- Introduction
This research paper focuses on emerging technologies that promote sustainable computing systems. According to Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar (2013), sustainable computing encompasses the design, manufacture, use and disposal of computers and its subsystems (monitors, networking devices, printers, communication devices and storage devices) efficiently without interfering with the environment. Contemporary computing systems such as HPC (High Performance Computing Clusters) and Data centers face the challenge of high cooling and power costs. Gupta, Mukherjee & Banerjee (2011) state that the high consumption of power is a concern because it impacts on the cost, environment, reliability and scalability of the computing systems. The high demand for energy in the contemporary computing systems calls for sustainable and efficient computing systems that will have minimum impact on the environments. According to Naumann, Dick & Johann (2011), there are numerous emerging technologies that support sustainable computing systems. The goal of sustainable computing is to reduce the emission of hazardous substances, to increase recyclability and to increase the energy efficiency in the computing systems. Information Technology departments in many companies have introduced sustainable computing systems to help in reducing the impact of their activities on the environment. Sustainable computing systems aim at promoting energy efficiency in computing systems and other technologies. According to Onan (2011), the main areas of sustainable computing include sustainable manufacturing, sustainable use, sustainable design and sustainable disposal of the computing systems. Efficient Algorithms are discussed in the first part of the paper. Longevity of the computing systems is in the second section. Green data centers are discussed in the third section. Allocation of resources is presented in the fourth section. Virtualization of Computers is presented in the fifth section. Terminal servers are in the sixth section. Management of power is discussed in the seventh section. Operating System support is in the eighth section. Power supply and storage is discussed in the ninth section. Green computing is given in the tenth section. Computer recycling is presented in the eleventh section. Sustainable Data Center Cooling is in the twelfth part. Green parallel programming is in the thirteenth section. Multi-Core processors are provided in the fourteenth section.The last section provides energy profiling HPCs.
2.0. Efficient Algorithms
According to Onan (2011), the emergent technologies have led to the introduction of Power management Algorithms. Computers are among the largest consumers of energy across the globe. Emerging technologies have led to the invention of chip designs that maximize the energy efficiency in the computing systems. The chip designs promote real-time energy management by ensuring that every computing system dissipates the required amount of power while performing its activities. Efficient algorithms enhance sustainability in computing systems by reducing the energy and resources required by the computing systems. According to Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar (2013), the algorithms offer trade-off efficiencies while writing the programs. For example, the switch from linear to hashed and indexed algorithms has reduced the resource usage rates in the computing systems by 95%. For example, the introduction of efficient algorithms has reduced the amount of CO2 (carbon di Oxide) released in every Google search from 7 grams to 0.2 grams (Ge, Dong & Zhao, 2014).
3.0. Longevity of the computing systems
Gupta, Mukherjee & Banerjee (2011) argue that the manufacture of computing systems accounts for approximately 75% of the natural resources used during the manufacture of computers. Manufacturing and end of life process contribute to ecological footprints. Product longevity plays a significant role in promoting the sustainability of computing systems. According to Naumann, Dick & Johann (2011), prolonging the life of the computing systems reduces their environmental impact in the long run. The main approaches of product longevity include modulation and upgrading. Emergent technologies focus on the modularity and upgradeability of the computing system in a bid to promote sustainability. For example, the ecological footprint of manufacturing a new computer is large than that of producing a new RAM that will upgrade an existing computer (Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar, 2013).
4.0. Green Data centers
According to Onan (2011), data centers consume a lot of energies to the extent that they account for approximately 1.8% of the world’s energy consumption. Data centers use up to 300 times more energy than standard buildings. Designing of efficient Data centers plays a significant role in the management of energy consumption. According to Joseph, Namboodiri & Dev (2014), the data centers are effective in terms of HVAC equipment, IT equipment, location, construction and configuration. The data centers should promote sustainability in five major areas namely: IT (Information Technology) systems, electrical systems, environmental conditions, cooling systems and air management. Energy-efficient data centers will promote sustainability in the computing systems by ensuring effective utilization of the center’s space, increasing performance and improving efficiency. According to Ge, Dong & Zhao (2014), the on-site recycling and generation of heat helps in promoting sustainability in the computing systems. The green Data Centers have effective modeling criteria, conceptual designs; detail designs mechanical infrastructures and electrical designs.
5.0. Allocation of resources
Algorithms promote sustainability in computing systems by routing data to centers where electricity is cheap. The latest energy allocation algorithms can route data to rates that incur low electricity costs. The energy allocation algorithms promote sustainability by saving up to 40% of the energy costs Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar (2013) claim that the energy algorithms could be used in directing data to environmentally-friendly energy sources. The efficient allocation of energy resources could be used in promoting sustainability by routing data to those centers that experience warm weather. The direction of traffic to the warm weather will facilitate the shutting down of computers and eliminate the need for air conditioning. According to Gupta, Mukherjee & Banerjee (2011), large servers are located in areas where land and energy are cheap and readily available. The availability of renewable energy and cool climate allows cooling of the computing systems. The primary strategies of reducing the energy consumption in computing systems include Energy-Aware Applications, Adaptive Link Rate, Energy Aware Infrastructure and Interface proxying.
