Data Center Power Featured Articles
What are You Doing to Optimize Your Data Center Power?
By Susan J. Campbell TMCnet Contributing Editor
The momentum driving big data has led to the creation of massive data centers responsible for consuming 2 percent of the nation’s electrical supply. As this consumption is projected to continue to grow, there is an increased need for data center power solutions that drive efficiency while still meeting the growing needs of the industry.
This concept was the focus of a recent Data Center Knowledge article as the author explored the surge in demand for data center services, as well as the need for more energy efficient options. For a number of organizations, this creates an opportunity to explore alternative deployment strategies, including hybrid cloud deployments, to increase energy savings and reduce the electrical load without complicating the data center infrastructure management (DCIM) strategy.
Even with the best intentions in adopting the cloud-based data center, however, there are still existing threats to business continuity and the physical function of the data center. For instance, companies tend to overlook the importance of maintaining consolidation and protection strategies for on-site equipment. This important step ignores the value of data center power protection and can render the data center inoperable if sources are not maintained.
As a result, there are a few elements in the protection of the physical IT gear, including power maintenance that must be considered. When utility power fails, data center power is still protected with Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). Solutions such as those available from Server Technology (News - Alert) ensure the consistent operation of critical computing and connection equipment. When redundant systems are put in place, optimal power availability is maintained and the risk of unnecessary downtime is significantly decreased.
Temperature regulation is also critical in the data center. As servers processing information generate heat, separate systems must be in place to cool the servers and the center as a whole to maintain operation. Each of these systems requires data center power, which can drive consumption when it’s not applied efficiently. Recommended temperature ranges should be in the 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit range. In addition to standard HVAC systems, the data center also generally demands supplemental cooling systems to ensure consistent operation.
The organization of the equipment in the data center is also critical, as the more organized the environment, the easier it is to cool the systems. The easier it is to cool the equipment in the data center, the lower the data center power consumption for a more efficient operation.
Recommended installations include the use of rack enclosures as they ensure servers receive clean power and that the right environmental conditions are in place to support optimal operation.
To that end, Server Technology offers energy efficient power distribution units (PDUs) designed specifically to cool the data center. Companies are leveraging the PDU to improve power monitoring, reduce downtime, and to optimize management and control capabilities. The selection of the right PDU for the data center environment can provide additional insight into the true use of energy as well as lend to efficient capacity planning.
As highlighted in this TMCnet piece, Server Technology can also deliver the rack PDU hardware solutions needed in the data center to optimize the use of power and maintain appropriate temperatures. Before making a selection, however, the data center must know the expected maximum power needed, power redundancy and growth, input voltage range, the types of devices that will be connected to the rack, number and types of outlets needed, mounting considerations and power factor correction.
The key to optimizing data center power is to know the layout of the center, the type of power supplies needed, the equipment to be installed and managed and the efficient operational goals. With clear guidelines in place, data center managers are better able to identify the solutions they need for an optimal operation.
Edited by Rachel Ramsey
Data Center Power Resources
Featured White Papers
This article explores the various monitoring systems typically found within the data center ecosystem and how to navigate getting the required power and environmental information needed to make better decisions within your data center facility.
[Read More]RF Code provides an enterprise class, wire-free sensor solution that is ideal for monitoring in real time the environmental conditions in IT dense areas such as data centers and IT closets.
[Read More]Within enterprise data centers, power used for operating the facility, lighting, running IT loads and cooling is the largest operational expense. Numerous papers and articles have been published by The Green Grid, The Uptime Institute, PG&E, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories and others discussing ways to measure, monitor and increase efficiencies. This paper discusses the effect on efficiency of load balancing across phases in a 3-phase distribution system.
[Read More]