Method and system for managing energy efficiency of a network link via pluggable transceiver modules in an energy efficient network device

Abstract

An Ethernet network may comprise link partners that may be coupled via an Ethernet link. The link partners may comprise pluggable PHY devices. The pluggable PHY devices and/or other link partner devices may determine energy efficient network (EEN) control policies, may select a power level mode and may configure the link partners to operate in the power level mode. Some components may be reconfigured prior to sending an energy efficient network control signal to a link partner and configuring remaining components. Hardware, software and/or firmware may execute the pluggable PHY energy efficient network control policies. Packet data pending delivery may be buffered in the pluggable PHY. The pluggable PHY devices may comprise a MAC and/or a SERDES device. Exemplary form factors for the pluggable PHYs may comprise a SFP, a SFP+, a XENPAK, a X2, a XFP and/or a XPAK. Low power idle mode and/or sub-rate mode may be utilized.

1 . A method for communication, the method comprising:
 in an Ethernet network comprising one or more link partners that are coupled via an Ethernet link, said one or more link partners comprising one or more pluggable PHY devices:
 determining one or more energy efficient network control policies that specifies a power level mode for one or more of said link partners and/or said one or more pluggable PHY devices; and 
 configuring said one or more link partners and/or said one or more pluggable PHY devices to operate in said specified power level mode based on said determined one or more energy efficient network control policies. 
   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising determining by said pluggable PHY device said one or more energy efficient network control policies. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising selecting a power level mode of operation for said one or more pluggable PHY devices based on said one or more energy efficient network control policies. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , comprising reconfiguring one or more components of said one or more pluggable PHY devices based on said selected power level mode of operation. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , comprising reconfiguring a first portion of said one or more components prior to sending an energy efficient network control signal to said one or more of said link partners. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , comprising reconfiguring a remaining portion of said one or more components after sending said energy efficient network control signal. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising executing said one or more energy efficient network control policies from within said one or more pluggable PHY devices utilizing hardware, software, and/or firmware within said one or more PHY devices. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising buffering packet data that is pending delivery in said one or more pluggable PHY devices while transitioning to an active power mode. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more pluggable PHY devices comprises one or both of a media access controller and/or a serializer de-serializer device. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more pluggable PHY devices comprises one or more of a SFP, a SFP+, a XENPAK, a X2, a XFP and a XPAK form factor. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said power level mode comprises low power idle mode and/or sub-rate mode. 
   
   
       12 . A system for communication, the system comprising:
 one or more circuits for use in an Ethernet network comprising link partners that are coupled via an Ethernet link, said one or more circuits comprising one or more pluggable PHY devices, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to:
 determine one or more energy efficient network control policies that specifies a power level mode for one or more of said link partners, and/or said one or more pluggable PHY devices; and 
 configure said one or more link partners and/or said one or more pluggable PHY devices to operate in said specified power level mode based on said determined one or more energy efficient network control policies. 
   
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more pluggable PHY devices determines said one or more energy efficient network control policies. 
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to select a power level mode of operation for said one or more pluggable PHY devices based on said one or more energy efficient network control policies. 
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to reconfigure one or more components of said one or more pluggable PHY devices based on said selected power level mode of operation. 
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to reconfigure a first portion of said one or more components prior to sending an energy efficient network control signal to said one or more of said link partners. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to reconfigure a remaining portion of said one or more components after sending said energy efficient network control signal. 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to execute said one or more energy efficient network control policies from within said one or more pluggable PHY devices utilizing hardware, software, and/or firmware within said one or more PHY devices. 
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to buffer packet data that is pending delivery in said one or more pluggable PHY devices while transitioning to an active power mode. 
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more pluggable PHY devices comprises one or both of a media access controller and/or a serializer de-serializer device. 
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more pluggable PHY devices comprises one or more of a SFP, a SFP+, a XENPAK, a X2, a XFP and a XPAK form factor. 
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said power level mode comprises low power idle mode and/or sub-rate mode.