Energy-Efficient Packet Classification for Network Link Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional networking technologies lack energy efficiency in packet classification, leading to increased energy consumption and suboptimal network path selection, which affects the quality of service and battery life in devices like laptops and handheld devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing energy-efficiency-based packet classification by assigning packets to specific energy classes based on fields like Ethertype, type of service, and pre-pended/appended fields, allowing network devices to select optimal network links and paths that balance energy consumption and latency, and defer transmission until the link transitions to a lower energy mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional packet classification is used, then network devices can forward packets quickly, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-classifying packets into energy efficiency classes before transmission. Network devices examine packet headers and assign energy classes in advance, allowing receiving devices to prepare appropriate transmission modes and defer non-urgent packets to lower energy periods, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and extending battery life.
2Speed
If packets are transmitted immediately, then communication speed is high, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making transmission timing flexible based on packet energy classes. High-priority packets are transmitted immediately for fast communication, while low-priority packets are deferred to periods when network links are in lower energy modes. This dynamic approach balances communication speed requirements with energy efficiency goals.
3Reliability
If network links operate continuously in high energy mode, then packet transmission is fast and reliable, but overall energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating network link operation between high energy and low energy modes based on packet priority. Critical packets are transmitted during high energy modes when links operate at full performance, while non-critical packets are scheduled for low energy modes. This periodic switching maintains transmission reliability for important traffic while reducing overall network energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a method and system for energy-efficiency-based packet classification are provided. In this regard, a network link for communicating a packet may be selected based, at least in part, on an amount of energy required to communicate the packet over the network link, and based, at least in part, on an energy efficiency class to which the packet is assigned. The energy efficiency class may be determined based on one or more fields of the packet, wherein the fields may comprise one or more of an Ethertype field, a type of service header of an IP datagram, and a field pre-pended or appended to a payload of the packet. In this regard, during or subsequent to generation of the packet, the packet may be marked such that a network path traversed by the generated packet may be determined based on the energy required to communicate the packet over the network path.