SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
Green IT
SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server features innovative power saving and power management capabilities that let you get maximum performance per watt.
Tickless Idle
Tickless idle is a new kernel feature that eliminates periodic timer ticks when system CPUs are idle. The Linux kernel uses periodic timer events, called timer ticks, for each CPU. These ticks facilitate process accounting, scheduler load balancing, and maintaining per-CPU timer events. The one drawback, however, has been that when systems are idle, these periodic ticks wake up the system and bring it out of its power-saving "sleep" state–roughly every millisecond for newer kernels operating at 1000Hz. This causes unnecessary power consumption. With tickless idle in SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, the periodic timer tick has been eliminated when the CPU is idle. This allows the CPU to remain in power-saving states for longer periods of time. The result is lower system power consumption and reduced costs.
Improved Power Profiles
Also included in SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 are enhancements to eliminate unnecessary timer events, as well as improved, more granular power profiles which are file-based and can be more easily used for enterprise-wide power management.