Network Life Support Protocol for Data Center Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in efficiently managing energy conservation during emergency situations, such as natural disasters or power grid failures, where proactive and aggressive energy reduction is necessary without compromising critical services.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implementable method and system that monitors the status of interconnected devices in a data center network, determines if a life support event is occurring, prioritizes devices and services, and implements a life support protocol to conserve energy by disabling non-essential devices and optimizing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If aggressive energy conservation is implemented during emergency situations, then energy consumption is reduced, but service continuity and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into critical and non-critical devices based on predefined criteria. During emergency situations, only critical devices maintain full operation while non-critical devices are placed on life support with reduced functionality. This segmentation allows aggressive energy conservation without compromising essential services.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of devices by transitioning them between normal and life support states. In life support state, devices operate with reduced power consumption and limited functionality, enabling energy conservation while maintaining basic operational capability for critical services.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If devices are placed on life support to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but device functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different quality levels of operation are applied locally to different devices based on their criticality. Critical devices maintain full functionality while non-critical devices operate in life support mode with limited functionality. This local differentiation optimizes power consumption without unnecessarily limiting essential device operations.
3Reliability
If proactive monitoring and prioritization are implemented, then appropriate life support decisions are made, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Device prioritization and criticality assessment are performed in advance before emergency situations occur. Predefined criteria and classification schemes are established beforehand, enabling rapid and appropriate life support decisions without requiring complex real-time analysis during emergencies.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods and a system for placing a network and devices in life support when it is determined that a network event necessitates such. Interconnected devices on the network are monitored, devices providing status such as temperature. Based on status, a life support event is determined. If it is determined that life support is needed, devices and services are prioritized. Monitoring is performed as to changes in the network and devices. The network and devices are returned to normal operation if the monitoring determines a normal status.