Identifying an outlet of a power distribution unit based on a power rating of an electronic device

Abstract

A system includes an electronic device including a baseboard management controller (BMC), a power supply unit (PSU), and an external connector, wherein the BMC controls a serial communication bus, and the external connector includes AC voltage contacts and serial communication bus contacts. A power distribution unit (PDU) includes multiple outlets, a management entity, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader, and a visual indicator. A power cable includes a first plug end for coupling to the external connector, a second plug end for coupling to one of the outlets, AC voltage wires extending end-to-end, a read / write RFID tag in the second plug end, and communication wires extending from the first plug end to the read / write RFID tag. Coupling the first plug end to the external connector connects the AC voltage and connects the serial communication bus such that the BMC is in serial communication with the read / write RFID tag.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to distributing power to a plurality of electronic devices without tripping a circuit breaker.[0003]Background of the Related Art[0004]A large computing system may consume a large amount of electrical power. The various components responsible for supplying the power to each entity in the computing cluster are referred to collectively as a power distribution system. The power distribution system may be specifically designed for the demands of a particular computing system. It is important to avoid overloading an electrical phase, a circuit breaker, or a power distribution unit.[0005]While the original design and installation of a complex computing system may adequately account for proper loading of the power distribution system, the loading of the power distribution system may be altered over time as servers, switches, storage devices and other electronic devices are added, removed, replaced and reconfigured. T...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a system and method that allow for the efficient distribution and management of power in an electronic device. The system includes a baseboard management controller, power supply, and external connector for supplying power and communication. The power distribution unit includes multiple outlets and a management entity for controlling the distribution of power. The power cable includes a first plug end for connection to the external connector and a read / write radio frequency identification tag for communication. The method involves wirelessly reading the power supply unit power rating from the read / write radio frequency identification tag and determining whether the power distribution unit has sufficient power to supply the power supply unit without exceeding the power distribution unit power rating. This allows for efficient management of power distribution and prevents power distribution failures in the electronic device.

Problems solved by technology

A large computing system may consume a large amount of electrical power.

However, even with the availability of PDU outlets, there may not be sufficient power capacity in a given PDU or particular circuit on a PDU in order to power new or additional devices.

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