Power supply configuration method

Abstract

A power supply configuration method is suitable for configuring a plurality of power supply units, and uses a baseboard management controller to execute the following steps: determining whether a preferential power supply configuration scheme is stored; when it is judged that the preferential power supply configuration scheme is stored, configuring the power supply units according to the preferential power supply configuration scheme; obtaining a maximum power supply configuration scheme and an optimal power supply configuration scheme according to the total number of the power supply units, the maximum power of each of the power supply units and a system configuration list; transmitting the maximum power supply configuration scheme and the optimal power supply configuration scheme to a client device; and receiving a user response transmitted by the client device, and updating the priority power configuration scheme according to the user response.

Description

Power supply configuration method Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a configuration method, and more particularly to a power supply configuration method. Background Technology

[0002] Current power supply designs for server systems mostly adopt fixed configurations. The power supply unit (PSU) configuration, whether it is N+1, N+2, or N+N, is preset at the factory and cannot be adjusted after leaving the factory. This makes it impossible for the power supply to adapt to the changing needs of users, which can easily lead to power waste and increase the operating cost of the server system.

[0003] Therefore, how to dynamically adjust the power supply configuration scheme according to changing customer needs has become one of the issues that related technical fields want to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a power supply configuration method that overcomes at least one drawback of the prior art.

[0005] Therefore, the power configuration method provided by the present invention is applicable to configuring multiple power supply units contained in a server system, and is executed using a baseboard management controller contained in the server system, and includes the following steps: (A) determining whether the server system stores a preferred power configuration scheme; (B) when it is determined that the preferred power configuration scheme is stored, configuring the power supply units according to the preferred power configuration scheme; (C) obtaining the total number of the power supply units and the maximum power of each of the power supply units; (D) obtaining a maximum power power configuration scheme based on the total number of the power supply units and the maximum power of each of the power supply units; (E) obtaining a system configuration list corresponding to the server system; (F) obtaining an optimal power power configuration scheme based on the system configuration list, the total number of the power supply units and the maximum power of each of the power supply units; (G) transmitting the maximum power power configuration scheme and the optimal power power configuration scheme to a user terminal device; and (H) receiving a user response transmitted by the user terminal device, and updating the preferred power configuration scheme according to the user response, wherein the user response indicates one of the maximum power power configuration scheme and the optimal power power configuration scheme.

[0006] Specifically, the server system also stores a basic input / output system, and the power configuration method includes the following steps before step (G): (I) determining whether the basic input / output system includes a user-defined power configuration scheme; and (J) when it is determined that the basic input / output system includes the user-defined power configuration scheme, obtaining the user-defined power configuration scheme from the basic input / output system, and using the user-defined power configuration scheme as the preferred power configuration scheme.

[0007] Specifically, in step (G), the baseboard management controller transmits the maximum power supply configuration, the optimal power supply configuration, and the user-defined power supply configuration to the user terminal device; and in step (H), the user responds by indicating one of the maximum power supply configuration, the optimal power supply configuration, and the user-defined power supply configuration.

[0008] Specifically, between steps (A) and (G) there is also the following step: (K) when it is determined that the preferred power configuration scheme is not stored, the user configures the power supply units with the maximum power configuration scheme.

[0009] Specifically, the server system also stores historical data of the actual operating power consumption of the server system during operation. The power configuration method further includes the following steps before step (G): (L) obtaining all historical data of the actual operating power consumption of the server system; and (M) obtaining a daily power configuration scheme based on all historical data of the actual operating power consumption, the total number of power supply units, and the maximum power of each of the power supply units.

[0010] Specifically, in step (G), the baseboard management controller transmits the maximum power supply configuration, the optimal power supply configuration, and the daily power supply configuration to the user terminal device; and in step (H), the user responds by indicating one of the maximum power supply configuration, the optimal power supply configuration, and the daily power supply configuration.

[0011] Specifically, prior to step (G), the following steps are included: (N) obtaining a user-defined power configuration scheme from the user terminal device and using the user-defined power configuration scheme as the preferred power configuration scheme; wherein, in step (H), the user response indicates one of the maximum power power configuration scheme, the optimal power power configuration scheme, and the user-defined power configuration scheme.

[0012] Specifically, it also includes the following steps: (O) detecting whether there is an abnormality in the power supply units; and (P) when an abnormality is detected in the power supply units, transmitting an abnormality warning notification to the user terminal device.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, the power configuration method of the present invention automatically obtains the maximum power configuration scheme and the optimal power configuration scheme by analyzing the power supply units of the server system and the system configuration list. After the user selects one of the power configuration schemes according to their needs, the method automatically updates the preferred power configuration scheme according to the user's response. This allows the power supply units to be reconfigured with the updated preferred power configuration scheme when the server system restarts, so that the power supply of the server system can meet the user's dynamically changing needs, reduce power waste, and save the operating costs of the server system. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating, exemplarily, a server system used in an embodiment of the power configuration method of the present invention; and

[0016] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating, by way of example, how a baseboard management controller of the server system performs this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same numbers in the following description.

[0018] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of the power configuration method of the present invention is applicable to managing the power configuration scheme of a server system 1. In this embodiment, the server system 1 includes a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC), a memory 12, and a plurality of power supply units 13. The power configuration scheme indicates an enabled quantity and a standby quantity. The enabled quantity is the number of power supply units 13 that are configured to be enabled, and the standby quantity is the number of power supply units 13 that are temporarily configured to be disabled for standby. These power supply units 13 are those actually installed in the server system 1 and can be detected as normal (non-faulty) by the Baseboard Management Controller 11.

[0019] The operation of the substrate management controller 11 will be described in detail below.

[0020] The memory 12 can be implemented as Read-Only Memory (ROM), Flash Memory, or Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM), but is not limited to these. The memory 12 is connected to the baseboard management controller 11 and stores a Basic Input Output System (BIOS), historical data of the actual operating power consumption of the server system 1, and other information related to the server system 1. In this embodiment, the historical data of actual operating power consumption includes the power consumption corresponding to peaks and off-peaks recorded in the same power-on record from multiple power-on records.

[0021] These power supply units 13 are connected to the baseboard management controller 11 and conform to the Common Redundant Power Supply (CRPS) specification and support the Power Management Bus (PMBus) communication protocol.

[0022] When the server system 1 starts up, the baseboard management controller 11 executes the power configuration method. Hereinafter, each step of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG2.

[0023] In step S201, the baseboard management controller 11 determines whether the memory 12 stores a priority power configuration scheme. When it is determined that the priority power configuration scheme is stored (i.e., the server system 1 is not starting for the first time), the process proceeds to step S202; when it is determined that the priority power configuration scheme is not stored (i.e., the server system 1 is starting for the first time or the server system 1 is starting for the first time after the total number of power supply units 13 and / or the maximum power of each of the power supply units 13 has been updated / changed), the process proceeds to step S205.

[0024] In step S202, the substrate management controller 11 configures the power supply units 13 according to the priority power configuration scheme.

[0025] In step S203, the baseboard management controller 11 obtains the total number of the power supply units 13 and the maximum power of each of the power supply units 13. More specifically, the baseboard management controller 11 uses the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) of PMBus to obtain and record information related to the power supply units 13.

[0026] In step S204, the substrate management controller 11 obtains a maximum power supply configuration scheme based on the total number of power supply units 13 and the maximum power of each of the power supply units 13. Then, the process proceeds to step S207. In this embodiment, the maximum power supply configuration scheme is to configure all of the power supply units 13 to enable their maximum power supply, which is the sum of the maximum power of each of the power supply units 13.

[0027] In step S205, the baseboard management controller 11 obtains the total number of the power supply units 13 and the maximum power of each of the power supply units 13. More specifically, the baseboard management controller 11 uses the PMBus smart platform management interface to obtain information related to the power supply units 13.

[0028] In step S206, the baseboard management controller 11 obtains the maximum power supply configuration scheme based on the total number of the power supply units 13 and the maximum power of each of the power supply units 13, and configures the power supply units 13 according to the maximum power supply configuration scheme so that the server system 1 continues the startup process.

