Power, Protect, Connect

Q

Please can you provide some background on Tripp Lite – a
brief history of the company and, specifically, its relevance
to the data centre industry?
A
Founded in 1922, Tripp Lite is a dynamic, forward-thinking company with a strong commitment to the success and satisfaction of its business partners and customers. For more than 90 years, our company has been meeting and mastering the challenges of an ever-evolving business environment. Tripp Lite pioneered the market for Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS) for PCs in the early 80’s and has since been a world leader, further expanding into the 3Phase market. Tripp Lite later broadened its power solutions offering by developing pure sine wave power inverters and backup batteries. These solutions are trusted by millions of customers all over the world.

Tripp Lite has also developed an array of data centre infrastructure hardware solutions, including a broad line of closed and open frame rack enclosures, power distribution units (including networked and managed PDUs in both single- and 3-phase), cooling solutions, KVM and KVM IP switches and literally thousands of cables and connectivity accessories. In addressing the specific needs of the data center customer, Tripp Lite adds customization capability to its product development practice, enabling a “solution sales” structure for this market.

Q
In broad terms, what are the key factors that differentiate
Tripp Lite within the busy UPS marketplace?

A

Reliability
Tripp Lite is an engineering-driven company. We design, manufacture and test our products to the most demanding specifications in the industry.
Value
Unique designs, innovative features and breadth of product are not enough. We combine these with aggressive pricing to provide our customers with the best value.
Service
Our customers love our products, but what really sets us apart and keeps them coming back is our commitment to customer service. Tripp Lite is a company with a global presence and extensive resources, but we’re still small enough to provide you with personalized service and respond to your needs in a timely manner.
Availability
A cornerstone of our corporate strategy is our enormous financial commitment to inventory investment. We maintain a broad assortment of Ready To Ship inventory at all times.

Q

You offer a substantial range of products for the data centre, is there a common theme running through this portfolio?

A
Yes, there is. Our message to the Data Centre manager is simple and stands out in the crowd: Power, Protect and Connect your Infrastructure with Tripp Lite products. The trend in recent years is seeing the convergence of the Data Centre infrastructure groups, Tripp Lite is right there, where Facility and IT converge. Our message of an Integrated Solution means that we offer UPS, PDUs, Racks, Rack accessories, Cooling and Cabling traditionally coming from the facility side and Remote Management in the form of IP KVM and Console Servers coming from the IT side. Our vendor neutral designs integrate seamlessly in any configuration.

Q
Please can you tell us a little bit about KVM – what do end
users need to look for when specifying this, and what
does Tripp Lite offer?

A
KVM switches provide the necessary Out Of Band control, from the BIOS level, of remote Application Servers. This is the only way to fix hanging servers with OS issues and to prevent, or at least minimize, critical down time that is the nightmare of any business, from small to enterprise. The first thing to look for in a KVM switch, beyond the feature set of secure and remote – over IP – server control, is the real-time user experience while running a remote session. This means a Data Centre admin can remotely fix problems, from his desk, with his own keyboard, screen and mouse as if he was physically connected to the server, on premise!

The second thing to look for in a KVM solution is cost effective and easy to operate management capability, which becomes an absolute must-have in deployments of 3-5 switches and up. Tripp Lite offers all the above in its full range of desktop to enterprise KVM switches, both analog and over IP. Full range covers among others 2-4 port DVI, NIAP certified secure KVM, 8-16 port CAT5, 16-32 port multi-user IP KVM. Tripp Lite also offers a line of Console Servers which provide the same out of Band functionality for headless servers which are used mainly for storage.

Q

There are a variety of PDUs available. How can end users
decide which is right for them, and what are the features
that distinguish Tripp Lite products from the competition?

A
One of the main issues that should be addressed in selecting PDUs for a data centre application is the need to balance the relatively high cost of a switched PDU versus the relatively low cost of a basic PDU model.
Basic PDUs are, as their title implies, basic in function. These units provide highly-reliable power distribution to multiple pieces of equipment. Basic PDUs feature multiple outlets, a long input power cord and housing with versatile mounting options. This, for some simpler set ups, would be an adequate solution. Monitored, switched, and ATS PDUs (Auto Transfer Switch) also provide the same reliable power distribution, but with added features.

Metered PDUs offer the addition of a digital load meter. The meter allows network managers to monitor the total power consumption (in amps) of equipment connected to the PDU. Monitored PDUs provide remote monitoring and alerts to prevent overloads that can cause downtime. This is made possible by the built-in ethernet interface that allows users to manage PDUs over the IP network via SNMP, standard web browser, or telnet. Switched PDUs allow network managers the ability to remotely reboot locked devices. The interface allows managers to remotely control power to individual PDU outlets via an ethernet network connection. This feature also extends runtime for critical equipment during a power failure.

