Network Power Grid via Cron Parsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
As networks grow larger and more complex, existing tools like Cisco Systems' EnergyWise struggle to efficiently monitor and manage power consumption across network devices, necessitating more effective methods for visualizing and controlling energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that retrieve and parse Cron job strings to determine power level transitions of network devices, building a visual grid depicting power levels over a specified time period, allowing administrators to identify usage patterns and optimize energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing tools like EnergyWise are used to monitor network power consumption, then power monitoring capability is provided, but the system becomes complex and difficult to manage as networks grow larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts power level information from cron job strings that already exist in the system, rather than requiring a separate monitoring infrastructure. By parsing existing scheduling data, the system obtains power consumption information without adding complex monitoring devices or protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual representation (copy) of power level schedules from the cron job data. Instead of directly monitoring physical power consumption, it generates a visual grid that replicates the scheduling information in an easily interpretable format, reducing the complexity of actual power monitoring.
2Loss of information
If detailed power level monitoring is implemented across all network devices, then power consumption data is obtained, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring power patterns increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms one-dimensional cron job string data into a two-dimensional visual grid display. This dimensional transformation makes power patterns immediately visible and easier to detect, allowing administrators to see power level changes across time and devices simultaneously without complex analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color-coded visual indicators in the grid display to represent different power levels and states. This visual encoding makes it easy to detect power patterns and anomalies at a glance, significantly reducing the difficulty of measuring and analyzing power consumption data.
3Loss of energy
If comprehensive power monitoring is deployed to manage energy consumption, then energy optimization potential is identified, but the system requires significant energy resources to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing cron job scheduling infrastructure to provide power monitoring functionality. The system uses already-available scheduling data and existing system resources, eliminating the need for dedicated monitoring hardware or additional energy-intensive measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the cron job scheduling system serve multiple functions: both power level control and power level monitoring. By extracting monitoring capabilities from the existing scheduling infrastructure, the system avoids duplicating functionality and reduces overall energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include a method, apparatus, system, and/or computer program for monitoring energy consumption in a network and producing a display grid that provides a visual depiction of network device power consumption at any given time. The method includes, in one example, receiving a request for a power level schedule for a network device. The request may include a time period or date range over which the power level schedule should be produced. The method may also include retrieving Cron job strings associated with the network device, and parsing the Cron job strings to determine transitions from one power level to another and times for the transitions of the power level of the network device. The method further includes building a visual grid that depicts the power level schedule for the network device during each hour of the time period, based on the determined transitions.