US Patent 7971080 Power savings for a network device

An example embodiment is illustrated to reduce power consumed by inactive connections. This embodiment may include detecting a connection condition signifying a requirement for an active connection between one network device and another network device. Thereafter, an enable instruction may be retrieved based upon the detecting of the connection condition, and a port may be enabled based upon the retrieved enable instruction resulting in increased electrical power consumption by a port component. The electrical power consumption may be increased relative to a prior level of electrical power consumption in which the port is disabled.