Abstract: Devices and methods that incorporate sustainability data within a header of a data packet to allow for the generation of sustainable configurations for various network devices are disclosed. Power efficiency is obtained at a node-level by including metadata to existing network flows, in an in-band/in-situ configuration. This information may be used for optimum flow placement. Received data packets may be formatted with sustainability data within a metadata shim. The received data packets are processed, and a sustainable configuration is generated for the one or more network devices. The generated sustainable configuration is transmitted to the one or more network devices to enable efficient and effective management of network devices by incorporating sustainability data into the data packets.

Abstract: Devices, networks, systems, methods, and processes for offloading services for sustainability improvements are described herein. A device may receive one or more service requests corresponding to one or more services. The device may determine one or more energy profiles for one or more processing units based on a plurality of power consumption metrics of the one or more processing units. The device may assign execution of the one or more service requests to the one or more processing units based on corresponding energy profiles of the one or more processing units. Thus, the device may facilitate selective offloading and execution of services among different processing units. The device can optimize the offloading and execution of the services such that the services are executed with least power consumption, thereby improving sustainability of the device.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, methods, and processes for optimizing network traffic distribution across multiple paths in a manner that is energy-efficient and environmental sustainability-aware. This may be achieved by leveraging time-series analytics and capacity planning based on seasonalities. Data associated with the Layer 3 topology of the network can be collected. Bandwidth can be pre-reserved on an energy-aware traffic engineering tunnel. The time-series data can be used to build a capacity plan based on the seasonalities. Nodes may be clustered based on usage patterns and network utilization seasonality. The data can be used to make decisions about when and where to combine or shut down paths for energy efficiency, while maintaining optimal network performance. A hysteresis mechanism may be incorporated to avoid oscillation when changing active links. Power savings can be achieved by fully turning off or depowering certain network components when they are not needed.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and processes for generating and sharing a verifiable Zero Knowledge (ZK) proof are described herein. A device may utilize one or more non-reversible aggregation techniques to receive, normalize, and aggregate one or more Carbon Footprint Metrics (CFMs) of the device corresponding to a timeframe. The device can generate a ZK attestation and the verifiable ZK proof based on an aggregated CFM or a sum of normalized CFMs, and a carbon footprint threshold for the timeframe. The device may further transmit the verifiable ZK proof to an auditing device. The auditing device can receive the verifiable ZK proof and verify, in a trustworthy manner, that the CFMs of the device corresponding to the timeframe are in compliance with the carbon footprint threshold. The device may hence prove the compliance with the carbon footprint threshold to the auditing device without actually sharing the CFMs with the auditing device.

Abstract: Energy-aware configurations can be utilized to operate a network based on sustainability-related metrics. In many embodiments, a suitable device includes a processor, a memory commutatively coupled to the processor, a plurality of elements, a communication port, and an energy-aware topology logic configured to collect topology data from one or more network devices, wherein each of the one or more network devices include a plurality of elements. The energy-aware topology logic can receive power source data and power usage data related to plurality of elements and generate an element energy coefficient (EEC) for a plurality of elements. Subsequently, the energy-aware topology logic can also generate an energy-aware configuration for at least one of the one or more network devices, and then pass the generated energy-aware configuration to the at least one network device, wherein the energy-aware configuration is configured to steer traffic based on at least one sustainability-related metric.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, methods, and processes for optimizing network traffic distribution across multiple paths in a manner that is energy-efficient and environmental sustainability-aware. This may be achieved by leveraging time-series analytics and capacity planning based on seasonalities. Data associated with the Layer 3 topology of the network can be collected. Bandwidth can be pre-reserved on an energy-aware traffic engineering tunnel. The time-series data can be used to build a capacity plan based on the seasonalities. Nodes may be clustered based on usage patterns and network utilization seasonality. The data can be used to make decisions about when and where to combine or shut down paths for energy efficiency, while maintaining optimal network performance. A hysteresis mechanism may be incorporated to avoid oscillation when changing active links. Power savings can be achieved by fully turning off or depowering certain network components when they are not needed.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, methods, and processes for managing power congestion in multi-path routing systems. Indications may be similar to the ECN, and may be used in network headers, including headers for IPV6, SRv6, NSH, or other tunneling protocols. The indications, namely EOPN, PTE, and ECMP-exclude, can provide a mechanism for managing network power consumption and controlling ECMP routing based on flow priority and characteristics. The power budget can be dynamically adjusted based on the current power source mix, which may help to achieve sustainability goals. Hashing optimizations and signaling can be utilized to manage network power congestion and bandwidth-normalized power efficiency availability. A process may be implemented to ensure there is sufficient capacity to serve the expected traffic for different next-hop paths.

Abstract: Devices and methods that incorporate sustainability data within a header of a data packet to allow for the generation of sustainable configurations for various network devices are disclosed. Power efficiency is obtained at a node-level by including metadata to existing network flows, in an in-band/in-situ configuration. This information may be used for optimum flow placement. Received data packets may be formatted with sustainability data within a metadata shim. The received data packets are processed, and a sustainable configuration is generated for the one or more network devices. The generated sustainable configuration is transmitted to the one or more network devices to enable efficient and effective management of network devices by incorporating sustainability data into the data packets.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and processes for managing network devices through generated predictions and associated confidence levels are described herein. Networks within a floorplan can be operated at full capacity all day in an inefficient way when not adjusted due to traffic patterns and seasonality changes. Data related to the topology of the network, along with historical data can be utilized to generate predictions of various network needs. For example, the overall network throughput capacity needs may be predicted for a series of points in the future. An associated confidence level can be generated as well including one or more confidence intervals. These can be utilized to select a future need for the network and generate a corresponding sustainable network configuration for the network devices and/or their transceivers that can provide sufficient network needs while minimizing the overall power used. This can be automated over time once trust has been established.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and processes for orchestrating and managing various lower-power modes in a variety of network devices within a network are described herein. Various network devices, such as access points may be capable of entering one or more lower-power modes of operation that utilize less electricity to operate. When initiating a lower-power mode, the various clients that the network device has been handling need to be handed off to a sibling AP nearby. However, when exiting these lower-power modes, these devices may need different amounts of time to reboot and/or resume normal operations. Thus, when deciding which clients to re-associate with the waking up network device, various considerations need to be weighed based on client needs and network device capabilities. Thus, a smart environmental controller (SEC) is utilized to coordinate these processes. The SEC can be a specialized device, or a logic distributed remotely or among the network devices.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and processes for conducting sustainability-aware virtual meetings are described herein. When establishing virtual meetings, each of the participants can have various devices, locations, histories, and other data associated with them. This data can be packaged together as a user profile which can be transmitted to a virtual meeting service or a host that can receive the various user profiles and generate a meeting profile that can be utilized to maximize the overall sustainability of the virtual meeting. The meeting profile can include configuration suggestions that can be transmitted out to each corresponding device of the participants to either prompt or automatically adjust one or more settings, features, or other configuration, such as energy-saving features, that can increase the overall sustainability. These conditions can be monitored during the meeting and adjusted dynamically in response to changing conditions.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and processes for sustainably operating a plurality of network planes via de-energization and re-energization is described herein. In many network configurations, a plurality of planes exist that allow for more modular connections in a network fabric. Often, these planes are configured such that each plane is not directly connected to another plane. Because of this, various embodiments described herein can evaluate network conditions and determine if there are conditions suitable to de-energize a plane by either directing the plane to enter a lower-power mode, by shutting off the plane, or disconnecting the available power. This de-energization period can be for a period of time or can occur until a triggering event is detected that indicates that the plane should be re-energized. These determinations can be done based on current traffic trends or historical conditions. They may also be heuristic-based or generated via one or more machine-learning processes.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and processes for sustainably reallocating resources based on within a plurality of computing nodes of a network, such as a managed network are described herein. Each computing node may be configured to transmit infrastructure data to an infrastructure monitor or ecosystem management tool. Additional sustainability data may also be accessed either internally or externally. The infrastructure data and sustainability data may be utilized to generate one or more scores that can be evaluated against each other. These scores may be configured to reflect various conditions or facts about the computing nodes including the overall sustainability. In order to increase sustainability levels, a variety of different resource configurations can be generated and evaluated against each other and the current configuration.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selectively depowering any device(s) that seem unnecessarily redundant to strike a balance between resiliency and sustainability to reduce energy costs. The analysis may include a current application mix in use on network paths. For example, a policy may require that at least two available paths are actively energized when real-time collaboration apps are running. Examples of a real-time collaboration app may be data mining in an online database stored elsewhere in the network or holding a video conference call. This double path redundancy can deliver increased application availability. And, in instances where just web/email are actively running, then a backup path that may be energized in less than a second, if a primary path loses connectivity. This lower-power method can also provide increased application availability.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and/or processes are described herein that rely on a demand-based optimization logic that aims to improve wireless network performance. It involves selecting a floorplan, identifying access points associated with the floorplan, and assessing network demands of client devices within the area. Based on the demands, a demand-based power configuration is generated to adjust the output power of one or more access points. This configuration is transmitted to the identified access points to optimize network performance. By adjusting the power of access points to match the needs of client devices, more efficient and effective wireless network usage is realized.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and/or processes are described herein that can operate on a minimally energized power level to detect motion and paths of motion within an environment. A device suitable for carrying out these operations may include an energization optimization logic which can be responsible for selecting a floorplan, identifying access points associated with the floorplan, determining identities, such as persons, located within the floorplan, and tracking their motion. Once this information is gathered, the logic determines a reduced power configuration and passes it to various access points in the floorplan area to reduce the energy consumption based on the configuration. This allows for energy optimization while still maintaining the tracked motion of the identities within the floorplan. The logic allows for efficient power usage in areas with high traffic flow, while still maintaining the quality of service for the identities within the space, which can change dynamically over time.

