Server Power-On Sequence Coordination via Mainboard-System Board Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Server systems experience malfunctions during power cycling due to independent power conversion timing and order between the mainboard and system board, leading to discrepancies in voltage levels, which can cause hardware components to be activated at different times, resulting in failures like hard disk drive failures.
Innovation Solution
A method implemented by a programmable logic device on the mainboard that coordinates power-on sequences between the mainboard and system board by selecting items from stored power-on sequence data, determining batch-processed items, and transmitting power-on notifications and result requests to ensure synchronized power-on procedures across both boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each board independently processes common power without communication, then each board can operate autonomously, but hardware components may not be activated at the same time causing server system malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power management control functions of multiple boards into a unified coordination mechanism. The mainboard's switching controller is enhanced to communicate with and coordinate the power-on sequences of system boards, transforming independent autonomous operations into a synchronized unified power management system, thereby ensuring reliable simultaneous activation of hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication mechanism between the mainboard's switching controller and system board switching controllers. This intermediary layer enables coordinated power management by allowing the mainboard to send power-on sequence instructions to system boards, ensuring synchronized activation without requiring complex direct peer-to-peer communication between all boards.
2Ease of operation
If the mainboard and system board convert common power independently, then each board can manage its own power conversion, but voltage levels may become inconsistent causing activation timing discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mainboard's switching controller monitors and coordinates the power conversion status of system boards. By receiving feedback on power conversion progress and voltage levels, the mainboard can adjust and synchronize the power-on sequences to ensure consistent voltage levels across all boards, preventing activation timing discrepancies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the mainboard's switching controller pre-coordinate power-on sequences with system boards before actual power conversion begins. The mainboard sends advance instructions to system boards about the intended power-on timing and voltage levels, allowing them to prepare their conversion processes accordingly, thereby ensuring voltage level consistency from the start.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing power supply for a server system includes steps of: A) selecting a to-be-processed item from among first power-on items of first power-on sequence data, and determining whether there is at least one batch-processed item among second power-on items of second power-on sequence data according to the to-be-processed item; B) when it is determined that there is at least one batch-processed item, performing a power-on procedure related to the to-be-processed item and transmitting a power-on notification to a system board; C) transmitting a result request to the system board; D) in response to receipt of a power-on result responded by the system board, determining whether at least one power-on state indicates success; and E) when it is determined that the at least one power-on state indicates success, repeating steps A) to D) until all of the first power-on items have been selected.