A method and device for reducing energy consumption of a link aggregation group

Abstract

The present application provides a method and device for reducing the energy consumption of a link aggregation group, the method comprising: reading the configuration role of the link aggregation group as an energy-saving link aggregation group; when the configuration role is the energy-saving link aggregation group; reading the energy-saving strategy of the link aggregation group; determining when the start time of the energy-saving strategy arrives, selecting an energy-saving member port according to the statistical strategy; sending a port closing notification message through the energy-saving member port; setting the energy-saving member port from a sending and receiving state to a receiving state; when the energy-saving member port does not receive a data message within a receiving buffer period, setting the energy-saving member port to a non-selected state and closing the energy-saving member port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to communication technology, and in particular to a method and device for reducing energy consumption of a link aggregation group. Background Art

[0002] Ethernet link aggregation forms an Ethernet logical link by bundling multiple Ethernet physical links together. The maximum bandwidth of this Ethernet logical link is equal to the sum of the bandwidths of its physical links, thereby increasing the link bandwidth. Ethernet physical link bundling is achieved through interface bundling. Multiple Ethernet interfaces of communication devices are bundled together to form a link aggregation group. These bundled Ethernet interfaces are member ports of the link aggregation group. Each aggregation group uniquely corresponds to a logical interface, called an aggregated interface.

[0003] Communication devices interconnected by multiple physical links can implement dynamic aggregation mode through LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) protocol, which can adjust the selected / unselected state of the port according to the information of the other end and the local end, and realize Ethernet link aggregation more flexibly.

[0004] Currently, network technology is growing rapidly, and the demand for high-bandwidth home access, enterprise cloud services and related businesses are growing; high-bandwidth access using Ethernet link aggregation technology is becoming the mainstream way for enterprise networks and building access networks, but it also brings about urgent energy-saving issues. Because network equipment running 24 hours a day consumes a lot of power, when it is relatively unloaded, each port (electrical port or optical port) of the network equipment in working state consumes a certain amount of power, resulting in energy waste. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a method and device for reducing the energy consumption of a link aggregation group to achieve dynamic energy saving.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides a method for reducing the energy consumption of a link aggregation group, the method comprising: reading the configuration role of the link aggregation group as an energy-saving link aggregation group; when the configuration role is an energy-saving link aggregation group; reading the energy-saving policy of the link aggregation group; determining when the start time of the energy-saving policy arrives, selecting an energy-saving member port according to the statistical policy; sending a port shutdown notification message through the energy-saving member port; setting the energy-saving member port from a sending and receiving state to a receiving state; when the energy-saving member port does not receive a data message within a receiving buffer period, setting the energy-saving member port to a non-selected state and closing the energy-saving member port.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application also provides a device for reducing the energy consumption of a link aggregation group, and the device includes: a setting module, which is used to set the configuration role of the link aggregation group to an energy-saving link aggregation group; an energy-saving module, which is used to determine that the configuration role is an energy-saving link aggregation group and read the energy-saving policy of the link aggregation group; determine when the start time of the energy-saving policy arrives, and select an energy-saving member port according to the statistical policy; a link aggregation module, which is used to send a port shutdown notification message through the energy-saving member port; set the energy-saving member port from a transceiver state to a receive state; when the energy-saving member port does not receive a data message within the receive buffer period, set the energy-saving member port to a non-selected state and close the energy-saving member port.

[0008] The beneficial effect of the present application is that dynamic energy saving is achieved by closing some member ports of a link aggregation group during a relatively idle time of a network device through dynamic aggregation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a method for reducing energy consumption of a link aggregation group provided by the present application;

[0010] Figures 2A-2C A schematic diagram of dynamic aggregation of energy-saving link aggregation groups is provided for this application;

[0011] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device for reducing the energy consumption of a link aggregation group provided by the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail with multiple examples shown in multiple figures. In the following detailed description, multiple specific details are used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present application. Known methods, steps, components and circuits are not described in detail in the examples to avoid making these examples difficult to understand.

[0013] Among the terms used, the term "include" means including but not limited to; the term "contain" means including but not limited to; the terms "above", "within" and "below" are inclusive of the number; the terms "greater than" and "less than" are exclusive of the number. The term "based on" means based on at least a part thereof.

[0014] Figure 1 The method embodiment for reducing the energy consumption of a link aggregation group provided in this application includes:

[0015] Step 101, reading the configuration role of the link aggregation group as an energy-saving link aggregation group;

[0016] Step 102, when the configured role is an energy-saving link aggregation group;

[0017] Step 103, reading the energy saving strategy of the link aggregation group;

[0018] Step 104, determining when the start time of the energy saving strategy arrives, and selecting an energy saving member port according to the statistical strategy;

[0019] Step 105, sending a port closing notification message through the energy-saving member port;

[0020] Step 106, setting the energy-saving member port from the sending and receiving state to the receiving state;

[0021] Step 107: When the energy-saving member port does not receive a data message within the receiving buffer period, the energy-saving member port is set to a non-selected state and closed.

