon  327 ). 
         [0058]    The PIM system at this point recognizes that 24 servers are installed/consumed within cabinet CX120 (i.e., physical cabinet  325 , which is represented in PIM floor plan excerpt  340  as server cabinet icon  215 ). Technician  310  is shown to present his or her access credential, and door  326  is unlocked. 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 3A  frame (3), technician  310  opens physical cabinet door  326  and executes the scheduled work, such as the installation of a server (not shown) that is reflected in server asset icon  215 , blanking panel installation and removal, and patching activities. Such scheduled work may also include manually scanning all of the installed or removed assets&#39; bar codes or RFID labels with a hand held scanner/reader (not shown) to record new location information. PIM floor plan excerpt  340  now shows the following: Door OPEN (icon  345 ); Door UNLOCKED (icon  343 ); and Beacon ON (icon  327 ). 
         [0060]    The PIM system at this point recognizes that 24 servers are installed/consumed within cabinet CX120. In this frame (3a), the PIM floor plan excerpt  340  shows the current count for a cabinet that lacks an integrated RFID asset tracking module. 
         [0061]    If physical cabinet  325  contains an integrated RU (rack unit) level RFID asset tracking module (not shown), the PIM system quickly absorbs the asset and location information, and then stores the corresponding data in the PIM&#39;s database (not shown). Frame (3a) represents this scenario. 
         [0062]    After correctly installing the server and executing all of the scheduled work, technician  310  closes physical cabinet door  326  as shown in  FIG. 3A  frame (4). PIM floor plan excerpt  340  depicts: Door CLOSED (icon  342 ); Door UNLOCKED (icon  343 ); and Beacon ON (icon  327 ). 
         [0063]    The PIM system at this point recognizes that 24 servers are installed/consumed within cabinet CX120. In this diagram, the excerpt shows the current count for a cabinet that lacks an integrated RFID asset tracking module. 
         [0064]      FIG. 3A  frame (5) illustrates the cabinet status after the system has locked physical cabinet door  326  and extinguished the beacon. This is represented in PIM floor plan excerpt  340 , which depicts: 1) Door CLOSED (icon  342 ); 2) Door LOCKED (icon  344 ); and 3) Beacon OFF (icon  328 ). 
         [0065]    In one embodiment, the PIM system recognizes that 24 servers are installed/consumed within cabinet CX120. In this diagram, the PIM floor plan excerpt  340  shows at server cabinet icon  215  that the current count for physical cabinet  325  lacks an integrated RFID asset tracking module. If the cabinet indeed lacks an integrated RFID asset tracking module, technician  310  must then upload the new asset location information into the PIM system manually. This may be accomplished with the data stored inside of a hand-held bar code scanner, a hand held RFID reader, or some other portable data medium, generally designated as handheld reader  311  (see, frame (5a)). 
         [0066]      FIG. 3A  frame (6) represents the PIM&#39;s current recognition of 25 servers that are installed/consumed within cabinet CX120. In addition, the PIM software now displays an updated location tree. Thus, the PIM floor plan excerpt  340  in frame (6) conveys that all such associated views and the underlying data have been updated. It is to be noted that in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 3A , the system arrives at the database content shown in frame (6) from two differing routes, depending upon the asset tracking method. When integrated cabinets having associated RU RFID modules are employed, the manual data entry step depicted in frame (5a) is not required. 
         [0067]      FIG. 3B  depicts some of the software icons and structural elements that are employed in the specific illustrative embodiment of the invention. These include: icon  344  designating door locked; icon  343  designating door unlocked; icon  328  designating beacon OFF; icon  327  designating beacon ON; icon  342  designating door closed; icon  345  designating door open; icon  215  designating the server cabinet; icon  220  designating a switch cabinet; icon  351  designating power and maximum usage; PIM screen  352  designating the PIM screen; PIM report  353  designating the PIM report; and server asset  315  designating the physical tagged asset. 
