A method for controlling power consumption of a server, wherein the server includes a digital processing system, the method comprising: setting a pre-active threshold having a first connection rate for a first active server, the first connection rate of the pre-active threshold being less than a second connection rate of an active threshold,; measuring a current connection rate of the first active server; receiving incoming requests for additional connections; detecting when the measured current connection rate plus the incoming requests for additional connections is in a predetermined relationship with the pre-active threshold; wherein, when it is detected that the measured current connection rate of the first active server plus the incoming requests for additional connections is in the predetermined relationship with the pre-active threshold, then initiating powering up of an inactive server into an active state, wherein said initiating powering up of the inactive server includes: sending a power up signal to the inactive server to initiate powering up of the inactive server before the second connection rate of the active threshold is reached; upon reaching the pre-active threshold, initiating periodic keep alive signals to the inactive server to cause the inactive server to begin to power up to transition towards the active state after the pre-active threshold is met but before the inactive server is activated, wherein the periodic keep alive signals do not place the inactive server into an active state; and placing the inactive server into the active state as a second active server when the active threshold is met; and assigning requests for additional connections to the second active server. setting a pre-active threshold having a first connection rate for a first active server, the first connection rate of the pre-active threshold being less than a second connection rate of an active threshold,; measuring a current connection rate of the first active server; receiving incoming requests for additional connections; detecting when the measured current connection rate plus the incoming requests for additional connections is in a predetermined relationship with the pre-active threshold; wherein, when it is detected that the measured current connection rate of the first active server plus the incoming requests for additional connections is in the predetermined relationship with the pre-active threshold, then initiating powering up of an inactive server into an active state, wherein said initiating powering up of the inactive server includes: sending a power up signal to the inactive server to initiate powering up of the inactive server before the second connection rate of the active threshold is reached; upon reaching the pre-active threshold, initiating periodic keep alive signals to the inactive server to cause the inactive server to begin to power up to transition towards the active state after the pre-active threshold is met but before the inactive server is activated, wherein the periodic keep alive signals do not place the inactive server into an active state; and placing the inactive server into the active state as a second active server when the active threshold is met; and initiating powering up of an inactive server into an active state, wherein said initiating powering up of the inactive server includes: sending a power up signal to the inactive server to initiate powering up of the inactive server before the second connection rate of the active threshold is reached; upon reaching the pre-active threshold, initiating periodic keep alive signals to the inactive server to cause the inactive server to begin to power up to transition towards the active state after the pre-active threshold is met but before the inactive server is activated, wherein the periodic keep alive signals do not place the inactive server into an active state; and placing the inactive server into the active state as a second active server when the active threshold is met; and sending a power up signal to the inactive server to initiate powering up of the inactive server before the second connection rate of the active threshold is reached; upon reaching the pre-active threshold, initiating periodic keep alive signals to the inactive server to cause the inactive server to begin to power up to transition towards the active state after the pre-active threshold is met but before the inactive server is activated, wherein the periodic keep alive signals do not place the inactive server into an active state; and placing the inactive server into the active state as a second active server when the active threshold is met; and assigning requests for additional connections to the second active server.