Network system and method for reducing power consumption

• US 7,379,992 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitac Technology Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Mitac Technology Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Tung, Chung-Chih
• Primary Examiner(s): Meky; Moustafa M
• Application Number:
  US11/017,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20060136562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,254 Days
• Field of Search: 709200-203, 709217-227
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A method for reducing power consumption, adapted to a network system comprising a server provided with a domain name and being able to operate in a reduced power mode. When a request for the domain name is received, a wake-up signal is sent to the server for switching the server to a normal mode, and an IP address corresponding to the server name is then assigned in response to the inquiry request.

Claims

1. A method for reducing power consumption, adapted to a network system comprising a server provided with a domain name and capable of operating in a reduced power mode, the method comprising:

enabling the server to operate in the reduced power mode;

when a request for the domain name is received, sending a wake-up signal to the server for switching the server to a normal mode, and assigning an IP address corresponding to the server name; and

responding to the request with the IP address.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server is a personal computer.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IP address is a dynamic IP address.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

obtaining the dynamic IP address of the server; and

providing up a link between the dynamic IP address and domain name.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server obtains the IP address through an Internet service provider.

6. A network system for reducing power consumption, comprising:

a network server, provided with a domain name and operating in a reduced power mode; and

a domain name server, when receiving a request for the domain name, sending a wake-up signal to the network server for switching the network server to a normal mode, and assigning an IP address corresponding to the server name in response to the request.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the network server is a personal computer.

8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the IP address is a dynamic IP address.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the domain name server obtains the dynamic IP address of the network server provides a link between the dynamic IP address and domain name.

10. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the network server obtains the IP address through an Internet service provider.