Server Rack Management Module for Centralized Power and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional server rack systems have poor energy-saving effectiveness and high manufacturing costs due to independent power supply and cooling systems for each server, which are not efficiently managed.
Innovation Solution
A server rack system with an integrated management module (IMM) that centralizes management of servers and rack internal devices through network switches, allowing for coordinated power and cooling management, replacing individual power supplies and fans with power supply units and fan units that can be controlled and monitored centrally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each server has independent power supply and cooling systems, then each server can operate autonomously, but manufacturing cost increases and energy-saving effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent power supplies into shared power supply units and multiple independent fans into shared fan units that can serve multiple servers. The management module coordinates resource allocation among servers, allowing them to share infrastructure while maintaining autonomous operational control through virtualization and resource management software.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply units and fan units are designed as universal components that can serve multiple servers simultaneously. The management module provides multi-functional capabilities including power distribution, cooling control, monitoring, and resource allocation across the entire server rack system, replacing multiple specialized components with fewer universal ones.
2Reliability
If each server has independent power supply and cooling systems, then each server can operate autonomously, but energy-saving effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The management module implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor power consumption and cooling requirements of each server. Based on this real-time data, the system dynamically adjusts power distribution and fan speeds to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining autonomous server operation. The system learns from usage patterns and adapts resource allocation to minimize energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, dedicated power and cooling provisions to dynamic, adjustable shared resources. The management module can reallocate power and cooling capacity in real-time based on actual server needs, allowing servers to scale resources up or down dynamically. This dynamic approach enables energy savings during low-utilization periods while maintaining autonomous operation when needed.
3Temperature
If multiple small fans are used for heat dissipation in each server, then cooling effectiveness is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small fan units into larger, more efficient fan units that can cool multiple servers simultaneously. The shared fan units are strategically positioned to create effective airflow patterns that dissipate heat from multiple server racks, reducing the total number of fans needed while maintaining or improving cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of cooling from multiple small-scale fans to fewer large-scale fans with higher airflow capacity. The management module adjusts fan speed, airflow direction, and cooling capacity as controllable parameters to optimize thermal management. This parameter transformation allows achieving the same cooling effect with fewer, more efficient components.
4Power
If multiple AC-to-DC power supplies are used in each server, then power conversion is ensured, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple AC-to-DC power supplies into shared power supply units that can serve multiple servers. These consolidated power supply units incorporate redundancy and load-balancing capabilities, ensuring that power conversion requirements are met while reducing the total component count. The management module coordinates power distribution to maintain reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply units are designed as universal, multi-functional components that can serve multiple servers with different power requirements. The units incorporate adjustable output parameters and intelligent power management capabilities, allowing a single power supply unit to replace multiple dedicated power supplies while ensuring adequate power conversion for all connected servers.
Data Source
AI summary
A server rack system includes a first network switch, a second network switch, servers, a rack internal device, and an integrated management module (IMM). Management network ports of baseboard management controllers (BMCs) of the servers are connected to the first network switch. A management network port of the rack internal device is connected to the second network switch. A first management network port and a second management network port of the IMM are respectively connected to the first network switch and the second network switch. The IMM communicates with the BMCs of the servers through the first network switch, so as to obtain operation states of the servers, or control operations of the servers. The IMM communicates with the rack internal device through the second network switch, so as to obtain an operation state of the rack internal device, or control an operation of the rack internal device.