What is U-level real-time positioning? What value does it have?

What is U-level real-time positioning?

An U (Unit) is the most commonly used basic unit in the data center industry for calibrating the physical space of cabinets to store equipment. It is also the basic unit for calibrating the physical dimensions of devices such as servers, storage, switches, and more. The height of 1U is 44.45 millimeters (1.75 inches), with a width of 19 inches.

U-level real-time positioning is a new technology that involves digitizing the U-level physical space within server racks, enabling real-time positioning and precise management of IT equipment assets.

The three stages of development in U-level positioning technology.

Early Exploration Phase: Contact-type Electronic Tags Based on EIC Single Bus (1-wire) Technology

The EIC single bus (1-wire) technology, invented by the American company Dallas Semiconductor in the 1980s, was an early form of identity authentication technology. At that time, identity authentication technology was still in its infancy, and the principle of EIC technology involved engraving an irreversible ID number on an EEPROM storage chip, lacking a comprehensive information security mechanism.

It is commonly referred to in the industry as the first generation of U-level positioning technology, with Raritan Corporation from the United States being a representative company.

Due to the EIC single bus (1-wire) technology being a contact-type electronic tag technology, it faced various issues such as poor anti-static capability, easy oxidation of contact points, and poor contact caused by vibration and dust. After using it for a while, users found that such products had a higher failure rate and incurred high maintenance costs. Additionally, EIC technology lacked international standards and had poor scalability. Therefore, after the invention of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology, it gradually phased out of the market.

Midterm Exploration Phase: Wireless Contactless Electronic Tags Based on RFID Technology.

Wireless RFID technology is currently the mainstream technology in the global field of identity authentication, with high-security encryption mechanisms. It has been widely applied in sectors with stringent information security requirements such as military, government, finance, and personal identification. Examples include China's second-generation ID cards and passports, both utilizing RFID technology for enhanced security and anti-counterfeiting features. In the industry, it is commonly referred to as the second-generation U-positioning technology. Several well-known companies, including the U.S. MSD, Germany WT, and China HW, have developed U-positioning asset management products based on RFID technology.

However, due to the large number of devices such as servers, storage, and switches in data centers, there is significant electromagnetic interference. Pure RFID-based U-positioning technology cannot meet the high-precision positioning requirements (millimeter-level) in such environments. Therefore, the application effectiveness of U-positioning technology solely based on RFID in the IDC industry is not satisfactory.

Maturity Phase: MC-RFID Magnetic Positioning Contactless Electronic Tag Technology.

The MC-RFID electronic tag is a new technology invented by an innovative Chinese company. MC stands for Magnetic Control technology, where the smart tag is active, and the U-position smart module is passive and silent. The magnet element on the tag attaches to the module, actively triggering the Hall sensor inside the U-position module for precise positioning. Simultaneously, it activates the RFID field and accomplishes identity authentication using the RFID chip within the tag.

MC-RFID technology boasts numerous features, including high reliability, accurate positioning data, long product lifespan, and cost advantages. It has overcome the perceptual positioning technology bottlenecks that have plagued the industry for years. As a result, it has received praise from many IDC users and is expected to lead the trend of the next generation of U-positioning technology.

The value of the U-position asset management system

The U-position asset management system can address the digitization of U space resources and automate the tracking and updating of IT equipment asset changes. This reduces the massive workload of manual management and potential errors, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. The following nine major functions have broad representativeness.

1. Asset Positioning: Real-time positioning of assets in U-positions allows on-site operators to quickly locate specified servers.

2. Asset Inventory: Systematic real-time automated inventory resolves issues associated with manual errors, inaccurate data, and time-consuming processes.

3. Capacity Management: Real-time calculation of U-position utilization facilitates scientific planning of cabinet capacity management, enhancing U-position efficiency.

4. Asset Alarms: Unauthorized movement of assets triggers alarm notifications, ensuring asset security.

5. Information Change Records: Real-time recording of asset onrack, offrack, move, etc., automatically updates throughout the asset lifecycle.

6. Custom Indicators: Customization of color displays on U-position modules for different asset operational statuses to guide the operator.

7. Tag Read/Write: Enables online data read/write for U-position IoT tags, ensuring timely updates of asset information.

8. Zone Management: Achieves asset security management in areas such as data centers and office spaces.

9. Temperature and Humidity Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of temperature and humidity in six critical areas (upper, middle, lower of inlet and outlet) on cabinets, preventing server downtime or restarts due to high temperatures and improving business continuity.