Server Rack Energy Consumption

Network hardware requires constant feeding to ensure smooth operation. When performing calculations and processing datum, IT equipment consumes much power. At the same time, it emits too much heat, which can lead to multiple problems.

The issue of energy supply and data center cooling are interconnected since the level of consumed power depends on the climatic conditions in data centers. Moreover, ventilation tools consume electricity as well, meaning that the extra capacity of a PDU should be left for feeding all components of an IT system. Thus, it is necessary to regard all the objects stored in server rooms as a single complex unit when calculating the required server rack energy consumption.

Distributing Power

When treating the issue of data center settlement, remember to analyze the available electricity supply station located nearby. It is important to understand that each power station has a maximum capacity, meaning that the amount of produced energy is limited. This is why it is vital for your future system to calculate the needed power capacity.

A PDU comes as an obligatory element of the network system energy supply. Taking into account ampere requirements, technicians can configure and adjust the amount of power supply to all units to feed all modules and racks with a sufficient amount of power. Besides, PDUs also perform other functions, such as environmental monitoring and remote access. One of the main tasks of system administrators is to calculate the needed capacity of the PDU to guarantee proper feeding. A too-weak PDU will result in the following problems:

• insufficient feeding to some devices or system components;
• improper functioning and processing;
• premature hardware damage and malfunction;
• unexpected data loss;
• system downtime.

Sufficient power consumption of the server room guarantees a smooth and continuous performance of system units. Energy comes as a key element to power data centers and to maintain optimal operating conditions in them.

Here, also note that an IT system accommodated in a data center is a complex organism where each unit and component needs electricity. Depending on a device, its power, and its capacity, the level of consumed energy differs. Some objects are less power-consuming, while others set higher requirements for energy supply. For instance, large servers require more powerful feeding and cooling. Thus, you should understand how power is allocated within the data center. Here are some figures that will help calculate and allocate energy correctly:

• 50% of the entire power demand is left for feeding ventilation tools installed to maintain optimal environmental conditions;
• 36% of the energy goes for critical loads, i.e. powering passive and active equipment and foreseeing integration of new units or components in the future;
• 11% of electricity is spent on UPS modules;
• 3% goes on lighting the premise.

Surprisingly, a significant portion of every supply goes into maintaining a proper environment in DCs, which is why it is important to consider cooling issues attentively and pick low-energy high-efficiency devices for cooling purposes.

Add Up the Power Consumption of Every Device in the Room

As you see, the issue of DC feeding is a complicated one since too many aspects require consideration. Now, let’s see how to determine power consumption in the server room. This detailed guide will explain how to allocate energy efficiently and avoid mistakes in calculations:

• Analyze hardware. Make a list of all equipment pieces that your IT system comprises. If you have several cabinets or racks, you can separate lists of devices to make an estimate more precise.
• Write down how much power each of them needs to perform thoroughly.
• Add up all the figures to find out the final estimate. Yet, note that you should choose a PDU with a bigger power capacity to foresee system improvements and extensions over time.

Alternatively, technicians can use another method to determine the required server room power consumption. They can observe it in real-time or determine how much energy is supplied to the data center and divide the figure into the number of units. Yet, this approach is more general and does not allow getting a precise estimate for each cabinet or rack.

Also, when dealing with the power issue, note that two different types of loads are distinguished, namely, server room steady state vs peak power consumption. In most cases, the steady state indicator is taken as an average figure that the PDU must satisfy. Yet, when selecting a suitable PDU model, make sure that it is powerful enough to withstand peak energy consumption.

Tricks on Correct and Effective Сalculating of Energy Consumption

The importance of effective energy allocation determines the expenses and savings of a business in maintaining a network infrastructure. By organizing an effective DC infrastructure, it is possible to save hundreds of dollars and kilowatts of energy. Make sure to use these tips when planning your server room:

• Location. When you’re at the stage of selecting a suitable premise for a DC, give preference to colder rooms. Most DCs are located in regions with a cold climate to reduce the need to use ventilation strategies. Instead, natural cooling is used. When searching for appropriate premises, examine the floor, space, and plumbing systems attentively. Avoid rooms with windows.
• Power limits. When you determine the power of a server rack, examine nearby PDUs to select suitable ones to feed your infrastructure. Are there suitable facilities for feeding your system?
• Budget. Before you get down to action, make an estimate and decide how much money you’re ready to spend on setting up a network facility. Make sure that your budget can afford the costs of electricity, renting premises, etc.
• Type of server furniture. The kind of preferable products depends on the size of your system. Small sets of equipment can be housed in compact wall-mount cabinets. For huge systems, big floor-standing models are ideal.

Also, note that in some cases, you may not need a separate server room at all. Think about how important it is for you to settle a data center, or you may just rent some cloud space for your needs. Colocation comes as a cost-effective solution for small businesses. The solution provides trouble-free usage of IT capabilities with minimum investments of time, effort, and money. The privacy policy guarantees 100% data confidentiality. Favorable terms are offered for co-locators.

Energy deficiency leads to serious hazards, such as equipment malfunction, data loss, and system downtime. Moreover, the demand for computing capacities increases annually. For instance, the average server room power consumption has risen by 6% from 2000 to 2018, meaning that the demand for energy supply rises. Thus, it is important to select proper PDUs of the required capacity. What is more important, it is necessary to plan a server room arrangement properly and effectively to reduce the expenses on its setup and use fewer resources for system functioning.