NVDIMM Backup Cooling Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In persistent data storage systems, the power consumption of cooling systems during a T10 NVDIMM backup operation can deplete the internal UPS's backup power, limiting the duration and effectiveness of data copying from volatile to non-volatile memory.

Innovation Solution

Throttling the cooling system by disabling extraneous fans or reducing fan speed during a backup operation, allowing the UPS to preserve more power for data backup, and dynamically adjusting fan operation to prevent overheating, thereby extending the backup duration and ensuring data persistence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the cooling system operates at full capacity during backup operation, then the computing device is adequately cooled, but the internal UPS's backup power is depleted faster, limiting backup duration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidbackup operation duration

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system dynamically adjusts fan operation based on thermal conditions during backup operations. The management processor monitors temperatures and selectively activates only necessary fans, transitioning from static full-capacity cooling to dynamic demand-based cooling, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of uniformly operating all cooling fans at full capacity, the system applies cooling locally and selectively to components that actually require it during backup operations. The management processor identifies specific hot spots and activates only the fans that serve those areas, rather than running the entire cooling system at maximum capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If larger DRAM capacities are used to increase data persistence, then more data can be protected, but the power consumption during backup operation increases, depleting UPS power faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata persistence capacityVSAvoidbackup operation power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial cooling action by activating only the necessary subset of fans required to maintain thermal conditions during backup operations, rather than running all fans at full capacity. This partial action approach reduces power consumption proportionally while still providing adequate cooling for the backup process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Duration of action of moving object

If extraneous fans are disabled during backup operation, then power consumption is reduced extending backup duration, but cooling effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup operation durationVSAvoidthermal management

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The management processor implements feedback control by continuously monitoring thermal conditions during backup operations and dynamically adjusting fan activation accordingly. Temperature sensors provide feedback about actual thermal states, and the processor responds by activating or deactivating specific fans based on real-time conditions, ensuring cooling effectiveness is maintained only where and when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10725508B2Responding to data backup operation

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

Various examples described herein provide for causing operation of a cooling system of a computing device to be adjusted (e.g., reduced or disabled) during at least a portion of a backup operation, where data is copied from volatile memory of the computing device to non-volatile memory of the computing device. Some examples can be implemented with respect to a type 10 (T10) non-volatile dynamic inline memory module (NVDIMM) configuration.