Patent ID: 8457121
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A heterogeneous network switch system, said system comprising: a plurality of heterogeneous network switches, wherein the heterogeneous network switches comprise a first network switch having a first functionality and a second network switch having a second functionality, wherein the first functionality differs from the second functionality, and wherein the first network switch and the second network switch are configured to forward data to at least one common network equipment; and a controller configured to receive data from at least one client, to monitor a level of traffic flowing across the first network switch, and to select the second network switch to employ in forwarding the data from the at least one client to the at least one common network equipment when the monitored level of traffic and the predicted level of traffic are within the second functionality of the second network switch, wherein the second network switch is selected based on: a predicted level of traffic, the functionality of the second network switch, and energy requirements of the second network switch, and wherein the first network switch is provisioned with sufficient functionality to handle peak levels of traffic predicted to occur in a network connecting the at least one client and the at least one common network equipment and wherein the second network switch is provisioned with sufficient functionality to handle substantially less than the peak levels of traffic.