Finally, ATS PDUs-- ATS systems normally provide output to all outlets from the primary input cable. If power on the primary input cable is interrupted or becomes unstable, the ATS automatically switches over to the secondary input cable and maintains continuous operation of vital networking equipment without interruption.

Q

Your website says that Tripp Lite offers ‘literally thousands of
cables and connectivity products’ – why the need for so many,
and how do customers know which one(s) they need?
A
Tripp Lite does offer many different cables and connectivity products. We provide all of the types of cables that are needed to build network infrastructure, Including: Copper up to 100GB, Fiber, USB, Firewire, and power cords.

For Audio/Visual display or extension applications Tripp Lite offers a full range of VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, component, composite and more. Our web site offers easy to use product selectors to aid in choosing the product that suits your needs and budget.

Q

Cabinets and racks are becoming more sophisticated – no
longer just boxes. Why is this, and what advantages do the
‘right’ hardware enclosures offer customers?
A

It is true that a rack is not just a box any more. Many advances have been made in the realms of data security, and environmental concerns. Our rack line consists of products with the most advanced data security mechanisms, from PCI compliant racks and locking collation models to custom cabinets with built-in keypads that can record when the rack was accessed and by who. These racks help protect the end-user’s sensitive data and invaluable reputation.
Tripp Lite also understands that some sites are more rugged than others. Racks that can withstand harsh work environments and protect valuable equipment from dust and vibrations (SR42UBEIS) and racks that can withstand earthquake conditions (SR42UBZ4) are in high demand in locations such as mining operations and other factory/ manufacturing environments.

Q

Network power management – exactly what is it, and how
does Tripp Lite help customers with it?

A
Remote Power Management helps the Data Centre manager to monitor and control the Power that runs their Data Centre equipment. This mission critical operation allows them to increase power and energy efficiency and most importantly lowers costs by shutting down power to non-functional equipment and by managing picks to avoid overloads that might result in blackouts. Tripp Lite provides its customers, free of charge, with a software application that auto discovers all power related devices on the network – UPSs and PDUs - and provides both the monitoring and remote control of each of these devices.

Q

SNMP – How does Tripp Lite help customers with this – again,
it’s a busy market?

A
For customers needing to remotely monitor and manage their UPS like any other network device, Tripp Lite offers SNMP capabilities through the use of the SNMPWEBCARD that can be installed into compatible SmartPro and SmartOnline UPS systems. This card provides monitoring via SNMP, TELNET, HTTP, HTTPS, SSH and integrates seamlessly into existing network management systems or can be monitored via the free PowerAlert NMS software. We have both line-interactive and online models that come “network ready.” This means that they have a network card pre-installed in the units. Outside of these models, the SNMPWEBCARD can be added to any compatible units which will make them network manageable for full remote monitoring and management of your UPS systems status and site power data. Additionally, temperature and humidity can also be monitored via an additional environmental probe accessory (ENVIROSENSE) that attaches to the SNMPWEBCARD. SNMP capabilities are also built-in to our Monitored and Switched Power Distribution Systems.

Q

We’ve concentrated on your data centre offering, but you offer
technology ‘from the desktop to the data centre’. What benefits
does this broad portfolio bring to your enterprise customers?

A
Not every piece of IT equipment is inside the Data Centre, there is plenty outside in the form of desktop PCs, printers, testing labs, R&D labs, QA facilities and more. These environments require the same power protection and remote management one can find inside the Data Centre. Tripp Lite offers complete lines of small to medium sized UPSs, Line conditioners, Inverters and Surge suppressors in case of a brown out or complete power failure together with the range of KVM/Console Server switches for centralized control and management of the IT equipment at use.

Q

More specifically, are then any particular vertical or
geographical markets where you’d like to increase your profile?
A

We are constantly on the lookout to expand into new vertical markets, following our customer needs. We see opportunity in growing markets like solar energy, oil and gas, construction and building. As an international company we are always looking all over the world.

Q
How important is the Channel to Tripp Lite – both in terms of the
progress made to date and for future expansion?

A
Our commitment to the channel is the foundation of Tripp Lite’s business philosophy. Our singular objective is to provide the products, programs and services our channel partners need to maximize their sales and margin opportunities in a very competitive market.

Q
Can you give one or two brief examples of how Tripp Lite has
helped customers – maybe illustrating the breadth of the
solutions you can supply?

A
Tripp Lite has helped many businesses large and small stay connected. Recently, Tripp Lite had the opportunity to work with the Kenya Airports Authority. The Airports Authority has employed the use of our SU120KX2 SmartOnline™ Modular 3-Phase UPS System to protect their critical systems in their newly built data centre that controls all flight control systems.

Tripp Lite also has helped to protect many educational institutions, such as the Louisiana School District. In this case the district employed the use of Several rack and UPS models to help keep class in session while keeping all IT equipment secured safely in locked racks.