Mini-Book Review: HP’s Green IT for Dummies

Posted by jmcgill on December 16, 2009 under HP | 3 Comments to Read

Hewlett-Packard has continued its green initiatives with the release of a free 35-page e-book for dum—er, professionals. Green IT is gaining more and more attention in the news recently, with the Obama administration ordering government server farms to cut back on energy consumption, a move which brings federal practices more in line with the industry standard. Thankfully, for all those in both public and private industries who want a friendly primer on Green IT and could appreciate a quick resource for further study, Green IT for Dummies is definitely worth the read.

Part I offers a little motivation for those not quite on the Green IT bandwagon. The short chapter explains the issues arising from CO2 emissions and challenges IT professionals to view products and services as impacting the environment during each stage of their lifecycle. What does it take to make a product? What energy is consumed to operate it? How does its disposal impact the environment, as well?

Part II tackles these questions. The book encourages purchasing agents to approach vendors that demonstrate (through certification or otherwise) a commitment to sustainable practices in supply and manufacturing. The operational impact of the product’s lifecycle can be reduced by simple practices like setting sleep modes or consolidating printers into one location within the office. Conveniently, HP has offered a downloadable gadget through its Power to Change Campaign that helps computers go to sleep faster when idle, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption. The book also encourages the implementation of virtualization software within server farms to increase usage per server and decrease the amount of equipment drawing power. Creative suggestions for cooling are also given. As a product reaches the end of its lifecycle, the solution is simple: dismantle it for parts, recycle, or donate. Throwing a working computer, however old, into a landfill is just inexcusable.

The book also suggests some ways in which IT departments can encourage the rest of their company to go green, as well. The book dings offsetting in favor of actual reduced consumption and better education. IT professionals can clean up their own act and disseminate information for their colleagues to follow. Certainly a bit of systems analysis is also in order to see if some physical processes can be replicated virtually.

Part IV provides some quick ways IT departments can implement some of these ideas and get individuals on board with the initiative. Part V includes helpful links.

Though lacking in some of the trademark humor known within the Dummies series, HP’s Green IT primer nonetheless offers a quick, informative take on the field.

To better position your company for less energy consumption, visit En Pointe’s HP ProLiant server page to learn more.