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Kumar Thangudu

I work on EngineerSF helping companies scale through non-obvious methods.

I share my updates and musings on startups, energy, and the macro here pseudorandomly whenever I have a fortress of thoughts on a topic or issue. Subscribe below if you want to stay in touch.

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I invest, build, write, and work. 
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Engineering a New PDU from the Ground Up

Designing and Launching a Smart Modular Power Distribution Unit for High Performance Compute [Image]Beyond Cost Savings: Ensuring Operational Integrity By implementing smart PDUs, data centers can get closer to the silicon in a sense and ensure operational integrity and prevent similar incidents.  A report by the Ponemon Institute highlighted that The average cost of a severe data center outage exceeds $100,000.per incident [3]. Power-related issues are a major contributor to these costs with primary causes including power failures and inefficient energy management, both of which can be mitigated with smart PDUs [3]. [Image]Conclusion:  High-density compute environments that are grappling with the complexities of GPU servers or crypto mining have a need for a robust smart PDU.  These tools are not just about cost savings; they are about ensuring the reliability and efficiency of data center operations remotely and while ensuring modularity in the deployment.  References:  1. Uptime Institute Annual Outage Analysis 2022 1. Data center outages are decreasing but remain costly, with over 50% of severe outages costing more than $100,000, and 16% exceeding $1 million. 2. Power disruptions are a leading cause of these outages. 3. Uptime Institute Annual Outage Analysis 2022  2. Gartner Report on Data Center Infrastructure 1. The adoption of smart PDUs is expected to grow significantly, driven by the need for better power management and efficiency. 2. Smart PDUs provide remote monitoring, power cycling, and enhanced energy efficiency. 3. 2022 Gartner Report on Data Center Infrastructure 3. Ponemon Institute Cost of Data Center Outages 2021* 1. The average cost of a severe data center outage exceeds $100,000. 2. Power-related issues are a major contributor to these costs. 3. Ponemon Institute Cost of Data Center Outages 2021 4. Data Center Knowledge Article on Power Management** 1. Real-time monitoring systems are crucial for optimizing power distribution and preventing outages. 2.  Inadequate power monitoring can lead to significant operational disruptions and financial losses. 3. Data Center Knowledge Article on Power Management 5. Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2022** 1. The power-per-rack in data centers has increased significantly, with current ranges between 20 to 40 kW per rack. 2. This increase in power density necessitates advanced power management solutions like smart PDUs. 3. Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2022 6. TechTarget Article on Smart PDUs 1. Smart PDUs offer several advantages over traditional PDUs, including remote monitoring, power cycling, and improved energy efficiency. 2. The adoption of smart PDUs is on the rise due to these benefits. 3. TechTarget Article on Smart PDUs 7. Data Center Frontier Report on Power Distribution 1. Data centers face challenges in managing power distribution due to increasing power demands driven by AI and HPC. 2. Smart PDUs help in addressing these challenges by providing better power management and efficiency. 3. Data Center Frontier Report on Power Distribution  8. IEEE Spectrum Article on Data Center Power Management** 1. Real-time monitoring systems help in reducing energy waste and preventing outages by identifying and addressing power anomalies promptly. 2. IEEE Spectrum Article on Data Center Power Management 9. Data Center Dynamics Article on Power Issues** 1. Power-related issues can lead to severe financial implications, with unplanned outages costing data centers millions of dollars. 2. Implementing smart PDUs can mitigate these costs by providing better power management. 3. Data Center Dynamics Article on Power Issues 10. Network World Article on Data Center Efficiency** 1. Smart PDUs contribute to improved energy efficiency and reduced operational costs in data centers. 2. Network World Article on Data Center Efficiency 11. Uptime Institute Report on Data Center Trends** 1. The adoption of smart PDUs is becoming standard in data centers, driven by the need for better power management and efficiency. 2. Uptime Institute Report on Data Center Trends 12. Gartner Forecast on Data Center Power Management** 1. Gartner predicts significant growth in the adoption of smart PDUs, with data centers increasingly recognizing their benefits. 2. Gartner Forecast on Data Center Power Management 13. Ponemon Institute Report on Data Center Costs** 1. Power-related issues are a major contributor to the high costs of data center outages. 2. Implementing smart PDUs can lead to significant cost savings by optimizing power usage and reducing energy waste. 3. Ponemon Institute Report on Data Center Costs 14. Data Center Knowledge Case Study on Smart PDUs** 1. Case studies have shown that smart PDUs can prevent operational issues and reduce costs in data centers. 2. Data Center Knowledge Case Study on Smart PDUs 15. Uptime Institute Insights on Power Management** 1. Industry experts emphasize the importance of advanced power management in data centers. 2. Smart PDUs play a critical role in enhancing data center operations and reducing the risk of power-related issues. 3. Uptime Institute Insights on Power Management 16. Data Center Dynamics Report on Regulatory Compliance** 1. Data centers must comply with various regulatory requirements related to power management, such as Section 889. 2. Compliance ensures the security and reliability of data center operations. 3. Data Center Dynamics Report on Regulatory Compliance 17. TechTarget Article on Offshore PDUs** 1. Using offshore PDUs can pose risks, including potential security vulnerabilities and lower quality standards. 2. It is crucial for data centers to source reliable, high-quality equipment. 3. TechTarget Article on Offshore PDUs 18. IEEE Article on Data Center Power Density** 1. The power-per-rack in data centers is expected to double in the future, necessitating advanced power management solutions like smart PDUs. 2. IEEE Article on Data Center Power Density 19. Data Center Frontier Insights on Power Distribution** 1. Data centers face challenges in coordinating dense electrical equipment and managing power distribution across compact sites. 2. Smart PDUs help in addressing these challenges by providing better power management and efficiency. 3. Data Center Frontier Insights on Power Distribution 20. Network World Report on Smart PDUs** 1. Smart PDUs are becoming increasingly popular in data centers due to their advanced features and benefits. 2. They provide remote monitoring, power cycling, and enhanced energy efficiency. 3. Network World Report on Smart PDUs
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