Remote Power Management for Server Duty Cycle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data centers lack the ability to selectively limit power usage of server computers in an aggregated fashion, leading to wasted energy, and require new hardware or software agents to manage power effectively, along with the need for user-customized power management policies.
Innovation Solution
A system that remotely manages electric power usage of target computers by a remote management computer connected over a communications link, using a power controller to adjust duty cycles and power distribution based on user input data, including priority assignments and power zone settings, to maintain total group power usage within predetermined limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power usage of server computers is limited in an aggregated fashion, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for new hardware or software agents
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service power management by having the data center itself monitor and control power consumption through existing infrastructure. The remote management computer coordinates with local controllers to automatically adjust server power usage based on aggregate limits, without requiring external hardware modifications or complex software agents on each server.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote management computer serves multiple functions: it monitors aggregate power consumption, enforces power limits, schedules power management actions, and coordinates with individual server controllers. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated power management hardware or software agents, reducing overall system complexity while achieving energy efficiency goals.
2Device complexity
If power management policies are implemented without new hardware, then device complexity is reduced, but power control capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a remote management computer as an intermediary that coordinates power management across multiple servers. This intermediary communicates with individual server controllers through existing communication infrastructure, enabling sophisticated aggregate power control and scheduling capabilities without requiring new hardware at the server level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts power management from the individual server dimension to the aggregate data center dimension. By managing power consumption at the group level through the remote management computer, the system achieves enhanced control capability and flexibility without modifying individual servers, effectively adding a new layer of management abstraction.
3Loss of energy
If aggregate power limits are enforced, then energy efficiency is improved, but productivity may worsen due to reduced computing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts individual server power consumption and operational status based on aggregate power limits and scheduling policies. Rather than static power allocation, the remote management computer continuously monitors and reallocates power resources, adjusting duty cycles and operational priorities to maintain productivity within power constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic scheduling of power management actions, where servers are cycled between operational and reduced-power states according to scheduled intervals and priorities. This periodic action allows the system to meet aggregate power limits while ensuring that critical computing functions maintain adequate capacity, balancing energy efficiency with productivity requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a system for remotely managing electric power usage of a plurality of target computers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of target computers arranged in a group, each using electric power at a rate associated with a corresponding duty cycle and power rating. A remote management computer is communicatively connected to the group of target computers and operative to receive user input data including a total group power usage limit and a priority assignment, minimum duty cycle setting, and/or power zone setting for at least one of the target computers. A power controller is operative to remotely control the power usage of the target computers according to the corresponding user input data, to cause the total group power usage to be at or below the group power usage limit.