Over the past three years, the Australian federal government has actively promoted smart learning and digital transformation in schools, investing over A$ 280 million (US$ 182 million) in infrastructure upgrades through the Schools Upgrade Fund, as well as supporting state-led initiatives to increase broadband and classroom technology.

For older institutions with legacy server rooms, this means rethinking their IT backbone to support cloud‑based applications, digital‑assisted learning, and tighter compliance around data security. One of Australia's oldest K12 schools for boys recognized the need to modernize its on-premise IT infrastructure as part of this wave.

The Challenge

The school uses a hybrid cloud storage solution for its ICT program, where data is stored on-site and backed up periodically to an off-site data center. With increasing demands from hybrid learning models, cloud integration, and stricter data protection regulations, they had outgrown their existing server room, an aging environment that struggled with outdated data protection measures and energy inefficiency – the cooling systems were consuming large amounts of power to compensate for fluctuations in humidity and temperature within the room.

In search of a cost-effective, secure, and intelligent solution, the school’s IT team turned to Raritan’s partner, a firm known for offering self-contained, single-rack data center pods that could be deployed indoors or outdoors.

The Solution

The partner deployed two indoor micro data centers equipped with the PX4 intelligent PDUs, SmartSensors for temperature and humidity, and Smartlock, all from Raritan, a brand of Legrand.

Additionally, these power distribution hardware and accessories came with Raritan’s Xerus™ Technology Platform, a built-in proprietary tech stack that provides advanced intelligence, control and cybersecurity.

The Impact

Integrated into the micro data centers, Raritan’s solutions were able to resolve the client’s concerns about meeting data protection measures, reducing energy inefficiency, and having reliable, safe infrastructure for on-site data and applications.

The client reported the following outcomes after the deployment of the micro data centers with Raritan solutions:

• Savings of 30% to 60% on power expenses
• Improved cybersecurity by keeping data on-site with advanced security protocols
• The IT equipment is now kept at a stable and safe temperature

All these were made possible by the synergistic combination of the PX4 PDUs, SmartSensors and the Xerus technology platform, and the other components in the micro data centers.  

The PX4 offers real-time insight with ±0.5% metering accuracy into critical power quality and energy efficiency, enabling the school’s IT managers to accurately track, troubleshoot, and optimize energy usage.

The SmartSensors could be deployed via plug and play with the PDUs, to monitor humidity and temperature. This allows the micro data center's cooling system to adjust cooling intensity and make energy-saving decisions accordingly, raising energy and cooling efficiency.

Most importantly, the Xerus technology platform provided an enhanced security suite to improve cybersecurity, with end-to-end encrypted communications, a secure firewall controlling user access, and the storage of valid and up-to-date certificates that secure the PDU on public networks. Moreover, Raritan's security suite contains defense features to protect against network breaches and receives lifetime firmware updates to ensure its defenses are ready for evolving cybersecurity challenges.

Conclusion

Built for intelligent management and effective, efficient operations, Raritan’s solutions were able to help a school progress its digital transformation, augmenting their legacy system with compact, energy-efficient infrastructure that met data compliance standards and enabled greater control, visibility, and reliability across their networked assets.