Green IT Focus Server Virtualization Why Server

Green IT Focus: Server Virtualization

Why Server Virtualization Matters Reduces number of physical servers and total cost of ownership Decreases Data Center space and cooling requirements Saves an estimated 7000 k. Wh of electricity annually per server, or about $700 in energy costs Eliminates approximately 4 tons of CO 2 for each server virtualized (equivalent to removing 1. 5 cars from highway)

Project Goals Initial proposal Increased performance and scalability Improved redundancy and disaster recovery Reduced total cost of ownership Simplified backups Matched development/test/production platforms Added Green IT significant benefits Reduced energy usage and physical footprint Less heat generated, less cooling required

Timeline and Key Milestones February 2006 Initial proposal developed August 2006 30 virtual servers deployed in main cluster October 2008 79 virtual servers in main cluster, total of 102 virtual servers in production

Phase I Implementation Before After

Before 30+ physical servers in 5 racks, greater than 10 k. W 2 plus weeks to provision new server Complex configurations very time consuming Some redundant hardware After 79 virtual servers in 1 rack, less than 3 k. W Less than 10 minutes to provision new server Complex configurations much easier Much improved redundancy in components & data paths, load balancing

Green Results Current estimated net power savings: 23. 4 k. W Fewer physical servers in the Data Center results in less heat generated, less cooling costs, and less physical space required Decreased costs for server related deliveries and disposal of packing materials & e-waste Power utilities provide incentives based on net reduction in k. W/hours to help offset capital investment

Next Steps Virtualized desktops Blade servers for further power savings Dynamic Power Management (ability to power off idle hosts) Warm-site recovery Virtual server hosting service for campus units

For More Information Mark Askren, Assistant Vice Chancellor Administrative Computing Services maskren@uci. edu