Network Relay Device Dynamic Interface Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network relay devices remain powered and vulnerable to malicious traffic when unused, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and security risks, as existing solutions for disabling network interface hardware are not flexible enough.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect data forwarding activity to enable or disable network interface hardware components dynamically, allowing for flexible operation and reducing power consumption by configuring network interface hardware components based on usage, thereby enhancing security and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network relay device remains powered on continuously, then network connectivity and communication reliability are maintained, but energy consumption increases and security vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning network interface hardware components between powered-on and powered-off states based on real-time traffic detection. The system monitors network traffic and automatically enables or disables interface components accordingly, making the power state dynamic rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining connectivity when needed while saving energy when no traffic is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power state parameter of network interface hardware components based on traffic conditions. When traffic is detected, the power state parameter is changed to 'on'; when no traffic is present for a predetermined period, the power state parameter is changed to 'off'. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt energy consumption to actual usage patterns while maintaining reliability when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If network relay device is turned off to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but network connectivity and communication capability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power state of network interface components based on detected traffic conditions. Rather than a static off-state, the interface automatically transitions to an on-state when traffic is detected, ensuring connectivity is restored without manual intervention. This dynamic behavior maintains ease of operation while achieving energy savings during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The network relay device performs self-monitoring of traffic conditions and automatically manages its own power state without external control. The system detects traffic, determines when to enable/disable interfaces, and executes power state changes autonomously. This self-service capability ensures network connectivity is maintained when needed while maximizing energy savings, eliminating the need for manual user intervention.
3Ease of operation
If network interface hardware components remain powered on, then communication capability is maintained, but security vulnerability increases due to exposed interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic security management by changing the operational state of network interface hardware components based on traffic detection. When no traffic is present, the interface transitions to a powered-off state that is less vulnerable to malicious traffic. When traffic is detected, the interface automatically powers on to restore communication capability. This dynamic state change resolves the security-reliability contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts or isolates the network interface hardware component from the active operational state when no traffic is detected, effectively removing it from the vulnerable state. By powering down the interface during idle periods, the system removes the potential attack vector while maintaining the ability to quickly restore connectivity when needed, thus addressing the security vulnerability without permanently sacrificing communication capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described for enabling an operative coupling to a network. In use, first data is received at a first node in a first network. The first data is forwarded between the first node to a second node in a second network, using a network relay. Additionally it is determined that a specified decoupling condition is met, and subsequent to forwarding the first data and in response to determining that the decoupling condition is met, the second operative coupling is disabled while the first operative coupling remains enabled for receiving second data for forwarding.