Major components associated with Green Networking in Information Communication Technology systems

Abstract

According to a number of studies, Information Communication Technology(ICT) alone is responsible for a percentage which varies from 2% to 10% of the world power consumption, due to the ever increasing diffusion of electronic devices. Communication networks, including the Internet and wireless networks, represent a non-negligible part of the energy consumption of ICT. In addition, the carbon footprint of ICT devices due to energy consumption and the activities related to their entire lifecycle contributes to global warming. Green Network Technology is one such technology which specializes in end user management and energy conservation across IT networks. It is committed to reducing operating costs across any company's network and minimizing its impact on the environment whilst delivering a swift return on investment. Green Networking covers all aspects of the network (personal computers, peripherals, switches, routers, and communication media). Energy efficiencies of all network components must be optimized to have a significant impact on the overall energy consumption by these components. Consequently, these efficiencies gained by having a Green Network will reduce CO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> emissions and thus will help mitigate global warming. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the components must be considered. LCA is the valuation of the environmental impacts on a product from cradle to grave. New ICT technologies must be explored and the benefits of these technologies must be assessed in terms of energy efficiencies and their associated benefits in minimizing the environmental impact of ICT. In context to Green Networking many companies are working on the same technology such as worldwide leader in networking i.e. Cisco says that “Everything Connected to the Network Can Be Greener with Cisco Energy Wise”.