This note, the first of two to address data center power consumption metrics, defines and explains three popular metrics: the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), Data Center Infrastructure Efficiency (DCiE), and Data Center Productivity (DCP) ratios. The second note will define and discuss the basics of metrics intended for individual data center components, such as servers. Both types are necessary in the pursuit of a highly power-efficient IT operation. Understand these metrics, and learn how they can apply to daily data center operations.
Power Consumption Everywhere, and Not a Metric in Sight
A significant shift in data center economics is occurring, and threatens to overwhelm years of chip technology leaps. Data center energy costs are approaching 20% of the overall data center bill, and the purchase of a new server is often exceeded by the cost of power and cooling infrastructure to support that server. The data center power bill will continue to rise, and lifetime energy costs will soon exceed the cost of servers.