         [0068]      FIG. 4A  depicts the integrated cabinet intelligent door system of the present invention. Elements of structure that have previously been discussed are similarly designated. As shown in this figure, physical cabinet door  326  is provided with a perforated door panel  410  that provides a suitable mounting location for temperature (and optionally humidity and pressure) sensors  415 . The door mounting location for sensors  415  is advantageously less cluttered with cabling, and provides safety from damage resulting from ongoing appliance relocation within physical cabinet  325  (not shown in this figure). In some embodiments of the invention, these sensors  415  are part of a containment/cooling/control system (not shown). In addition, commercially available electronic swing handle door locks with one or more integrated credential readers, shown as integrated door lock and credential reader  420 , are mounted on physical cabinet door  326  via standardized panel cutout dimensions (not specifically designated). 
         [0069]    The use of physical cabinet door  326  as a venue for electronic devices presents the challenge of delivering serial data sub-network conductors  450  across the junction between physical cabinet  325  and perforated door panel  410  of physical cabinet door  326 . The door panel may incorporate in some a dual-hinged feature (not shown), that impedes the use of a cable loop solution at one of the hinges (not shown). In order to overcome this challenge, a plurality of contacts  455  is disposed at the top of physical cabinet door  326 , which contacts communicate electrically with contacts (not shown) that are attached to the cabinet body (not shown in this figure) upon closure of physical cabinet door  326 . These contacts may, in some embodiments, take the form of a conductor-to-conductor interface (not shown), or of magnetic elements (not shown) that engage when physical cabinet door  326  is closed. Such an arrangement of magnetic elements effectively forms a corresponding plurality of transformers (not shown), that are suitable for both, signaling and power delivery. 
         [0070]    The incorporation of one or more microprocessors  460  (see,  FIG. 4B ) (i.e., a programmable integrated circuit that runs algorithms) and serial communications (not shown in this figure) within these functional modules makes them self-identifying, self-addressing, and self-configurable. For example, a nonvolatile memory (not shown) within sensors  415  may store information indicative of a device type (e.g., temperature sensor); and a device address (e.g., a unique code such as a serial number). 
         [0071]    In some embodiments of the invention the serial communications sub-network may also contain a daisy chain line, that is usable to determine the relative position of each of the module elements. For example, PViQ patch panels, available from Panduit Corp., use this methodology to deduce the relative position of each device. In one embodiment if the intelligent door temperature sensor of the present invention, the relative position information provides the spatial coordinates for the location of each sensor. 
         [0072]    Automated collection of temperature data, especially over time, significantly simplifies and improves computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis of the data center facility. In accordance with the invention, the greater distribution of environmental measurement points with the data being collected continually, replaces the laborious prior art method of manual temperature data collection. This provides more thorough, timely, and current information, as well as visibility of variations over time. More accurate data increases confidence in the calculation of the maximum thermal capacity of a data center. Such increased confidence more accurately identifies current operational margins, as well as the trigger points for build-out of new data center facilities, including the provision of data for cooling, power, connectivity, device location, and the amount of space available. 
         [0073]      FIG. 4B  shows details of a module  457  that bears a serial sub-network and power connector  455 . Module  457  further includes individual sub-network and power circuits contacts  458  for physical cabinet door  326 . There is additionally shown in this figure a module  459  formed of a printed circuit board  456  that bears, in this embodiment, temperature sensors  415  and microprocessor  460 . This module  459  additionally is provided with serial sub-network and power connectors  465  and  466 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 5A  depicts a physical, structural view of one embodiment of physical cabinet  325  and physical cabinet door  326 .  FIG. 5B  depicts an excerpted portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A , specifically of physical cabinet  325 , that has been magnified to show greater detail. In these figures, elements of structure that have previously been discussed or that bear analogous correspondence are similarly designated. As shown in these figures, integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  resides within a space provided at the top of physical cabinet  325 . In other embodiments, however, integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  is installed into one or more of the horizontal or vertical rack unit (RU) slots (not specifically designated). 
