Description: This object indicates a Cisco EnergyWise entity, which identifies itself as important for the current entity's functionality in the network.

For example, assume a network consisting of switches, IP phones and a call manager (device which supports call related operations in a phone).

Though an IP phone derives its power from the switch, it will not work if the call-manager is not operational. It clearly demonstrates the importance of the call-manager in the network. Hence it is the parent of the IP phones in terms of importance.

Given a parent and child relationship this can be read as, child (IP phone) needs parent (call manager).

Importance calculations enable the management stations to identify the Cisco EnergyWise entities that support other Cisco EnergyWise entities and weigh them as more important to the network as a whole.