Blade History Table for Modular Server Power Sequencing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In modular information handling systems, frequent unintended disconnection and reconnection of server blades lead to unnecessary power-on sequences, causing delays and inefficiencies due to the lack of retention of power consumption data and blade characteristics.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a blade history table (BHT) managed by the chassis management controller to store and retrieve power consumption data and blade characteristics, allowing for conditional power-on permission based on historical data or form factor estimates, reducing the need for full power-on sequences upon reinsertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete power-on sequence is performed following each blade insertion or reinsertion, then power allocation and blade operation are ensured, but power-on delays increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis management controller performs preliminary actions by detecting blade insertions and retrieving historical power consumption data from the blade history table before initiating the power-on sequence. This allows the system to prepare power allocation in advance using stored information about the blade's previous power characteristics, reducing the time required during the actual power-on process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copied historical data from the blade history table, which contains previously measured power consumption values for specific blades in specific slots. Instead of performing complete power determination procedures during each power-on, the system retrieves and uses these copied historical values to quickly establish power allocation, significantly reducing power-on delays while maintaining reliable power management.
2Device complexity
If power consumption data is not retained between blade insertions, then system simplicity is maintained, but unnecessary full power-on sequences are triggered frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection and storage by maintaining a blade history table that records power consumption data for each blade-slot combination. This preliminary action of storing historical information allows the system to differentiate between intentional and unintentional blade reinsertions, enabling optimized power-on sequences for known blades while maintaining overall system simplicity through structured data management.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade history table stores copied power consumption data from previous blade operations. By retrieving these copied historical values during blade reinsertion, the system can quickly determine whether a full power-on sequence is necessary or if a simplified sequence suffices, thereby improving blade reinsertion efficiency without significantly increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If the chassis controller treats every power-on request identically, then consistent power management is achieved, but efficiency is reduced due to repeated full power determination processes
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis management controller applies different processing approaches based on local conditions by checking the blade history table for each power-on request. For blades with historical data in specific slots, the system applies a simplified power-on process using stored power consumption values. For new blades or exceptional cases, the complete power determination process is performed. This local differentiation maintains consistent power management principles while significantly improving overall processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of power-on processing by using stored power consumption data from the blade history table to modify the power determination process. Instead of always performing complete power measurements, the system retrieves pre-determined power parameters for known blades, changing the processing mode from full determination to data retrieval and validation, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining reliable power management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing an information handling system includes detecting an insertion signal indicating an insertion of a server blade or other another type of modular information handling system or information handling resource into a slot of a blade server chassis. A power-on request that identifies the server blade and the slot in which the server blade was inserted may be received. A blade history table may be searched for an entry matching or otherwise corresponding to the server blade. If the blade history table includes a matching entry, comprising an entry corresponding to the modular information handling system, the chassis management controller may control the power-on sequence for the server blade in accordance with one or more attributes or fields of the matching entry.