Packet Forwarding Device Power Management During Low Utilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Underutilized packet forwarding devices in telecommunications systems continue to consume significant power, leading to inefficient energy usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a controller that searches for configuration data to identify underutilized packet forwarding devices and reduces their power consumption by powering them off, shutting down features, or refraining from booting them up, using static or dynamic power management schemes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet forwarding devices are kept active to ensure network availability, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of packet forwarding devices based on real-time utilization monitoring. Controllers transition devices between active and powered-off states according to demand, making the system adaptable rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by keeping devices active only when necessary for reliability while powering them off during low-utilization periods to reduce power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of packet forwarding devices from a binary always-on state to a variable state that includes powered-off conditions. By monitoring utilization metrics and adjusting the operational state accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between reliability and power consumption, transitioning devices between different operational modes based on actual network needs.
2Productivity
If all packet forwarding devices are powered on to handle potential traffic, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of powering on all packet forwarding devices (excessive action), the system powers on only the necessary number of devices based on actual traffic requirements (partial action). The controller monitors utilization and activates additional devices only when the threshold is exceeded, avoiding the waste of powering up unnecessary equipment while ensuring sufficient capacity is available to handle traffic demands.
3Loss of time
If packet forwarding devices remain active for quick response, then response time is improved, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains configuration data and system state in memory before devices are powered off, enabling rapid reactivation. When a powered-off device is needed, the controller can quickly restore it to operational status using the pre-preserved configuration information, minimizing the response time penalty while still achieving energy savings during low-utilization periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed computing device capable of intelligent power management of underutilized packet forwarding devices may include (1) a plurality of packet forwarding devices and (2) a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of packet forwarding devices, wherein the controller is programmed to (A) search for configuration data associated with the plurality of packet forwarding devices, (B) determine, based at least in part on the search for the configuration data, that a packet forwarding device included in the plurality of packet forwarding devices is underutilized, and (C) reduce power consumption of the packet forwarding device in response to determining that the packet forwarding device is underutilized. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.