aIntelligent' system for safety and security network areas

An aintelligent' 19-inch rack system has been outfitted with a new chip card reader for access control. Safety and security-relevant network areas ­ for example the internal Intranets ­ are now protected from unauthorised access and manipulation.

Annually the damage in Europe alone caused by data manipulation, unauthorised or inappropriate network accesses runs into the millions. If the local area network (LAN) server fails, production processes, logistics processes or controlling are often affected immediately. This not only affects large companies, to a different extent, it also affects middle-sized companies and even the sole trader.

To aelectronically' clamp down on direct manipulation, the Knürr Group has developed Miracel. Using active LAN components, such as uninterruptible power supplies or rack monitoring systems (RMS), the system solution for the LAN areas is sensibly rounded up.

The 19-in rack Miracel has an integrated chip card reader. The principle is quite simple: an access control system has been integrated into the rack door which is activated or deactivated using a cheque card-sized chip card reader with an 8-digit individual identification number. Without this chip card the robust and stable rack cannot be opened.

Only the employee who, for example, has been given responsibility for maintenance of the LAN system by the network administrator or has the corresponding card can open the rack to, for example, carry out maintenance work.

Should an unexpected network problem occur and the employee responsible cannot be contacted, the access control can however be deactivated via the administrator with a aremote control'. As an option for the customer, there is another safety and security measure: depending on the safety and security demand in the company, a combination of conventional locking and chip card is possible. Chip card and key can therefore be theoretically divided between two employees who can only open the rack together.

In the safety and security-sensitive LAN, a decision for the correct server rack should only be taken if the complete required environment is taken into consideration. The customer has the option to purchase complete solutions from a single source owing to the combination options with other products from the company's range. The purchasing, logistics and installation expenditure is minimised.

An example of the company's approach to system solutions is therefore not only the outfitting of the 19-in racks with access control systems but also the pre-configuration of the racks with uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and rack monitoring systems (RMS).

The company's current Racksafe series offers a complete range of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) in 19-in technology, available in the 600VA­3000VA power range. In addition to six online systems, the product spectrum includes ­ also as a price alternative ­ three types in LineInteractive technology for the 700VA­1400VA range. All the systems are designed as 3U 19-in plug-in units (the 3000VA versions with 3+3U) and are therefore ideally suited to installation in 19-in racks. The scope of delivery of all Racksafe types includes ShutDown software with connecting cable. The RS232/RJ45 communication interface guarantees secure monitoring of the UPS as well as data exchange with the connected server or network. All the systems also cater for an optional SNMP interface, which opens up further potential for UPS use in interconnected networks.

Rack monitoring by RMS

As an intelligent network agent, the rack monitoring system (RMS) monitors all the environmental influences vis-à-vis network, control and server racks in the computer centre, in the field and external locations, and initiates measures required to protect the equipment.

Sensors measure the environmental conditions and operating states; freely assignable inputs permit individual connection. Different interfaces are used to evaluate the events in the rack on a central or local console. RMS thereby guarantees trouble-free operation, detects interference early and logs events that occur. Service applications are simplified by the automatic monitoring function and countermeasures are taken in the event of a fault.

Represented in 32 countries world-wide, the Knürr Group is a leading manufacturer of rack and enclosure systems for electronic components, innovative workstation systems and components for data and network technology. The group is focussing particularly on the growth sectors of both telecommunications and data communication, which have extensive requirements for electronic system solutions.

Enquiry No 53

Knürr AG are based in Schatzbogen, Munich, Germany. www.knuerr.com

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