Rail-Mounted External Power Management for Workload Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computing devices face challenges in providing desired computer-implemented services due to insufficient power supply, as hardware components require sufficient power to perform workloads effectively, and existing power management systems can limit the quality, quantity, and type of services provided.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power supply free chassis with external power components managed by a rail mounted power system, which includes a power distribution unit and power supplies mounted on vertical rails, allowing for efficient power distribution and redundancy, and using a power manager to assess power availability and make workload placement decisions based on risk assessments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If power supply units are integrated within the chassis, then power delivery is simplified, but chassis design flexibility and density are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply integrationVSAvoidchassis design flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply units are extracted from the chassis and mounted externally on the rack rails. This allows the chassis to be designed without integrated power supply constraints, enabling greater design flexibility and higher density configurations while maintaining simplified power delivery through the external power supply system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If external power components are used, then chassis design flexibility is improved, but power delivery reliability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechassis design flexibilityVSAvoidpower delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A power distribution unit acts as an intermediary between the external power supplies and the chassis components. This intermediary system ensures reliable power delivery by managing power distribution, while the external mounting provides design flexibility. The power distribution unit mediates between the external power sources and internal components to maintain reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates redundancy in the power supply configuration, with multiple power supplies that can provide backup power delivery paths. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if one external power component fails, the system maintains reliable power delivery through alternative paths, thus compensating for the inherent risks of external mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If power risk assessments are performed for each workload, then service quality is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice qualityVSAvoidpower management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power management system automatically performs risk assessments and makes placement decisions without manual intervention. The system self-evaluates power availability, assesses risks, and determines optimal workload placements autonomously, improving service quality while minimizing the operational complexity burden on users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors power availability and workload requirements, using this feedback to dynamically adjust power distribution and workload placements. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain high service quality by adapting to changing conditions while managing complexity through automated responses to monitoring data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If workload placement is based on power availability, then service reliability is improved, but operational flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkload completion likelihoodVSAvoidworkload placement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The workload placement system is dynamic, automatically adjusting placements based on real-time power availability and risk assessments. This dynamic approach ensures high reliability by matching workloads to appropriate power resources while maintaining operational flexibility through automated adaptation rather than rigid manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250306650A1External power supply management for enhancement of workload performance

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for managing performance of workloads by hardware components housed in a power supply free chassis of a rack system are disclosed. To manage the performance, a request may be obtained to perform a workload of the workloads. Based on the request, a power risk assessment for rail mounted power systems of the rack system, and a power consumption estimate for the workload, may be used to make a determination. This determination may be made regarding whether to accept the request based on the power risk assessments, the power consumption estimate, and acceptable risk criteria. In a first instance of the determination where the request is accepted, the workload may be performed using at least a portion of the hardware components. In a second instance of the determination where the request is not accepted, the request may be rejected.