This is the second note in a series addressing data center power consumption metrics. While the previous one, “If You Measure It, They Will Green: Data Center Energy Efficiency Metrics,” examined three popular whole data center metrics, this note focuses on two server energy efficiency measurements: the draft Server Energy Measurement Protocol (SEMP), and Space, Watts and Performance (SWaP).

A Lack of Standards Prevents Apples-to-Apples Comparisons

According to a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, today’s average server purchase will consume, over three years, about 150% of the purchase cost in power and cooling. This number will continue to rise, and power and cooling bills will increasingly encroach on budgets. Moreover, the growing environmental footprint of the data center will continue to be a target for governments, activists, and even C-level executives.