Data Center Power Bus Reconfiguration for Reliability-Capacity Tradeoffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in balancing server reliability and power capacity, as existing electrical infrastructure configurations either prioritize reliability at the cost of capacity or vice versa, and switching between these configurations is typically complex and requires significant changes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring data center electrical infrastructure with multiple power supply systems and power buses to allow for a distributed, redundant configuration that prioritizes reliability and a non-redundant configuration that maximizes capacity, enabling seamless switching between the two without altering underlying components, by modifying connections between server racks and power buses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a distributed, redundant configuration is used where each server rack is connected to two different power supply systems, then server reliability is improved, but power capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of power distribution by enabling switching between two connection patterns (first and second patterns) that alter how server racks are connected to power buses. This allows the system to transition from a static redundant configuration to a dynamic system that can adapt between reliability-oriented and capacity-oriented modes based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the connection topology parameters by switching between different connection patterns. In the first pattern, server racks connect to power buses in a manner that provides redundancy, while in the second pattern, the same physical infrastructure is reconfigured to maximize power capacity. This parameter change approach allows the same hardware to serve different operational priorities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrical infrastructure is reconfigured to switch between redundant and non-redundant modes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution infrastructure is designed with multi-functionality, where the same power buses and connection components serve dual purposes: supporting both redundant and non-redundant connection patterns. This universal design eliminates the need for separate infrastructure for different operational modes, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with multiple connection patterns and switching capabilities built into the infrastructure design. Rather than requiring complex reconfiguration actions when mode changes are needed, the switching mechanism is established in advance, allowing rapid transitions between operational modes through predetermined pathways and connection schemes.
Data Source
AI summary
A design for the electrical infrastructure of a data center enables two different configurations to be utilized, including a distributed, redundant configuration that provides higher reliability and a non-redundant configuration that provides higher capacity. In the distributed, redundant configuration, each server in the data center draws power from at least two different power supply systems. This enables load shifting when a power supply system becomes unavailable, which can have the effect of increasing server reliability. In the non-redundant configuration, each server in the data center draws power from only one power supply system. Load shifting is not utilized in the non-redundant configuration, which eliminates the need to maintain reserve capacity and thereby increases capacity. Advantageously, it is possible to switch between these two configurations without making any internal changes to the data center other than modifying connections between sets of server racks and power buses.