In the data center today, we’re often focused on virtualization, cloud-based technologies, applications and switches, ignoring the consumption of data center power. However, this oversight can lead to critical problems and costly effects on the environment overall.

A recent Tech Target (News - Alert) report highlighted the importance of monitoring data center power consumption, offering strategies for the more efficient management of this power over time. The most important point is to create an environment that is conscious of power consumption. Make monitoring a priority; after all, you can’t manage what you don’t monitor.

To get to the point where you can properly monitor your data center power, you must research what you currently have, identify where you want to be in five years, 10 years and so on, and how your technology purchases will affect your power usage both in the short- and long-term.

Monitor your data center power consumption at several points if you want to gain a solid and overall view. These points should include the power distribution unit (PDU), the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and within the rack environment.

Once you have identified those points of monitoring, you then need to understand and calculate your data center power usage effectiveness (PUE). This requires measurements taken at the UPS to provide a base measure of data center power consumption. This measurement can then be used to calculate the PUE and identify any trends that may exist within your data center power usage.

When you’re ready to get to the management of your data center power, the good news is that it does not have to be a manual process. You can easily automate the collection process and analyze data received from your UPS and PDU monitoring systems. This also helps to increase your IT productivity, allowing administrators to fully track total data center power consumption and make necessary changes while still focusing on running an efficient data center.

Monitoring data center power consumption is an important task within any enterprise, and one that can deliver numerous benefits. Even the smallest reduction in energy consumption within the data center can deliver measureable cost savings over time. And, a number of organizations, government agencies and energy vendors offer energy rebates and awards to help offset the cost of implementing more energy-efficient technologies.

When data center power is accurately monitored, it’s easier for you to compute charges that can be used to chargeback to the appropriate user or department. Plus, efficiently managing your data center power usage can reduce your carbon footprint while you also lower overall emissions – something customers are paying closer attention to when making buying decisions.

Overall, to make the most efficient use of your data center power, keep an eye on the temperature in your server room, manage your alerts and alarms, and keep your batteries healthy. If you can do these three things, you’ll be well on your way to the more efficient use of data center power.

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