Intelligent PDU IP Configuration

Intelligent PDUs can be configured with individual IP addresses or cascaded to minimize IP usage while maintaining full network monitoring and control.

IP Address Assignment

Intelligent PDUs typically support IPv4, IPv6, or dual-stack configurations. Each PDU can be assigned a static IP address or configured to obtain one via DHCP. For initial setup, you can connect directly to the PDU using an Ethernet port or a serial interface to configure the IP address through the web GUI or CLI ( ).

Network Cascading and Dual Ethernet Ports

To reduce the number of IP addresses required, many PDUs support cascading. For example, Conteg PDUs allow up to 16 units to share a single IP address, connecting multiple PDUs through a single network switch port ( ). Similarly, Vertiv rPDUs with dual Ethernet ports act as a 2-port switch, enabling daisy-chaining of multiple PDUs while maintaining network connectivity and monitoring ( ).

Web GUI Configuration

Once connected, the web GUI provides a user-friendly interface to:

• Set the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway
• Configure SNMP settings for remote monitoring
• Manage user accounts and authentication (RADIUS or LDAP)
• Monitor outlet power, environmental sensors, and thresholds
• Enable email alerts and event notifications ( )

SNMP and Remote Management

Intelligent PDUs support SNMP v1/v2c/v3, allowing integration with network management systems. You can configure community strings, trap destinations, and user permissions to ensure secure monitoring and control ( ).

Reset and Troubleshooting

Most PDUs include a network reset button to restore factory IP settings. Holding the button during normal operation or power-up can reset the IP address and user accounts, which is useful if the PDU becomes unreachable ( ).

Best Practices

• Use cascading or dual-port daisy-chaining to minimize IP usage.
• Assign static IPs for critical PDUs to ensure consistent monitoring.
• Enable SNMP and email alerts for proactive management.
• Document IP assignments and network topology to simplify maintenance. By following these steps, intelligent PDUs can be efficiently integrated into a data center network, providing reliable power monitoring, environmental sensing, and remote management while optimizing IP address usage ( ).