OSPF optimization via dynamic network management for green IP networks

In this paper we present a novel experimental platform for network management able to dynamically optimize the energy consumption of backbone IP networks operating with OSPF. The idea is to efficiently adjust link weights to put to sleep idle devices. The framework relies on multiple precomputed sets of link weights that are applied to the considered network domain according to real time measurements on the link utilization. The management module exploits the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to collect the load measurements and modify the link weights. The pre-computed link weights are calculated by running a state-of-the-art algorithm for off-line energy-aware traffic engineering based on predicted traffic matrices. The modules of the platforms have been implemented for Linux based environments and tested using emulated networks of virtual machines. Experimental results showed a significant reduction in terms of network resources required to route traffic demands, demonstrating how, in average, 20% of nodes and 40% of links, can be put to sleep without compromising network performance and stability.