Minkels, the European provider of solutions for monitoring, cooling, power distribution and enclosure systems for data centers, has published a technical document containing highly specific application and usage recommendations to improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) as a management tool for server rooms and data centers.
The document “Tips & Tricks for the Use of PUE as a Management Tool for Server Rooms” was written by Niek van der Pas, PUE Specialist in the R&D Department of data center provider Minkels. The 20-page document, available in English, can be downloaded from www.minkels.com/whitepaper.
Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of a server room is a term introduced to the market by The Green Grid (www.thegreengrid.org). It is a measurement method that divides the total energy consumption of a server room or data center by the IT load, which represents the energy consumption of the computing equipment. The resulting data provides an indication of the energy efficiency of the server room architecture.
“The correct use of PUE in an organization can generate a wealth of statistical data,” said Niek van der Pas, PUE specialist in Minkels’ R&D department. “For example, it can identify the actual power consumed by IT equipment. Through precise monitoring and in-depth analysis and interpretation of the acquired PUE data, you can make infrastructure changes aimed at the architecture and management of a server room or data center. The results can be seen in terms of optimized energy efficiency, as well as raising the overall level of professionalism and operational excellence in a server room.”.
Minkels' white paper contains specific advice on, for example, how to implement a three-step PUE model (Basic PUE, Advanced PUE, and Master PUE) for phased PUE integration within an organization as a server room management tool. “While a Master PUE level is ultimately preferable, it’s easy to start at the Basic level, with minimal investment required,” says Van der Pas. “Through the Advanced level, which involves a slightly higher investment but produces more reliable PUE results, an organization can gradually work its way toward the Master level.”
Minkels' technical document also includes advice on: Implementing PUE processes and distributing PUE information within an organization; the influence of business models on PUE monitoring options; building organizational support for PUE monitoring investment; finding the right balance between PUE investments and outcomes; achieving rapid progress by optimizing PUE value; using specific PUE monitoring tools; and the precise location within the server room where measurements should be taken at specific times to obtain accurate PUE information.
“With the information in this white paper, server room managers, IT administrators, commercial data center managers, and CEOs can effectively use PUE as a management tool for server operation,” says Van der Pas. “This information can be used to make the best infrastructure decisions regarding the architecture and management of a server room or data center. The Minkels product portfolio includes a number of excellent solutions for measuring and managing PUE values.”.
