Network scheduling for energy efficiency
AssigneeAlcatel Lucent
InventorsDaniel Matthew Andrews, Yihao Zhang, Antonio Fernandez
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Abstract
A network comprising a plurality of network devices is configured to implement scheduling for energy efficiency. In one aspect, a set of network devices interconnected in a line within a network is identified, and a common frame size is established. For each of the network devices of the line, active and inactive periods for that network device are scheduled in a corresponding frame having the common frame size, with the frames in the respective network devices of the line being time shifted relative to one another by designated offsets. For each of one or more of the active periods of each of the network devices of the line, received packets are scheduled for processing in that network device.
Claims20
A method comprising the steps of:
- identifying a set of network devices interconnected in a line within a network;
- establishing a common frame size for scheduling of active and inactive periods at each network device of the line;
- for each of the network devices of the line, scheduling active and inactive periods for that network device in a corresponding frame having the common frame size, with the corresponding frames in the respective network devices of the line being time shifted relative to one another by designated offsets;
- and
- for each of one or more of the active periods of each of the network devices of the line, scheduling received packets for processing in that network device.
An apparatus comprising:
- a first network device comprising a processor coupled to a memory;
- the first network device being configured for interconnection with other network devices in a line within a network wherein a common frame size is established for scheduling of active and inactive periods at each of the network devices of the line;
- the first network device being operative to schedule active and inactive periods of a frame having the common frame size, and for each of one or more of the active periods, to schedule packets for processing within the active period;
- wherein the frame in the first network device is time shifted relative to a corresponding frame in another one of the network devices of the line by a designated offset.
A method for use in a given one of a plurality of network devices, the network devices being configured for interconnection in a line within a network and having a common frame size for scheduling of active and inactive periods at each network device, the method comprising the steps of:
- scheduling active and inactive periods of a frame having the common frame size for the given network device;
- and
- for each of one or more of the active periods of the given network device, scheduling packets for processing in the given network device within the active period;
- wherein the frame in the given network device is time shifted relative to a corresponding frame in another one of the network devices of the line by a designated offset.
A communication network comprising:
- a plurality of network devices including a set of network devices interconnected in a line;
- wherein:
- a common frame size is established for each of the network devices of the line;
- each of the network devices of the line is operative to schedule active and inactive periods of a frame, and for each of one or more of the active periods, to schedule packets for processing within the active period;
- and
- the frames in the respective network devices of the line are time shifted relative to one another by designated offsets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.