When it comes to measuring and managing enterprise IT power use, many focus on data center servers and storage, but energy efficiency can start in the network closet where LAN switches and routers live alongside a host of other power-hungry equipment.

Network closet components and their costs

The first step to network energy efficiency in the LAN is to assess all of the devices attached to the network and then measure both their power use and what it takes to cool them.

Understanding network closet components

The network closet has LAN switches and sometimes routers, as well as other forgotten devices, such as fans,