U.S. patent application number 14/742255 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-22 for identifying an outlet of a power distribution unit based on a power rating of an electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Shareef F. Alshinnawi, Gary D. Cudak, Edward S. Suffern, J. Mark Weber.
Application Number | 20160371955 14/742255 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57483992 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160371955 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alshinnawi; Shareef F. ; et
al. |
December 22, 2016 |
IDENTIFYING AN OUTLET OF A POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT BASED ON A POWER
RATING OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
A system includes an electronic device including a baseboard
management controller (BMC), a power supply unit (PSU), and an
external connector, wherein the BMC controls a serial communication
bus, and the external connector includes AC voltage contacts and
serial communication bus contacts. A power distribution unit (PDU)
includes multiple outlets, a management entity, a radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag reader, and a visual indicator. A power
cable includes a first plug end for coupling to the external
connector, a second plug end for coupling to one of the outlets, AC
voltage wires extending end-to-end, a read/write RFID tag in the
second plug end, and communication wires extending from the first
plug end to the read/write RFID tag. Coupling the first plug end to
the external connector connects the AC voltage and connects the
serial communication bus such that the BMC is in serial
communication with the read/write RFID tag.
Inventors: |
Alshinnawi; Shareef F.;
(Apex, NC) ; Cudak; Gary D.; (Wake Forest, NC)
; Suffern; Edward S.; (Durham, NC) ; Weber; J.
Mark; (Wake Forest, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. |
Singapore |
|
SG |
|
|
Family ID: |
57483992 |
Appl. No.: |
14/742255 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 21/182 20130101;
H05K 7/1498 20130101; G06F 13/4068 20130101; G06F 1/189 20130101;
G06F 1/266 20130101; H05K 7/1492 20130101; H01R 25/003 20130101;
G06F 13/4282 20130101; G06K 7/10237 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/18 20060101
G08B021/18; G06F 13/42 20060101 G06F013/42; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10; G06F 13/40 20060101 G06F013/40 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: an electronic device including a baseboard
management controller, a power supply unit, and an external
connector, wherein the baseboard management controller controls a
serial communication bus, and wherein the external connector
includes first contacts connected for providing AC voltage to the
power supply and second contacts providing communication with the
serial communication bus; a power distribution unit including a
plurality of outlets, a management entity, a radio frequency
identification tag reader connected for providing input to the
management entity, and at least one visual indicator controlled by
the management entity; a power cable including a first plug end for
selectively coupling to the external connector of the electronic
device, a second plug end for selectively coupling to one of the
plurality of outlets of the power distribution unit, AC voltage
wires extending from the first plug end to the second plug end, a
read/write radio frequency identification tag in the second plug
end, and communication wires extending from the first plug end to
the read/write radio frequency identification tag, wherein coupling
the first plug end to the external connector connects the AC
voltage wires to the first contacts and connects the communication
wires to the second contacts such that the baseboard management
controller is serial communication with the read/write radio
frequency identification tag.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power supply unit stores a
power supply unit power rating and the management entity stores a
power distribution unit power rating.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the baseboard management
controller sends the power supply unit power rating to the
read/write radio frequency identification tag in the power cable,
and wherein the radio frequency identification tag reader
wirelessly reads the power supply unit power rating from the
read/write radio frequency identification tag.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the management entity obtains a
power supply unit power rating for each electronic device receiving
power from one of the outlets.
5. The system of claim 4, further comprising: a visual indicator on
the power distribution unit, wherein the management entity controls
the visual indicator to indicate whether the power distribution
unit power rating is greater than the sum of the power supply unit
power ratings of each electronic device receiving power from one of
the outlets and the power supply unit power rating read from the
read/write radio frequency identification tag.
6. The system of claim 4, further comprising: a plurality of visual
indicators on the power distribution unit, each visual indicator
positioned adjacent one of the plurality of outlets, wherein the
management entity controls the plurality of visual indicators to
identify one or more of the outlets where the second plug end may
be coupled to provide the electronic device with power from the
power distribution unit without the sum of the power supply unit
power ratings of each electronic device receiving power from one of
the outlets and the power supply unit power rating read from the
read/write radio frequency identification tag exceeding the power
distribution unit power rating.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of outlets includes
a first subset of at least two outlets supplying power from a first
electrical phase, a second subset of at least two outlets supplying
power from a second electrical phase, and a third subset of at
least two outlets supplying power from a third electrical phase,
and wherein the system further comprises: a plurality of visual
indicators on the power distribution unit, wherein one of the
visual indicators is positioned adjacent each one of the plurality
of outlets, wherein the management entity controls the plurality of
visual indicators to identify one or more of the outlets where the
second plug end may be coupled to provide the electronic device
with power from the power distribution unit while achieving a
greater balance of total power supply unit power ratings among the
first, second and third phase.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a cable detector in
communication with the baseboard management controller for
detecting that the first plug end of the power cable has been
coupled to the external connector.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the serial communication bus is
an inter-integrated circuit bus.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a battery providing
auxiliary power to the baseboard management controller prior to the
electronic device receiving AC voltage from the power distribution
unit.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a
server.
12-17. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to distributing power to a
plurality of electronic devices without tripping a circuit
breaker.
[0003] Background of the Related Art
[0004] A large computing system may consume a large amount of
electrical power. The various components responsible for supplying
the power to each entity in the computing cluster are referred to
collectively as a power distribution system. The power distribution
system may be specifically designed for the demands of a particular
computing system. It is important to avoid overloading an
electrical phase, a circuit breaker, or a power distribution
unit.
[0005] While the original design and installation of a complex
computing system may adequately account for proper loading of the
power distribution system, the loading of the power distribution
system may be altered over time as servers, switches, storage
devices and other electronic devices are added, removed, replaced
and reconfigured. The power distribution infrastructure, such as
the circuit breakers and power distribution units, will usually
remain unchanged since the power distribution units typically have
unused outlets. However, even with the availability of PDU outlets,
there may not be sufficient power capacity in a given PDU or
particular circuit on a PDU in order to power new or additional
devices. Swapping out an old electronic device with a new higher
power model can also change the dynamics and requirements of the
power infrastructure without using any additional outlets.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a system
comprising an electronic device including a baseboard management
controller, a power supply unit, and an external connector, wherein
the baseboard management controller controls a serial communication
bus, and wherein the external connector includes first contacts
connected for providing AC voltage to the power supply and second
contacts providing communication with the serial communication bus.
The system further comprises a power distribution unit including a
plurality of outlets, a management entity, a radio frequency
identification tag reader connected for providing input to the
management entity, and at least one visual indicator controlled by
the management entity. Still further, the system comprises a power
cable including a first plug end for selectively coupling to the
external connector of the electronic device, a second plug end for
selectively coupling to one of the plurality of outlets of the
power distribution unit, AC voltage wires extending from the first
plug end to the second plug end, a read/write radio frequency
identification tag in the second plug end, and communication wires
extending from the first plug end to the read/write radio frequency
identification tag. Coupling the first plug end to the external
connector connects the AC voltage wires to the first contacts and
connects the communication wires to the second contacts such that
the baseboard management controller is in serial communication with
the read/write radio frequency identification tag.
[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
method comprising providing a power supply unit power rating to a
read/write radio frequency identification tag of a power cable
coupled to the power supply unit and a radio frequency
identification tag reader of a power distribution unit wirelessly
reading the power supply unit power rating from the read/write
radio frequency identification tag prior to coupling the power
cable to the power distribution unit. The method further comprises
a management entity determining whether the power distribution unit
has a sufficient power available to supply the power supply unit
with an amount of power equal to the power supply unit power rating
without exceeding a power distribution unit power rating.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system including a server, a power
distribution unit, and a power cable that can be used to connect
the server to the power distribution unit.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the server coupled to a first plug of
the power cable.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a second plug of the power cable in
proximity of the power distribution unit without being coupled to
the power distribution unit.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] One embodiment of the present invention provides a system
comprising an electronic device including a baseboard management
controller (BMC), a power supply unit (PSU), and an external
connector, wherein the baseboard management controller controls a
serial communication bus, and wherein the external connector
includes first contacts connected for providing AC voltage to the
power supply and second contacts providing communication with the
serial communication bus. The system further comprises a power
distribution unit (PDU) including a plurality of outlets, a
management entity, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag
reader connected for providing input to the management entity, and
at least one visual indicator controlled by the management entity.
Still further, the system comprises a power cable including a first
plug end for selectively coupling to the external connector of the
electronic device (i.e., a PSU end of the power cable), a second
plug end for selectively coupling to one of the plurality of
outlets of the power distribution unit (i.e., a PDU end of the
power cable), AC voltage wires extending from the first plug end to
the second plug end, a read/write radio frequency identification
tag in the second plug end, and communication wires extending from
the first plug end to the read/write radio frequency identification
tag. Coupling the first plug end to the external connector connects
the AC voltage wires to the first contacts and connects the
communication wires to the second contacts such that the baseboard
management controller is in serial communication with the
read/write radio frequency identification tag.