         [0075]    A first portion of the asset management functional module, specifically RU-level RFID reader  515 , assumes a dual role as integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120 . A second portion of the asset management functional module, the RU-level RFID asset tag reader strip  520 , mounts vertically alongside assets deployed inside the cabinet. RU-level RFID asset tag reader strip  520  is shown to be connected in this embodiment to a reader coaxial port  521 . The asset tag reader strip facilitates communication with tags placed upon the assets, such as intelligent physical layer management modules  122 , which in some embodiments are PViQ patch panels, available from Panduit Corp., that are installed in the racks. In addition, each such PViQ patch panel in this embodiment is provided with a respective asset tag  320 . 
         [0076]    Physical cabinet door  326 , which in this embodiment incorporates a plurality of environmental monitoring and security functions, is shown to be in the open position, within the left portion of  FIG. 5A . A collection of Power Outlet Units (POUs)  536 , with associated power metering functionality, occupy vertical columns on the right and left sides of the cabinet body. As previously discussed, the opening of physical cabinet door  326  will result in the continued illumination of physical beacon  525 . As above noted, physical beacon  525  is illuminated concurrently with the display of beacon icon  327 , and since it is located on the top of the cabinet body in this embodiment of the invention, it can be illuminated prior to the opening of physical cabinet door  326  to direct technician  310  (not shown in this figure) to the particular cabinet (e.g., physical cabinet  325 ) that requires servicing. 
         [0077]    In this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, Intelligent Physical Layer Management (IPLM) modules  122 , labeled in the figure as “PViQ EMs (or, Expansion Modules),” reside at the uppermost rack positions in the figure. These modules provide managed patching functionality within physical cabinet  325 . 
         [0078]    The functional modules each connect to integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120  via one or more sections of serial data sub-network  130 , as previously described. In  FIGS. 5A through 8 , squares labeled with “R” (generally shown as RS485 connection points  530 ) correspond to RS485 connection points (or another communication connection for the serial data sub-network). The squares that are labeled with “E” designate respective Ethernet connection points  535 . RU-level RFID asset tag reader strip  520  communicates with reader coaxial port  521  of RU level RFID reader  515  through a coaxial cable (shown, but not specifically designated). The coaxial borne communications include separable RF messaging, in addition to serial data sub-network messaging. 
         [0079]    Referring again to  FIG. 5A , the physical cabinet  325  communicates through an Ethernet channel  540  to a PIM server  545 . The depicted Ethernet cloud  550  abstracts a collection of switches, routers, structured cabling, and other required network elements, which are not specifically shown for sake of clarity and to avoid immaterial detail. A PIM workstation, database  555 , and PIM server  545  constitute other elements of the physical infrastructure capacity management system. Such physical infrastructure is available at a PIM workstation  560 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 6  depicts a simplified schematic representation of a connected series of eight data center integrated cabinets  611 ,  612 ,  613 , . . .  618 . The integrated cabinet hub (not specifically designated) contained by first physical data center integrated cabinet  611  connects to the other integrated hubs through the serial data sub-network  625 , optionally including, in this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, dedicated daisy chain and power conductors as earlier described. The series of eight physical data center integrated cabinet  611 ,  612 ,  613 , . . .  618  then requires just a single power supply  630  to operate all of the associated management functional modules and hubs. The power supply connection may mate with a power source available within or near first physical data center integrated cabinet  611 . It is noted that the depicted power supply  630  provides operating energy only for the physical infrastructure management functional modules and hubs, and not for the relatively heavy server and switch loads that derive operating power from the Power Outlet Units (POUs)  536  shown in  FIG. 5A . Those heavy loads require dedicated, often redundant, power feeds (not shown) through the load outlet connectors of Power Outlet Units (POUs)  536 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternative connection configuration for a series of eight physical data center integrated cabinet  611 ,  612 ,  613 , . . .  618 . Elements of structure that have previously been discussed are similarly designated. In this case, a dedicated plurality of coaxial connectors  710  on the first cabinet connects with each of the other cabinet coaxial connectors through a coaxial cable, resulting in a “star” connection scheme. The coaxial-borne communications may again include separable RF messaging, in addition to serial data sub-network messaging. 
         [0082]    The specific illustrative embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  offer a limited sample of connection topologies. It is to be understood that in the practice of the invention, any of these connection topologies can be employed, including a combination of these and other topologies. 
