Overview
ISO/IEC 19395:2015 - "Information technology - Sustainability for and by information technology - Smart data centre resource monitoring and control" defines a messaging framework to enable integrated, “smart” monitoring and control of data centre Resources. The standard models Resources as compositions of Resource Components (e.g., racks, servers, ventilators) and groups them into IT, power and fluid Domains. Messages between Management Functions and Resources are encoded in XML and exchanged over HTTP, enabling interoperable Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) and sustainability-focused control.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Resource and Resource Component modelling: Resources map to Common Information Model (CIM) classes; Resource Components share Properties with CIM schema classes (e.g., CIM_System, CIM_BaseMetricDefinition).
- Domain decomposition: Logical grouping into Base, IT, Power and Fluid Domains to represent computing, electrical and cooling aspects.
- Messaging and protocols: Commands, responses and events (including GET, SET, event subscription and notification) are specified. Messages are XML-encoded and transported via HTTP primitives.
- Metrics and measurement: Uses DMTF Base Metrics concepts (CIM_BaseMetricDefinition, CIM_BaseMetricValue, CIM_MetricInstance). Note: a special TimeStamp placeholder ("99990101000000.000000+000") indicates an invalid or unavailable device clock.
- Conformance rules: Management Functions must monitor and control Resource Properties per Clause 6 and use the Messages specified in Clause 7. Certain associations (e.g., CIM_MetricDefForME, CIM_SystemDevice) are mandated when metric classes are implemented.
- Extensibility and configurations: Annex A provides resource configuration options; Annex B gives fluid-perspective examples (informative).
Applications and who should use it
ISO/IEC 19395 is aimed at stakeholders seeking interoperable, sustainability-driven DCIM and control:
- Data centre operators and facility managers looking to integrate IT, power and cooling control for efficiency gains.
- DCIM software vendors and system integrators implementing interoperable monitoring, metric collection and control interfaces.
- Hardware and infrastructure manufacturers (server, PDU, CRAC/CRAH, cooling equipment) who want standardized interfaces for metrics and control.
- Energy and sustainability teams focused on optimizing power usage effectiveness (PUE), thermal management and automated control across domains.
Related Standards (if applicable)
The standard references DMTF/CIM specifications and profiles, including:
- DMTF CIM Schema and DSP0004 (CIM Infrastructure)
- DSP1053 (Base Metrics Profile) and related DMTF profiles (Sensors, Power State, CPU, etc.)
- DSP1033 (Profile Registration) and multiple DMTF DSP profiles for virtualization, storage, network and metrics
ISO/IEC 19395:2015 is practical for enabling vendor-neutral, standards-based smart data centre monitoring and control that supports sustainability and operational efficiency.
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