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Creating a Low-Power Cloud With Netbook Chips

Posted by timothy on from the but-what's-the-wattage-equivalent-cfl dept.

Al writes "Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have created a remarkably low-power server architecture using netbook processors and flash memory cards. The server design, dubbed a 'fast array of wimpy nodes,' or FAWN, is only designed to perform simple tasks, but the CMU team say it could be perfect for large Web companies that have to retrieve large amounts of data from RAM. A set-up including 21 individual nodes draws a maximum of just 85 watts under real-world conditions. The researchers say that a FAWN cluster could offer a low-power replacement for sites that currently rely on Memcached to access data from RAM."

1 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. Re:oblig..... by Samschnooks · · Score: 5, Funny
    Thank you. You saved Slashdot from this:

    I'm thinking of a Fast Array of Gigabyte Systems or "FAGS" as opposed to FAWN.

    Imagine talking to your admin in front of PC type of folks,

    "Hey Lou, you did you get those new FAGS? That last ones broke down and were a real pain in the ass!"

    "No Joe, we still have those old FAGS. The holes in those things were so big, anything could get in."

    "Yeah, I know it. They were pigs too. Some of the fuses went. Things really got blown!"

    "I tell ya! I tell ya! Hey, how are the boys in San Fransisco? I heard the FAGS vendor is really sticking it up their asses."

    "Sort of. They were happy with their shot and reciprocated on the terms."

    "Ah, good."