Network based system to control and monitor power consumption of networked elements

A method comprising:

• obtaining, from an associated network, data representative of a power policy;
• and
• controlling an amount of power consumed by a plurality of associated power consuming devices responsive to receiving the data representative of a power policy to comply with the power policy;
• wherein the power policy comprises a constraint for power consumption and the plurality of associated devices are controlled so that total power consumed by the plurality of associated devices does not exceed the constraint;
• wherein the controlling the amount of power consumed by the plurality of associated power consuming devices comprises controlling by a cluster node of network elements arranged in a functional hierarchical manner comprising a top network element communicating with the associated network to receive the power policy from the associated network, and first and second subtending network elements communicating respectively with first and second associated power consuming client devices, wherein the cluster node is operable to operate in a collaborative cluster power management mode where enforcement and execution responsibilities of the power policy are negotiated between the top network element and the first and second subtending network elements as a negotiated power policy, and wherein the top network element and the first and second subtending network elements are jointly responsible for executing the negotiated power policy relative to the respective first and second associated power consuming client devices.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a communication interface operable to receive data representative of a power policy specifying a power consumption constraint from an associated network;
• and
• logic in communication with the communication interface;
• wherein the logic is responsive to receiving the data representative of the power policy to adjust power consumption to comply with the power policy;
• wherein the logic comprises a cluster node of network elements arranged in a functional hierarchical manner comprising a top network element communicating with the associated network to receive the power policy from the associated network, and first and second subtending network elements communicating respectively with first and second associated power consuming client devices;
• and,
• wherein the cluster node is operable to operate in a collaborative cluster power management mode where enforcement and execution responsibilities of the power policy are negotiated between the top network element and the first and second subtending network elements as a negotiated power policy, and wherein the top network element and the first and second subtending network elements are jointly responsible for executing the negotiated power policy relative to the respective first and second associated power consuming client devices.

Software encoded in at least one non-transitory computer-readable media and when executed operable to:

• receiving, from an associated management station, data representative of power consumption from a plurality of associated power consuming devices;
• and
• controlling an amount of power consumed by a plurality of associated power consuming devices to comply with a power policy;
• wherein the power policy comprises a constraint for power consumption and the plurality of associated devices are controlled so that total power consumed by the plurality of associated devices does not exceed the constraint;
• and
• wherein controlling the amount of power consumed further comprises controlling the amount of power consumed by a cluster node of network elements arranged in a functional hierarchical manner comprising a top network element communicating with the associated management station to receive the power policy from the associated management station, and first and second subtending network elements communicating respectively with first and second associated power consuming client devices, and communicating by the cluster node operating in a collaborative cluster power management mode power management policies by the top network element to the first and second subtending network elements wherein the top network element and the first and second subtending network elements are configured to negotiate and collaboratively share responsibility for executing the power management policies relative to the respective first and second associated power consuming client devices.

An apparatus, comprising:

• means for receiving data representative of power consumption from a plurality of associated power consuming devices;
• and
• means for controlling an amount of power consumed by a plurality of associated power consuming devices to comply with a power policy;
• wherein the power policy comprises a constraint for power consumption and the plurality of associated devices are controlled so that total power consumed by the plurality of associated devices does not exceed the constraint;
• wherein the means for controlling comprises a cluster node of network elements arranged in a functional hierarchical manner comprising a top network element communicating with an associated management station to receive the power policy from the associated management station, and first and second subtending network elements communicating respectively with first and second associated power consuming client devices;
• and,
• wherein the cluster node is operable to operate in a collaborative cluster power management mode whereby power management policies are communicated by the top network element to the first and second subtending network elements wherein the top network element and the first and second subtending network elements are configured to negotiate and collaboratively share responsibility for executing the power management policies relative to the respective first and second associated power consuming client devices.