[0022] Figure 1 The beneficial effect of the illustrated embodiment is that dynamic energy saving is achieved by closing some member ports of the link aggregation group during a relatively idle time of the network device through dynamic aggregation.

[0023] Figures 2A-2C A schematic diagram of dynamic aggregation of energy-saving link aggregation groups is provided for this application; Figure 2A In the example, Device A and Device B establish their own dynamic link aggregation groups LAGA and LAGB through the interactive LACP protocol; the member ports of LAG A are PA1, PA2, and PA3; the member ports of LAG B are PB1, PB2, and PB3. LAG A is configured as an energy-saving aggregation group on Device A. Device A reads the configuration role of LAG A as an energy-saving link aggregation group, and Device B reads the configuration role of LAG B as a non-energy-saving link aggregation group.

[0024] The energy-saving policy of LAG A configured on Device A starts at 10 pm and ends at 5 am. The policy states that when the traffic of LAG A is less than 15 Gbps for 5 minutes, a member port is shut down to enter the energy-saving state.

[0025] Figure 2A In the example, when the energy-saving strategy start time of LAG A arrives at 10 pm, Device A counts the traffic received and sent by member ports PA1, PA2, and PA3 of aggregation group LAGA, and calculates the bandwidth usage of LAGA based on the traffic received and sent by the three member ports.

[0026] When the services between Device A and Device B decrease, the service traffic received and forwarded by Device A through LAG A will gradually decrease. At 11 o'clock in the evening, Device A counts that the time for which the traffic received and sent by link aggregation group LAG A has been less than 15G has lasted for 5 minutes. Device A selects one of its member ports, such as PA3 with relatively small traffic, to enter the energy-saving mode according to the energy-saving strategy.

[0027] Device A sends LACP protocol message 201 with a customized member port shutdown notification flag on PA3 to notify Device B.

[0028] Figure 2B In the example, Device A sets member port PA3 from the sending state to the receiving state.

[0029] Device B receives LACP protocol message 201 through member port PB3, records member port PB3 as a local energy-saving member port, sets the transceiver state of member port PB3 to the transmitting state, and only sends data messages through it.

[0030] When the data packets to be sent in the buffer of member port PB3 on device B are sent completely, member port PB3 is set to the unselected state, thereby switching the traffic to PB1 and PB2. Device B shuts down member port PB3 and sets a wake-up timer for member port PB3.

[0031] Figure 2C In the example, on device B, when the wake-up timer of member port PB3 reaches the wake-up time, member port PB3 is turned on.

[0032] Device A determines that the shutdown time of the energy saving strategy has arrived, and turns on member port PA3. In the present application, the wake-up time of the wake-up timer on device B may be earlier than the shutdown time of the energy saving strategy, or may be later than the shutdown time of the energy saving strategy.

[0033] After device A turns off the energy-saving strategy and turns on member port PA3, the cable connected between member port PA3 and member port PB3 on the other end can detect whether the member port on the other end is turned on (powered on). When the wake-up time of the wake-up timer on device B is earlier than the energy-saving strategy shutdown time, device A turns off the energy-saving strategy and turns on member port PA3, and can detect that member port PB3 on the other end is turned on; when the wake-up time of the wake-up timer on device B is later than the energy-saving strategy shutdown time, device A turns off the energy-saving strategy and turns on member port PA3, and waits for a period of time to detect that member port PB3 on the other end is turned on.

[0034] Device A determines that the peer member port PB3 is enabled, and sends an LACP protocol message 202 with the port joining the link aggregation group identifier through member port PA3, setting member port PA3 to the selected state, so that the traffic that LAG A needs to forward is re-loaded on PA1, PA2, and PA3.

[0035] On device B, when member port PB3 receives LACP protocol message 202, member port PB3 is set to the selected state, so that the traffic that needs to be forwarded by LAG B is re-loaded on PB1, PB2, and PB3.

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device for reducing the energy consumption of a link aggregation group provided in the present application. Device 30 includes: a setting module, used to set the configuration role of the link aggregation group to an energy-saving link aggregation group; an energy-saving module, used to determine that the configuration role is an energy-saving link aggregation group, and read the energy-saving policy of the link aggregation group; determine when the start time of the energy-saving policy arrives, and select an energy-saving member port according to the statistical policy; a link aggregation module, used to send a port shutdown notification message through the energy-saving member port; set the energy-saving member port from the transceiver state to the receiving state; when the energy-saving member port does not receive a data message within the receiving buffer period, the energy-saving member port is set to a non-selected state and the energy-saving member port is closed. The energy-saving policy at least includes that when the bandwidth utilization of the link aggregation group is lower than the bandwidth utilization threshold and the duration exceeds the specified time, the n member ports with the lowest bandwidth utilization are selected as energy-saving member ports; wherein n is a positive integer and is less than the total number of member ports of the link aggregation group.

[0037] The link aggregation module is also used to determine that the shutdown time of the energy-saving strategy has arrived and open the energy-saving member port; determine that the opposite end member port has been opened; send a port to join the link aggregation group message through the energy-saving member port; and set the energy-saving member port to a selected state.

