Network Path Energy Scoring for Carbon-Aware Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management systems fail to effectively measure and manage the carbon footprint of large-area networks like enterprise routing, WAN, or SDWAN, where energy metrics about underlying network devices are not readily available, leading to overlooked environmental impacts.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine energy scores for network paths by using network path probing, geolocation, and energy source information, assigning weights based on confidence, and calculating carbon intensity to identify lower-impact paths for routing decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If network path probing and energy scoring are implemented to measure carbon footprint, then environmental sustainability is improved, but network management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary energy scoring mechanism that translates complex energy consumption data into simplified scores. The energy score calculator acts as a mediator between raw energy metrics and routing decisions, converting multiple energy parameters into a single comparable metric that enables carbon footprint management without overwhelming complexity in network management operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms multiple energy parameters (energy consumption, carbon intensity, renewable energy usage) into a normalized energy score through parameter changes. By converting diverse energy metrics into a unified scoring system with standardized weights and thresholds, the patent simplifies the management of carbon footprint while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If energy parameters and weights are assigned to network hops, then carbon intensity measurement is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network path into discrete hops, assigning energy parameters and weights to individual network elements along the path. This segmentation allows systematic collection and measurement of energy data from multiple sources (renewable energy usage, energy consumption, carbon intensity) while maintaining manageable measurement complexity through structured parameter assignment at each hop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining energy parameters, weights, and thresholds before actual measurement. The energy score calculator is configured with predetermined weightings for different energy factors, allowing accurate carbon intensity measurement without complex real-time calculation complexity, thus reducing measurement and detection difficulty.
3Reliability
If multiple energy sources and geolocation data are collected, then routing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal energy scoring framework that handles multiple energy sources (renewable energy, energy consumption, carbon intensity) and geolocation data through a single integrated calculation mechanism. The energy score calculator serves multiple functions by processing diverse data types using the same weighted scoring approach, improving routing accuracy while avoiding the complexity of separate processing systems for each data source.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, methods, and processes for energy scoring of network paths are described herein. Various network paths, each including one or more hops, may be identified in a network. Presence of additional hops in each network path may be determined. From the identified and determined hops, a set of hops may be determined for energy score determination. For each selected hop, a set of energy parameters may be determined and one or more weights may be assigned to the determined set of energy parameters. A weight may correspond to a level of confidence in or an accuracy of the energy parameter determination. An energy score of each network path may be determined based on the determined set of energy parameters and the assigned one or more weights. One network path may be selected based on the energy scores and traffic may be routed along the selected network path.