Network Device Power Management via Component State Forecasting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Network devices consume power even when underutilized, leading to inefficiency and unnecessary energy usage.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring system analyzes historical utilization data to forecast network device usage and selectively enables or disables non-forwarding components based on a power management plan, optimizing power consumption without disrupting traffic flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network device components remain enabled to ensure availability, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork device availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning network device components between enabled and disabled states based on real-time utilization monitoring. The system adjusts component states dynamically rather than maintaining static enabled/disabled configurations, allowing the network device to adapt its power consumption to actual traffic conditions while maintaining availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational state parameter of network components based on utilization thresholds. When utilization falls below a threshold, components are transitioned to a disabled low-power state; when utilization exceeds the threshold, components are re-enabled. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining reliability through threshold-based state transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If components are disabled to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but service continuity may be disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors network utilization and adjusts component states accordingly. When utilization exceeds a threshold, the system receives feedback that traffic is increasing and re-enables components to maintain service continuity. This closed-loop feedback ensures that power management decisions do not disrupt service while achieving energy efficiency during low-utilization periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by enabling components before traffic spikes occur and disabling them after traffic subsides. The threshold-based approach allows the system to anticipate utilization patterns and take preliminary power management actions that maintain service continuity while optimizing energy efficiency. Components are re-enabled in advance when thresholds are approached, preventing service disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12321213B1Power management of a network device

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

In some implementations, a system may identify historical utilization data associated with a network device. The system may determine, based on the historical utilization data, a utilization forecast for the network device. The system may determine, based on the utilization forecast, a power management plan for the network device. The system may selectively control, based on the power management plan, enablement and disablement of one or more non-forwarding components of the network device.