Advances in Technology and Panelboards for Data Centers
Advances in Technology and panelboards for Data Centers
One of the main problems that data centers have faced in the past has been the availability of space with equipment and panelboards for data centers. With advancements in technology and a decrease in data center component size this is however, no longer the case. Centers are met with a new challenge; the reduction of energy consumption within their facility.
Reducing Energy Consumption
Reducing energy consumption within data facilities serves numerous purposes, the two most important of these being, the reduction of the centers effect on the environment, and the reduction of costs. This cost reduction relates not only to the data center but also to the end user, who is normally impacted by any higher costs incurred by a resource provider. This attempt by IT establishments to become more energy efficient has resulted in the terms “Green IT” and “Green Computing”.
Energy Star Rating
These expressions originated in 1992 with the conception of the “Energy Star rating” which was closely followed by the adaptation of sleep mode in electronic devices, such as the computer monitor. Since then numerous other methods have emerged in the IT field, specifically aimed at making data centers more energy efficient. In order to discuss these methods however it is important to understand the difference between power and energy.
Panelboards for Data Centers and Performance
Beloglazov et al (2010) explains, “Power consumption can be decreased by lowering the performance of the Central Processing Unit (CPU). However, when this is done, a program may require longer to complete its execution, therefore consuming the same amount of energy.” Hence, reducing energy usage has not been a simple process in the past and generally required the center to trade off between performance (Power) and energy usage.
Recent technological hardware advances have however, as previously stated, made it possible for data centers to reduce energy usage without some of the historical drawbacks. The application of power savers or low activity modes on Central Processing Units (CPUs) as well as continuous design developments means that CPUs now use 30% less energy during periods of low activity. The introduction of “Multi-core” CPUs also means that current energy expenditure is 80 times less than that used in 1998 for the same process.
Cloud Computing
Software developments such as the recent Cloud computing concept also allow for the reduction of data center costs, in some cases by the complete outsourcing of IT needs to another company. Other software allows for the basic monitoring of energy use in the center which consequently enables the facility to pinpoint problem areas concerning energy usage.
Although new software and hardware technology like improved panelboards for data centers has been developed, and is continually being developed, to solve energy usage problems, there is still an issue in data centers regarding memory storage. This is due to the fact that increasing the size, amount and capability of memory chips increases the need for cooling, which in turn increases energy requirements. At this point the only technology to combat this problem is the fine tuning of cooling systems to reduce costs.
In short, it can be stated that a “multi-pronged” approach is needed to tackle the problem of designing an energy-efficient system (The Green Grid, 2007). This approach needs to take all hardware, software and facility design factors into account to come up with a well rounded solution to energy management and conservation.
