Rien Dijkstra > Quotes

“What is happening in “the last mile” (the access networks) caused by the end user’s behavior will have a big impact on the debate of data center sustainability. Research conducted by Bell Labs and the University of Melbourne (CEET 2013) show that by 2015 wireless cloud (Wi-Fi and cellular technology) will consume between 32 TWh (low scenario) and 43 TWh (high scenario) compared to only 9.2 TWh in 2012. An increase between 248% and 367%. The take-up of wireless devices is shown by the fact that global mobile data traffic overall is currently increasing at 78% per annum and mobile cloud traffic specifically is increasing at 95% per annum. Wireless cloud traffic is about 20% of mobile traffic and approximately 35% of data center traffic. The result of this is that wireless access network technologies account for 90% of total wireless cloud energy consumption. Data centers account for only about 9%. The energy consumption of wireless user devices is negligible.”
― Rien Dijkstra, Data Center 2.0: The Sustainable Data Center

“And this is not the only example. During recent warm, dry summers in 2003, 2006, and 2009, several thermoelectric power plants in Europe were forced to reduce production because of restricted availability of cooling water.”
― Rien Dijkstra, Data Center 2.0: The Sustainable Data Center

“Barroso and Holzle of Google have made the case for energy proportional (energy elastic) computing based on the observation that servers in data centers today operate at well below peak load levels on average. According to them, energy efficiency characteristics are primarily the responsibility of component and system designers, “They should aim to develop machines that consume energy in proportion to the amount of work performed” (2007).”
― Rien Dijkstra, Data Center 2.0: The Sustainable Data Center

“In a free market, actors behave selfishly and try in rational ways to succeed and maximize their gains, which leads, as if by an “invisible hand” (Adam Smith 1776), to economic efficiency and benefits society. The traditional idea was, and for some still is, that business best benefited others, served the public good, by being left to its own devices (“laissez faire, laissez passer”).”
― Rien Dijkstra, Data Center 2.0: The Sustainable Data Center

“A new philosophy, a way of life, is not given for nothing. It has to be paid dearly for and only acquired with much patience and great effort.”   Fyodor Dostoyevsky”
― Rien Dijkstra, Data Center 2.0: The Sustainable Data Center

“The key questions asked are, “Is it better to try to live within that limit by accepting a self-imposed restriction on growth? Or is it preferable to go on growing until some other natural limit arises, in the hope at that time another technological leap will allow growth to continue still longer.”
― Rien Dijkstra, Data Center 2.0: The Sustainable Data Center