Discussion Document for 4/27/17 JTG Call

Blade Server Definition

Discussion Document for 4/27/17 JTG Call

Background

• IEEE/NSF draft server standard aligns with ENERGY STAR definitions
• ENERGY STAR defines “blade server” which is an individual blade; blades are inserted into a “blade chassis” which contains shared resources (such as power supplies, data storage, etc.) for the operation of the blade server.
• ENERGY STAR also defines “blade system” as:

A system comprised of a blade chassis and one or more removable blade servers and/or other units (e.g., blade storage, blade network equipment).

• “Blade server” has always been the definition provided in the draft standard, dating back to initial NSF standard and the 1680.4 PAR.

• In the 1st ballot round, the JTG modified the definition of “product” to include NOTE 3 on blade servers

Product: A computer server:

 Within the scope of the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Computer Servers Version 2.1, including managed servers and blade servers, and

 A marketing model with one or more specific configurations identified, inclusive of the product’s full range of configurations and as tested for compliance with ENERGY STAR.

NOTE 1 – ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Computer Servers Version 2.1 defines a computer server as all hardware and materials contained within the chassis, including the power supply unit.

NOTE 2 – also see Computer Server.

NOTE 3 – also see Blade Server. Only the blade server and not the blade chassis (i.e., shared blade chassis resources required for operation of the blade server) is within the scope of this standard.

• 2nd ballot round additional comments were received. On the 3/23 JTG call, the following Excel rows (20 & 22) were flagged by Holly Elwood.

Comment Proposed resolution Disposition status Disposition detail

Proposed resolution (see NOTE):

Blade server[1]: A computer server that is designed for use in a blade chassis. A blade server is a high-density device that functions as an independent computer server and includes at least one processor and system memory, but is dependent upon shared blade chassis resources (e.g., power supplies, cooling) for operation. A processor or memory module that is intended to scale up a standalone server is not considered a blade server.

NOTE – Only the blade server and not the blade chassis (i.e., shared blade chassis resources required for operation of the blade server) is within the scope of this standard.

4/27 Questions for JTG Discussion

1) Is it the intent of the JTG that only the blade, and not the blade system (including chassis), is covered by this standard?

See implications below.

2) Would the JTG like to modify the blade server scope to include the blade chassis?

See implications below.

Implications of blade only within scope:

a) Only the blade, not the blade system can be declared conformant to the standard, which could impact product declarations & marketing.

b) Some criteria may not apply & JTG should consider adding “not applicable” statements to these criteria. This would remove the optional point from the denominator.

Criteria that might not be applicable to the “blade only” include:

5.3.1 Optional - 80 plus program (applies to power supplies which are in chassis)

5.4.1 Optional— Active State Power Management Enablement

5.4.2 Optional – Server Inactive Power State #1

5.4.3 Optional – Server Inactive Power State #2

5.5.2 Optional - Reduce energy lost from power conversion

c) All criteria in the standard would only apply to the blade, and the blade system can’t be used in the demonstration of conformance; for example:

5.5.1 Optional - Energy efficient supply chains (would limit applicable components)

6.2.3 Optional - Requesting full substance inventory (% calculation limited to blade)

6.2.4 Optional - Acquiring substance inventory (% calculation limited to blade)

7.1.1 Required – Declaration of postconsumer recycled plastic content

7.1.2 Required – Minimum Postconsumer recycled content in external enclosures

7.1.3 Optional – Postconsumer recycled plastic content

9.1.4 Required - Product recyclability calculation and minimum 90% recyclability rate

d) For some energy performance criteria (e.g., ASHRAE), the JTG might want to add a note about testing; for example, similar to how testing of blades is done for ENERGY STAR.

Implications of blade system within scope:

a) Modify definition to capture scope

b) Review draft standard to identify any criteria that are either not applicable or need modifications to address the “blade system” scope

[1] ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Computer Server Version 2.1