How the simulator works
Overview
In this context the term 'simulator' is used in its strictest sense to describe the core simulation engine which is implemented as a java command-line application.
The image above shows a web interface that was designed for the BCS and Carbon Trust that makes creating the XML input and reading the XML output of the simulator much easier for those who do not have development experience. The user of the web interface is not described here but more details can be found on the DCSG website.
Modeling a data centre
The simulator works by creating a mathematical model of the data centre environment from application workload through to utility power, this is shown below.
The simulator can be configured to represent any type of data centre as there are no pre-defined rules as to how your data centre may be designed and described to the simulator.
One the simulator has been configured to the specific design of your data centre the base 'constructor' is said to be complete.
Next the energy performance characteristics for each of the electrical, mechanical and IT component types needs to be input into the simulator along with quantity and provisioning data.
Finally all the other environment variables such as power cost, capital cost, climate data, etc are fed into the simulator to complete the data set. Entering this data via a well designed user interface is approximately a twenty to thirty minute task for most types of data centre.
The simulator will then iterate forward through time applying all the external variables, resolving the circular dependencies and producing a complete set of output data in XML format.
Again using a well designed user interface means the XML data can be presented in a more user friendly format along with graphical representation.
A more detailed guide to how the simulator works is available for download here.