Flexible SerDes PHY Reconfiguration for Switch Power Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network switches consume a constant amount of power for serializer/de-serializer (SerDes) and PHY components regardless of throughput, leading to high operational costs due to unnecessary resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

Monitor bandwidth utilization on network switch ports and selectively disable SerDes components when utilization meets a criterion, reconfiguring the PHY to maintain connectivity and reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all SerDes and PHY components are kept operational to maintain port availability, then port functionality is preserved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveport availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of SerDes and PHY components based on real-time bandwidth utilization monitoring. When ports are inactive or utilization is low, components are disabled to save power; when utilization exceeds thresholds, components are re-enabled to maintain functionality. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between continuous availability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of SerDes and PHY components by transitioning them between enabled and disabled states based on bandwidth utilization criteria. This parameter change allows the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining port availability only when necessary, directly addressing the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If SerDes components are disabled to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but port functionality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidport functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors bandwidth utilization on each port and uses this feedback to make informed decisions about component state. When utilization exceeds a threshold, the system re-enables disabled SerDes and PHY components, ensuring port functionality is restored before traffic demands require it. This feedback mechanism prevents functionality loss while maintaining energy efficiency during low-utilization periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of port activity patterns and proactively manages component states before traffic demands arise. By detecting inactive ports and disabling components in advance, the system prepares for energy savings while having mechanisms ready to quickly re-enable components if traffic patterns change, thus preventing functionality compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If bandwidth utilization monitoring and dynamic reconfiguration is implemented, then energy optimization improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own bandwidth utilization and making autonomous decisions about component states without requiring external control or complex management infrastructure. Each switch independently manages its SerDes and PHY components based on local traffic conditions, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving energy optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260039545A1Energy conservation using flexible serializer/de-serializer phy

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring bandwidth utilization on a plurality of ports on a network switch and determining that the bandwidth utilization on the plurality of ports meets a criterion. The method further includes disabling at least one serializer/de-serializer component on the network switch in response to determining that the bandwidth utilization on the plurality of ports meets the criterion and reconfiguring a PHY on the network switch in response to disabling the at least one serializer/de-serializer component.