Networked Device Power State Management via Microcontroller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for managing server power states in datacenters, such as Wake on LAN and IPMI, are inefficient and costly, and fail to reliably reboot or reinitialize network connections, leading to potential network interruptions and costly repairs.

Innovation Solution

A process that utilizes the network connection to automatically manage the power state of networked devices by configuring hardware to run when the network is active and shut down when inactive, using existing network devices like switches to manage power states simply and cost-effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Wake on LAN is implemented to enable remote wake-up, then remote power management capability is improved, but standby power consumption increases and the system cannot self-reboot or repair network connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote power management capabilityVSAvoidstandby power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power management functionality from the network interface card and relocates it to a separate, low-power microcontroller. This allows the main system to be fully powered down while the microcontroller remains active at minimal power consumption to monitor network packets and trigger wake-up events, thereby reducing standby power consumption while maintaining remote power management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service through automated power state management where the microcontroller autonomously monitors network traffic, detects wake-up packets, and triggers system wake-up without human intervention. Additionally, the system can automatically repair network connections by detecting connection failures and initiating reconnection sequences, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If IPMI functionality is used for out-of-band management, then remote server management capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote server management capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power management and network monitoring functions into a single microcontroller unit that works in conjunction with the existing network interface card. This integration eliminates the need for separate IPMI hardware components, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining remote server management capability through the unified controller that can monitor network status and control power states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The microcontroller serves multiple functions: it monitors network traffic for wake-up packets, controls power states of the main system, detects network connection failures, and initiates repair sequences. This multi-functional approach replaces the specialized IPMI hardware with a single versatile component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive remote management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If network card remains powered during standby to listen for wake-up packets, then remote wake-up capability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote wake-up reliabilityVSAvoidstandby power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the packet monitoring function from the main network interface card and assigns it to a separate low-power microcontroller. The microcontroller can operate in a low-power state while still capable of detecting wake-up packets, significantly reducing standby power consumption compared to keeping the full network interface card powered. This separation allows the main system to be fully powered down while maintaining reliable wake-up functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the power management by using a microcontroller with much lower power consumption characteristics compared to a full network interface card. The microcontroller operates at minimal power levels during standby, only activating full system power when wake-up packets are detected, thereby maintaining wake-up reliability while dramatically reducing standby power consumption through parameter changes in the power management approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8185767B2Automatic management of a power state of a device with network connections

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Embodiments provide a process and system for automatic management of networked devices based on the state of the network connection. The process automatically manages the power state of a networked computerized device according to a trigger event that corresponds to the state of an attached network connection. The network connection of an attached networked device is monitored for a pre-defined trigger event. Once a trigger event has been observed, the power state of the attached network device is managed to correspond to the trigger event.