A technical method of automatically adapting the mode of operation of the networking interface in accordance with the instantantaneous network traffic requirements in order to minimize the power consumption

摘要

The invention describes a means of reducing the average power consumption of a computer system by dynamically adapting the operation of the network interface to the instantaneous load conditions. Increasing proportions of network traffic involve streaming video or audio content. This is delivered to the consumer in bursts that are generally periodic, meaning that there is a bust of transmission followed by a relatively idle period. Network interfaces are capable of operating in a number of different modes, with each mode supporting a different maximum data rate. The higher modes of operation consume significantly more power. The invention involves a learning system which identifies the periodic pattern of the transmission bursts, and then modulates the network interface so that it is allowed to operate in the highest mode only during transmission bursts. By thus modulating the network interface, the power requirements of the computer system are significantly reduced. After each transmission burst, the operating mode of the network interface is reduced to a level more appropriate to the idle period following a transmission burst. The learning system identifies the likely duration of the burst and the duration of the idle period together with a safety margin in order to change the mode of operation of the network interface. Figure 1