A tool designed to estimate the electrical demands of a computing infrastructure. This estimation process usually factors in server hardware, networking equipment, storage systems, and cooling apparatus. An accurate evaluation aids in ensuring adequate power supply, preventing overloads, and optimizing energy efficiency within the facility. For example, these tools can estimate the total wattage required by an aggregation of servers, their related network switches, storage arrays, and necessary cooling.
Precise power calculations are essential for effective resource management and cost control. They ensure sufficient power availability to support critical operations, while mitigating the risk of downtime caused by power failures. Historically, reliance on inaccurate estimations led to both under-provisioning, causing performance bottlenecks, and over-provisioning, resulting in increased capital expenditure and higher operational costs. Improved power assessment strategies have become a key factor in promoting energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprints, and optimizing infrastructure investments.
