Main Distribution Frames (MDF) and Intermediate Distribution Frames (IDF) are integral components of modern data communication networks.
Buildings or campus facilities have one or more MDFs which are the demarcation points where public or private telecommunication networks interconnect with the internal network. The MDF then connects to any number of IDFs in the building, and the devices in those IDFs connect to end devices such as workstations.
As data centers become more decentralized, MDF/IDF closets are now elevated to mission-critical status. However, they are often overlooked and mismanaged when compared to more traditional data center sites.
Common challenges of managing remote sites include having no visibility into equipment inventory and configuration, a lack of understanding of rack capacity, inaccurate work orders for technicians performing moves, adds, and changes, the inability to monitor site health and security, and having siloed tools and teams that don’t communicate.
Fortunately, there is a path forward to simplify and centralize the management of your MDF/IDF estate. The key is to have the right tools and processes in place that allow you to monitor and manage all your global sites in a single pane of glass.
In this eBook, we’ve compiled the top ten best practices for MDF/IDF closet management that we’ve learned from our customers. Follow these guidelines set by some of the most successful data center professionals in the world, and you will improve uptime, efficiency, and productivity across your entire IT environment.