The Raritan Blog

Basic vs. Intelligent Rack Power Distribution Units

Michael Bord
June 12, 2015

It doesn’t look like much at first glance. You notice a row or two of electrical outlets that run the length of a metal box. A small LCD screen (compared to say, your iPhone 6), various ports, and a few buttons. Some funny markings: L3/L1, L2/L3, L1/L2.  It’s the sort of machine a real gearhead loves. But, not the kind those of us dependent on ‘technology consumerization’ can appreciate. You want to like it, but you’re not sure what to make of this thing from the outside.

Here’s the funny thing about it though. This box full of blinking lights and whirring noises is the most sophisticated device in the data center power distribution chain. That’s not an exaggeration. Let’s start with a quick recap of the intelligent PDU's capabilities.