Historical records and improved visuals help organizations assess utilization and impact analysis

iTRACS Physical Layer Manager 9.0 introduces several new and important features, which include historical records functionality, improved visuals, the new schematic visualization tool called MapView and double-byte support capability.

"iTRACS Physical Layer Manager 9.0 delivers greater flexibility, visibility and reliability even as network assets and their connectivity become more complex. IT Managers can better visualise the possible effects of change to their infrastructure regardless of its complexity," said Simon Holland, iTRACS General Manager, EMEA.

iTRACS Physical Layer Manager 9.0 allows users to track information historically.

This may range from switch port utilisation to power usage over time.

By reviewing changes over time, administrators will be better equipped to make the right decisions regarding their data centre or end-user infrastructure.

For example, by minimising the purchase of unnecessary equipment, iTRACS Physical Layer Manager 9.0 may help maintain secondary costs within the data centre such as powering and cooling.

Documentation of changes over time is not limited to user-entered or manufacturer supplied (boilerplate) data.

Information collected dynamically through tools such as iTRACS iDiscover allows organizations to track and trend usage from actual values (e.g. actual power consumption by power strip).

iTRACS Physical Layer Manager 9.0 allows users to better visualize their data centre and telecommunication room assets via the improved VWC. Visualisations can now occur at a photo-realistic level, and may contain an unlimited level of complexity.

Each component, plug-in and connector can be accurately modelled and visualised.

MapView allows organisations to more clearly represent their environments.

An important feature of this new tool is its ability to automatically show if connections exist between objects (e.g. which buildings on a campus are directly connected, or which Telecommunication Rooms are connected together).

This top down view is also utilised to document a data centre floor plan, helping users visualise their equipment layout.

This new tool also allows users to present important asset information (dictionaries, charts, graphs, and images) via a web interface.

For example, a data centre manager could be presented with a front and back view of a server cabinet, a list of contained servers, historical graphs showing power usage, and important asset information in one simple to view window.

iTRACS Physical Layer Manager 9.0 is also fully double-byte compatible, which allows users to enter data in nearly any language.