Power Sourcing Equipment Power Reallocation During PSU Swap
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Solution Overview
Problem
During a power supply unit (PSU) swap event in computing environments, the reduction in power flow through Ethernet cables disrupts the Power over Ethernet (PoE) to some devices, leading to potential downtime and reboot issues, as existing protocols like LLDP do not allow for reallocation of power to low priority devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to proactively reduce and reallocate power to low priority devices before a PSU swap event by negotiating with them to accept a lower power allocation, using an extended Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) with a Type-Length-Value (TLV) to manage power distribution and ensure continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is allocated to low priority devices during a PSU swap event, then device operation is maintained, but power availability for other devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary power reallocation before the PSU swap event occurs. The PSE proactively reduces power allocation to low priority devices and reallocates that power to ensure continuous operation during the upcoming swap, rather than reacting after power loss occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes power allocation parameters by negotiating with devices to modify their power requirements. The PSE adjusts power delivery parameters in real-time based on device priority and expected swap events, transforming static power allocation into a dynamic, adaptive system
2Productivity
If power reallocation negotiation is implemented with devices, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extends the existing LLDP protocol to serve multiple functions: traditional link layer discovery plus power management and reallocation negotiation. By making the protocol multi-functional, no separate communication protocol is needed, reducing overall system complexity while improving power distribution efficiency
3Loss of time
If power is reduced to low priority devices before swap, then downtime is minimized, but device functionality may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different power allocation strategies to different devices based on their priority classification. Low priority devices receive reduced power before swaps to free up power capacity, while high priority devices maintain full power allocation, ensuring their functionality is not degraded
Solution Approach 2:
Power reduction is performed preliminarily and proactively before the swap event, allowing devices to adapt to lower power requirements in advance. This prevents sudden power loss during the swap and allows for smoother transitions with minimal functional impact
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to a power sourcing equipment (PSE), and a method of reallocating power to one or more powered devices (PDs) by the PSE, before a swap event of a power supply unit (PSU). The method includes receiving an information about the swap event, determining based on the information that the swap event is expected to cause powering down of the one or more PDs, and requesting a first PD among the one or more PDs to permit the PSE to reduce an initial value of power allocated to the first PD. Further, the method includes reducing an amount of power to the first PD from the initial value to a reduced value of power based on a response from the first PD, and reallocating the reduced value of the power to the first PD to avoid powering down of the one or more PDs during the swap event.