Determining a consumption indicator regarding environmental impacts through an IT network

Abstract

Method for determining a consumption indicator concerning the environmental impact of an IT network, hereinafter referred to as the network, comprising the following steps: - computer-aided inventory (S1) of network components; - Providing and / or recording (S2) at least one load-dependent power consumption of network components; - Recording the utilization (S3) of the network components during a model period; - Determining the consumption indicator (S4) of the network and / or components based on the load-dependent energy consumption and the utilization of the components.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for determining a consumption characteristic value relating to environmental impacts of an IT network, hereinafter also referred to as network. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] There are a variety of standardized consumption values ​​for technical components.

[0003] The problem with these parameters is the low comparability of the consumption values, since these parameters are usually based on different loads and periods of use or the consumption values ​​are based on a theoretical model with no reference to practice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, the object of the invention is to determine a consumption characteristic for an individual IT network or its individual operation.

[0005] Consumption values ​​determined in this way therefore refer to an individual operator and to a specific network.

[0006] This also allows the environmental impacts to be assessed based on a complex and individually structured network.

[0007] Accordingly, it is provided: - a method for determining a consumption characteristic value relating to the environmental impact of an IT network, hereinafter referred to as the network, comprising the following steps: computer-assisted inventorying of network components; providing and / or recording at least one utilization-dependent power consumption of the network components; recording a utilization of the network components during a model period; determining the consumption characteristic value of the network and / or the components based on the utilization-dependent energy consumption and the utilization of the components.

[0008] Environmental impact indicators are used to quantify environmental impacts, monitor environmental protection measures and promote the development of sustainable practices and strategies.

[0009] Consumption values ​​refer to the environmental impact of energy consumption.

[0010] Examples of indicators relating to environmental impacts include PEF (Product Environmental Footprint), energy efficiency, CO2 emissions, waste generation or recycling rate, and the like.

[0011] In IT infrastructure, a network refers to a connection of devices, computers, servers, and other devices that can communicate with each other to exchange information, data, and resources. A network enables data traffic and communication between connected devices over physical or wireless connections.

[0012] An IT network includes various components, such as: switches and routers, servers, clients, firewalls and security devices, cables or interfaces for wireless connections.

[0013] In this patent application, the term "IT network" also includes networks with other devices or systems, provided they provide information technology functions, such as the exchange of data between devices. Accordingly, manufacturing systems with a data connection, for example, also fall under the term "IT network."

[0014] IT networks are also subnetworks of an overall network. A subnetwork, also known as a network area, is a distinct section or segment of an overall network characterized by specific properties, configurations, and / or security policies. Network areas group devices, resources, and / or user groups according to specific criteria.

[0015] Network areas can be defined based on their physical location. For example, a LAN in a particular building can be considered a separate network area.

[0016] Network areas can be defined based on their logical segmentation. VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) are an example of logical segmentation, where devices are grouped based on characteristics such as function or user groups.

[0017] Network areas can be defined based on their functional separation. For example, there can be separate areas for internal services such as email servers, external services such as web servers, and guest networks.

[0018] Network areas can be defined based on their security. For example, one subnetwork can encompass a network area in front of a firewall, and another subnetwork can encompass a network area behind a firewall.

[0019] Network zones can be defined based on their traffic types. Different types of traffic (e.g., voice data, video data, traffic for special applications) can be separated into separate zones.

[0020] Network inventory is the process of capturing, documenting, and / or tracking devices, resources, and components on a network. Network inventory may include device discovery, software discovery, IP address management, recording hardware specifications such as processor type, memory, hard drive size, and network interfaces, capturing network device configuration settings, including routing tables, firewall rules, access control lists, and other configuration options, and documenting the physical locations of network devices.

[0021] Load-dependent power consumption refers to the change in the power consumption of a device, component, or network depending on its use or load.

[0022] The utilization of an electronic component is typically described as a percentage of the component's maximum capacity or power used over a given period of time. This percentage indicates how much of the component's maximum performance capability is actually being utilized. Utilization can also include information about how long a component has been used over a given period of time.

[0023] Simulation is a technique used to replicate the behavior, functioning, or properties of a real system or process without using the actual system itself. It is a computer-based technology that creates a virtual system to explore different scenarios and predict how the system will respond to changes.

