Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Remote Desktops
Nowadays, network and Internet bandwidth is high enough that some IT departments
are revisiting the idea of providing computer services remotely. This is most often seen
with
remote desktops
, where users employ a network or Internet connection to connect
to another PC and use it as if they were physically sitting at it. Remote desktops enable
multiple users to access the same PC from different locations at different times, which saves
the energy and expense involved in maintaining separate identical PCs for people who
job-share, for example. Security administration and fi le backup costs are also reduced.
Some versions of Windows come with a Remote Desktop application. Third-party
remote-desktop applications are also available, as well as Internet-provided desktop
services such as
GoToMyPC
.
Network Attached Storage
A
network attached storage (NAS)
device is a network-aware hard disk or other storage
unit that network users can use to share fi les. NAS devices are less expensive than fi le
servers, and they're also more energy-effi cient to operate.
Inexpensive NAS devices can be attached to a router via Ethernet cable. In addition,
some routers come with their own internal hard drives for NAS capability. For example,
the Apple Time Capsule is a wireless router and Ethernet switch with a high-capacity hard
drive. The Time Capsule works with the Time Machine software included in Mac OS X to
maintain a continuous fi le backup for all users on the network.
Energy Conservation in Business IT
All the energy-saving methods discussed so far in this chapter are small, individual things
that together add up to big savings over the long run. But if you're a decision-maker
involved in a business's long-term plans, you can make energy-conservation decisions about
the company's big picture that can make a signifi cant impact immediately. The following
sections explain some of the ways that a business can save on both energy and expense
by “going green.”
Green Building Infrastructure
Green building
is the process of designing and building a home or business so that it's as
energy-effi cient and sustainable as possible, from choosing the site and constructing the
building to operating and maintaining it on a daily basis. The main objective is to reduce
the building's overall impact on human health and the natural environment by effi ciently
using energy and water, protecting occupant health, and reducing waste, pollution, and
environmental degradation.
Green IT
refers to environmentally responsible computing,
which can be part of an overall green building plan for a company.