         [0083]    In practice, some of the functional modules are connected to the Ethernet network directly, bypassing the serial data sub-network. A practicable embodiment of the integrated cabinet hub bears a multiplicity of Ethernet connection points to accommodate this circumstance. In some embodiments, the hub incorporates Ethernet switch functionality in support of functional modules equipped with Ethernet communication ports. The hub&#39;s multiple Ethernet ports reduce the relatively costly cloud-borne (network) Ethernet switch ports to less than one per cabinet.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the hub&#39;s multiple Ethernet ports most explicitly. The Ethernet ports have been omitted in some of the figures for the sake of clarity in presenting the preferred embodiments. 
         [0084]      FIG. 8  illustrates a prior art connection of disparate functional modules (not shown in this figure) as implemented within a physical infrastructure management system, and using a disintegrated cabinet concept. These functional modules include: 1) power metering; 2) IPLM (Intelligent Physical Layer Management); 3) environmental monitoring; 4) asset management; and security. 
         [0085]    As shown,  FIG. 8  represents the upper portions of eight physical cabinets  811  . . .  818 , without an integrated cabinet hub. There are shown for the eight physical cabinets  811  . . .  818  respectively associated Ethernet connection points that generally are designated  821  . . .  828 . The Ethernet connection points in this embodiment constitute a portion of respectively associated patch panels  801  . . .  808 , that are suitable for the connection of internal Ethernet patch cords (not shown) between internal functional module appliances (not shown) and an Ethernet switch, represented by Ethernet Cloud  550 . It is noted that such necessary Ethernet switches may, in respective embodiments of the invention, reside externally or internally with respect to the eight physical cabinets  811  . . .  818 . 
         [0086]    Each of the eight physical cabinets  811  . . .  818  requires separate Ethernet ports for power metering, IPLM, environmental monitoring, asset management, and security. All of these except for the power metering modules also require dedicated power supplies, since power metering modules often derive operating power from the power feeds (not shown) that primarily energize their associated heavy loads. A disintegrated physical infrastructure management system will require separate servers, illustratively including: a power metering server  830 ; an IPLM server  831 ; an environmental server  832 ; an asset management server  833 ; and a security server  834 . 
         [0087]    In addition, the disintegrated physical infrastructure management system will require separate databases, such as databases  840  and  841 . In such embodiments, separate graphical user interfaces (not shown) are available through user workstation  560 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 9  is a graphical illustration of resource savings that are enabled by methods using a physical infrastructure management system incorporating features described herein. The vertical axis of the illustration shows the physical infrastructure capacity for an enterprise, and the horizontal axis shows time. In this case, the physical infrastructure capacity is a summary term combining a number of factors such as physical space, thermal capacity, power availability, connectivity, and rack space. The effective physical infrastructure capacity can be considered as being bounded by the “most limiting” of these factors. For example, if there is plenty of space and power for expansion, but not enough cooling available for expansion, thermal capacity is the most liming physical infrastructure factor. 
         [0089]    A first plot  10  illustrates the measured consumption of physical infrastructure resources under a prior art method of determining capacity expansion. A second plot  12  illustrates the measured consumption of physical infrastructure resources using a method according to the present invention. 
         [0090]    A number of horizontal lines are used to indicate the physical infrastructure capacity over time. The horizontal lines  14  and  16  represent a guardbanded initial amount of physical infrastructure capacity in a data center. The horizontal lines  18  and  20  indicate a guardbanded amount of physical infrastructure capacity that results from expanding the data center. The horizontal lines  22  and  24  represent a guardbanded physical infrastructure capacity that results from building a new data center following the expansion. Systems of the present invention allow for narrower guardbands, because decisions to expand can be made at a more appropriate time. 
         [0091]    An arrow  26  represents a time at which a decision is made that an expansion of physical infrastructure capacity will be needed for an existing system. This decision is made due to the understanding of the physical infrastructure needs at that time, which under known systems is flawed due to infrequent and inaccurate measurement of current capacity, consumption, and needs. For example, early in the graph of  FIG. 9 , plot  10  has a steeper slope than plot  12 , which presents more accurate information regarding the consumed physical infrastructure capacity. In prior art systems, the decision to expand the data center is being made too early, and the needed additional capacity appears to be much larger than the actual needs of the enterprise. 
