Windows Server 2008 R2 has three built-in power plans, each designed to meet a different set of business needs. These plans provide a simple way for an administrator to customize a server to meet power or performance goals. Table 4 describes the plans, lists common scenarios in which to use each plan, and gives some implementation details for each plan.
Table 4. Built-in Server Power Plans
Plan
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Description
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Common applicable scenarios
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Implementation highlights
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Balanced (recommended)
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Default setting. Highest energy efficiency with minimum performance impact.
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Matches capacity to demand. Energy-saving features balance power and performance.
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High Performance
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Increases performance at the cost of high energy consumption. Should not be used unless absolutely necessary.
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Low latency.
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Application code sensitive to processor frequency changes.
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Processors are always locked at the highest performance state.
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Power Saver
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Limits performance to save energy and reduce operating cost.
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Deployments with limited power budgets.
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Thermal constraints.
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Caps processor frequency at a percentage of maximum (if supported), and enables other energy-saving features.
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These plans exist in Windows for both AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) powered systems, but in this paper we assume that servers are using AC power.
For more information on power plans, power policies, and power policy configuration, see "Resources" later in this guide.
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