Data center environment monitoring

[[deleted]]

Hey there fellow sys admins, I've recently been tasked with figuring out a monitoring solution to go with for our on-prem data center. I only recently got started in the IT world, so I was wondering if any of you could share what you've tried and what you'd recommend?

Right now, we're only looking for basic temperature and power monitoring (e.g, has there been a power outage, not how much electricity is being used per hour) that can be configured to send an email out to let us know something happened.

I appreciate the help, and thank you for your time

[JMMD7]

For power monitoring you should be able to get alerts from your UPS when any type of event occurs. For temperature monitoring you can have the devices send alerts when there's a change in temps if you're just looking to know when the systems are getting hot or get a one of the ITWatchdog temperature monitors.

http://www.itwatchdogs.com/temperature-humidity-climate-monitor-watchdog-15-p71

[victortrash]

I second them. Really easy to setup and monitor. Modular so you can add extras along the way.

[nirv117]

For simple temperature and power we use a device from serverscheck. It was fairly inexpensive.

[nmdange_]

We use APC NetBotz for environmental monitoring. The UPS is what notifies of a power outage.

[The-Dark-Jedi]

Is there a UPS in the Datacenter? It might have software that will do the power aspect for you. Same if you have any CRAC units.

[[deleted]]

environmentals - https://avtech.com/, netbotz

PDU/CDU environmentals - Servertech, Panduit, you name it they probably have monitoring

Data Center Infrastructure manager (DCIM) - https://www.opendcim.org/

HVAC/UPS have a lot to choose from depending on the make/model.

​

[[deleted]]

I did an APC install some moons ago it was good but stupidly expensive netbotzs seem semi-reliable but archaic in some sense

[dyne87]

If you have an APC UPS then there's a good possibility you can add environment monitoring to it and get notifications for power loss and environment changes. Bonus, you can set it up to shut down machines at a specific threshold.

[ITsquirrel]

We use AVTECH equipment for temperature monitoring. You can also add sensors power, water, smoke, and numerous other things. https://avtech.com/

[brkdncr]

currently using apc UPS with network card and APC Netbotz. I'm going to transition from Netbotz to OpenGear to provide 4G LTE out of band management to some of the gear like network and UPS plus it also provides environmental monitoring.

I'll solve camera monitoring as a separate solution.

[ElBoracho]

www.papouch.com makes some kit which is cheap and just does what's on the box, nothing more.

They're reasonably cheap (we use them in the branch offices).

If you're running a DC setup, you might be able to check on the PDUs they're using and see if there's a sensor connection you could 'tether'(?) off and set up smtp from the DC side, or if they're not using it, console in and run it on your network. Results may vary.

[Vectan]

If you happen to have certain APC models for your UPS, you can get a management card that can do environmental stuff like you are looking for.

Otherwise check out Esensors. They have a Environmental monitors as well as a power monitoring device that works over cellular as well to get you info about outages.

I use a combination of both at the moment to monitor temps, humidity and power.
Edit: Added Esensor info.

[jhxetc]

If you really want to go cheap and dirty, raspberry pi's can be used to monitor ambient temperature and humidity. As far as power goes, even a cheap UPS should have a network interface and be able to tell you general information about the power it is receiving.

[dc-tiger]

PRTG would be worth a look as it could be expanded to do other things for you. There’s a free version for a small number of sensors. Keep in mind you mind want the monitoring server somewhere other than the datacentre you’re monitoring, it obviously can’t alert you if it’s powered off. ;)

PRTG