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 power supply systems either prioritize reliability through distributed redundant configurations or capacity through non-redundant configurations, but not both efficiently, and require significant changes to switch between these modes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow data centers to configure power supply systems and server racks in either a distributed redundant or non-redundant configuration without altering underlying infrastructure, by connecting server racks to multiple power buses, enabling load shifting in redundant configurations and maximizing capacity in non-redundant configurations.
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 applies dynamics by making the power supply configuration changeable between two states: distributed redundant configuration (each server rack connected to two different power supply systems) and non-redundant configuration (each server rack connected to one power supply system). This dynamic reconfigurability allows the system to switch between reliability-oriented and capacity-oriented modes based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between server reliability and power capacity.
2Power
If a non-redundant configuration is used where each server rack is connected to only one power supply system, then power capacity is improved, but server reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic switching between non-redundant configuration (maximizing power capacity) and distributed redundant configuration (maximizing server reliability). This dynamic capability allows operators to optimize the balance between power capacity and reliability based on real-time requirements, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the configuration between power supply systems and server racks is changed to switch between redundant and non-redundant modes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a switching fabric and control system that enables configuration changes between distributed redundant and non-redundant modes. The switching fabric is pre-configured with the necessary connectivity, and the control system is pre-programmed with the logic to execute configuration changes. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of actual configuration changes, as the infrastructure is already in place to support both modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switching fabric as an intermediary component between power supply systems and server racks. This switching fabric acts as a mediator that manages the connections and enables seamless transitions between different configuration modes. By offloading the complexity of connection management to this intermediary switching fabric, the overall system complexity is reduced while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
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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.