Schneider Electric announces enhancements to EcoStruxure IT platform
Schneider Electric announces enhancements to EcoStruxure IT platform
Schneider Electric has introduced a series of enhancements to its EcoStruxure IT platform, aiming to improve the resiliency, security, and sustainability of hybrid IT infrastructures. The improvements, which include updates to both on-premise and cloud-based solutions, are designed to simplify operations for customers while addressing the growing complexity of managing hybrid IT environments.
New tools for resilient and efficient IT operations
A key focus of the updates is improving operational efficiency and tailoring solutions to meet customer needs. Among the enhancements to the EcoStruxure IT platform are:
- Alarm Threshold Policies in IT Expert: Users can now customise alarm settings more precisely, such as triggering alarms only when temperature levels exceed 25 degrees above normal for more than 30 minutes. This feature reduces unnecessary alerts, enabling teams to focus on critical issues.
- Service Contracts and Visits Widget: Available on the IT Expert dashboard, this widget provides an updated weekly overview of all devices and their service contract statuses.
- Windows Event Logging for PowerChute: System-level logging has been introduced, along with Syslog support for larger enterprises to centralise event monitoring.
- Extended PowerChute vCLS Support: The update now supports all UPS configurations, offering flexibility for scenarios where shutting down all cluster hosts isn't necessary.
- LDAP on the Network Management Card (NMC): Users can now authenticate remote access through an LDAP server, including Microsoft Active Directory and OpenLDAP.
- Remote Command Execution via SSH: This functionality allows PowerChute Network Shutdown to execute commands on remote systems, aiding in the graceful management of storage arrays and similar systems.
- Consolidation of Data Centre Expert Syslogs: Enhancements to system-level logging make management more streamlined.
These updates aim to make IT infrastructures more resilient and efficient, while simplifying management for IT teams.
Strengthening cybersecurity measures
Recognising the growing challenge of maintaining secure IT infrastructures, Schneider Electric has integrated a range of security-focused upgrades into its EcoStruxure IT platform. These include:
- Mass Configuration Option in IT Expert: This feature allows users to remotely connect and change IDs and passwords for all devices simultaneously in the cloud.
- Secure Protocol in Data Centre Expert: The communications protocol between devices and Data Centre Expert has been upgraded from SNMPv1 to SNMPv3, enhancing security with minimal effort.
- IEC Certification for EcoStruxure IT NMC Platform: The Network Management Card (NMC) has achieved IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 (SL2) certification, marking it as the first DCIM NMC to reach this level of cybersecurity compliance.
- ISASecure® SDLA Compliance: Schneider Electric's development processes have been certified as ISASecure® Secure Development Lifecycle Assurance (SDLA) compliant.
- EcoStruxure IT Secure NMC System (SNS): This enhancement streamlines firmware management, reducing the time required to research and install updates by as much as 90%.
These measures elevate cybersecurity standards while simplifying the management of updates and configurations.
Advancing sustainability in data centres
In 2024, Schneider Electric introduced automated sustainability reporting features to the EcoStruxure IT portfolio. These tools allow organisations to quantify and report sustainability metrics with ease, eliminating the need for manual procedures. These features became available to all EcoStruxure IT users in April, in anticipation of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) coming into effect.
Alison Matte, EcoStruxure IT Sustainability Lead, highlighted the importance of these updates: "Sustainability is a way to limit energy consumption, reduce costs related to energy, and reduce waste in data centres where all these IT assets are being managed."
Schneider Electric’s internal Green IT project also contributed to the development of these user-friendly and comprehensive sustainability reporting metrics, further demonstrating the company's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of data centres.
Looking ahead to a hybrid IT future
As hybrid IT environments become increasingly complex - particularly with the growing influence of artificial intelligence - Schneider Electric plans to continue supporting its customers. By focusing on resiliency, security, and sustainability, the company aims to help organisations navigate evolving challenges and maintain robust IT infrastructures.