Manufacturer pushes pseudo-Energy Star rating for Ethernet gear

Attention network administrators: Microsemi is rallying behind what it's calling a set of standardized efficiency ratings for Power over Ethernet (PoE) equipment.

The Microsemi Green Power over Ethernet Certification program applies a series of tests to PoE equipment. The company is lobbying to have the certification used to underpin some of the rebate programs that are being developed by utility companies to encourage businesses to buy more energy-efficient technology infrastructure. The company proposes giving its certification to equipment with efficiency above 75 percent of the average of the equipment on the market. This link provides info, including the proposed methodology for testing.

Of course, you guessed it: Microsemi is probably the leading semiconductor and IC company in the development of PoE technology, so it has an interest in more widespread adoption of a certification program like this. Should be intriguing to see whether or not it gains traction.