Server Power Module Sharing for Redundancy and Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions do not adequately provide high availability and power redundancy for servers in small- or mid-scale environments, which are desirable for reducing component costs and power conversion losses.
Innovation Solution
A server system with a baseboard management controller (BMC) and power modules (PMs) that facilitate power sharing between servers, allowing backup power supply and communication of power management assertions to alter power states, enabling efficient power management and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If servers are deployed in small-scale environments with centralized power sources, then component costs and power conversion losses are reduced, but high availability and power redundancy cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power resources across multiple servers by enabling power modules to share power capacity. When one server has excess power capacity, it can supply power to another server that needs it, effectively combining distributed power resources into a shared pool that provides both efficiency and redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The power module is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in standalone mode with its own power source, or it can dynamically switch to receiving power from another server's power module. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to provide both cost-efficient centralized power operation and high-availability redundancy as needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If centralized power sources are used, then component costs are reduced, but power redundancy for high availability cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables servers to serve each other's power needs. Instead of requiring each server to have its own redundant power supply hardware, servers self-organize to share power capacity, with each power module capable of providing backup power to another server when needed.
3Reliability
If power sharing between servers is implemented, then power redundancy and availability are enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power manager as an intermediary component that handles the complexity of power sharing. The power manager monitors power capacity, determines which servers need power, and coordinates power flow between power modules, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling sophisticated power redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where power modules continuously report their power capacity and status to the power manager. This feedback loop enables dynamic power allocation and automatic failover, maintaining system reliability while keeping management complexity centralized in the power manager rather than distributed across all components.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a device includes at least one processor, storage, a power supply unit (PSU) interlace which connects to a PSU and receives power from the PSU, and a power module (PM) including a power in interface for receiving power from at least one computer and a power out interface for providing power to at least one computer.