Monitoring and Dispatch Control System

Our design bureau has developed working documentation for the center's monitoring and dispatch control system.

Dispatch Control and Automation

System Name and Purpose

The monitoring and dispatch control system is designed for centralized monitoring, control, and event logging of environmental factors, providing monitoring and remote control of engineering equipment that ensures the facility's operation.

Technical and Design Solutions Description

System Composition

The Monitoring and Dispatch Control System (MDCS) consists of two subsystems:

Monitoring and dispatch control of temperature and humidity inside server and data storage equipment cabinets, parameters of uninterruptible power supply units, air conditioners, and refrigeration machines in the Data Center room, UPS units, and outdoor areas.

Automation and Dispatch Control of Facility Engineering Equipment

The first subsystem architecturally includes three levels:

• Central server for data acquisition, processing, archiving, transmission, and display in a human-readable format - upper level.
• Monitoring controllers for data collection, primary processing, and recording of collected information - middle level.

Temperature and humidity sensors for obtaining information about controlled parameters, as well as SNMP network-connected devices with their built-in sensors - lower level.

The second subsystem architecturally includes three levels:

Central monitoring and dispatch server - universal hardware-software complex for remote dispatch control and management of facility engineering equipment, visualization, alarm signaling, archiving of parameters and events, implemented on a computer as an automated workstation (AWS) of the dispatcher (upper level).

Automation cabinets with installed remote input and output signal modules (middle level).

Sensors, transducers, actuator drives for collecting information about parameters and status of engineering equipment and controlling it (lower level).

The upper level provides display of operational information about the status of the facility's systems on the dispatcher's AWS and remote control of equipment integrated into the MDCS.

The lower level provides direct monitoring of parameters and statuses of engineering systems. Technical implementation of the lower level is carried out using:

• Air and coolant temperature sensors.
• Coolant pressure sensors in pipelines, water pressure sensor at the inlet to the steam humidifier.
• Liquid level sensor in the makeup tank of the external cooling circuit.

Status monitoring (open/closed), control of actuators.

Technical Solutions

The server equipment monitoring and dispatch control subsystem is built on a software-hardware complex type that provides redundancy capability, including at sites located remotely, beyond the main facility, but connected to it via the internal local network.

Three sensors are located in each server cabinet and data storage cabinet. Two temperature (temperature and humidity) sensors are installed on the front door of the cabinet at heights of 1.6m and 0.8m from the raised floor. The third temperature sensor is installed on the rear door of the cabinet at a height of 1.5m from the raised floor.

Monitoring controllers are located in the server cabinet. Twelve rack sensor pods are connected in series to the main controller. The central server is located in the server cabinet, which is connected via a switch to SNMP-enabled devices and the external Ethernet network.

The engineering equipment automation and dispatch control subsystem is built on a software-hardware complex and hardware complex from various manufacturers.

Monitoring and dispatch cabinets are interconnected by a single data network. This architecture allows expanding the MDCS by connecting new monitoring and dispatch cabinets to the system via the ModBus data network.

The project provides for the use of the following equipment:

• Freely programmable controller.
• Freely programmable logic controller.
• Analog input modules.
• Discrete input modules.
• Discrete output modules.
• Surface-mounted temperature sensors.
• Outdoor air temperature sensor.
• Liquid pressure sensor.
• Liquid level sensor with analog output with measuring part length 1000 mm.

The MDCS receives and outputs the following signal types:

Input signals:

• Discrete signal of "dry contact" type.
• Analog signal 4...20 mA.
• Analog signal from resistance thermometers.

Output signals:

• Discrete signal - contact of electromagnetic relay.

The ModBus protocol is used to ensure communication and data exchange. Communication via other types of information protocols in the engineering systems monitoring and dispatch control subsystem is not provided for in this project.

The engineering equipment automation and dispatch control subsystem provides the following main functions:

• Remote control of engineering equipment in automatic mode and by command from the dispatcher's AWS.
• Display on the dispatcher's monitor of information about equipment operation, including fault alarms.
• Archiving and display of statistical information about equipment operation.
• Ability to determine causes of emergency situations that occurred.
• Ability to organize equipment maintenance based on condition, not time.

