Green Grid paper: Data Center Efficiency using Virtualization
By Tarry Singh at 10 February, 2009, 4:32 am
The paper is written by VMware, so don’t be surprised if you only see VMware’s name in it.
Virtualization is a mature technology that works well and is here to stay. It saves energy and money in
your utility bill, increases computing throughput, frees up fl oor space, and facilitates load migration and
disaster recovery. The virtualization savings entitlement can be multiplied by upgrading the power and
cooling infrastructure to run effi ciently when IT loading is substantially reduced due to consolidation and
virtualization.
Looking forward, the three major challenges that virtualization poses to physical infrastructure are dynamic
high density, under-loading of power/cooling systems, and the need for real-time, rack-level management.
These challenges can be met by row-based cooling, scalable power and cooling, and predictive management
tools. All three of these solutions are based on design principles that simultaneously resolve functional
challenges and increase effi ciency.
It is essential in a virtualized environment to manage the data center as a holistic system comprised of both
IT and physical infrastructure components. Because virtualization generally results in power savings, it can
affect how data centers are powered and cooled. Understanding the impact of virtualization on physical
infrastructure is the key to mapping out a sound strategy.
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