ABSTRACT
At the enterprise level, an approach to greening data centers and networks is to virtualize ICT (Information and Communications Technology) functions. The advantages of such an approach include the following:
Increased utilization (and thus increased efficiency) of servers, storage, and ◾ other computing devices due to traffic aggregation Increased energy savings due to consolidations and higher intrinsic efficien-◾ cies related to economies of scale Improved application of Best Practices because large Network (“Cloud”)- ◾ based Computing centers are better able to research and apply best-in-class design principles
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The specific approaches that are applicable to these initiatives are as follows (in somewhat increasing level of virtualization):
1. A transition from dedicated traditional time division-multiplexing (TDM) network connectivity to an all-IP packet-based connectivity for carrier networks, including the use of voice and video compression technologies (e.g., IP-based 3/4G networks, VoIP carrier services, IPTV services), as well as for enterprise networks (e.g., use of VPNs [Virtual Private Networks]; use of packet services-such as MPLS [MultiProtocol Label Switching]—for the intranet, the wide area network, and for the extranet; use of corporate VoIP; etc.).
