Feature sharing and handoff for power optimization

Abstract

Described herein are devices, systems, methods, and processes for intelligently managing power consumption in a network by allocating a power budget for packet processing. The power budget can be allocated based on criticality and/or the trust level of the flow. A network device may determine which subsets of features can be executed within the power budget for specific flows. Network devices can signal their capability to run features based on power consumption and adherence to the power budget, allowing for cooperative end-to-end power-based decision-making and policy enforcement. Network devices unable to run all features can select a subset of the features within their power budget and a viable path where other network devices can execute the missing features. Source route information can be added to indicate the path and missing features to be executed by network devices down the segment routing path.