Programmable power management system and method for network computer stations

• US 5,742,833 A
• Filed: 11/30/1995
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dea, Frank, Lam, Son Hung, Shepler, Spencer, Tsao, Gary Yuh
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, RAYMOND NGAN
• Application Number:
  US08/565,375
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 395/750, 395/700, 395/200.11, 395/200.17, 395/200.21, 395/800, 395/733, 395/750.03, 395/750.06, 395/750.05, 340/825.02, 340/825.03, 340/825.04, 340/825.08, 340/825.16, 370/60, 370/61, 370/85.1, 370/85.2, 370/85.4, 370/85.8
• US Class Current: 713/323
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3209 Monitoring remote activity, e.g. over telephone lines or network connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A frame-address matching function of a network controller is enhanced. In a full power-on mode, the controller performs conventional functions. In the low-power mode, the controller includes frame-address and frame-data matching, as well as pre-determined and programmable autonomous response to network protocol. If a match occurs with respect to the frame destination address or frame data, the system associated with the controller is placed in a wake-up state. If the controller is programmed to perform pattern matching inside the frame data area, upon such match in the frame data area the controller will generate and transmit on the network a simple response packet automatically. Conversely, if a match is not detected, no action is taken. The frame-data patterns are programmable with the capability to mask out certain data fields as desired which are protocol dependent and are substantially protocol dependent.

Claims

1. A method for power management in a network of computer stations each of said stations including a network interface controller, comprising:

storing in one of said controllers corresponding to one of said stations

at least one programmed protocol dependent pattern within a frame data; and

a corresponding predetermined response message;

said storing including

storing a response buffer of each said predetermined response message, and wherein each said predetermined response message comprises a corresponding message length and message pointer in pair, each said pairs of which identifies a different said predetermined response messages and corresponds to a different frame data mask;

monitoring with said one of said controllers for said frame data on said network;

detecting in said one of said controllers from said monitored frame data whether a match occurs of said stored pattern with a pattern within said monitored frame data;

determining, in response to said detecting of said match, if said corresponding predetermined response message is stored;

transmitting said predetermined response message onto said network in response to said determining that said corresponding predetermined response message is stored;

determining with said controller, in response to determining said predetermined response message is not stored, whether said station is in a hibernation state;

said at least one programmed protocol dependent pattern and corresponding response message comprise a plurality of pairs comprised of a said pattern and a said corresponding response message, each said response message in said pairs corresponding to a different network protocol;

placing one of said stations in a low-power state;

wherein said storing, monitoring, detecting, determining, and transmitting steps are executed by one of said controllers corresponding to said one of said stations while said one of said stations is in said low-power state; and

transmitting said frame data from a different said one of said controllers to said one of said controllers.

2. An apparatus for improved power management in a network of computer stations each of said stations including a network interface controller, comprising:

means for storing in one of said controllers corresponding to one of said stations

at least one programmed protocol dependent pattern within a frame data; and

a corresponding predetermined response message;

said means for storing including

means for storing a response buffer of each said predetermined response message, and wherein each said predetermined response message comprises a corresponding message length and message pointer in pair, each said pairs of which identifies a different said predetermined response messages and corresponds to a different frame data mask;

means for monitoring with said one of said controllers for said frame data on said network;

means for detecting in said one of said controllers from said monitored frame data whether a match occurs of said stored pattern with a pattern within said monitored frame data;

means for determining, in response to said detecting of said match, if said corresponding predetermined response message is stored;

means for transmitting said predetermined response message onto said network in response to said determining that said corresponding predetermined response message is stored;

means for determining with said controller, in response to determining said predetermined response message is not stored, whether said station is in a hibernation state;

wherein said at least one programmed protocol dependent pattern and corresponding response message comprise a plurality of pairs comprised of a said pattern and said corresponding response message; and

further wherein each said response message in said pairs corresponds to a different network protocol;

means for placing one of said stations in a low-power state;

wherein said storing, monitoring, detecting, determining, and transmitting are executed by one of said controllers corresponding to said one of said stations while said one of said stations is in said low-power state; and

means for transmitting said frame data from a different said one of said controllers to said one of said controllers.

3. A computer program product for power management in a network of computer stations each of said stations including a network interface controller, comprising:

computer readable program code means for storing in one of said controllers corresponding to one of said stations

at least one programmed pattern within a frame data; and

a corresponding predetermined response message;

wherein said computer readable program code means for storing in said one of said controllers includes;

computer readable program code means for storing a response buffer of each said predetermined response message, and wherein each said predetermined message comprises a corresponding message length and message pointer in pair, each said pair of which identifies a different said predetermined response message and corresponds to a different frame data mask;

computer readable program code means for monitoring with said one of said controllers for said frame data on said network;

computer readable program code means for detecting in said one of said controllers from said monitored frame data whether a match occurs of said stored pattern with a pattern within said monitored frame data;

computer readable program means for determining, in response to said detecting of said match, if said corresponding predetermined response message is stored;

computer readable program code means for transmitting said predetermined response message onto said network in response to said determining that said corresponding predetermined response message is stored;

computer readable program code means for determining with said controller, in response to determining said predetermined response message is not stored, whether said station is in a hibernation state;

wherein said at least one programmed protocol dependent pattern and corresponding response message comprise a plurality of pairs comprised of a said pattern and said corresponding response message; and

further wherein each said response message in said pairs corresponds to a different protocol;

computer readable program code means for placing one of said stations in a low-power state wherein said storing, monitoring, detecting, determining, and transmitting steps are executed by one of said controllers corresponding to said one of said stations while said one of said stations is in said low-power state;

computer readable program code means for transmitting said frame data from a different said one of said controllers to said one of said controllers.