IEEE802.3az
IEEEP802.3az is also known as an energy-saving Ethernet network. It is currently in the research and development stage, and its purpose is to realize the energy saving of the Ethernet network on a selected group of PHYs. The PHYs selected for this project include the popular 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-TPHY, as well as the emerging 10GBASE-T technology and backplane interface, such as 10GBASE-KR. The current power-saving method planned for these PHYs uses a technique called low-power idle mode (LPI).
The inherent Ethernet standard specifications of interfaces above 100M have an idle state. To maintain the power-on state without being restricted by data transmission, a large number of circuits are required. Therefore, no matter whether the data is connected or not, the power consumption is very large. LPI technology can provide lower energy consumption when connection utilization is low (high idle time), and low connection utilization is common on many Ethernet networks. In addition, LPI technology can also quickly switch back to working state, providing efficient data transmission. Based on the current progress, IEEEP802.3az is expected to be approved in September 2010.
Figure 1: Cost, performance, and power consumption patterns of traditional and next-generation networks.
EEE's broad applicability
Ethernet over wired connections has become a very common technology choice. Enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, service providers, home networks, and professional AV networks are gradually adopting Ethernet networks, and data centers and storage equipment are also generally using Ethernet networks. Therefore, all areas of the network can benefit from EEE energy saving.
EEE has high energy saving potential
In the long run, the characteristic of typical Ethernet network traffic is low average connection utilization, but occasionally traffic surges due to network activity. Because EEE has a high percentage of idle time on the connection, it is very suitable for using EEE, using idle time to achieve low power consumption. (See Figure 2). Ethernet traffic will vary depending on the application and the market. Using EEE with the following control strategy technology, end customers can use the network idle time to save power.
Figure 2: Typical flow representation example.
Broadcom's new physical layer products use cutting-edge energy-saving technologies. Controller and switch products are more economical than LEE using only EEE and can be extended beyond the physical layer. The following two additional components are indispensable when establishing an EEE system and network. Although it exceeds the standard range, it is very important for EEE devices:
• EEE control strategy: Controls when the physical layer enters or leaves the low-power state and when it is outside the standard range. The control strategy determines the degree of integration between the engine and the physical layer controls, which can affect the overall efficiency. In addition, the control strategy also plays a key role, which can achieve the effect of substantial savings while greatly reducing the impact on network performance.
? Enhanced energy saving: The enhanced energy saving function in the device can be extended beyond the physical layer of the transmission online partner or the receiving online partner (see Figure 3). Figure 3 shows an edge device (such as a server or client) connected to a node (such as a switch) in the network. The connection of these devices is through the EEE Ethernet network. The diagram divides each connected part into important subsystems in a similar way to OSI, that is, starting with the bottom physical layer (labeled PHY), and then stacking up. Figure 3 also shows that Broadcom can easily save a lot of power by supporting various energy-saving network technology enhancements. These principles also apply to switch-to-switch connections.
Figure 3: Broadcom energy-saving network technology can more effectively achieve energy saving.
Control strategy technology
The control strategy covers multiple layers, because the management system of the device must continue to follow the actions based on the input to decide whether to enter or leave the energy-saving state. The control strategy must be customized for specific applications in order to achieve the best energy saving state, which can be achieved using Broadcom software. In addition, the Broadcom software stack can be programmed to select different levels of performance and energy saving options.
AutoGrEEEn technology
In order to quickly adopt the market and allow customers to immediately move to the EEE connection station, Broadcom has introduced AutoGrEEEn technology as part of the EEEPHY content. After setting the control strategy auxiliary engine and circuit inside the PHY device, AutoGrEEEn technology can allow devices with non-EEEMAC to smoothly transfer to EEE capabilities.
To have EEE capability, the PHY must be controlled on the MAC / PHY interface through the indication signal in the frequency band. To achieve this goal, you must replace the PHY and MAC chips. There are many systems that use MAC and PHY as two different chips. MAC is often embedded in a switch or controller type device. Such MAC-embedded devices have associated drivers and software, and are often multi-port devices. Therefore, the move to EEE may encounter difficulties in developing additional devices that replace the embedded MAC.
Using AutoGrEEEn technology, there is no need to replace the MAC / PHY interface on the MAC chip, and the traditional non-EEE compatible MAC chip can be immediately connected to the PHY enabled by Broadcom AutoGrEEEn.
Summary of this article
Broadcom energy-saving network technology is based on the IEEE802.3az draft standard, and the methods used include: multiple control strategies; additional energy saving (using the EEE low power state to allow additional resources to "sleep" outside the PHY); software in various The significant energy saving in applications and spaces plays a key role to achieve the best energy saving effect, and the control strategy can be customized.
Wael William Diab
Technical Strategy Technical Director
Enterprise Network Business Group
Broadcom
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