Microsoft updates System Configuration Manager
Connecting state and local government leaders
Software giant releases Desired Configuration Management pack for System Center Configuration Manager 2007 that meets Energy Star guidelines.
As the summer heats up, and icebergs melt, maybe it's time for
system admins using Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager2007 to consider adding a little eco-friendliness to their
networks.
To that end, Microsoft released on Thursday a new Desired
Configuration Management (DCM) pack for Configuration Manager 2007
that now meets Energy Star guidelines.
DCM is used to ensure optimal configurations for managing
overall network performance and security. This update to DCM
applies to networks that use Microsoft Windows Vista- and XP-based
computers.
The U.S. government's Energy Star initiative typically addresses
power usage by businesses generally, and hardware manufacturers
specifically. For the software industry, Energy Star describes
goals for display power use and computer system hibernation
settings.
The Energy Star program recommends that computers go into
hibernation after 30 minutes to 60 minutes of nonuse. Monitors
should enter sleep mode after five minutes to 20 minutes without
activity.
Energy Star compliance adds to Microsoft's green computing
efforts, which also includes participation in the Climate Savers Computing Initiative.
That initiative aims to reduce overall carbon emissions through
energy-saving technologies.
While every little bit helps, the IT industry doesn't appear to
be the worst culprit in churning out greenhouse gasses (GHGs),
according to "Leveraging IT in Building GreenBusinesses, an IDC Industry Insights paper.
"Energy Insights estimates the GHG emissions from IT only
account for 3% of the energy related carbon dioxide emissions in
the U.S. commercial sector, or 0.6% of the total," the report
states. "The other 97% is comprised of the following segments:
transportation (33%), industrial, which is dominated by
manufacturing (28%), and commercial and residential, which is
primarily related to buildings (36%)."
System Center users can download the new Energy Star-compliant
DCM for Configuration Manager 2007, or get more information, at the
link here.