Abstract: A network of devices can be stabilized by administering an energy-aware topology that corresponds to a desired state derived in part from one or more sustainability metrics. Devices suitable for stabilization can include a processor, a memory, a plurality of elements, a communication port coupled with one or more neighboring devices, and an energy-aware topology logic. The energy-aware topology logic can monitor incoming traffic from one or more neighboring devices, receive current state data associated with the plurality of elements, and receive update data from the one or more neighboring devices via a sustainability-related augmented IGP. Also, the energy-aware topology logic can generate a desired state for the device based on at least the received current state data and update data. One or more of the plurality of elements may be modified in response to the generated desired state, wherein the modification involves changing one or more sustainability-related capabilities.

Abstract: Energy-aware configurations can be utilized to operate a network based on sustainability-related metrics. In many embodiments, a suitable device includes a processor, a memory commutatively coupled to the processor, a plurality of elements, a communication port, and an energy-aware topology logic configured to collect topology data from one or more network devices, wherein each of the one or more network devices include a plurality of elements. The energy-aware topology logic can receive power source data and power usage data related to plurality of elements and generate an element energy coefficient (EEC) for a plurality of elements. Subsequently, the energy-aware topology logic can also generate an energy-aware configuration for at least one of the one or more network devices, and then pass the generated energy-aware configuration to the at least one network device, wherein the energy-aware configuration is configured to steer traffic based on at least one sustainability-related metric.

Abstract: Network energy efficiency and green power selection may be optimized by employing graph-oriented service chains configured to share sustainability attributes and metadata augmentation. More specifically, network Service Function Chain (SFC) creation can include a set of power and energy-specific and sustainable attributes. In general, the goal of SFC is to enable the creation of a service path that matches the specific needs of an application or service. SFCs are composed of a sequence of network functions, such as firewalls, load balancers, intrusion detection systems, and other services. Each network function performs a specific task on the network traffic, and the packets are passed from one function to the next until they reach their destination. Overall, SFCs are a powerful tool for managing complex network environments, enabling network administrators to deploy and manage network services more efficiently and effectively.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and processes for dynamically reducing the size of a video transmission are described herein. An energy-saving video transmission device can include a controller, a memory, a communication port coupled with at least a second device, and a virtual meeting logic configured to establish a virtual meeting with a video transmission. The video transmission is transmitted to at least the second device. The virtual meeting logic can determine a virtual meeting configuration and collect sustainability attributes data. Based on the collected data, an energy-saving video transmission rate can be selected. Often, this can indicate how often to capture and transmit keyframes of the video transmission instead of the entire video transmission. Finally, based on the energy-saving video transmission rate, a reduced size video transmission can be transmitted over a network.