System and method to conserve power in an access network without loss of service quality
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving, at a first network element, data for a second network element;
monitoring, at the first network element, a data rate of data that matches an entry in an access control list associated with the second network element;
when the first network element determines that the data rate of data matching an entry in the access control list associated with the second network element is below a data rate threshold, reducing a number of channels assigned to the second network element to cause the second network element to enter into a power saving state; and
while the second network element is in the power saving state, buffering, at the first network element, data matching an entry in the access control list for later delivery to the second network element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a first data at a first network element; determining that the first data does not match an entry in an access control list; and sending a first message to a second network element that causes the second network element to enter into a low-power state. In yet another example embodiment, the method can include receiving a second data; determining that the second data matches an entry in the access control list; buffering the second data; sending a second message to the second network element, where the second message causes the second network element to exit the low-power state; and sending the buffered second data to the second network element.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving, at a first network element, data for a second network element; monitoring, at the first network element, a data rate of data that matches an entry in an access control list associated with the second network element; when the first network element determines that the data rate of data matching an entry in the access control list associated with the second network element is below a data rate threshold, reducing a number of channels assigned to the second network element to cause the second network element to enter into a power saving state; and while the second network element is in the power saving state, buffering, at the first network element, data matching an entry in the access control list for later delivery to the second network element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A non-transitory media encoded with logic that includes instructions for execution, and when executed by a processor, is operable to perform operations comprising:
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monitoring a data rate of data received at a first network element that matches an entry in an access control list associated with a second network element; when the data rate of data matching an entry in the access control list associated with the second network element is below a data rate threshold, reducing a number of channels assigned to the second network element to cause the second network element to enter into a power saving state; and while the second network element is in the power saving state, buffering data at the first network element that matches an entry in the access control list for later delivery to the second network element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus, comprising:
an energy module configured to set a power saving state of a network element based on data destined for the network element, wherein the energy module includes a memory element for storing data and a processor configured to execute instructions associated with the data, such that the energy module is configured to; receive data for the network element; monitor a data rate of data that matches an entry in an access control list associated with the network element; when the data rate of data matching an entry in the access control list associated with the network element is below a data rate threshold, reduce a number of channels assigned to the network element to cause the network element to enter into a power saving state; and while the network element is in the power saving state, buffer data matching an entry in the access control list for later delivery to the network element. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
Specification