Evaluating decision-making performance in a grid-computing environment using DEA

Energy saving involves two direct benefits: sustainability and cost reduction, both of which Information Technologies must be aware. In this context, clusters, grids and data centres represent the hungriest consumers of energy. Energy-saving policies for these infrastructures must be applied in order to maximize their resources. The aim of this paper is to compare how efficient these policies are in each location of a grid infrastructure. By identifying efficient policies in each location and the slack in inputs and outputs of the inefficient locations, Data Envelopment Analysis presents a very useful technique for comparing and improving efficiency level. This work enables managers to uncover any misuse of resources so that corrective action can be taken.

► Within IT, grids and data centres represent the hungriest consumers of energy. ► Energy saving involves two direct benefits: sustainability and cost reduction. ► We compared seven energy policies per location for Grid computing environments throughout DEA methodology. ► This paper proposes corrective actions to be taken by system Managers in order to become grid locations efficient.