Energy Efficient Ethernet Port Power Cost Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) implementations do not effectively consider energy efficiency in network link selection, leading to higher power consumption in Ethernet networks, as they do not differentiate between Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) compliant and non-compliant ports.
Innovation Solution
The integration of EEE characteristics into STP protocols allows network devices to generate and transmit network link notices that prioritize links through EEE compliant ports, enabling the calculation of total costs based on power consumption, which in turn enables the disabling of EEE compliant ports to reduce overall network power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If STP protocol is used for network link selection, then network connectivity and loop prevention are ensured, but energy consumption is not optimized because EEE compliant ports are not differentiated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the STP protocol by introducing new parameters (power consumption capability indicators and cost values) into existing protocol messages (BPDUs). This allows the protocol to adapt to energy efficiency requirements while maintaining backward compatibility with traditional STP implementations through default parameter values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate calculation layer that computes network path costs based on power consumption capabilities of EEE compliant ports. This intermediary cost calculation mechanism bridges the gap between traditional STP link selection and energy efficiency optimization without requiring fundamental protocol changes.
2Use of energy by moving object
If EEE compliant ports are disabled to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but network link selection capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic port enable/disable control based on real-time network conditions and power consumption requirements. The system can adaptively adjust which EEE compliant ports are active, enabling energy savings when possible while maintaining network throughput requirements when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state parameter of ports (enabled/disabled) based on calculated power consumption costs and network requirements. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize energy usage while maintaining adequate network performance through intelligent port management.
3Reliability
If traditional STP link selection is used, then network topology is established, but power consumption capability of ports is not considered in link cost calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where power consumption capability information from EEE compliant ports is fed back into the STP link cost calculation process. This feedback loop allows the network to continuously optimize link selection based on both topology requirements and energy consumption characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the link cost parameter in STP to include power consumption considerations. By changing the cost parameter to reflect both network reliability requirements and energy expenditure, the protocol can make informed decisions about link selection that balance both concerns.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for configuring networks are disclosed. For example, in an example of an embodiment, a network device includes a plurality of first ports each connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) segment, a network link circuit configured to generate network link notices conforming to a network forming protocol for establishing network links between the network device and other switches in the network so as to enable the other switches to select a network link by which to send packets to the network device, the generated link notices being based in part on a power consumption capability of one or more first ports in the network device, and transmit circuitry configured to transmit the network link notices to the other switches through one or more of the first ports.