         [0092]    As a result, in this illustrated scenario, under a prior art approach, the data center is expanded too largely, too quickly. Thus, greater-than-necessary resources (capital expenditures, or CAPEX) are used earlier than needed, resulting in the misallocation of the capital expenditures. 
         [0093]    Similarly, arrow  28  represents a time at which a decision is made that a new data center will be needed under a prior art decision-making system. Once again, under the prior art system, this decision is made too early in the life of the enterprise, in comparison to the actual amount of physical infrastructure capacity needed, resulting in a capital expenditure misallocation. In both cases, the CAPEX savings resulting from a more correctly timed decision are indicated on the graph. 
         [0094]    In addition to resulting in unnecessary capital expenditures, an incorrect understanding of the environmental data in a data center can result in operational expenditures that grow at an unnecessarily fast rate. For example, referring again to  FIG. 9 , the fast growth in apparently used physical infrastructure capacity under the prior art plot  10  may reflect an overcooling scenario, which may have been the result of faulty temperature readings, which may have been taken infrequently. As a result, an ongoing operational expenditure (OPEX) to cool the data center to a temperature that is unnecessarily low may have resulted in a substantial waste of money for the enterprise. Embodiments of the present invention will lead to proper allocation of operational expenses, leading to the OPEX savings indicated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0095]    Systems according to embodiments of the present invention enable accurate measurements to be aggregated and presented to a user in the form of actionable information, allowing the user to make resource planning decisions more accurately and efficiently. Examples of decisions that can be facilitated under the present invention include: 1) Allocation of the proper amount of cooling resources; 2) Allocation of physical space to need the computational and connectivity requirements of the enterprise; 3) Determining whether to expand an existing datacenter or to build a new one; 4) The provision of an appropriate amount of power over the life cycle of a datacenter; 5) Identification of the limiting resource in an enterprises&#39; physical infrastructure capacity and an understanding of the amount of that resource that needs to be added (for example, switching capacity may be the limiting factor, such that more switches should be added but not necessarily more rack unit (RU) space); and 6) Identification of locations within a data center that meet requirements for new hardware (such requirements may include connectivity type and speed. 
         [0096]    Sensing of grounding and bonding may also be incorporated into some embodiments of the present invention. Grounding and bonding of equipment and infrastructure within data centers fulfills at least 2 significant needs: (a) safety of users and maintenance personnel; and (b) increased reliability of sensitive electronic appliances through mitigation of electrostatic discharge potentials carried upon the bodies of users and maintenance personnel. 
         [0097]    While existing ground bond schemes have the capability to fulfill these safety and ESD mitigation needs, they offer no method of verifying or monitoring the electrical connection and bonding of the ground conductors to the Mesh Common Bonding Network (MCBN). As a result, a data center&#39;s infrastructure may completely lack the required grounding and bonding, and owners, users, and maintenance personnel may remain completely unaware of this status with its associated risks. A system capable of monitoring the ground bond status of the infrastructure&#39;s ground connections, and capable of notifying appropriate personnel in the event of a missing or loose connection, therefore offers a significant security benefit to these stakeholders. 
         [0098]      FIG. 10  depicts a simplified representation of physical cabinet  325  equipped with a ground bond sensor  1010 . Elements of structure that have previously been discussed are similarly designated. Physical cabinet  325  undergoes ground bonding to mesh common bonding network (MCBN)  1020  through ground bond sensor  1010  that, in turn, connects to a dedicated ground bond sensor port  1030  on integrated cabinet hub  120 . Integrated intelligent cabinet hub  120 , in combination with ground bond sensor  1010 , verifies the presence of a ground connection to the cabinet, and verifies that the installer (not shown) has bonded the ground connection to mesh common bonding network (MCBN)  1020 . 
