Optimizing power consumption in networked devices

As networked devices have become less expensive and more capable, the market for these devices has exploded. Further, users are demanding greater speeds, better performance, and seamless operation from these devices. User demand for better QoS and better device interoperability is driving the development of devices with multiple network interfaces, and standards for integrating multiple interfaces into a single logical network. Proliferation of devices and multiple network interfaces means that power consumption at the networking layer becomes an increasingly relevant concern for device owners and operators. In this paper, we present methods and review approaches for reducing power consumption in four domains: in a single network interface in a single device; in a single network across all devices sharing that network; in a single device with multiple network interfaces connected to different media types; and across the union of devices with multiple network interfaces connected to different media types.