Energy Star – Large Network Equipment Specification

The Energy Star program has published the second draft of the Large Network Equipment (LNE) Specification Version 1.0 and the final draft of the LNE test method. The U.S. EPA is requesting stakeholder comments on these documents until July 24, 2015.

The specification focuses on reporting energy consumption data, power supply efficiency and energy efficiency features. The EPA is expecting that testing and reporting of energy consumption data will help towards developing additional energy efficiency requirements for version 2.0 of the specification. The changes in the specification from the first draft to the second draft are listed in a cover letter from the EPA:

  • EPA proposed several significant changes to key definitions including LNE, modular and fixed, a new definition for module, and an expanded definition of product family for modular products. Physical Network Ports now also include fiber-optic ports.
  • EPA proposes inclusion of fiber-optic ports within the scope of this specification up to 40Gb/s or greater link rate capability.
  • EPA has clarified that power factor requirements only apply to ac input power supplies.
  • EPA has clarified that active state efficiency requirements will not be included in Version 1.0 of this specification, rather certified products will be required to generate and report data that will support setting active levels in Version 2.0. The other pass/fail requirements such as power supply efficiency and energy efficiency features will ensure Version 1.0 delivers savings.
  • EPA has proposed a family structure for modular products and stated the Agency’s interest in and considerations for a family structure for fixed products, though a fixed product family structure is not proposed in this draft.
  • EPA has added standard language on the definition of a representative model(s) in a product family.

Additionally, the following are some key elements of the proposed changes in LNE Final Draft Test Method:

  • DOE has added test procedures for High Port Count products, as well as configuration requirements pertaining to High Port Count testing.
  • DOE has increased the center-point and widened the range of the allowable ambient temperature required during testing.
  • DOE has changed the requirements for how to measure the power of products that have multiple PSUs.

The current draft Specification excludes the following products from the scope of LNE Energy Star certification:

  • Small Network Equipment;
  • Computer Servers, including blade switches sold within a Blade Server configuration;
  • Storage Products, including Blade Storage;
  • Storage Networking Products;
  • Security Appliances;
  • Access Point Controllers;
  • DSLAM/CMTS equipment;
  • Network Caching Devices; and
  • Load Balancing Devices.