Adaptive Power Control for Network Connectivity Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer networks face disruptions and increased power consumption due to failures in network elements, as multiple interconnected elements are required to provide connectivity, and existing methods lack efficient power management to mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
A power manager monitors network elements for failures, adaptively controlling power settings of non-failing elements to reduce power consumption by identifying dependencies and notifying them to switch to reduced power modes, and restoring normal operation when the failing element is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple interconnected network elements are required to provide connectivity, then network reliability is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous operation of all elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where network elements adjust their operational state based on real-time failure detection. When a failure is detected in the network, the system dynamically transitions affected elements to a reduced power mode, allowing them to maintain minimal functionality for monitoring and communication while consuming significantly less power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring while reducing overall power consumption during failure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of network elements by introducing a reduced power mode with distinct power consumption characteristics. Instead of binary operation (full power or complete shutdown), the system enables elements to operate at intermediate power levels that maintain necessary network functions while substantially reducing energy consumption. This parameter change allows the network to maintain connectivity reliability through partial operation of elements during failure conditions.
2Reliability
If network elements continuously monitor for failures to maintain connectivity, then network reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring where network elements check for failures at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The monitoring function operates periodically, transitioning between active monitoring and low-power states. This periodic action maintains sufficient reliability for failure detection while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring, as elements can enter sleep or standby modes between monitoring cycles.
3Productivity
If non-failing network elements continue full operation during a failure, then service continuity is maintained, but power consumption cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational intensity of non-failing network elements based on the failure condition. Instead of maintaining full operation, elements transition to a reduced power mode that provides sufficient service continuity for essential network functions while consuming significantly less power. This dynamic adjustment allows the network to maintain productivity at acceptable levels while optimizing power consumption during failure conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A power manager in a network monitors a set of multiple interconnected network elements for failures. During non-failing operation, the multiple interconnected network elements cooperatively communicate amongst each other to provide one or more computer devices connectivity to a core network. In response to detecting a failing network element in the set, the network power manager adaptively controls power settings of at least one non-failing network element in the set of multiple interconnected network elements. Via power control notifications, power settings of the non-failing network elements that depend on the particular failing network element can be reduced to save power in the network. Subsequent to correcting the failure, when the particular network element is functioning properly again, the network power manager notifies the non-failing network elements in the reduced power mode to switch back to a standard power mode and standard operational mode again.