How You Can Manage Cloud’s Energy Consumption

According to Google, as more and more services are being moved to the cloud from email to movies and music and from television to telephone; efficient hardware and software, and server provisioning shows that cloud computing is the most energy efficient platform for delivering IT related services.

The cloud market is very huge and expected to grow at a very fast pace, even when the economic growth is slow across the globe. The reason for its demand is the reduced cost and lesser energy spending. It allows the users and companies to avoid the hassle of taking extra IT equipment, at a local level.

On the other hand, The Wall Street Journal finds out that the datacenters used by cloud are believed to be reached to 1.35 million, five years down the line. This study raises the concern that generally, it is being assumed that the cloud technology is energy efficient while the real story is different. It states that although the energy consumption at the individual business level will be reduced, but at the cloud level, it is a point of discussion. For the sake of efficient energy consumption, the clouds have to be efficient; else no change in the energy usage will be observed.

Following factors will help cloud service providers to guarantee the efficient use of cloud computing.

Avoid Extra Machines Internally

Usually, when a company switches to the cloud computing, it always keeps a certain data with itself, keeping in view its security or easy retrieval. For this purpose, extra machines called Ghost servers are installed at the company’s location that provide such services. After realizing the worth of cloud system and that it is more secure than expected; the company starts relying on cloud more often and keeps moving all its data on to it. This situation leaves these ghost servers staying idle, bearing extra costs.

These servers use very limited space of their own and produce heat levels which can be eliminated only by relying on the cloud and avoiding their use.

System Appraisal for Increased Efficiency

In addition to the above, the service providers need to use the cloud, with all the benefits it offers. It helps reducing cost, is energy efficient and makes the data retrievable with any device around the globe. However, certain measures need to be taken to fully increase its efficiency levels.

Coordination between IT and Other Departments

Since, IT is not the only department involved in the whole cloud process, to keep the work moving to its best possible advantage, it is mandatory for all the relevant departments to coordinate and find a path for better solutions.

For example, during the cloud process, though the IT department will be directly involved and affected, but it is the Procurement or Operations department that has to be interlinked to see the benefits of the system. On the other hand, the Operations department cannot face the hardships that the IT department goes through, while power is limited. All the departments, therefore, have to cooperate in a way that leads towards a better working environment.

Ensure the System’s Performance

To avoid any extra cost as well as energy consumption, the service providers and the companies using cloud computing must keep a close record of the system and datacenter performance. This will enable the cloud to be used at its best, will enhance the system performance and also reduce the cost by not underutilizing. Otherwise, this transition will only move the location of the data and no other benefits could be guaranteed.

As a consequence, it will provide the services to the companies but will not be energy efficient. For this, strong measures need to be taken in order to feel the true spirit; that is cost and energy savings, of this technology.