Cisco, Nortel weigh in on power issues

Ethernet switch makers Cisco and Nortel last week said network professionals should start paying a lot more attention to keeping their wiring closets cool and energy efficient as power consumption grows. During an Interop panel discussion called "Making the (New) Switch," product planners and managers from these vendors shared the new directions their Ethernet switch designs are taking, as well as what IT shops should do to be ready for them. One technology that enterprises are widely upgrading to in wiring closets is Power over Ethernet. Another big trend for new and future switches is the expanding role of software in the devices.