Canford To Preview IP-Addressable MDUs At IBC2014

With the new Canford IP-addressable Mains Distribution Units (MDUs), managing power distribution in Broadcast, IT and server racks has never been easier, writes Paul Vickers, Marketing Manager at Canford Audio.

Canford has a proven record of manufacturing industry leading, robust MDUs, which have been in production for over 20 years (since 1992, to be exact). Canford has applied this knowledge, build quality and years of customer feedback in to this new range of advanced IP-addressable Mains Distribution Units.
Already having a great launch pad in the hardware of standard MDUs allowed Canford to focus on the most important aspect of these new IP MDUs; the user interface.
Great care has been taken to make controlling the myriad of available features effortless. A user-friendly experience via the sleek and intuitive web interface has been achieved without compromising accessibility from smart phones, tablets and PCs. In fact, any device with an html browser and an internet connection can securely access the product.
This means wherever you are, when that email or call comes in, you can easily and effectively monitor and control the MDU.
One of the more unique features of the Canford IP MDU is the ability to control door locks remotely. This enables off-site personnel to grant engineers or support teams access to either server rooms or locked racks and cabinets (products also available from Canford).
Configurable aspects of the unit include: MDU current monitoring, MDU power monitoring (Volts, Amps, Power Factor & kWhrs), per socket control (On, Off, Time delayed and Sequential start up), per socket monitoring and environmental sensors (rack/room temperature and humidity).
The IP MDUs feature simultaneous XML output; allowing easy integration into third party database/SQL software for automatic logging and data processing. Automated alarms with thresholds for high/low values of each monitored component are also available. Data for all values can also be sent via email and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).
The inbuilt web server (HTTP) permits web browsing across multiple platforms; including iPads and other devices, as well as SNMP for integration into building / network management tools, such as HP Open View, Aperture VISTA etc.
Every aspect of the MDU can be remotely monitored and logged. Components can be polled through third party NMS (network management system) software using SNMP or through a database with the XML data output and embedded in to charts/graphs.
Temperature and humidity can form part of a comprehensive automated monitoring system, whereby SNMP/ Email and optional audible local alarms can be triggered when any value exceeds or drops below specified values.
The ability to add and control slave units has been implemented, allowing multiple units to combine where extra power outputs are required. These slave units will also offer cost savings as they don't require the same internal components as the master.
There is a LCD screen built into the unit to display metrics from the MDU to onsite staff. The backlight colour changes from green to red when an alarm is triggered to further alert local users.
A demo model will be on stand showcasing the full range of features crammed into this compact 1U package. Production models will be available from October 2014.

The article is also available to read in BFV online.

(IT/JP)