         [0099]      FIG. 11A  depicts a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention of a ground bond sensor  1010 .  FIG. 11B  illustrates that ground bond sensor  1010  consists of two main portions, specifically: 1) A Ground Sensor, for example, a ground terminal lug  1041  with a heavy-gauge ground conductor  1043  leading to mesh common bonding network (MCBN)  1020  (not shown in this figure), plus a smaller-gauge ground sense pilot wire  1045  leading to the hub&#39;s dedicated ground bond sensor port  1030  (not shown in this figure); and 2) A donut or flat-washer shaped Bonding Sensor  1050 , with an isolated, normally open contact (not shown), and signal wires  1051  that lead to the hub&#39;s dedicated ground bond sensor port  1030  (not shown in this figure). Bonding Sensor  1050  provides an electrically isolated contact closure indication that the installer has tightened the ground fastener, that it remains snug, and that the fastener&#39;s clamping force exceeds a minimum specified value. 
         [0100]    An isolated, normally open contact (not shown) prevents the sensor function from easily being defeated by merely tying the appropriate gateway sensor port terminals to ground. This form of contact also enables connection of multiple signals together, either physically with wire, or logically through electronic processor algorithms. 
         [0101]    Ground Bond Sensor arrangement depicted in  FIG. 11A  consists of two one-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs)  1061  and  1062 , respectively, separated by a spring element  1065  in the form of a stiff wave washer or O-ring, and sandwiched between two metallic flat washers  1068  and  1069 . In this embodiment, metallic washer  1068  is a metallic stepped washer that is urged toward, and is stopped against, metallic washer  1069  upon the tightening of fastener  1070 , which in this embodiment is a #10-32 screw. Fastener  1070  engages threadedly with a threaded hole in (not shown), or nut on (not specifically designated), cabinet surface  1075 . 
         [0102]    One-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs)  1061  and  1062  are, in this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, somewhat donut shaped. Optional spring contacts mounted to the PCBs, such as spring contact  1073 , mate with etched pads (not shown) on the opposite PCB. Alternatively, a simple disc will bridge the two PCBs together upon application of sufficient torque to fastener  1070 . A plastic cover ring  1071  captivates the sensor parts such that the cover ring suffers no compression during application of torque to the ground fastener. A second spring element, a stiff wave washer or O-ring, provides enough reactive force to preclude contact closure by merely tightening the screw by hand. This assures that the installer has used a tool to apply torque, or otherwise bond, the connection. The top washer has a stepped geometry in order to provide a solid stop against the bottom metal washer during the application of torque to the screw. This limits the compression of the spring element and the PCB contacts to tolerable levels. In the case where a simple disc bridges the two PCBs together, the disc thickness limits the compression of the spring element. 
         [0103]    Ring terminal  1041 , or ground terminal lug, preferably resides directly adjacent to the grounded cabinet surface  1075 , the cabinet surface being provided with a conductive pad (not shown) (for example, a copper pad), free of paint or other insulating materials. This stack up maximizes the conduction surface area of the connection between the MCBN and the cabinet chassis. In other embodiments, the field application of the present sensor can include a paint-piercing tooth washer, and optionally a tri-lobular screw to cut through paint coated threads, with satisfactory grounding results. The screw will incorporate, in some embodiments, a binding type head or other locking mechanisms, such as various types of lock washers (not shown). There is optionally provided in this embodiment an internal tooth metallic star washer (not specifically designated) to enhance engagement between ring terminal  1041  and cabinet surface  1075 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 11C  illustrates an embodiment of a ground bond sensor  1080  integrated with a ground bond wire  1081 . This embodiment reduces the number of parts to handle during installation. Although not shown explicitly, the wires that egress the right side of the assembly break out to their associated hub port and MCBN destinations. The embodiment optionally incorporates an indicator LED  1083 , and a screw captivation feature (not shown). 
         [0105]    It is noted that other bonded ground connections, such as directly at the MCBN, can also utilize the ground bond sensor. Preferred embodiments require that fastener schemes employ a headed screw or bolt under tensile load, a torqued nut, or a similar application of compressive force to the Sensor. 
