Patent ID: 6947776

Claim:
A method for operating a communications network in a power-saving mode, comprising: providing a central processing unit for a network-wide coordination of power-saving states of network elements, the central processing unit performing a decision, on the basis of at least one of activities and states for devices in the network, if it is possible to switch one of at least one of the network elements and the devices assigned thereto to the power-saving mode; announcing to the network elements a forthcoming switch to the power-saving mode based on the decision; upon receipt of an announcement by the central processing unit to switch to the power-saving mode, checking by a local power-saving mode control unit one of if it is possible to make the switch and if there are still activities in the devices that should prevent the switch to the power-saving mode for at least a specified period of time; positively confirming by the local power-saving mode control unit the announcement to switch to the power-saving mode if the one of the network elements assigned thereto also agrees to a status change, otherwise the local power-saving mode control unit sends a negative confirmation; and in the event of the negative confirmation, causing the one of the network elements additionally to communicate in a reply which parts within the one of the network elements still have activity.