Ixia tests energy efficiency in independent lab test

Oct. 2, 2008
OCTOBER 2, 2008 -- Broadband-Testing Labs used Ixia's IxGreen proof-of-concept test platform to determine the energy efficiency of Layer 2 IP network switches from D-Link. Ixia says the IxGreen tester offers accurate and repeatable validation of individual data center elements, with an emphasis on performance and power consumption, thereby enabling data center managers to achieve their eco-efficient data center goals.

OCTOBER 2, 2008 -- Ixia (search for Ixia) today announced that its IxGreen proof-of-concept test device was used by Andorra-based Broadband-Testing Labs to determine the energy efficiency of Layer 2 IP network switches from D-Link. (See "Ixia intros IxGreen at Interop '08.")

According to Ixia, IxGreen offers accurate and repeatable validation of individual data center elements, with the emphasis on performance and power consumption, thereby enabling data center managers to achieve their eco-efficient data center goals. These goals, in addition to cooling and power savings, include consolidation of data center elements, server and software virtualization, remote management/administration, and a reduced carbon footprint.

The energy-efficiency tests performed by Broadband-Testing Labs involved D-Link's line of Enterprise-level 24-port X-Stack DGT-3627, DGT-3426 Layer 2/3 Gigabit Ethernet switches, and the "Web Smart" 24-port layer-2 DGT-1224T Gigabit Ethernet switch from D-Link's "Green Ethernet" range. Testing was conducted at Ixia's test labs in Marlow, U.K.

"In all three cases, we were very impressed with the low levels of power consumed, which were significantly below published class averages," reports Steve Broadhead, founder and CEO of Broadband-Testing Labs. "Using Ixia's IxGreen solution, we were able to measure power consumption with a wide range of different loads--from zero to wire speed across all ports--and with different traffic profiles. In this way we were able to generate a truly real-world set of meaningful power consumption figures," he says.

The maximum power consumption was 50.35 watts, recorded with traffic running into the DGT-3627 and through the 10-Gbit/sec uplink into the DGT-3426--essentially an absolute maximum load. Meanwhile, the "green" DGT-1224T, consuming a mere 9.3 watts in 10/100 idle mode, maxed out at 23.65 watts when fully loaded at Gigabit line speed, say representatives for Broadband-Testing Labs.

"This means that per gigabit of traffic, the switch consumed just 0.4 watts," notes Broadhead. "The maximum power consumption recorded was a truly excellent figure for a 24-port gigabit switch running line speed with a 10-Gbit/sec uplink. The 'green' switches lived up to their billing. We were also indebted to Ixia for the use of its integrated traffic generator and power measurement tool in Ixia's state-of-the-art, UK-based test facility," he adds. "Ixia's IxGreen proof-of-concept solution is the first such integrated performance-per-power solution in the industry, and one we are looking to help drive standards-based testing for power consumption in the industry."

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