D-Link Expands Energy Saving Switch Range

Networking specialist D-Link has released another addition to a line of switches it describes as “green” with its latest devices the DGS-3200 range which feature power saving technology, the company has said.

In a statement released this week, D-Link said the DGS-3200 layer 2 Gigabit managed switches uses the company’s “Green Technology” which includes power saving systems that automatically power down ports that have no link or active devices attached. D-Link added that the power saving technology is also able to detect the length of cable between the switch port and the end device which also helps to reduce power output, the company said.

“The introduction of these xStack Green Ethernet switches demonstrates D-Link’s commitment to providing all business environments with affordable solutions that can help them reduce their IT spend and impact on the environment,” said D-Link’s UK marketing manager Andrew Mulholland. “These latest switches are a viable option for all organisations that are looking to pro-actively respond to increased energy costs, and local carbon reduction initiatives.”

D-Link offers a host of energy-efficient switches and other products that are part of its D-Link Green Technology initiative. The company also has energy-saving Wi-Fi routers, NAS (network-attached storage) devices, and Internet-enabled digital photo frames.

In a message on the company’s website, John Lee, chairman of D-Link’s board of directors, said the company’s efforts at energy efficiency are aimed at how the company operates as well as the products it sells.

“Our customers, employees and investors are increasingly concerned about ‘green computing,’” Lee said. “We recognise our corporate responsibilities as an international entity, and we are committed to protecting the environment.”

According to D-Link, the DGS-3200-10 features 8 Gigabit ports and 2 SFP Ports and a 11-inch rack mount case with a fanless design, and emits less heat and noise than other comparable switches. “This makes it ideal for noise sensitive office environment,” D-Link said.

The DGS-3200-24 features 20 Gigabit ports with 4 SFP Ports, and also includes a smart fan feature, including two fans that are set to low speed by default, the company said.

In June, Broadcom announced a new set of green Ethernet chips which it said could let switch vendors like D-Link wring a 40 percent reduction in system power.

The set of 65 nanometer eco-sensitive single-chip Gigabit Ethernet products from Taiwan-based semiconductor company Broadcom could provide a reduction in total system power of as much as 40 percent for the company’s OEMs – a list which includes Allied Telesis, Cisco, D-Link and NETGEAR – which choose to use them.