In the fast-paced evolution of data centers, the spotlight on sustainability has never been brighter. As energy demands surge, finding innovative ways to reduce energy consumption becomes crucial. The transceiver power-control feature within Cisco MDS 9000 switches helps architecting sustainability in storage area networks and contributes to the broader goal of creating more environmentally responsible and cost-effective data center operations.

The Power Challenge in Data Centers

Modern data centers face a formidable challenge in managing escalating power demands. The sheer volume of servers, networking equipment, and storage arrays requires a substantial energy supply, leading to increased operational costs and a larger carbon footprint. The boom of Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads and their power-hungry underlying infrastructure has changed trajectory and further exacerbated the situation. Addressing this challenge has become imperative for organizations striving for sustainability.

In the journey toward net zero, Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions present a major hurdle for data center operators. With IT gear and network devices operating 24