Network Controlled Computer Power Down via IEEE 802.3az

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management techniques in computer networks fail to efficiently manage power down and up states based on network activity, leading to potential missed network requests and suboptimal power savings, as they rely solely on local computational activity and lack proactive network-based control.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a network-controlled power management system using the IEEE 802.3az standard for Energy-Efficient Ethernet, which allows for proactive power control through message-driven switch power management and CPU-assisted full switch power-down, enabling computers to be powered down and up based on network state messages, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If local computational activity-based power management is used, then power consumption is reduced during idle periods, but network requests may be missed and power savings are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnetwork request handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network switch performs preliminary actions by monitoring network traffic and sending wake-up messages to computers before they need to process data. This allows computers to remain in low-power states longer while ensuring they are activated in time to handle incoming network requests, thus reducing power consumption without missing requests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where network switches monitor traffic patterns and provide information to computer power management systems. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of power states based on actual network conditions, ensuring computers are powered on only when needed while maintaining reliable request handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If computers are powered down based on local idle criteria, then power savings are achieved, but network-based power orchestration is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower savingsVSAvoidpower management control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network switch acts as an intermediary between network traffic and computer power management. It monitors network conditions and sends control messages to computers, orchestrating power states centrally based on actual network needs rather than local computer decisions, thereby enabling network-based power orchestration without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If Energy-Efficient Ethernet LPI mode is used, then transmit power is reduced during low data activity, but receive signal circuit remains active

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmit power consumptionVSAvoidoverall power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines Energy-Efficient Ethernet LPI mode with network-controlled full power management. While LPI reduces transmit power during low activity, the network switch monitors traffic and orchestrates complete computer power down when appropriate, merging partial savings from LPI with full system power management for greater overall energy reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10042415B2Methods and apparatuses for computer power down

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

The discussion makes reference to methods and apparatuses for network controlled computer power down. The link layer in computer networking can be used to save power in computers.