[0024] Simulation uses natural and / or technical models, algorithms, and software to analyze the behavior and interactions of components within a system. This can occur at various levels, from simulating physical phenomena in nature to replicating complex industrial processes.

[0025] An electricity mix refers to the composition of the various energy sources used to generate electricity for a consumption point. It shows what percentage of electricity generation comes from different energy sources, such as coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, renewable energies such as wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, etc.

[0026] Some countries may have a high share of renewable energy in their electricity mix, while others rely more heavily on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Furthermore, the electricity mix may vary over time, depending, for example, on solar radiation.

[0027] The topology of an IT network describes the physical or logical structure of how devices and components are connected within a network. Topology describes how data, information, and communication flow between devices and how they interact with each other.

[0028] For example, the following network topologies are known: Star topology: In a star topology, all devices are directly connected to a central node, such as a switch or hub. All data flows through this central node, which controls the data traffic between the devices. Ring topology: In the ring topology, devices are arranged in a closed loop, and each connection is between two adjacent devices. Data is transmitted in one direction from device to device until it reaches its destination. Bus topology: In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a common transmission medium, such as a cable. Data is transmitted in both directions over the medium, and all devices listen to the data. Tree topology: The tree topology is a combination of the star and bus topologies. It consists of several star topologies connected via a central bus. This structure forms a hierarchical tree structure. Mesh topology: In a mesh topology, all devices are directly connected to each other. Each device has a connection to every other device in the mesh topology.

[0029] Measures that can help limit power consumption during operation of a component include: adjusting the display brightness, switching to a power-saving mode, reducing processor performance, and deactivating wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0030] The invention proposes firstly to create a computer-based inventory of all components of a network. For each inventoried component of the network, at least one utilization-dependent power consumption is provided and / or recorded.

[0031] It goes without saying that it is conceivable to provide or record multiple power consumption values ​​for different loads. For example, it is conceivable to provide the relationship between power consumption and load in the form of a curve or to record various data points between which interpolation can be performed.

[0032] To determine the consumption metric individually and application-specifically for a specific network, the utilization of each inventory component is recorded during a model period. It is understood that a model period can also be in the past, provided suitable data from that period is available.

[0033] It is intended to determine a load-dependent consumption value of the network and / or the individual components based on the collected data, namely the inventoried components, the load-dependent power consumption of the components and the load of the components.

[0034] It is understood that the steps mentioned for providing, collecting or determining data can be carried out both with regard to the entire network and with regard to individual components.

[0035] Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

[0036] It is understood that a method for simulating a consumption characteristic value relating to environmental impacts by a network is advantageous if the method determines consumption characteristics of the network by means of the method as described above and conceptually modifies the network, in particular by adding, removing and / or exchanging technologies and / or components to the network, and if a consumption characteristic value of the conceptually modified network is simulated, in particular in order to generate a decision aid for modifying the network to the modified network.

[0037] It is also useful to take into account additional environmental parameters relating to the acquisition, transport, setup, installation and / or disposal of added, replaced and / or removed components when generating the decision support.

[0038] Thus, the impact on the environment due to a modification of a network or its modified components can be assessed not only on the basis of its ongoing operation, but also on the basis of factors that are indirectly related to the operation.

[0039] According to a preferred development of the invention, a power mix of consumed electricity is taken into account for the determination and / or simulation of a consumption characteristic value.

[0040] This also allows environmental impacts to be assessed depending on the energy source or electricity mix. For example, it is conceivable that a first network is powered exclusively by electricity from renewable energy sources, whereas a second, identical network is powered exclusively by electricity from coal combustion. Due to the different CO2 emissions of these two networks, their environmental impacts also differ.

[0041] According to a preferred development of the invention, the conceptual modification of the network comprises a change in a topology of the network and / or a part of the network.

[0042] Accordingly, it is conceivable, for example, to conceptually modify a star structure consisting of N satellites and a central node device in such a way that the star structure is replaced by a ring structure consisting of M satellites (without a central node device).

[0043] According to a preferred development of the invention, the conceptual modification of the network comprises a reduction of the maximum power consumption of a component.

[0044] This can, for example, prevent components from being operated in a less energy-efficient part of a work area.

[0045] It is also conceivable that a device in a specific network is only operated in a lower area of ​​a workspace, and thus the power consumption can be limited without any loss of functionality.

