Submittal
More Meaningful Connections
2 WHITE PAPER – Introduction to the Micro Data Center (MDC)
Figure 1. Featuring MDC79D
Introduction
The industrial network is the fundamental backbone for
data collection and transmission to points of use. Industrial
network applications range from the ability to trace quality of
production lots, improve preventive maintenance schedules,
manage and monitor processes, improve safety, and identify
constraints to increase productivity. These applications
are supported by a reliable and secure network to keep
production owing and business communication running
smoothly where downtime is measured in minutes and in
thousands of dollars from missed customer commitments.
Ofce-grade IT equipment often is deployed in the industrial space, with additional environmental protection
required. Automation vendors are integrating Ethernet connectivity at all levels of manufacturing starting at the
bottom with sensors to PLCs and up to manufacturing servers and switches. Crucial to success is ensuring that
the linkage between these systems is secure, environmentally protected, and optimized to speed diagnostics
and problem solving; reserving the ability to isolate the networks when security threats to
production arise.
The centerpiece that brings this all together is a Micro Data Center (MDC). An MDC is a partial, single, or
multiple rack/cabinet that houses rack mounted servers, switches, UPS, Backup Systems, rewalls, and DIN rail
mounted devices
(see Figure 1).
The Micro Data Center is designed to provide the link between the Corporate and
the Industrial Networks in order to:
• Maintain network uptime
• Provide the ability to segregate networks
• Manage network security
• Speed changes and troubleshooting
• Provide ease of installation
This White Paper reviews the elements of an MDC and investigates the benets of deploying this technology in
an Industrial Automation environment.