Funny, but BLADE Network Technologies of Santa Clara, Calif., doesn’t make blade servers. It makes really good network switches and data center-type software, however. So why didn’t it call itself SWITCH Network Technologies? Just a passing thought.
Anyway, BLADE—WHICH ALWAYS CAPITALIZES ITS NAME, SO IT APPEARS THAT THE COMPANY IS SHOUTING—launched its new RackSwitch G8124 on Feb. 18. So what’s the big deal?
The thing that caught my eye: At full loading, the RackSwitch G8124 consumes an average of a mere 170 watts of electricity—less than the power required for two standard light bulbs.
OK, so a switch is just a connector and I/O traffic cop; it doesn’t do all the heavy lifting a server does. So it doesn’t need as much power as one of those big hummers.
Still, two light bulbs’ worth of power is impressive for any data center staple. Congratulations are hereby awarded to the engineers who put this one together.
Now that’s what I call Double Green IT: something that saves money and the carbon buildup in the environment at the same time. For more info, go here.