Conserving energy in a data processing network
First Claim
1. A method of operating a data processing network, the method comprising:
- performing an initial link layer operating frequency negotiation between a server and a switch to which the server is connected, wherein the initial link layer operating frequency negotiation establishes an initial total bandwidth capacity of a network link between the server and the switch at an initial operating frequency of the network link;
following the initial link layer operating frequency negotiation, the server communicating network traffic with the switch over the network link and measuring an effective data rate of the network traffic communicated between the server and the switch over the network link; and
responsive to determining by the measuring that the effective data rate is materially less than the initial total bandwidth capacity of the network link operating at the initial operating frequency, performing a subsequent link layer operating frequency negotiation to establish a decreased total bandwidth capacity of the network link at a decreased operating frequency of the network link, wherein the decreased operating frequency is closer to the measured effective data rate than the initial operating frequency.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data processing network and method for conserving energy in which an initial negotiation between a network server and a switch to which the server is connected is performed to establish an initial operating frequency of the server-switch link. An effective data rate of the server is determined based on network traffic at the server. Responsive to determining that the effective data rate is materially different than the current operating frequency, a subsequent negotiation is performed to establish a modified operating frequency where the modified operating frequency is closer to the effective data rate than the initial operating frequency. The determination of the effective date rate and the contingent initiation of a subsequent negotiation may be repeated periodically during the operating of the network. In one embodiment, the initial and subsequent negotiation are compliant with the IEEE 802.3 standard.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating a data processing network, the method comprising:
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performing an initial link layer operating frequency negotiation between a server and a switch to which the server is connected, wherein the initial link layer operating frequency negotiation establishes an initial total bandwidth capacity of a network link between the server and the switch at an initial operating frequency of the network link; following the initial link layer operating frequency negotiation, the server communicating network traffic with the switch over the network link and measuring an effective data rate of the network traffic communicated between the server and the switch over the network link; and responsive to determining by the measuring that the effective data rate is materially less than the initial total bandwidth capacity of the network link operating at the initial operating frequency, performing a subsequent link layer operating frequency negotiation to establish a decreased total bandwidth capacity of the network link at a decreased operating frequency of the network link, wherein the decreased operating frequency is closer to the measured effective data rate than the initial operating frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A data processing system, comprising:
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a processor, memory, and a network interface connected to a switch via a network link; wherein the network interface performs an initial link layer operating frequency negotiation with the switch that establishes an initial total bandwidth capacity of the network link at an initial operating frequency of the network link and thereafter communicates network traffic with the switch over the network link and measures an effective data rate of the network traffic communicated between the data processing system and the switch over the network link; and wherein the network interface performs a subsequent link layer operating frequency negotiation to establish a decreased total bandwidth capacity of the network link at a decreased operating frequency of the network link responsive to determining by measurement that the effective data rate is materially less than the initial total bandwidth capacity of the network link operating at the initial operating frequency, wherein the decreased operating frequency is closer to the measured effective data rate than the initial operating frequency. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A data processing network, comprising:
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a switch; a network link; and a data processing system comprising; a processor, memory, and a network interface connected to the switch via the network link; wherein the network interface performs an initial link layer operating frequency negotiation with the switch that establishes an initial total bandwidth capacity of the network link at an initial operating frequency of the network link and thereafter communicates network traffic with the switch over the network link and measures an effective data rate of the network traffic communicated between the data processing system and the switch over the network link; and wherein the network interface performs a subsequent link layer operating frequency negotiation to establish a decreased total bandwidth capacity of the network link at a decreased operating frequency of the network link responsive to determining by measurement that the effective data rate is materially less than the initial total bandwidth capacity of the network link operating at the initial operating frequency, wherein the decreased operating frequency is closer to the measured effective data rate than the initial operating frequency.
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18. A computer program product comprising:
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a tangible computer-readable storage device; machine-executable instructions, stored on the tangible computer-readable storage device, for conserving energy in a data processing network having a switch, a server, and a network link connecting the switch to the server, wherein the instructions when executed cause a machine to perform; performing an initial link layer operating frequency negotiation between the server and the switch, wherein the initial link layer operating frequency negotiation establishes an initial total bandwidth capacity of a network link at an initial operating frequency of the network link; thereafter detecting whether or not the network link is underutilized by; measuring an effective data rate of network traffic communicated between the server and the switch over the network link; and determining, responsive to the measuring, whether or not the effective data rate is materially less than the initial total bandwidth capacity of the network link; responsive to detecting that the link is underutilized because the effective data rate is materially less than the initial total bandwidth capacity of the network link operating at the initial operating frequency, performing a subsequent link layer operating frequency negotiation to establish a decreased total bandwidth capacity of the network link at a decreased operating frequency of the network link, wherein the decreased operating frequency is closer to the measured effective data rate than the initial operating frequency. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification