Green Technology for Green Schools

Green Technology for Green Schools

Howard C. Woodard, Robert L. Orr
Copyright: © 2015 |Pages: 12
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-6312-1.ch007
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Abstract

Technology systems typically are high-energy consumers especially when considering the distinct number of systems encountered in education. Efforts at curbing this consumption to create an efficient technology environment require well-developed tactical and strategic plans. Organizations can begin this journey by developing a road map for a sustainability program. Three technologies, cloud computing, server virtualization, and desktop virtualization, offer great promise and should be a part of the green roadmap for schools. Cloud computing capitalizes on the power of broadband networking to engage needed resources regardless of location and thus creates synergies to reduce energy consumption. Server virtualization allows the school to reduce the number of servers needed while increasing server optimization within the organization. Desktop virtualization meets multiple goals and objectives; it reduces energy and lowers related costs, while at the same time providing more control and flexibility in meeting the technology needs of the organization. This chapter discusses these technologies, their impact, and encourages school administrators to develop strategic as well as tactical plans for creating an energy efficient technology approach.
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Computer Virtualization

Computer virtualization refers to the concept of one physical hardware device running software that shares internal resources to simulate multiple unique, logical computer systems. This model originated with IBM in the 1960s, but the industry only commercialized the model in the 1990s. Most advances in this area of IT have been in the area of data centers and servers, but these technologies can extend to the classroom by virtualizing the individual desktop. Schools may find “in the cloud” one key enabler for virtualizing the desktop, rather than operating the necessary virtualization infrastructure locally. Many service providers offer virtualized desktop services across the network or “in the cloud,” or the school district can provide these services by the school’s internal “cloud.” Regardless of the “where” the services originate, virtualization offers great potential to reduce energy requirements. Cloud computing availability has exploded in recent years, in response to these new demands for virtualized services.

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