         [0106]      FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention. This circuitry, which in some embodiments is included within the hub, processes the ground bond sensor signals. The hub dedicated ground bond sensor port circuit contains a signal reference, shown as the earth ground symbol, representing an equal potential connection from the hub to: 1) the cabinet chassis ground, by means of the hub&#39;s chassis mounting fasteners; or 2) the ground wire, taken from an AC power feed to the cabinet; or 3) the MCBN. 
         [0107]    The circuitry functions as follows. The ground sense pilot wire connects the SLEEVE terminal of connector J11. With the ground lug of  FIG. 11A  or  11 B connected to the cabinet chassis, and the sensor cable (ground sense pilot wire) plugged into the hub&#39;s dedicated sensor port, signal voltage at GND_DET1 goes to 0V. Low pass filtering and transient protection protect this node from noise and other energetic transients. If the cabinet lacks a ground lug, or if the installer has not plugged the sensor cable into the hub sensor port (J11), the GND_DET1 signal level goes to 3.3V. Although redacted for brevity, GND_DET1 connects to a microprocessor input (not shown), such as an input of Microchip part number PIC24FJ256GA110-IPF. Programmatic algorithms contained within the microprocessor memory report the status of this signal upstream to the PIM Server to notify personnel responsible for the data center. 
         [0108]    The bonding sensor signal wires connect to the TIP and RING terminals of J11. An open contact, signifying UNBONDED sensor status, causes the GND_DET2 signal voltage to remain low. A closed contact, signifying BONDED sensor status, causes the GND_DET2 signal voltage to go high. Although redacted for brevity, GND_DET2 connects to a microprocessor input (not shown), such as an input of microchip part number PIC24FJ256GA110-IPF. Programmatic algorithms contained within the microprocessor memory report the status of this signal upstream to the PIM Server to notify personnel responsible for the data center. 
         [0109]    Note that with a minor change to the hub circuitry, the bond sensor (or integrated ground bond sensor) could incorporate a visible LED across its normally open contacts to visually indicate, at the sensor, a loose or disconnected termination. In this case the identification and remediation of the incorrect connection becomes much less troublesome and time consuming, especially in large data centers. The capability of this system to report automatically ground bond status to the PIM server, to notify appropriate personnel, also eases maintenance and increases reliability of the data center&#39;s physical infrastructure. 
         [0110]    In yet a further embodiment of the ground bond sensor, the hub circuitry incorporates a digital communication stream between the sensor and the hub. In this embodiment, the sensor incorporates an intelligent device such as Microchip PIC10F283 or Maxim/Dallas DS2401X1. These intelligent devices contain, in some embodiments, a code that uniquely identifies each sensor, and further includes the capability to memorize data communicated through the serial digital communications. A difference in the information communicated from these sensor devices indicates the status of the sensor. In a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the set of states is as follows: 1) No communications=sensor not present or unplugged; 2) 1111 1111=sensor plugged in and bonded; and 3) 0101 0101=sensor plugged in and unbounded. 
         [0111]    This embodiment carries the further advantage that each sensor can uniquely identify itself when deployed with a plurality of such sensors, within a multi-drop serial data subnetwork. 
         [0112]    Some embodiments of the present invention comprise the following features: a data center physical infrastructure capacity management system including an intelligent/integrated server cabinet provisioned with a plurality of sensors (at least one sensor) or actuators, a means of data communication from sensors to one or more datacenter system management databases, and a datacenter system management database for receiving communications from the cabinets and for storing the received information. 
         [0113]    The cabinet periodically providing the datacenter system management database with ongoing environmental data representative of various ongoing states of the data center&#39;s physical infrastructure. 
         [0114]    The data center physical infrastructure capacity management system also includes data processing means to determine algorithmically human or automated intervention to the data center&#39;s physical infrastructure, the intervention taking the form of: 1) moves, additions, or changes to the physical infrastructure; 2) moves, additions, or changes to the representative underlying datacenter system management database; 3) alerts to IT personnel; and 4) at least one human interface, enabling human interaction with the data center management system. 
         [0115]    Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, persons skilled in the art can, in light of this teaching, generate additional embodiments without exceeding the scope or departing from the spirit of the invention herein described and claimed. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawing and description in this disclosure are proffered to facilitate comprehension of the invention, and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.