AKCP SmartCabinet Sensor (CAS) – Holistic IT rack monitoring for data centers
AKCP SmartCabinet Sensor (CAS)
The security and reliability of server infrastructures depends heavily on precise environmental monitoring inside IT racks. Even minor deviations in temperature, humidity, or airflow can cause severe consequences – from performance degradation to downtime of mission-critical systems. The AKCP SmartCabinet Sensor (CAS) offers an innovative solution designed specifically for modern IT rack monitoring. Combining multiple advanced sensors into one compact device, CAS supports administrators in proactively managing their data center environments.
The AKCP CAS integrates temperature measurement, humidity supervision, and differential pressure sensing into a single platform. Operators of 19-inch racks can obtain real-time readings of environmental conditions inside their equipment. This ensures early detection of hotspots, inefficient cooling, or airflow malfunctions. Seamlessly integrated into AKCP’s sensorProbe+ platform, the SmartCabinet Sensor is managed locally or via SNMP by centralized monitoring solutions.
Installation is fast and flexible. Its compact casing allows mounting on walls, DIN rails, desktops, or magnetically. Using CAT5/CAT6 cabling up to 18 meters, positioning within racks is highly adaptable. Combined with monitoring software such as AKCPro Server, the CAS delivers a complete overview of conditions inside server racks, including temperature profiles, airflow visualization, and pressure mapping.
For operators of data centers, colocation providers, or critical infrastructures, precision monitoring is mandatory. Beyond preventing technical failures, the CAS also enhances energy efficiency. By collecting exact data, cooling resources can be fine-tuned, reducing energy costs and supporting sustainability goals. At the same time, it helps meet compliance standards and audit reporting requirements.
High-Precision Temperature Measurement
A key feature of the CAS is its six integrated temperature sensors, measuring between -40 °C and +75 °C (-40 °F to +167 °F). With 0.1 °C resolution and ±0.3 °C accuracy, even small variations are detected immediately. Additionally, three delta-T readings display temperature differences between rack front and back, creating a precise thermal profile and enabling accurate hotspot detection – an essential feature for hot aisle / cold aisle monitoring.
Humidity & Differential Pressure
In addition to temperature, the CAS incorporates two hygrometers covering 0%–100% relative humidity with ±2% accuracy at 25 °C. A differential pressure sensor further records airflow variation up to ±125 Pa, with a resolution as high as 0.01 Pa. This ensures operators can maintain correct airflow between hot and cold aisles in the data center.
Integration into sensorProbe+ Systems
The AKCP SmartCabinet Sensor is exclusively compatible with sensorProbe+ models (sensorProbe2+, sensorProbeX+). Full SNMP support enables easy integration with Zabbix, PRTG, Nagios, or HP OpenView. Administrators can configure alarms, log data, and analyze trends directly through the platform.
AutoSense technology automatically detects and registers the sensor once connected via standard network cabling. Settings for thresholds, alerts, and user profiles are easily adjusted through the built-in web interface, with no complex programming required.
Alarm & Reporting Functions
If temperature, humidity, or pressure values exceed defined thresholds, the CAS sends alerts immediately by e-mail, SMS, or SNMP trap. These flexible notification methods ensure that critical incidents are addressed rapidly. For reporting and audit compliance, the data logger archives historical measurements, which can be analyzed later. When integrated with AKCPro Server, operators can visualize rack-maps, highlighting hotspots and airflow distribution within the data center.
Flexible Installation & Handling
Compact dimensions (75 × 55 × 27 mm) allow installation in virtually any location. Whether rack wall mounting, magnetic fastening, or DIN rail installation, the CAS adapts easily. With cable lengths of up to 18 m, the sensor maintains coverage even in larger rack systems, providing flexibility for varied infrastructures and layouts.
Application Areas
- Data center SmartCabinet monitoring: full supervision of racks to prevent hot spots and cooling failures
- Hot aisle / cold aisle airflow monitoring: ensure pressure balance and flow direction
- Energy efficiency optimization: fine-tune cooling systems based on precision data
- IT infrastructure monitoring: reliable detection of key environmental parameters
- Compliance & reporting: support for audits and regulatory requirements
Benefits of the SmartCabinet Sensor (CAS)
- Combined monitoring of temperature, humidity, and airflow in one device
- Seamless integration with sensorProbe+ hardware
- Full SNMP compatibility for remote monitoring
- High-resolution differential pressure measurements
- Flexible mounting options for multiple environments
- Data logging & alarm functions for long-term analysis
- Rack-map visualization support for at-a-glance hot spot detection
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Which parameters does the CAS measure?
Six temperature sensors, two humidity sensors, and one differential pressure sensor in a single unit.
Can it integrate into existing monitoring systems?
Yes, with full SNMP support it works seamlessly with Zabbix, Nagios, PRTG, and more.
How complex is installation?
Very simple. Connect via CAT5/6 cable, AutoSense detects it automatically, and configure via web interface.
Can multiple CAS sensors be run at once?
Yes, sensorProbe+ devices support multiple CAS units in parallel for scalable monitoring.
The AKCP SmartCabinet Sensor (CAS) is a powerful tool for precise IT rack monitoring in data centers. With integrated temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors, it provides comprehensive environmental data for proactive infrastructure management. Full sensorProbe+ integration, coupled with SNMP support, alarm features, and visualization options, make CAS the ideal solution for ensuring compliance, efficiency, and reliability in modern rack environments.