Network Interface Power Management via Route Reference Counters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network interface management systems often erroneously power down interfaces when they are still in use due to lack of recent packet activity, leading to disruptions in data transfer and user frustration, particularly in applications like gaming where pauses can cause interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors route usage through route structures and reference counters, setting timers for route expiration and aggressively idling interfaces by powering them down or switching to low-power modes when no longer needed, ensuring interfaces are only idled when truly inactive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the interface manager task monitors packet transfer rate at physical layer to determine when to power down the interface, then power consumption is reduced, but the interface may be erroneously powered down when still in use by an application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (route reference counter and route expiration timer) between the application layer and the interface manager task. This intermediary tracks route usage at the network layer, allowing the system to distinguish between genuine idle states and temporary pauses in packet transfer, thereby preventing erroneous interface power-downs while maintaining power savings during actual idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by setting route expiration timers and maintaining route structures before the interface manager task makes power-down decisions. This preliminary tracking of route usage ensures that the interface is not powered down during the predetermined expiration period, preventing disruptions to active applications while still enabling power savings after genuine idle periods
2Reliability
If the interface manager task waits for a predetermined time before powering down the interface, then false power-downs are prevented, but power consumption increases during idle periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by adjusting the interface power state based on real-time route usage information. The system transitions the interface between active and idle states dynamically, using route reference counters and expiration timers to determine the appropriate state, thereby optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption rather than using a fixed predetermined wait time
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the interface manager task continuously monitors route reference counters and expiration timer status to make informed power management decisions. This feedback loop ensures that power-down actions are taken only when appropriate, preventing both false power-downs and unnecessary power consumption during idle periods
3Reliability
If the system tracks route usage with reference counters and expiration timers, then interface power-down decisions are accurate, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates route tracking functionality into existing network stack components, making them serve multiple purposes: route management, interface power management, and application behavior monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating responsibilities into existing structures rather than adding separate dedicated systems
Data Source
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AI summary
The described embodiments provide a system that controls the operating state of a network interface. During operation, in response to receiving a request from an application to use the network interface for a route, the system creates a route structure for the route and increments a route reference counter in an interface data structure for the network interface. Upon subsequently determining that the application is no longer using the route, the system sets a route expiration timer in the route structure to a predetermined expiration time. When the route expiration timer expires, the system deletes the route structure and decrements the route reference counter in the interface data structure. When decrementing the route reference counter in the interface data structure causes the route reference counter to be equal to zero, the system sends a signal to a configuration application to inform the application that the network interface can be idled.