The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains exemplary embodiments of the invention, together with aspects, features and advantages, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, it will be seen that this invention proposes to add new logic in a network throughput monitor 200 to keep track of the throughput of transmission (Tx) and reception (Rx) of the EtherChannel via a Tx count register 206 and Rx count register 208 associated with each corresponding Ethernet driver 210, as shown in
When the throughput monitor logic in monitor 200 determines that the throughput of the EtherChannel group has dropped significantly, it reduces the number of Ethernet adapters 202 in the EtherChannel group 204. Accordingly, the electrical power that would be used to power an unused adapter 202 can be saved to decrease power consumption and thus reduce heat generated therefrom and increase a potential lifespan of the plurality of adapters 202 associated with the EtherChannel group 204.
As the throughput of the EtherChannel group 204 approaches a maximum capability of the current EtherChannel group 204, it powers on the unused adapters and adds them to the group to increase a maximum throughput and to avoid network overload. It will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art that although the network throughput monitor logic is associated with the network throughput monitor 200 depicted as a separate device, it may be incorporated with another device in the network, for example, but is not limited thereto.
Referring to
Therefore, when an Ethernet adapter is removed from the EtherChannel group, power to the removed adapter is cut off to reduce power consumption and reduce generation of thermal heat, thus increasing a potential lifespan of the plurality of adapters in the EtherChannel group.
Still referring to
The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof.
As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the capabilities of the present invention. The article of manufacture can be included as a part of a computer system or sold separately.
Additionally, at least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the capabilities of the present invention can be provided.
The flow diagram depicted herein is just an example. There may be many variations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.
While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.