Server Core Clock Scaling by Traffic Level for Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Appliances that process network traffic operate in full-power mode with a single clock rate, leading to high power consumption and heat generation, which can be inefficient and environmentally unfriendly.

Innovation Solution

Adjust the clock rate of server processor cores based on monitored or predicted network traffic levels, maintaining a reserve of available processing power to handle spikes and optimizing power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If appliances operate in full-power mode with a single clock rate, then processing capacity is maximized, but power consumption and heat generation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic clock rate adjustment for processor cores based on real-time network traffic monitoring. The system transitions from a static full-power mode to a dynamic mode where clock rates are continuously adapted to actual workload demands, allowing the processor to operate at optimal performance levels rather than always at maximum capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of processor cores by adjusting clock rates according to network traffic conditions. When traffic is low, clock rates are reduced to save power; when traffic increases, clock rates are elevated to maintain processing capacity, thus optimizing the balance between power consumption and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by stationary object

If clock rate is reduced to save power, then power consumption decreases, but processing capacity and ability to handle traffic spikes diminish

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidability to handle traffic spikes

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of network traffic patterns to predict upcoming traffic spikes. By detecting trends and patterns in advance, the system can proactively adjust clock rates before traffic increases occur, ensuring processing capacity is available when needed while minimizing power consumption during low-traffic periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors network traffic conditions and adjusts clock rates accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that when traffic spikes are detected or predicted, the system responds by increasing clock rates to maintain reliability, while during low-traffic periods, it reduces clock rates to save power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12405655B2Systems and methods for reducing power consumption by monitoring network traffic

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 NETSCOUT SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A method can include monitoring a level of network traffic to a server. The method can include setting a clock rate of one or more cores of a processor of the server based on the monitored level of network traffic.