6.0. Virtualization of Computers
According to Naumann, Dick & Johann (2011), virtualization entails the abstraction of computing systems. Virtualization promotes sustainability by allowing more than one computer system to run on a single hardware. Virtualization combines the computing systems into powerful and unified systems by unplugging the initial hardware and reducing power consumption in the systems. According to Onan (2011), virtualization distributes work among various computing systems and puts the computing systems in a low-power status. There are two major softwares that facilitate virtual computing. Intel Corporation and AMD enhance virtual computing by developing virtualization enhancements to the CPUs. Virtualization of computing systems saves of energy thus improving sustainability (Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar, 2013).
7.0. Terminal servers
Joseph, Namboodiri & Dev (2014) assert that terminal servers link devices with RS-485, Rs-232 and Rs-422 serial interface with the LAN (Local Area Network).Terminal servers in the computing systems have been used to facilitate sustainable computing systems. The terminal servers connect the users to a central server. The users access the operating System (OS) at the terminal server. Terminal servers reduce the energy consumption by combining thin clients. According to Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar (2013), the terminal servers increase sustainability in computing systems by creating virtual labs. Windows provides terminal server software and Linux offers the LTSP (Linus Terminal Server Project that facilities the terminal services. The terminal servers enhance sustainability in the computing systems by troubleshooting computing problems, monitoring computing systems and control the processes in the computing systems (Ge, Dong & Zhao, 2014).
8.0. Management of power
The ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) promotes sustainability in the computing systems by allowing the operating systems to regulate the power-saving capabilities of their hardware. According to Gupta, Mukherjee & Banerjee (2011), the ACPI allows automatic turning off of computing systems such as hard drives and monitors after the set duration of inactivity. The CPI allows automatic hibernation of the computing systems when the RAM and CPU are off. The ACPI enhances sustainability by allowing the users to change the voltage of power supplied to the computing systems thus reducing the production of heat and consumption of energy in the computing systems. According to Naumann, Dick & Johann (2011), the process of adjusting a voltage is known as undervoltaging. The Speed step technology facilitates automatic undervoltaging once the computing system is over-worked. Efficient management of power is significant in promoting sustainable computing systems (Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar, 2013).
9.0. Operating System support
According to Onan (2011), Microsoft Windows provides an operating system that promotes the management of power in the computing systems. The power management system provides the standby and low-power monitor state. The operating system supports the hibernation of the monitor and the RAM (Random Access Memory). The power management system allows the users of computers to configure suitable settings to manage power in their computers. According to Joseph, Namboodiri & Dev (2014), the design of the operating system enhances sustainability by allowing basic configuration of the power management system. The operating system encourages users to save more power thus promoting sustainability in the computing systems. The power management software offers multiple power plans, power usage reports, scheduled power plans, and anti-insomnia power plans. The support systems in the operating systems ensure sustainability by allowing efficient energy utilization in the computing systems (Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar, 2013).
10.0. Power Supply and Storage
Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar (2013) explain that the power supply systems in the computing systems are 80% efficient because they dissipate 25% of the remaining energy in the form of heat. All power supplies should be at least 85% efficient in order to promote sustainability ion the computing systems. According to Gupta, Mukherjee & Banerjee (2011), the emerging technologies have led to the introduction of smaller hard disk drives that require less energy than the larger drives. The smaller hard disk drives sort date in the DRAM or Flash memory. The smaller hard disk drives support sustainability because they consume a little amount of power. The introduction of online storage systems and backups has led to increased energy efficiency in the computing systems. Emergent power supply and storage technologies play a significant role in promoting sustainability in computing (Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar, 2013).
11.0. Green computing
According to Naumann, Dick & Johann (2011), Teleconferencing and telepresence promote sustainability in the computing systems. Green computing reduces the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and reduces overhead cost associated with lighting, energy and heat. Green computing reduces air conditioning expenses in organizations. Onan (2011) claims that green computing system promotes sustainability by reducing harmful metals such as chromium, lead and mercury. Green computing helps in replacing the computing systems that would have to manufacture thus it saves on additional costs and emissions. Computer accessories can also be recycled to support green computing. Green computing is mandatory in the facilitation of sustainable computing systems (Ge, Dong & Zhao, 2014).
12.0. Computer Recycling
Onan (2011) asserts that recycling of the computing system promotes sustainability by recycling hazardous metals such as chromium and mercury. Recycling helps in replacing the computing systems that would have to manufacture thus it saves on additional costs and emissions. According to Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar (2013), other computer accessories such as batteries and printer cartridges can also be recycled to promote sustainability in the environment. Recycling reduces the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and reduces expenses associated with energy. Recycling reduces air conditioning and cooling expenditure in organizations. According to Gupta, Mukherjee & Banerjee (2011), computer recycling is an emergent technology that guarantees sustainability in the computing systems.