For effective monitoring of engineering equipment operation, the organization of a dispatch point with placement of the dispatcher's AWS is provided. The organization of the dispatch point and dispatcher's AWS is adopted taking into account the requirements of ISO 11064. The dispatch point, consisting of two PCs, two 23.8" LCD monitors and two 56" LCD monitors, is provided in the room on the first floor. The dispatcher's AWS consists of one PC, one 23.8" LCD monitor and two 56" LCD monitors. The IT services AWS consists of one PC and one 23.8" LCD monitor. For equipment location of the dispatch point, see sheet 125.

The configuration of the dispatcher's AWS and IT services AWS is as follows:

• Motherboard - P8H77-M.
• Processor - Core i5 3470.
• RAM - 2048MB DDR3-1333.
• Hard drive - SATA-3 500G.
• Video card - N630GT-MD1GD3.
• Drive - DVD+/-RW SATA.
• Case - PC310-31B.
• AWS Software - Microsoft Windows 7.

SCADA software is used as the software for the automation and dispatch control system, which is installed on the controller. The software of the engineering systems automation and dispatch control subsystem performs the following main functions:

• Formation and management of the database.
• Visualization of information on the AWS monitor in an intuitive form.
• Automatic archiving of parameters, events and dispatcher actions.
• Audio-visual alarm signaling of emergency messages.

The order and volume of information displayed on the AWS monitor is agreed with the Customer during the commissioning works stage.

System Operation

Operation of Server Equipment Monitoring and Dispatch Control Subsystem

The project provides for a dispatch control system for all life support subsystems of the server room. The system operates in continuous mode, provides the ability to collect and provide operational personnel with information about the status parameters and serviceability of elements of the engineering infrastructure of the server room, including power supply and uninterruptible power supply subsystems, air conditioning subsystem and internal environment status, fire safety system. The system informs operational personnel about pre-emergency and emergency status of controlled parameters.

The system provides remote manual control of the main status parameters of UPS:

• Transition/return of UPS to electronic bypass.
• Supply/disconnect uninterruptible power to server room equipment.

Perform Status Diagnostic Tests

The system provides transmission of information in digital form, control commands within the system and at the output using the Ethernet network standard via data exchange protocols - TCP IP, SNMP, SMTP. Means of transmission and display of information of the upper level of the dispatch control system are connected to the facility's local network. Access to information of controlled parameters of the system, and control of infrastructure elements is performed from the system administrator's workplace, or from computers connected to the network via a Web browser. The system has means of differentiating access rights to information and parameters for any user of the local network. The dispatch control system provides the ability to transmit messages about accidents and events to the system administrator's workplace (Email and SMS). The structural diagram of engineering infrastructure dispatch control is given in the drawing.

Operation of Engineering Equipment Monitoring and Dispatch Control Subsystem

The project provides for integration into the MDCS of the following engineering systems of the facility:

• Ventilation and air conditioning.
• Cooling supply.
• Steam humidifier unit.
• Power supply.
• Electric lighting.
• System for monitoring status of fire dampers and smoke exhaust valves.
• Drainage.
• Fire alarm.

Ventilation and Air Conditioning

The ventilation and air conditioning system is designed to provide the specified microclimate in the Data Center room. The project provides for integration of engineering equipment of the ventilation and air conditioning system into the MDCS.

Composition of the ventilation and air conditioning system:

• Supply air handling unit. Installed in the room and has a local automation cabinet (LAC), supplied complete with the unit. Integrated into the MDCS via ModBus protocol. The LAC also monitors and controls the exhaust fan located in the same room.
• Restroom exhaust fan. Integration into the MDCS is not provided, it is turned on by turning on the light in the corresponding room.
• Smoke exhaust fan. Installed in the electrical room. The MDCS monitors the status of the fan (on/off).
• Air conditioners. Installed in Data Center and UPS rooms (3 units), integrated into the MDCS network via Ethernet protocol.

The project provides for the MDCS to perform the following functions:

• Remote switching on and off of the supply unit.
• Remote setting of supply air temperature.
• Monitoring of outdoor air temperature.
• Monitoring of operation and faults of the supply fan and exhaust fan.
• Monitoring of air conditioner operation.

In case of deviation from the specified operating parameters of the engineering equipment of the ventilation and air conditioning system, the system issues warning and emergency signals to the MDCS.

Cooling Supply

The cooling supply system is designed to produce coolant for the needs of the air conditioning system of the Data Center and UPS rooms. The cooling supply system has the following composition:

• Refrigeration machines - 4 units. Installed outdoors, have standard local automation and are connected to the MDCS via Ethernet protocol.
• Circulation pumps of the refrigeration machine circuit - 4 units.
• Installed in the room and controlled by standard local automation cabinets of the refrigeration machines.
• Circulation pumps on the air conditioner circuit - 4 units.
• Installed in the room and controlled by the cooling system cabinet.

