SD-WAN Controller Interface Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In software-defined wide area networks (SDWAN), existing technologies lack effective power management schemes, leading to high power consumption as all modules or line cards are typically kept active, even during off-peak hours, due to the absence of hardware-related or system-on-chip (SoC) power management capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an interface selection and control logic within an SDWAN controller that monitors network traffic and generates usage models to dynamically select and control which interfaces to power on or off, and adjust their operational states based on traffic patterns and load thresholds, using predictive models and machine learning to optimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all modules or line cards are kept active to ensure network availability and performance, then network reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts interface operational states based on real-time traffic monitoring and predictive usage models. Interfaces transition between active and powered-off states according to predicted traffic patterns, enabling adaptive power management that maintains reliability during high-demand periods while reducing power consumption during low-utilization periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates predictive usage models in advance that forecast interface utilization patterns. Based on these preliminary models, the controller proactively powers off interfaces before actual low-traffic periods begin, ensuring power savings are achieved without compromising network performance when traffic actually occurs
2Productivity
If multiple modules or line cards are configured for redundancy and high bandwidth, then network performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and manages only the necessary number of active interfaces based on actual network demands and predictive usage models. Instead of maintaining all possible interfaces in a complex active configuration, the controller selectively activates only required modules, simplifying the operational device complexity while preserving sufficient network bandwidth and redundancy through intelligent interface selection
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy modules or line cards are used without native power management support, then device compatibility is improved, but power optimization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The SD-WAN controller acts as an intermediary that implements software-based power management for legacy modules lacking native hardware power management capabilities. The controller monitors traffic patterns, generates usage models, and controls interface power states through software, thereby enabling power optimization for legacy hardware that would otherwise lack such capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables legacy modules to participate in power management by integrating them into the controller's unified power management framework. Through this integration, legacy modules effectively gain power management capabilities without requiring hardware modifications, as the controller's software-based approach serves their power management needs
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are techniques to conserve power by network devices in a software define wide area network (SDWAN). A method includes monitoring operations of a software defined wide area network including a network device in the software defined wide area network, based on results of the monitoring, generating a usage model for the network device, determining, based on the usage model, an interface selection scheme for the network device, and causing the network device to execute the interface selection scheme.