3 Giant Steps Forward in Improving Network Energy Efficiency

Since the launch of Climate Savers Computing four years ago, our members and global partners have helped save well over $2 billion in annual energy costs by decreasing CO2 emissions from computing equipment by approximately 41 – 45 million metric tons. We’ve done this by increasing the use of computer power management and through the development and adoption of more energy efficient computing technologies. Now we’re about to embark on our next major milestone by readying the release of three important white papers to help organizations optimize networks for energy efficiency.

It was last year when we expanded the CSCI mission to include a greater focus on increasing the energy efficiency of networking technologies. Leading companies in the networking industry such as Broadcom, Cisco, Emerson Network Power, F5, and Juniper Networks joined CSCI to address reducing the energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions of networking equipment. Working within our Networking Workgroup, these organizations have been collaborating with other CSCI members to develop resources and best practices for the enterprise and telecommunication networking equipment segments. The new white papers mark a significant step forward in driving more energy efficient networks based on best practices from CSCI.

In the coming days we’ll release Considerations for Selecting Power Supplies for Networking Equipment and Evaluating Power Conversion Efficiency, the first paper in the series. This paper focuses on unique usage considerations found in networking equipment, and the resulting complications that affect power supply unit selection as well as operational challenges associated with system demand requirements. The paper contains information which should be of interest to a broad cross section of the IT community, but it is particularly relevant to vendors who provide power subsystems to networking equipment suppliers and system designers in networking companies who design and specify power subsystems and system power architectures for network devices.

The next papers we’ll release are Power Management for Networking Devices and the Energy Efficiency Guide for Networking Devices. While each of the three papers address different facets of the energy consumption opportunities within network equipment, together the papers will direct system designers, IT managers, and IT procurement professionals to design, purchase, install, and manage energy efficient networks. And as CIOs, CFOs and finance teams play an increasing role in driving a variety of energy saving and sustainability initiatives, they will find the new CSCI white papers to be a valuable tool for helping to reverse the negative effect of unneeded energy use on operating costs and productivity.

If you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of networks and networking technologies, keep an eye out for news from us announcing the availability of each new white paper. Organizations implementing best practices included in the papers will see real bottom line results, and will be among leaders in driving the next generation of greener and more energy efficient networking technologies.

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