13.0. Sustainable Data Center Cooling
Naumann, Dick & Johann (2011)explain that developing sustainable Data center cooling methods include cool aisle reconfiguration, dedicated cool air configuration, hot aisle containment, warm air ducting and hot aisle containment. The sustainable cooling systems are cheap, flexible and require small amounts of energy. According to Joseph, Namboodiri & Dev (2014), the operating costs of running the sustainable cooling systems are small the systems require a low amount of energy to facilitate the entire cooling process. The systems promote sustainability because they do not need pressure and oil. According to Ge, Dong & Zhao (2014), the emerging cooling systems reduce the rates of water and energy consumption at the data centers.The cooling system prevent overheating of the computing systems by removing the excess heat appropriately. Sustainable data cooling centers have an indelible impact in green computing.
14.0. Green parallel programming
According to Onan (2011), parallel programming facilitates simultaneous computations in the computing systems. Parallel programming executes multiple programs simultaneously. The emergent forms of parallel programming include task parallelism, bit-level and instructional level. Bhattacharya, Govindan & Sankar (2013) argue that parallel programming promotes sustainability in the computing systems by increasing the frequency of scaling within the systems. Multi-core processors use parallel programming to reduce the energy consumption in the computing systems. Therefore, green parallel programming is an excellent milestone towards sustainable computing (Onan, 2011).
15.0. Multi-Core processors
The multi-core processors have more than one CPU (Central Processing Units. Examples of emerging multi-core processors include AMD (FX-350), AMD Phenom II X2 and Intel Xeon E7-2850.Ther emergent processor shave numerous cores. According to Naumann, Dick & Johann (2011), the processors have special-purpose cores, simultaneous multithreading and memory-on memory chips. The emergent processors support sustainability by improving the performance and efficiency of the computing systems. Onan (2011) argues that the multi-core processors have improved the energy efficiency in the computing systems by reducing the performance-per-watt in such systems. The multi-processors have high-frequency scaling and a dynamic voltage thus they promote sustainable computing.
16.0. Energy profiling HPCs
According to Onan (2011), Power Pack Framework profiles power and energy in the HPCs. The framework has a hardware that measures the rate of energy consumption and software that collects and processes the data. The first critical fracture of the framework is the ability to measure power consumption in the computing system’s principal components such as a disk, CPU, and memory. According to Ge, Dong & Zhao (2014), the Power Pack Framework can log power profiles and synchronize the application code. The third feature of the system is its scalability to parallel systems. The energy profiling system distributes power among the components of the computing system. THE HPCs use real-time markets to purchase more cheap power. Ge, Dong & Zhao (2014) explain that the HPCs use clean, renewable and intermittent power. The HPS cap power for long durations to help in extending the UPS duration in the event of blackouts. The Energy profiling HPCs utilize all the power delivery systems. The use of intermittent power reduces the carbon footprint of the HPCs. Energy profiling HPCs are instrumental towards facilitating sustainability in computing (Onan (2011).
17.0. Conclusion
This research paper has discussed emerging technologies that support sustainable computing systems. Sustainable computing encompasses the design, manufacture, use and disposal of computers and its subsystems. The research paper focused on fifteen emerging technologies namely: efficient algorithms; longevity of the computing systems; green data centers; allocation of resources; virtualization of computers; terminal servers; control of power ;operating system support; power supply and storage; green computing; computer recycling; sustainable data center cooling; green parallel programming; multi-core processors and energy profiling HPCs. Efficient algorithms enhance sustainability in computing systems by reducing the resources required by the computing systems. Emergent technologies focus on the modularity and upgradeability of the computing system in a bid to promote sustainability. The green Data Centers have effective modeling criteria, conceptual designs; detail designs mechanical infrastructures and electrical designs. The energy allocation algorithms promote sustainability by saving up to 40% of the energy costs. Virtualization promotes sustainability by allowing more than one computer system to run on a single hardware. Microsoft Windows offers an operating system that encourages the management of power in the computing systems. The emerging technologies have led to the introduction of smaller hard disk drives that require less energy than the larger drives. Emerging sustainable data center cooling methods include cool aisle reconfiguration, dedicated cool air configuration, hot aisle containment, warm air ducting and hot aisle containment. The emergent processors support sustainability by improving the performance and efficiency of the computing systems. Parallel programming promotes sustainability in the computing systems by increasing the frequency of scaling within the systems. Power Pack Framework profiles power and energy in the HPCs. The emerging cooling systems reduce the rates of water and energy consumption at the data centers and prevent overheating of the computing systems by removing the excess heat appropriately. Therefore, the emergent technologies have reduced the emission of hazardous substances, increased recyclability and increased the energy efficiency in the computing systems.
References
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