Avaliação da Eficiência do Padrão IEEE 802.3az na Infraestrutura de TI da Universidade de Brasília

Aiming at evaluating the IEEE 802.3az standard for energy savings, this work analyzes its efficiency and effectiveness in the network infrastructure of the University of Brasilia. While there is a great commitment in pursuing alternatives to increased energy efficiency in computing areas, computer networks usually lack a proper attention when it comes to energy savings. The IEEE 802.3az standard is the most promising effort in providing energy savings on under-utilized Ethernet links using UTP cables. This work evaluates the IEEE 802.3az standard and its benefits in terms of energy savings. In this context, different tests have been performed to check the operation and behavior of the EnergyEfficient Ethernet (EEE) in various situations. The results show that EEE can provide energy savings up to 30% in the evaluated settings. The use of the computing resources at UnB and the characteristic of network traffic provides insights on locations having the greatest EEE potential gains. The obtained results may serve as input for decision making regarding the allocation of the equipment to support the EEE. Gains in estimated energy savings for equipment, during idleness periods, reached 0.142 kWh, besides a reduction in the energy consumption prediction to 2.57 times less than conventional switches currently used.