Multi-Socket Processor Power Management via Inter-Socket Traffic Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-socket server systems, power management solutions often lead to performance reductions when one processor circuitry operates at a lower power state, causing access latency issues due to uncore module components being in a different clock/voltage domain, even if the cache is underutilized, impacting application performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power and performance management system that monitors utilization rates and active memory ratios to adjust the power state of processor circuitry, ensuring cache access efficiency by maintaining higher power states when necessary to prevent performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a processor circuitry operates at a lower power state to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but cache access latency increases causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power state adjustment where the processor circuitry's power state is changed based on real-time monitoring of inter-socket data traffic. When data traffic exceeds a threshold indicating another processor needs cache access, the system transitions to a higher power state to maintain performance. When traffic is low, the system transitions to a lower power state to save energy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making power state flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where data traffic rates between processors are continuously monitored and used to control power state transitions. The system measures inter-socket data traffic, compares it against thresholds, and adjusts power states accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that power consumption is optimized without sacrificing cache access performance when another processor requires it.
2Adaptability or versatility
If uncore module components are placed in a different clock/voltage domain to enable independent power management, then power management flexibility is improved, but access latency increases when components are in lower power states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic power state management to uncore module components, allowing them to transition between different power states based on actual usage patterns. When a processor needs to access another processor's cache, the system dynamically raises the power state of the relevant uncore components to ensure low-latency access. When access is not needed, components remain in lower power states to conserve energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (clock frequency and voltage) of uncore module components dynamically based on workload demands. By adjusting these parameters in response to data traffic patterns, the system can optimize the balance between power consumption and access latency, resolving the contradiction between power management flexibility and access performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If power state is reduced based on utilization rate alone without considering inter-socket data traffic, then energy efficiency is improved, but performance degradation occurs when another processor needs cache access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback from inter-socket data traffic monitoring to the power management decision-making process. Instead of relying solely on local processor utilization rates, the system also monitors data traffic patterns between processors. This additional feedback loop ensures that power states are adjusted only when appropriate, preventing performance degradation while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of data traffic patterns before making power state decisions. By monitoring inter-socket traffic in advance and comparing against thresholds, the system can predict when another processor will need cache access and adjust power states proactively, preventing performance issues before they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples are disclosed for managing power and performance of multi-socket processors. In some examples, a utilization rate of a first processor circuitry in a first processor socket may be determined. An active memory ratio of a cache for the first processor circuitry may be compared to a threshold ratio or a data traffic rate between the first processor circuitry and a second processor circuitry in a second processor socket may be compared to a threshold rate. According to some examples, a first power state of the first processor circuitry may be changed based on the determined utilization rate. The first power state may also be changed based on the comparison of the active memory ratio to the threshold ratio or the comparison of the data traffic rate to the threshold rate.