[0029] In step S207, the baseboard management controller 11 obtains a system configuration list corresponding to the server system 1. In this embodiment, firstly, the baseboard management controller 11 obtains the serial number (i.e., the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) ID) of a motherboard (not shown) of the server system 1 and the version number of the basic input / output system via a direct media interface (DMI). Next, the baseboard management controller 11 obtains the system configuration list corresponding to the server system 1 from the memory 12 based on the motherboard serial number and the basic input / output system version number.

[0030] In step S208, the substrate management controller 11 obtains an optimal power supply configuration scheme based on the system configuration list, the total number of power supply units 13, and the maximum power of each of the power supply units 13. In this embodiment, the optimal power supply configuration scheme indicates the power required to meet the normal operation of all components in the system configuration list, thereby obtaining the number of activated units and the number of standby units corresponding to the power supply units 13.

[0031] In step S209, the baseboard management controller 11 obtains historical data of the actual operating power consumption of the server system 1 that has been recorded from the memory 12.

[0032] In step S210, the baseboard management controller 11 obtains a daily power configuration scheme based on the historical data of the recorded actual operating power consumption, the total number of the power supply units 13, and the maximum power of each of the power supply units 13. For example, the daily power configuration scheme may indicate the number of activated units and the number of standby units that can meet the average power consumption of the historical data of the recorded actual operating power consumption.

[0033] In step S211, the baseboard management controller 11 determines whether the basic input / output system includes a user-defined power configuration scheme. In this embodiment, the baseboard management controller 11 obtains the user-defined power configuration scheme via the System Management Bus (SMBus). When it is determined that the basic input / output system includes the user-defined power configuration scheme, the process proceeds to step S212; when it is determined that the basic input / output system does not include the user-defined power configuration scheme, the process proceeds to step S214.

[0034] In step S212, the user-defined power configuration scheme is obtained from the basic input / output system and used as the preferred power configuration scheme.

[0035] It should be added that the user can also input the user-defined power configuration scheme through a user terminal device (not shown). After the server system 1 receives the user-defined power configuration scheme from the user terminal device, it will use the user-defined power configuration scheme as the preferred power configuration scheme.

[0036] In step S213, the baseboard management controller 11 transmits the maximum power supply configuration scheme, the optimal power supply configuration scheme, the daily power supply configuration scheme, and the user-defined power supply configuration scheme to the user terminal device, so that the user can select a suitable one from the aforementioned power supply configuration schemes as a user response according to their needs. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S215.

[0037] It is worth noting that in some embodiments, when the baseboard management controller 11 determines in step S211 that the basic input / output system includes the user-defined power configuration scheme, the baseboard management controller 11 sequentially executes steps S213, S212, and S215. In other embodiments, when the baseboard management controller 11 determines in step S211 that the basic input / output system includes the user-defined power configuration scheme, the baseboard management controller 11 simultaneously executes steps S212 and S213, and then executes step S215.

[0038] In step S214, the baseboard management controller 11 transmits the maximum power supply configuration scheme, the optimal power supply configuration scheme, and the daily power supply configuration scheme to the user terminal device, so that the user can select one of the aforementioned power supply configuration schemes as the user response to be sent back to the baseboard management controller 11.

[0039] In step S215, the baseboard management controller 11 receives the user response transmitted by the user terminal device and updates the priority power configuration scheme according to the user response. When the server system 1 restarts, the server system 1 will configure the power supply units 13 with the updated priority power configuration scheme.

[0040] It is worth mentioning that the baseboard management controller 11 also detects whether there are any abnormalities in the power supply units 13 when the server system 1 is running. When an abnormality is detected in the power supply units 13, the baseboard management controller 11 sends an abnormality warning notification to the user terminal device to notify the user to perform maintenance work on the abnormal power supply units 13 as soon as possible, and updates the total number of the power supply units 13 and / or the maximum power of each of the power supply units 13. Based on the updated total number of the power supply units 13, the baseboard management controller 11 determines whether the total number of the power supply units 13 is less than the number of enabled units corresponding to the priority power configuration scheme used for the current power-on, or whether the sum of the maximum power of each of the updated power supply units 13 is less than the power consumption corresponding to the priority power configuration scheme used for the current power-on. In this way, when the server system 1 restarts, the baseboard management controller 11 executes steps S201, S205 and subsequent steps.

[0041] In summary, firstly, by analyzing the power supply units 13 of the server system 1, the system configuration list, and the actual power consumption data during each run, the maximum power supply configuration scheme, the optimal power supply configuration scheme, and the daily power supply configuration scheme are automatically obtained. Furthermore, the user can set the user-defined power supply configuration scheme through the basic input / output system or the user terminal device, providing diverse power supply modes for the server system 1. Secondly, after the user selects one of these power supply configuration schemes according to their needs, the priority power supply configuration scheme is automatically updated based on the user's response. This allows the server system 1 to reconfigure the number of active and standby power supply units 13 with the updated priority power supply configuration scheme upon restarting, ensuring that the power supply of the server system 1 meets the user's dynamically changing needs, reducing power waste and saving operating costs. Moreover, by monitoring the power supply units 13 in real time and sending abnormality alerts, the user can perform real-time maintenance on the power supply units 13, ensuring the normal operation of the server system 1. Therefore, the objectives of this invention are indeed achieved.

[0042] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A power supply configuration method, applicable to configuring multiple power supply units contained in a server system, executed using a baseboard management controller contained in the server system, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: (A) determining whether the server system stores a preferred power configuration scheme; (B) when it is determined that the preferred power configuration scheme is stored, configuring the power supply units according to the preferred power configuration scheme; (C) obtaining the total number of the power supply units and the maximum power of each of the power supply units; (D) obtaining a maximum power configuration scheme based on the total number of the power supply units and the maximum power of each of the power supply units; (E) obtaining a system configuration list corresponding to the server system; (F) obtaining an optimal power configuration scheme based on the system configuration list, the total number of the power supply units, and the maximum power of each of the power supply units; (G) transmitting the maximum power configuration scheme and the optimal power configuration scheme to a user terminal device; and (H) receiving a user response transmitted by the user terminal device and updating the preferred power configuration scheme according to the user response, wherein the user response indicates one of the maximum power configuration scheme and the optimal power configuration scheme.

2. The power supply configuration method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The server system also stores a basic input / output system. The power configuration method includes the following steps before step (G): (I) determining whether the basic input / output system includes a user-defined power configuration scheme; and (J) when it is determined that the basic input / output system includes the user-defined power configuration scheme, obtaining the user-defined power configuration scheme from the basic input / output system, and using the user-defined power configuration scheme as the preferred power configuration scheme.

3. The power supply configuration method according to claim 2, characterized in that, In step (G), the baseboard management controller transmits the maximum power supply configuration, the optimal power supply configuration, and the user-defined power supply configuration to the user terminal device; and in step (H), the user responds by indicating one of the maximum power supply configuration, the optimal power supply configuration, and the user-defined power supply configuration.

4. The power supply configuration method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Between steps (A) and (G), there is also the following step: (K) when it is determined that the preferred power configuration scheme is not stored, the user configures the power supply units with the maximum power configuration scheme.

5. The power supply configuration method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The server system also stores historical data of the actual operating power consumption of the server system during operation. The power configuration method includes the following steps before step (G): (L) obtaining all historical data of the actual operating power consumption of the server system; and (M) obtaining a daily power configuration scheme based on all historical data of the actual operating power consumption, the total number of power supply units and the maximum power of each of the power supply units.

6. The power supply configuration method according to claim 5, characterized in that, In step (G), the baseboard management controller transmits the maximum power supply configuration, the optimal power supply configuration, and the daily power supply configuration to the user terminal device; and in step (H), the user responds by indicating one of the maximum power supply configuration, the optimal power supply configuration, and the daily power supply configuration.

7. The power supply configuration method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps prior to step (G): (N) obtaining a user-defined power configuration scheme from the user terminal device and using the user-defined power configuration scheme as the preferred power configuration scheme; wherein, in step (H), the user response indicates one of the maximum power power configuration scheme, the optimal power power configuration scheme, and the user-defined power configuration scheme.

8. The power supply configuration method according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: (O) detecting whether there is an abnormality in the power supply units; and (P) when an abnormality is detected in the power supply units, transmitting an abnormality warning notification to the user terminal device.

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