Power efficiency is important because it offers lower costs and a higher level of reliability. In some circumstances (such as data centers), this efficiency can be critical. For example, data centers often have rows and rows of servers that are stacked in close quarters. When these servers are nearing their storage capacity, options become limited. Achieving power efficiency in data storage solutions can help alleviate the issue by increasing capacity. Plus, this efficiency can result in lower energy consumption, thus lowering costs. Below, we will provide 4 quick tips on increasing the power efficiency in your storage solutions.

Tip #1 - Consolidate Your SAN

Chances are, your storage area network (SAN) is not optimized for maximum efficiency. However, by modifying the architecture of your SAN or employing a director, you can lower the costs of energy (along with cooling costs) while improving the overall efficiency. You may be surprised at the level of consolidation available in your SAN.

Tip #2 - Build With Efficient Tools

Assuming you have already built your data center, this could require an investment. Today, you can purchase and deploy servers that are designed to be energy efficient. The switch models are robust and can be configured to maximize your data storage efficiency. If your data center is using old servers, it is likely that there's plenty of room for optimization.

Tip #3 - Manually Conserve Power

Most servers (especially the older models), have parts that do not need power when they are not in use. Unfortunately, some of these components (for example, small form-factor pluggables) draw power needlessly. Unplug them. The newer servers from Cisco and other companies employ storage arrays that automatically put such parts into stand by mode. That way, they won't require power when they're not being used.

Tip #4 - Cool It Down

This will not come as a surprise. When your servers are running hot, they are less power-efficient. They consume more energy to do the same job they would otherwise perform if they ran cooler. That results in a higher energy bill and ultimately impacts your bottom line. Newer storage systems employ a hot-aisle and cool-aisle design. The cool air hits the front of the servers while exhausting hot air from the back. This helps your servers run cooler.

Storage Power Efficiency For Lower Costs

Most data centers and server farms are not running efficiently. Some run much hotter than they should while others are old and stacked on top of each other due to limited space. It is one of those concerns that fails to garner attention from business owners. But, consider that optimizing your SAN architecture can allow your storage units to run more efficiently. That translates into energy savings and higher capacity. If you are trying to cope with storage capacity issues in your data center, explore ways to consolidate your SAN and maximize their power efficiency.