In-band Power Management for Shared Server Node Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management solutions for server nodes, such as the use of baseboard management controllers (BMCs) and chassis managers, increase costs and reduce node density due to space requirements and complexity, and are not compatible with in-band resource management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a software-based power capping system where one acting node performs power management for all nodes sharing a common power supply, using in-band power management logic to determine and control power levels, reducing the need for BMCs and chassis managers, and alternating the acting node responsibility among nodes to share the burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a BMC is used for power management, then power management capability is provided, but board area increases and node density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power management function from the BMC and relocates it to the node's own CPU through in-band power management. The CPU directly reads power supply status and controls power distribution without requiring the BMC, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated BMC hardware on the node board.
Solution Approach 2:
The node's CPU is made to perform multiple functions: both computing tasks and power management. By making the CPU universal for both purposes, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated power management hardware, reducing board area while maintaining power management capability.
2Reliability
If a chassis manager is used for power management, then power management capability is provided, but system complexity increases and additional costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chassis manager component entirely and implements power management directly within the node's CPU. This extraction of the management function from a separate chassis-level system and placement at the node level simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each node uses its own CPU to manage its own power consumption and communicate power status with the rack manager. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex intermediate management systems like chassis managers, reducing system complexity while maintaining effective power management.
3Reliability
If BMC and chassis manager validation is performed, then power management functionality is ensured, but development cost and validation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the power management function from BMC and chassis manager and implementing it directly in the node CPU, the patent eliminates the need for validation of these separate components. This reduces development cost and validation effort while maintaining power management functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power management function with the node's CPU, eliminating separate BMC and chassis manager components. This consolidation reduces the number of components that need validation, thereby reducing development cost and validation effort.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for node power regulation among nodes that share a power supply are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power supply unit to provide input power and a plurality of nodes coupled to receive the input power, where each node of the plurality of nodes is operable to run power management logic, and wherein two or more nodes of the plurality of nodes alternate between performing power management and providing power regulation control information to other nodes of the plurality of nodes to regulate power consumption by the plurality of nodes, with, at any one time, only one node of plurality of nodes generating the power regulation control to regulate power for the plurality of nodes.