Green Networking Equipment: Who Leads and Who Lags

SUMMARY

Power consumption and other “green” issues are fast becoming the information technology (IT) industry's biggest challenge. Inevitably, as these concerns grow, focus will broaden to all types of IT equipment, settling on one of the thirstiest devices: the LAN switch. In-Stat believes switch vendors who address energy efficiency earliest have significant opportunities to develop competitive advantage in their respective markets, taking full advantage of the continuing growth in the switch market.

This report helps to answer specific questions and provide insights into:

• The components of “green” networking and how they affect energy efficiency
• The significant differences in the energy efficiency of switch equipment between vendors
• The importance of going “green,” looking specifically at the explosive PoE growth and its future power requirements, as well as the development of new network technologies
• The advantages and disadvantages of standard and proprietary hardware components
• A comparison of power efficiency by vendor for Fixed Gigabit Ethernet switches
• The different measures vendors are currently pursuing to improve energy efficiency

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Tables

• Table 1. Switch Vendor Chip Sourcing
• Table 2. Most Common Switch Configurations by Market

List of Figures

• Figure 1. Total Quarterly Ethernet Market Revenues and Port Shipments
• Figure 2. Total PoE Port Shipments?2005 to 2007
• Figure 3. Estimated Effect of Proposed PoE Standards on the Energy Consumption of a Fast Ethernet Switch
• Figure 4. Fabric Capacity (Gbps) per Watt (24-Port GE, Fixed, Managed, L2-3)
• Figure 5. Fabric Capacity (Gbps) Per Watt (48-Port GE, Fixed, Managed, L2-3)