Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is the SNIA Emerald Program? 
What happens after I submit my data? 
What does it cost to submit data? 
How can I trust published results are accurate? 
How can I challenge a Test Data Result or Submission?

END-USER QUESTIONS

Do I need to register to view SNIA Emerald measurement results? 
Does it cost anything to compare or use the results?

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is the SNIA Emerald Program? [Back] The SNIA Emerald Program is a public service to the storage industry and its customers. It provides a standardized way of reporting power-related information about storage systems and their components, both at a data sheet level and as they perform under various workload metrics. These metrics are documented in the SNIA Emerald Power Efficiency Specification.

What happens after I submit my data? [Back] A first level sanity check is performed by the SNIA Emerald Program Director, after which the data is made public. After a provisional period of two months the data is deemed acceptable by the community and considered valid. During the provisional period, anyone in the industry may challenge the data. Please contact the SNIA Emerald Program Director for details regarding challenges.

What does it cost to submit data? [Back] A fee (or membership entitlement) is due at the time measurement results are submitted on the SNIA Emerald website. Fees cover the costs of managing the SNIA Emerald Program. GSI members receive annual entitlements; in some cases it may be cost advantageous to join the GSI vs. simply paying the fees on a one-off basis. The fee scale is available on the Program Fees page.

How can I trust published results are accurate? [Back] Data submitted by a test submitter goes through a provisional period of two months, during which the industry and the public have the opportunity to challenge the results. Please contact the SNIA Emerald Program Director for questions concerning the challenge procedure. 

When the provisional period expires, the document is assumed to be valid and it enters the "accepted" state.

How can I challenge a Test Data Result or Submission? [Back] A challenge may be for as something as simple as a typo in a submission or as complex as a test not being run accurately. To challenge the submission of a Test Data Result you must first register, after which you will be able to submit a challenge.

END-USER QUESTIONS

Do I need to register to view SNIA Emerald Program measurement results? [Back] No. All published results are available to the general public. But agreeing not to use results other than your own in competitive literature and situations is required: see the Terms of Use.

Does it cost anything to compare or use the results? [Back] Published results can be freely used for internal purposes or as an aid in making purchasing decisions.