NIC Ring State Management for Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network interface cards (NICs) face inefficiencies in power management, as they consume more power when active and may continue to consume power even when inactive, leading to increased energy usage and operating temperatures, especially when handling varying network traffic loads.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a Media Access Control (MAC) layer on a host to obtain a power management policy, determine the load associated with active rings on a NIC, and adjust the state of rings accordingly, such as activating or deactivating them to optimize power usage based on network traffic demands, using predefined policies that consider factors like maximum power consumption, packet rates, and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the NIC maintains all rings in an active state to handle network traffic, then the network processing capability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the NIC ring states changeable rather than static. The MAC layer dynamically transitions rings between active and inactive states based on real-time traffic load conditions, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption and processing capability to match actual network demands
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the NIC rings from a fixed active state to a variable state that can switch between active and inactive. This parameter change enables the system to optimize the balance between processing capability and power consumption by adjusting ring states according to traffic conditions
2Speed
If the NIC keeps rings active to ensure immediate network responsiveness, then the response time is improved, but the operating temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts ring states based on traffic load, maintaining active rings only when network responsiveness is needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to keep rings active during high-traffic periods for immediate responsiveness while transitioning to inactive states during low-traffic periods to reduce heat generation
3Use of energy by moving object
If the NIC deactivates rings to reduce power consumption, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the network traffic handling capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by deactivating only the necessary number of rings based on actual traffic load, rather than deactivating all rings or maintaining all rings in an active state. The MAC layer selectively manages ring states to provide sufficient processing capacity for current traffic while minimizing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the MAC layer continuously monitor network traffic load and adjust ring states accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that rings are deactivated when traffic is low to improve energy efficiency, and activated when traffic increases to maintain adequate handling capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a first physical network interface card (NIC) include a number of rings, where at least one of the rings is an active ring. The system further includes a host, operatively connected to the first NIC, and including Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The MAC layer is configured to obtain a power management policy, obtain a load associated with the active ring, determine, using the power management policy and the load, that the state associated with at least one of the rings must be changed, and change, in response to the determining, the state of at least one of the of rings.