Make-up pump of the refrigeration machine circuit - 1 unit. Installed and controlled with a local control panel (start and stop buttons installed on the doors of the cooling system cabinet).

Shut-off valves on supply and return lines of air conditioner coolant circulation, as well as at the inlet and outlet of hydraulic accumulators - 64 units. Installed near the corresponding distribution manifolds and controlled by the cooling system cabinet.

The project provides for the MDCS to perform the following functions:

• Remote control (on/off) of refrigeration machines by the dispatcher.
• Remote and automatic control (on/off) of circulation pumps of the air conditioner circuit.
• Local control (on/off) of the make-up pump of the refrigeration machine circuit.
• Remote and automatic control (open/close) of shut-off valves.
• Monitoring temperature on supply (main and backup) cooling circuits.
• Monitoring temperature on return (main and backup) cooling circuits.
• Monitoring pressure on supply (main and backup) cooling circuits.
• Monitoring pressure on return (main and backup) cooling circuits.
• Monitoring temperature after heat exchangers of corresponding refrigeration machines.
• Monitoring pressure after heat exchangers of corresponding refrigeration machines.
• Monitoring liquid level in the make-up tank.

In case of deviation of operating parameters of the engineering equipment of the cooling supply system from standard values, the project provides for issuing corresponding emergency signals to the MDCS.

Steam Humidifier Unit

The project provides for monitoring water pressure at the inlet to the steam humidifier unit. In case of deviation of the current water pressure from the set values, the system issues corresponding emergency signals to the MDCS.

Power Supply

The power supply system is designed to ensure power supply through distribution of electricity supply.

Composition of the power supply system:

Diesel generator sets are installed in rooms. Connected to the MDCS via ModBus protocol. The main electrical switchboard is installed and consists of 10 sections.

The project provides for the performance of the following functions:

• Monitoring status of Automatic Transfer Switch.
• Monitoring status of UPS.
• Monitoring parameters of electrical network
• Monitoring presence of voltage on incoming and outgoing circuit breakers.

Monitoring of signals is performed by connecting control cable after the corresponding circuit breaker/ATS, connecting electrical network parameter analyzers to the MDCS via ModBus protocol. In case of deviation of operating parameters of the engineering equipment of the power supply system from the set values, the system issues emergency signals to the MDCS.

Electric Lighting

The project provides for monitoring the presence of voltage after lighting group circuit breakers, as well as control (on/off) of corresponding lighting groups. Remote monitoring and control of lighting is carried out from the dispatch point using remote I/O modules installed in the electrical automation cabinet. In case of deviation from the specified parameters of the electric lighting system, the system issues emergency signals to the MDCS.

System for Monitoring Status of Fire Dampers and Smoke Exhaust Valves

Composition of valves at the facility:

• Fire damper on the supply unit line - 2 units.
• Fire damper on the exhaust fan line - 2 units.
• Fire damper on the smoke exhaust line - 2 units.

For description of the fire damper operation algorithm, see the Electrical Technical Regulations section.

The project provides for monitoring the status of fire damper groups (open/closed).

Drainage

The project provides for monitoring the presence of voltage on the drainage pump. In case of voltage loss, the project provides for issuing corresponding warning and emergency signals to the MDCS.

Fire Alarm

The project provides for monitoring the fire alarm system and performing the following functions:

• Monitoring status of Fire Alarm Control Panel.
• Monitoring faults of Fire Alarm Control Panel.
• Monitoring faults of the fire extinguishing starter power supply unit UPS.
• Monitoring faults of the fire extinguishing starter power supply unit Diesel Generator Set 1.
• Monitoring faults of the fire extinguishing starter power supply unit Diesel Generator Set 2.
• Monitoring faults of the fire alarm system power supply unit.

In case of deviation of the current water pressure from standard values, the project provides for issuing corresponding warning and emergency signals to the MDCS.

Power Supply and Cable Network

Power supply of the MDCS is carried out according to the 1st category of power supply, I/O modules are powered through uninterruptible power supplies installed in the cooling system cabinet and electrical automation cabinet. The cable network of the system is built on a "bus" topology, within the cable information network. Information transmission over the system's cable network is carried out based on open standard protocols such as Ethernet, SNMP, ModBus. The ModBus cable network is physically separated from the general administrative structured cable network of the facility.

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