Submittal

More Meaningful Connections
4 WHITE PAPER – Introduction to the Micro Data Center (MDC)
From a logical architecture perspective, the MDC is positioned between the manufacturing oor and the
enterprise data center (see Figure 3). To maintain separation, a demilitarized zone (DMZ) is used in conjunction
with a rewall to prevent direct trafc between the enterprise and manufacturing network. This separation
prevents viruses and other unwanted user intrusions while ensuring maximum bandwidth dedicated for
manufacturing. The benet of this structured approach is that events unfolding in one network can be addressed
independently, leaving the unaffected network to function normally.
The NEMA 12 rated MDC supports and protects industrial automation and control systems (IACS) within
a manufacturing environment. The NEMA 12 design provides equipment inside the enclosure a degree of
protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects and water. It is capable of being deployed directly on the
plant oor and no longer must compete for space inside a control room or telecommunications closet. The ability
to position the MDC on the plant oor, close to production equipment, helps reduce the number of connections,
minimizes cable run length(s), and facilitates easy access to achieve high network reliability and performance.
Further benets offered by this proximity include reducing the number of potential failure points and lowering
inherent network latency while facilitating rapid troubleshooting and diagnostic capabilities.
From a physical perspective, the MDC is typically located in a secure space (such as a Control Room,
Production Ofce, or Telecommunications Closet) that is located close to the production environment but is not
actually part of it. This stems from the need to separate the effects of these environments on MDC equipment
(i.e., dust, moisture, vibration, corrosion, etc.). Positioning the MDC near production equipment helps reduce
the number of connections, minimizes cable run length(s), and facilitates easy access in order to achieve high
network reliability and performance. Further benets offered by this proximity include reducing the number
of potential failure points and lowering inherent network latency while facilitating rapid troubleshooting and
diagnostic capabilities.
MDC Design
The starting point to the MDC design is identifying the capabilities and associated equipment required as well as a
housing solution that centralizes equipment. A superior MDC design addresses the following key considerations:
• Housing – Racks and Cabinets
• Equipment Layout
• Network Cabling – Media Selection and Security
• Cable Management
Figure 3. Block Diagram Indicating Location of Micro Data Center in Relation to the Data Center, Corp Network, Industrial
Pathways, and Equipment Panels
Corporate Industrial Environment
Industrial
Pathways
Corporate
Data Center
Facility
Network
Room
Telco Closet
User End
Points...
Micro
Data Center
Panels,
Machines,
etc...