What is the difference between green networking and green computing?

Answer 1

Green networking is ambiguous. It could be a group of environmentalists meeting together. Or it could mean energy efficient ways of running a network as is the context here. Green computing is more general since not all computing is network related. Green networking would use green computers.

Green networking includes:

• Consolidating servers when practical. Server consolidation is the digital equivalent of carpooling. Just like carpooling means less vehicles on the road and less fuel used, less servers means less computers and less electricity used.
• Using server virtualization to make consolidated servers seem less complex. That way, it seems like you are running different servers on the same computer, and you can run multiple servers on one computer as you would on multiple machines.
• Using systems management to increase efficiency. That way, you can balance productivity and usage with costs. You might decide that it would be more efficient to outsource your server requirements. A dedicated server company might do the job more efficiently and cost effectively.
• Upgrading older equipment to more energy-efficient products. This one is obvious. Newer mainstream computer systems tend to use less power these days than previously. But even if they require more power, it may be possible to use less of the newer computers to get same or more productivity than with the older one.
• Substituting remote administration videoconferencing, and telecommuting for travel. While this can result in more electricity being used, it is still in the spirit of green networking and computing practices since you would use less fossil fuels and hopefully create less environmental impact.