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White paperCitation2017

WP#75 - Server Energy Efficiency in Data Centers and Offices

The Green Grid · Jay Dietrich, Jeff Doolittle et al.

The Green Grid's 2017 white paper comparing idle-power and SERT-based active-efficiency metrics as regulatory measures of server efficiency.

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Overview

This white paper compares idle-power and SERT-based active-efficiency metrics as regulatory measures of server efficiency, using a deployed-power methodology. It is dated 7 November 2017 and edited by Jay Dietrich (IBM). Related documents include ISO/IEC 21836 (SERT) and Regulation (EU) 2019/424.

The deployed-power method uses SERT data to find the server count and power for a target workload. The paper finds that idle-power limits would exclude high-performance servers and could raise data-centre energy; per the abstract's Figure 12, idle-power regulation could result in over 30% higher data-centre energy. The Green Grid advocates the weighted geomean active-efficiency metric based on SERT.

The information comes only from the public description page of The Green Grid library; the full text requires signing in with a free account and is governed by the Terms of Use. It should be kept in mind that the paper reflects an industry body's position and takes a side in the regulatory debate.

Key points

  1. Dated 7 November 2017; editor Jay Dietrich (IBM).
  2. The deployed-power method uses SERT data to find server count and power for a target workload.
  3. Idle-power regulation could result in over 30% higher data-centre energy (paper Figure 12).
  4. Idle-power limits would exclude high-performance servers.
  5. Recommends weighted geomean active efficiency based on SERT.
  6. Related: ISO/IEC 21836 (SERT) and Regulation (EU) 2019/424.
  7. Full text requires a free TGG account.

Using it in design

  • In the server catalogue, store the SERT active-efficiency score together with idle power.
  • Size the IT load from workload and performance, not from idle power alone.
  • When comparing server options, base the comparison on deployed power (server count x power) for the same workload.

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Who should read it

Designers selecting servers and sizing IT load, and energy specialists following regulatory developments.

Related standards

  • ISO/IEC 21836 (SERT)
  • Regulation (EU) 2019/424

Publication details

Authors
Jay Dietrich; Jeff Doolittle; Gary Verdun; Shahid Sheikh; David Reiner; Henry Wong
Publisher
The Green Grid
Year
2017
Document number
WP 75
Document language
English
Source type
Industry body
Access
Citation only
Licence
Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document
Original licence note

Download requires a free TGG account sign-in and is governed by The Green Grid Terms of Use; summary and facts from the public library landing page; full text not redistributed.

Citation

Jay Dietrich; Jeff Doolittle; Gary Verdun; Shahid Sheikh; David Reiner; Henry Wong (2017). WP#75 - Server Energy Efficiency in Data Centers and Offices. The Green Grid. WP 75. https://www.thegreengrid.org/en/resources/library-and-tools/496-WP%2375---Server-Energy-Efficiency-in-Data-Centers-and-Offices

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