An example method is provided and includes communicating a first packet to a network element in order to indicate whether an endpoint can have its power managed by network communications. The first packet includes an Internet protocol (IP) address associated with the endpoint. The method also includes receiving a second packet from the network element to identify whether the endpoint can have its power managed. The endpoint is configured to have its power managed via a port associated with the endpoint. In more specific embodiments, a state associated with the endpoint is used to determine whether to power on, or to power off the endpoint. In other implementations, the endpoint is powered on, or powered off at a specific time based on a policy associated with the endpoint.