US 8,571,063 B2 · Method and system for configurable data rate via inter-packet gap adjustment to support energy efficient networks

Abstract

Aspects of a method and system for programmable data rate thresholds for configurable data rate via inter-packet gap adjustment to support energy efficient networks. In this regard, an inter-packet gap may be adjusted to control a data rate on an Ethernet link. An IPG may be adjusted such that a data rate on a network link may be communicated at a non-standardized rate suited to an audio and/or video stream. An IPG may be adjusted such that data is communicated over the link at a standardized rate. In this regard, adjusting the IPG may compensate for a non-standardized data rate resulting from altering other parameters of the link. The IPG may be adjusted based on a control policy which may govern data rates on a network link. Each of a plurality of inter-packet gaps may be differently adjusted to achieve a desired average data rate on the link.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method for networking, the method comprising:

in an Ethernet PHY which communicates Ethernet physical layer signals over an Ethernet link comprising a plurality of twisted pairs:
coarsely controlling a data rate on said Ethernet link by adjusting how many wires of said plurality of twisted pairs are utilized by said Ethernet PHY for communicating said Ethernet physical layer signals, wherein:
said Ethernet PHY communicates said Ethernet physical layer signals over a first number of said wires of said plurality of twisted pairs before said adjusting;
said Ethernet PHY communicates said Ethernet physical layer signals over a second number of said wires of said plurality of twisted pairs after said adjusting;
and
said first number is different than said second number;
and
finely controlling said data rate on said Ethernet link by adjusting inter-packet gap between packets communicated by said Ethernet PHY over said Ethernet link, wherein energy consumption is reduced through an increase of said inter-packet gap and energy consumption is increased through a decrease of said inter-packet gap.

5 more elements

A non-transitory machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for communications, the at least one code section being executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform steps comprising:

in an Ethernet PHY which communicates Ethernet physical layer signals over an Ethernet link comprising a plurality of twisted pairs:
coarsely controlling a data rate on said Ethernet link by adjusting how many twisted pairs of said plurality of twisted pairs are utilized by said Ethernet PHY for communicating said Ethernet physical layer signals, wherein:
said Ethernet PHY communicates said Ethernet physical layer signals over a first number of said wires of said plurality of twisted pairs before said adjusting;
said Ethernet PHY communicates said Ethernet physical layer signals over a second number of said wires of said plurality of twisted pairs after said adjusting;
and
said first number is different than said second number;
and
finely controlling said data rate on said Ethernet link by adjusting inter-packet gap between packets communicated by said Ethernet PHY over said Ethernet link, wherein energy consumption is reduced through an increase of said inter-packet gap and energy consumption is increased through a decrease of said inter-packet gap.

5 more elements

A system for networking, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for use in an Ethernet PHY, wherein said one or more circuits enable:
communication of Ethernet physical layer signals over an Ethernet link comprising a plurality of twisted pairs;
coarsely controlling a data rate on said Ethernet link by adjusting how many twisted pairs of said plurality of twisted pairs are utilized by said Ethernet PHY for communicating said Ethernet physical layer signals, wherein:
said Ethernet PHY communicates said Ethernet physical layer signals over a first number of said wires of said plurality of twisted pairs before said adjusting;
said Ethernet PHY communicates said Ethernet physical layer signals over a second number of said wires of said plurality of twisted pairs after said adjusting;
and
said first number is different than said second number;
and
finely controlling said data rate on said Ethernet link by adjusting inter-packet gap between packets communicated by said Ethernet PHY over said Ethernet link, wherein energy consumption is reduced through an increase of said inter-packet gap and energy consumption is increased through a decrease of said inter-packet gap.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for configurable data rate via inter-packet gap adjustment to support energy efficient networks

Life of this patent

Method and system for configurable data rate via inter-packet gap adjustment to support energy efficient networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27