[0046] According to a preferred development of the invention, the conceptual modification of the network comprises an exchange of a data transmission technology.

[0047] For example, it is conceivable to replace cable routes based on one standard, such as RJ45, with cable routes based on another standard, such as the SPE standard, or to replace wireless data transmission with wired transmission, or to replace transmission using a WLAN standard with transmission using a mobile communications standard, such as 5G.

[0048] According to a preferred development of the invention, the conceptual modification of the network comprises changing a configuration of a component.

[0049] For example, it is conceivable to check whether shutting down into a power-saving mode or switching off a component has a positive effect on the consumption value when effects due to restarting are taken into account.

[0050] It is understood that it may also be necessary to balance different device configurations, such as energy-saving modes, normal operation modes and / or the shutdown of a component.

[0051] According to a preferred development of the invention, the conceptual modification of the network comprises adding an energy storage device, in particular if the electricity mix is ​​variable over time.

[0052] For example, it is conceivable that a consumption parameter can be optimized by storing electricity, for example from renewable energies, in the energy storage system in order to use it when no electricity from renewable energies is available.

[0053] It is understood that an operating method for a network comprising the steps of determining the consumption characteristic of the network by means of the method as described above, software-supported testing of measures during operation of the network to improve the consumption characteristic of the network, software-supported application of the measures if the test shows that the network meets one or more requirements after the application of the measures and the application brings about a reduction in the consumption characteristic, is advantageous.

[0054] Accordingly, it is conceivable to change network settings in real time, i.e. during its operation, if a test has shown that the network can continue to be used as intended after the application of the measures and the application results in a reduction of the consumption value.

[0055] A computer program product according to a method of one embodiment of the invention executes the steps of a method according to the preceding description when the computer program product runs on a computer. When the program in question is used on a computer, the computer program product produces an effect, namely the recording of technical components of a network and their individual energy consumption over a model period. TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the invention.

[0057] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will be apparent upon review of the drawings. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale relative to one another.

[0058] In the figures of the drawings, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0059] Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a method for determining a consumption characteristic relating to the environmental impact of an IT network, comprising steps S1 to S4. In step S1, network components are inventoried using computer support. In step S2, a utilization-dependent power consumption of the network components is provided and / or recorded. In step S3, a utilization of the network components during a model period is recorded. In step S4, consumption characteristic values ​​of the network and / or the components are determined based on the utilization-dependent energy consumption and the utilization of the components. Reference symbol S1-S4 process steps

Claims

[1] Method for determining a consumption indicator relating to the environmental impact of an IT network, hereinafter referred to as the network, comprising the following steps: - computer-aided inventory (S1) of network components; - Providing and / or detecting (S2) at least one load-dependent power consumption of components of the network; - Recording a utilization (S3) of the network components during a model period; - Determine the consumption value (S4) of the network and / or components based on the load-dependent energy consumption and the utilization of the components. [2] Method for simulating a consumption characteristic relating to the environmental impact of a network, comprising the following steps: - determining the consumption characteristic of the network by means of the method according to claim 1; - mentally modifying the network, in particular by adding, removing and / or replacing technologies and / or components to the network; - Simulating a consumption characteristic of the theoretically modified network, in particular to generate a decision support for the modification of the network to the modified network. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein, for generating the decision support, further environmental parameters relating to the acquisition, transport, installation and / or disposal of added, replaced and / or removed components are taken into account. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a mix of consumed electricity is taken into account for the determination and / or simulation of a consumption characteristic value. [5] A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mentally modifying the network comprises changing a topology of the network and / or a part of the network. [6] A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the mental modification of the network comprises a reduction in the maximum power consumption of a component. [7] A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the mental modification of the network comprises replacing a data transmission technology. [8] A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the mental modification of the network comprises changing a configuration of a component. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conceptual modification of the network comprises the addition of an energy storage device, in particular when the electricity mix is ​​variable over time. [10] Operating procedure for a network with the following steps: - determining the consumption characteristic of the network by means of the method according to claim 1; - software-based testing of measures during network operation to improve the network's consumption performance; - software-supported application of the measures if the test shows that the network meets one or more functional requirements after the application of the measures and the application results in a reduction of the consumption value. [11] Computer program product comprising program code means for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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