Editor:
Mark Blackburn, 1E
Contributor:
Andy Hawkins, 1E
In December 2009, The Green Grid conducted a brief survey to learn more about the number and nature of unused servers currently running in data centers. Results showed that only one-fifth of data center operators attempt to identify unused servers as part of their regular day-to-day operations. Those respondents who do look have an average of 10 percent unused servers in their data centers. Knowing whether servers are being well-used for productive work, and turning off those that are not, will help data centers be more energy efficient, reduce redundant infrastructure, and avoid unnecessary spending and environmental impact.