Method and system for power control of fibre channel switches
First Claim
1. A method for controlling power consumption in a switch element having a plurality of ports for transmitting and receiving network information, comprising:
- (a) powering up the plurality of ports for a duration during the switch element initialization so that if the plurality of ports are shut down, they are shut down in a known state;
(b) shutting down all the ports in the known state, except a control port of the switch element;
(c) determining active ports of the switch element, after all the ports are shut down in the known state; and
(d) providing power to only the active ports to receive and transmit network information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for controlling power consumption in a fiber channel switch element having a plurality of ports and plural links to communicate over a network is provided. The switch element includes, a power control module that is used to provide power to only active ports after firmware of fiber channel switch element determines the active ports. The method includes, determining active ports of the fiber channel switch element, after all the ports are shut down in a known state; and providing power to only the active ports. All ports are powered up during fiber channel switch element reset and then powered down (except a common port) so that the ports are shut down in a known state.
84 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for controlling power consumption in a switch element having a plurality of ports for transmitting and receiving network information, comprising:
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(a) powering up the plurality of ports for a duration during the switch element initialization so that if the plurality of ports are shut down, they are shut down in a known state; (b) shutting down all the ports in the known state, except a control port of the switch element; (c) determining active ports of the switch element, after all the ports are shut down in the known state; and (d) providing power to only the active ports to receive and transmit network information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A switch element, comprising:
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a plurality of ports for receiving and sending network information over a network; and a power control module for controlling power consumption by the plurality of ports;
wherein the power control module includes;(a) a counter that starts a count when the plurality of ports are all powered up for a duration during a reset operation, causing the plurality of ports to be in a known state; (b) logic for turning off power to the plurality of ports except a control port, after the counter reaches a maximum value;
wherein the plurality of ports are shut down in a known state; and(c) a control register which is written by firmware of the switch element to provide power only to active ports, after the plurality of ports are shut down. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A system, comprising:
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a switch element coupled to at least another network device;
wherein the switch elements includes;a plurality of ports for receiving and sending network information over a network; and a power control module for controlling power consumption by the plurality of ports;
wherein the power control module includes;(a) a counter that starts a count when the plurality of ports are powered up for a duration during a reset operation, which causes the plurality of ports to be in a known state; (b) logic for turning off power to the plurality of ports except a control port, after the counter reaches a maximum value;
wherein the plurality of ports are shut down in a known state; and(c) a control register which is written by firmware of the switch element to provide power only to active ports, after the plurality of ports are shut down. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification