Blade Server Inventory via Low Power Auxiliary Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
In blade servers, the existing methods rely on full power ON to determine blade type and configuration, leading to excess power consumption and heat generation, as well as incorrect inventory and communication issues due to the chassis controller's inability to differentiate between blade power states.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a low power auxiliary mode that allows the chassis controller to identify blade type and configuration without fully powering the blades, using a low power handshake and intelligent scanning algorithm to minimize power consumption and time required for inventory, and preventing system boot-up to reduce power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full power ON is used to determine blade type and configuration, then accurate blade identification is achieved, but excess power consumption and heat generation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing only low power auxiliary mode instead of full power ON to the blades. The chassis controller selectively powers only a portion of the blade sufficient to communicate blade information, thereby achieving the minimum necessary action for identification without excessive power consumption and heat generation
2Measurement precision
If full power ON is used to determine blade type and configuration, then accurate blade identification is achieved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing only low power auxiliary mode instead of full power ON to the blades. The chassis controller selectively powers only a portion of the blade sufficient to communicate blade information, thereby achieving the minimum necessary action for identification without excessive power consumption and heat generation
3Loss of information
If chassis controller scans all blades to inventory, then complete inventory is achieved, but power consumption and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a pre-chassis power multi-slot blade identification and inventory. The chassis controller scans blades in low power auxiliary mode before full system power ON to obtain blade type and configuration information in advance, thereby completing the inventory process earlier and reducing the time and power required during full operation
4Loss of information
If chassis controller scans all blades to inventory, then complete inventory is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a pre-chassis power multi-slot blade identification and inventory. The chassis controller scans blades in low power auxiliary mode before full system power ON to obtain blade type and configuration information in advance, thereby completing the inventory process earlier and reducing the time and power required during full operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing only low power auxiliary mode instead of full power ON to the blades. The chassis controller selectively powers only a portion of the blade sufficient to communicate blade information, thereby achieving the minimum necessary action for identification without excessive power consumption and heat generation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for a blade server to obtain the blade type and configuration of the chassis without requiring the blades to be fully powered. Using this method the user has the ability to acquire correct inventory and slot status of the chassis through the use of a low power auxiliary power state. The user is then able to apply the proper power budgeting and thermal algorithm requirements utilizing this information while minimizing the power consumption necessary to acquire such information. In addition, an intelligent search algorithm may be utilized to scan the blades for blade information thus further minimizing power consumption and decreasing the time needed to inventory the blades.