What is Ecma |
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TC32-TG21 - Proxying Support for Sleep Modes Scope - Programme of work - TC32 Upcoming meetings and conference calls Bi-weekly conference calls Activities Energy Context Large amounts of electricity are used by electronic devices that are on solely for the purpose of maintaining network connectivity while they might be asleep. The computation required to stay connected is small, so the large power differences between on and sleep show that most of this is wasted. Billions of dollars per year of electricity (and consequent carbon emissions) could be saved by widespread use of a “network connectivity proxy” for devices like PCs, printers, game consoles and set-top boxes.
Further information can be found here. In addition, the Energy Star program intends to recognize an Ecma standard on proxying as a way to significantly reduce energy use of PCs and ultimately other devices (see the “Computer Draft 2 Specification, Version 5.0” here).
The Ecma standard is expected to provide an overall architecture for proxies and provide details for how to “handle” a variety of key protocols. Handling of incoming traffic can mean generating a reply packet, causing a system wakeup, or ignoring it. Proxies may also do some routine packet generation on their own, and there is state information exchanged between the system and the proxy when the system goes to sleep and when it wakes up. The standard is not expected to define where the proxy resides, only how it behaves. In addition to the standard itself, the committee may develop “use cases” as guidance for what should be in the standard or not. Associated activities by member companies include analysis of network trace data to inform the use cases and standard, as well as creating prototypes of subsets or versions of the standard as a way to demonstrate its potential and to help refine the standard. For questions about the content of the standard and process, please contact Bruce Nordman.
Figure 1.0 - Description of the concept of "Proxying"
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