Time for a Data Center Tune-Up
We all know the importance of doing regular, preventative maintenance on our cars. Proper maintenance not only keeps vehicles running reliably, but practices such as maintaining optimal tire pressure and replacing old air filters can also improve gas mileage and overall performance.
A Look Inside a Green Data Center
Traveled to St. Louis last week... No, not to attend Major League Baseball’s All-Star game, but to tour a new, not-quite-open-for-business green Data Center.
Emerson Network Power, which manufactures a variety of Data Center physical infrastructure components, hosted a two-day open house of their new 35,000 square Data Center. The facility has several green elements, from solar panels to high-efficiency cooling and electrical systems. (Project officials anticipate the Data Center will ultimately received a LEED gold certification.)
Cash for Clunkers in the Data Center
I have been seeing a fair amount of news coverage about the U.S. government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program. Turn over a functioning automobile that averages less than 19 miles per gallon in gas and is less than 25 years old and you can earn a $3,500 or $4,500 voucher toward the purchase of a new vehicle.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was similar program for Data Centers? Turn in an old piece of energy guzzling hardware and get money to buy something new?
There is actually, at least in some regions.
Defining Green Data Centers
As I noted in my last post, the term “green Data Center” means different things to different people. To some it’s all about energy consumption and efficiency. To others, the facility’s carbon footprint is a key factor. Still others believe that you need to consider all aspects of the Data Center, from the hardware it houses to the materials used in the building to how much of the Data Center’s power comes from renewable energy sources, and more.
How Do You Define Green Data Center?
“Now’s your chance to meet the author of Build the Best Data Center Facility for Your Business! Come to the Data Center of Future area in the World of Solutions Expo! And be sure to pick up a free t-shirt…”
- About The Greener Data Center
Douglas Alger is Cisco’s IT Architect for Physical Infrastructure. He develops architecture roadmaps, solutions and policies for the physical infrastructure of the company’s Data Centers and other critical facilities around the world.
Doug has more than 20 years of varied professional experience including more than 12 years in Data Center physical design, Data Center operations, IT project management, construction project management and IT infrastructure management. He has participated in more than 80 major Data Center projects, from all-new construction to substantially retrofitting existing facilities, and is the author of two Data Center design books, Grow a Greener Data Center (available online as a pre-publication Rough Cut) and Build the Best Data Center Facility for Your Business (available in print, downloadable eBook, and in Safari Books Online.)
Doug is a popular speaker, with more than 250 corporate customer engagements and dozens of presentations at various Data Center industry conferences. Prior to joining Cisco, Doug was a writer and editor in the News & Publications office of Syracuse University and, before that, a full-time stringer for the Los Angeles Times. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Jose State University.
Doug's latest book, Grow a Greener Data Center is the July, 2009, book giveaway selection for Cisco Subnet.
To enter to win a copy of the book of the month, visit the Cisco Subnet home page for contest details.
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