Power management using a bandwidth control mechanism

摘要

A buffered packet switching network component provides a communication path between a packet source and a packet destination. The packet switching network component includes a bandwidth control mechanism that reduces communication traffic in response to buffer congestion. The bandwidth control mechanism is also utilized to conserve power. When the buffered packet switching network component detects a transition event, a parameter of the bandwidth control mechanism is modified such that a transferred packet indicates the packet switching network component is congested. In response to the congestion, a packet source is requested to reduce the rate at which it is sending packets through the congested packet switching network component. As network traffic is reduced, unused devices of the packet switching network component are deactivated such that power is conserved.