- Download PDF of V3
- V1 - Introduction and Management
- V2 - Near Term
- V3 - Mid to Far Term
- V4 - Interoperability Profiles and Guidance
- V5 - Design Rules
1.2. Green Information Technology
82. There has always been a push to make technology faster. Now, emerging new trends are driving technologies to become more efficient as well. The drivers of these new trends vary from higher energy costs to environmental concerns. In the past, military interests in technology were less concern with how efficient it was, than how competent it was in producing a desired effect.
83. Implications: Reduction of power consumption during mlitary operations directly effects the costs of conducting such operations. From a NATO perspective, cost-savings incurred through efficiency will have larger impact on participants with less finanical resources to devote to NATO operations.
1.2.1. IEEE 802.3az (Green Ethernet)
84. The goals of the IEEE 802.3az task force are pretty straightforward: define a mechanism to reduce power consumption during periods of low link utilization and a protocol to coordinate transitions to or from a lower level of power consumption. It'll work only on new hardware, of course, but that hardware should be fully backward-compatible. Using "channel staggering" in combination with a few other technologies may lead to a 50-85% power savings.
85. Status: First draft of the specification should by out by the end of 2008, though the final version won't be ratified until early of 2010.
1.2.2. IEEE 1680 (Environmental Assessment)
86. Modern IT systems rely upon a complicated mix of people, networks and hardware; as such, a green computing standard must be systemic in nature, and address increasingly sophisticated problems. The IEEE 1680 standard defines 51 criteria used in the assessment of computing products for enironmental imapct. Impact is measure by reduced use of hazardous materials, maximum energy efficiency during a product's lifetime, and promotion of recyclability or biodegradability of defunct products. Products that passes at least 21 of the the 51 criteria, are eligble to be certified as Energy-Star or EPEAT compliant.
87. Status: Ratified in 2006, the standard was viewed as ambiguous in how to apply specific criteria. Recent verification rounds has prompted detailed clarification and established Interpretations of some portions of the IEEE 1680 standard. With the new supplemental guidance it should be more widely accepted over the next 3-5 years.