US 10,833,934 B2 · Energy management in a network

Abstract

A network management method is described for managing energy utilisation in a network comprising network elements that handle network traffic. The network elements are analysed to identify at least one candidate network element for energy usage reduction. Routes passing through the candidate network element are then identified and at least one alternative route is identified for each identified route. Each identified route is switched onto the at least one alternative route, wherein the alternative route does not pass through the original candidate network element. Finally, the candidate network element is triggered to enter a lower power mode. In a particular embodiment, a quality of service level associated with each identified route is determined and the method ensures that the alternative route has an associated quality of service level equal to or better than the original quality of service level. Systems and apparatus for implementing the method are also described.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A network management method for managing energy utilisation in a network comprising a plurality of network elements for handling network traffic, the method comprising:

analyzing the network elements to identify, based on a ranking, at least one candidate network element for energy usage reduction, the analyzing comprising steps of:
grouping the network elements into a plurality of traffic utilization bands according to a level of traffic utilization at each network element;
and
ranking the network elements within a traffic utilization band based on their level of energy utilization;
identifying routes passing through the at least one candidate network element;
identifying at least one alternative route for each identified route;
switching each identified route onto the at least one alternative route, wherein the alternative route does not pass through the at least one candidate network element;
and
triggering the at least one candidate network element to enter a lower power mode.

6 more elements

An apparatus for managing energy utilisation in a network comprising a plurality of network elements for handling network traffic, the apparatus comprising:

a memory for storing a sequence of instructions for implementation on a processor;
an interface for receiving information from and communicating information to network elements in the network;
a processor for implementing the sequence of instructions to:
analyze the network elements to identify, based on a ranking, at least one candidate network element for energy usage reduction, wherein, to analyze the network elements, the processor is at least configured to:
group the network elements into a plurality of traffic utilization bands according to a level of traffic utilization at each network element;
and
rank the network elements within a traffic utilization band based on their level of energy utilization;
identify routes passing through the at least one candidate network element;
identify at least one alternative route for each identified route;
switch each identified route onto the at least one alternative route, wherein the alternative route does not pass through the at least one candidate network element;
and
trigger the at least one candidate network element to enter a lower power mode.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Energy management in a network

Life of this patent

Energy management in a network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19