[0038] The setting module is also used to set the configuration role of the link aggregation group to a non-energy-saving link aggregation group; the link aggregation module is also used to record the member port of the link aggregation group that receives the port shutdown notification message as a local energy-saving member port; set the receiving and sending state of the local energy-saving member to the sending state; when the local energy-saving member port has no data message to be sent, set the local energy-saving member port to a non-selected state and close the local energy-saving member port.

[0039] The link aggregation module is also used to set a wake-up timer for the local energy-saving member port; when the wake-up timer reaches the wake-up time, the local energy-saving member port is turned on; when the local energy-saving member port receives a link aggregation group joining message sent by the opposite device, the local energy-saving member port is set to the selected state.

[0040] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for reducing energy consumption of a link aggregation group, It is characterized in that The method comprises: Read the configuration role of the link aggregation group connected to the peer device as an energy-saving link aggregation group; When the configuration role is energy-saving link aggregation group; Reading the energy saving strategy of the link aggregation group; Determine when the start time of the energy-saving strategy arrives, and select an energy-saving member port according to the statistical strategy; Sending a port closing notification message through the energy-saving member port; so that the opposite device records the member port that receives the port closing notification message as the energy-saving member port of the opposite device and sets the receiving and sending state to the sending state; Setting the energy-saving member port from a transmitting and receiving state to a receiving state; When the energy-saving member port does not receive a data message within the receiving buffer period, the energy-saving member port is set to a non-selected state and the energy-saving member port is closed.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine that the shutdown time of the energy-saving strategy has arrived, and enable the energy-saving member port; Determining that the peer member port of the energy-saving member port is enabled; Sending a port joining link aggregation group message through the energy-saving member port; The energy-saving member port is set to a selected state.

3. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The method further comprises: Identifying the configuration role as a non-energy-saving link aggregation group; When the link aggregation group receives a member port of a port shutdown notification message, the member port is recorded as a local energy-saving member port; Setting the receiving and sending state of the local energy-saving member to a sending state; When the local energy-saving member port has no data message to be sent, the local energy-saving member port is set to a non-selected state and the local energy-saving member port is closed.

4. The method according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The method further comprises: Setting a wake-up timer for the local energy-saving member port; When the wake-up timer reaches the wake-up time, opening the local energy-saving member port; When the local energy-saving member port receives the link aggregation group joining message sent by the opposite device, the local energy-saving member port is set to a selected state.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The energy-saving strategy at least includes: when the bandwidth utilization of the link aggregation group is lower than the bandwidth utilization threshold and the duration exceeds a specified time, n member ports with the lowest bandwidth utilization are selected as the energy-saving member ports; wherein n is a positive integer and is less than the total number of member ports of the link aggregation group.

6. A device for reducing energy consumption of a link aggregation group, Characterized in that the device include: A setting module, used to set the configuration role of the link aggregation group connected to the peer device to the energy-saving link aggregation group; An energy-saving module, used to determine that the configuration role is an energy-saving link aggregation group, and read the energy-saving strategy of the link aggregation group; Determine when the start time of the energy-saving strategy arrives, and select an energy-saving member port according to the statistical strategy; The link aggregation module is used to send a port closing notification message through the energy-saving member port, so that the opposite device records the member port that receives the port closing notification message as the opposite device energy-saving member port and sets the transceiver state to the sending state; sets the energy-saving member port from the transceiver state to the receiving state; when the energy-saving member port does not receive a data message within the receiving buffer period, sets the energy-saving member port to a non-selected state and closes the energy-saving member port.

7. The device according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The link aggregation module is also used to determine that the shutdown time of the energy-saving strategy has arrived and turn on the energy-saving member port; determine that the opposite member port of the energy-saving member port has been turned on; send a port to join the link aggregation group message through the energy-saving member port; and set the energy-saving member port to a selected state.

8. The device according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The setting module is further used to set the configuration role of the link aggregation group to a non-energy-saving link aggregation group; The link aggregation module is also used to record the member port of the link aggregation group that receives the port closing notification message as a local energy-saving member port; set the receiving and sending state of the local energy-saving member to the sending state; when the local energy-saving member port has no data message to be sent, set the local energy-saving member port to a non-selected state and close the local energy-saving member port.

9. The device according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The link aggregation module is also used to set a wake-up timer for the local energy-saving member port; when the wake-up timer reaches the wake-up time, the local energy-saving member port is turned on; when the local energy-saving member port receives a link aggregation group joining message sent by the opposite device, the local energy-saving member port is set to a selected state.

10. The device according to claim 6 or 7, It is characterized in that The energy-saving strategy at least includes: when the bandwidth utilization of the link aggregation group is lower than the bandwidth utilization threshold and the duration exceeds a specified time, n member ports with the lowest bandwidth utilization are selected as the energy-saving member ports; wherein n is a positive integer and is less than the total number of member ports of the link aggregation group.

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