UPS Controller Network Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) lack effective mechanisms to differentiate between network and non-network equipment, leading to unnecessary power cycling and potential downtime, as they often rely solely on primary servers for network connectivity checks, which can result in incorrect identification of network failures.
Innovation Solution
A power device with a controller that cycles power to outputs based on network failure detection, featuring a management interface to configure actions for network and non-network devices, and utilizing multiple servers and domain name servers to confirm network connectivity, thereby enhancing resilience and reducing unnecessary power disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the UPS relies solely on primary servers for network connectivity checks, then the system is simpler to operate, but the accuracy of network failure identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network connectivity check is segmented into multiple independent checks: primary server connectivity check and domain name server connectivity check. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between failures of specific network components versus overall network failures, improving identification accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through automated multi-layered verification.
2Reliability
If the UPS cycles power to all outputs upon detecting network failure, then network equipment may be restored, but non-network equipment suffers unnecessary power disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary classification mechanism that identifies whether connected equipment is network-dependent or non-network-dependent before executing power cycling. This intermediary step acts as a filter, ensuring that power cycling actions are only applied to network equipment that actually requires it, thereby preventing harmful power disruptions to non-network equipment while maintaining network equipment availability.
3Reliability
If the UPS performs frequent power cycling to restore network connectivity, then network availability may improve, but equipment wear and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic power cycling with adaptive timing and conditional execution. Instead of frequent fixed-interval power cycling, the UPS dynamically determines when power cycling is necessary based on actual network failure detection, and adjusts the timing and frequency of power cycling operations. This dynamic approach restores network availability only when genuinely needed, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and equipment wear from frequent power cycling.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power device includes an input configured to receive input power from a power source, power circuitry, a power output, a network module, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the power circuitry to provide output power to the power output derived from the input power and to communicate with at least one primary server via the network module. In response to a determination that communication with the primary server has failed, the controller is configured to attempt communication with a domain name server. In response to a determination that communication with the domain name server has failed, the controller is configured to identify that the network has failed.