[0013] The electronic device may be any of a wide variety of
electronically power devices including, without limitation,
servers, multi-node chassis, network switches, and data storage
devices. The power supply unit (PSU) converts AC voltage to DC
voltage that is used by the electronic device. Since the electronic
device cannot consume any greater amount of power than the one or
more power supply units that provide power to the electronic
device, the power rating(s) of the one or more power supply units
represent the maximum amount of power or load that may be placed on
the power distribution unit.
[0014] In a further embodiment, the power supply unit may store a
power supply unit power rating and the management entity in the
power distribution unit may store a power distribution unit power
rating. The baseboard management controller may access and send the
power supply unit power rating to the read/write radio frequency
identification tag, such that the radio frequency identification
tag reader may wirelessly read the power supply unit power rating
from the read/write radio frequency identification tag. Optionally,
each end of the power cable may contain a register for storing
power rating data as it is transmitted and provided to the
read/write radio frequency identification tag.
[0015] Still further, the management entity, such as an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), may obtain a power supply unit
power rating for each electronic device that is already receiving
power from one of the outlets of the power distribution unit. It is
then possible for the management entity to determine the maximum
amount of power that may be drawn from the power distribution unit
by the currently connected electronic devices and how much, if any,
power is still available for an additional electronic device
without exceeding the power distribution unit power rating.
Accordingly, the management entity may control a visual indicator
on the power distribution unit to indicate whether the power
distribution unit power rating is greater than the sum of the power
supply unit power ratings of each electronic device receiving power
from one of the outlets and the power supply unit power rating read
from the read/write radio frequency identification tag.
Alternatively, the power distribution unit may include a plurality
of visual indicators that are each positioned adjacent to one of
the plurality of outlets, such that the management entity may
control the plurality of visual indicators to identify one or more
of the outlets where the second plug end may be coupled to provide
the electronic device with power from the power distribution unit
without the sum of the power supply unit power ratings of each
electronic device receiving power from one of the outlets and the
power supply unit power rating read from the read/write radio
frequency identification tag exceeding the power distribution unit
power rating.
[0016] In another embodiment, the plurality of outlets on the power
distribution unit may include a first subset of at least two
outlets supplying power from a first electrical phase, a second
subset of at least two outlets supplying power from a second
electrical phase, and a third subset of at least two outlets
supplying power from a third electrical phase. In this instance,
each subset of outlets may have its own power rating or maximum
power limit to observe in accordance with the methods described
herein. Optionally, the power distribution units may include a
plurality of visual indicators, such that there is a visual
indicator positioned adjacent to each of the plurality of outlets.
The management entity may control the plurality of visual
indicators to identify one or more of the outlets where the second
plug end may be coupled to provide the electronic device with power
from the power distribution unit while achieving a greater balance
of total power supply unit power ratings among the first, second
and third phases. Preferably, the management entity will also
indicate whether the identified outlet can supply enough power to
meet the power supply unit power rating without causing the phase
from exceeding its power rating, which is functionally the same as
a power distribution unit power rating.
[0017] In accordance with various embodiments, the baseboard
management controller may be in communication with a cable detector
for detecting that the first plug end of the power cable has been
coupled to the external connector. Optionally, the baseboard
management controller may then use the serial communication bus,
such as inter-integrated circuit bus, to send the power supply unit
power rating to the read/write radio frequency identification tag
at the second plug end of the power cable.
[0018] Embodiments of the present invention enable the management
entity of the power distribution unit to determine, prior to
coupling a power cable from the electronic device to the power
distribution unit, whether the power distribution unit can supply
an electronic device with power to the full extent of its power
supply unit power rating. Accordingly, the electronic device does
not yet have access to AC voltage from the power distribution unit.
In one option, the system may include a battery providing auxiliary
power to the BMC prior to the electronic device receiving AC
voltage from the power distribution unit. The battery may be a
battery dedicated to providing the power supply unit power rating
to the read/write radio frequency identification tag in accordance
with the methods described herein. Alternatively, the battery may
be a battery backup included in the power supply unit, such as an
uninterruptible power supply. With either type of battery, it is
possible to divide power usage within the BMC so that only those
functions of the BMC related to providing the power rating to the
RFID tag are powered by the battery. Full functionality of the BMC
may be delayed until AC power has been applied to the PSU via the
power cable. The function of the BMC related to providing the power
rating to the RFID tag include reading the power rating from the
PSU, detecting that a power cable has been connected to the
electronic device, and writing the power rating into the RFID
circuit in the cable.
[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
method comprising providing a power supply unit power rating to a
read/write radio frequency identification tag of a power cable
coupled to the power supply unit and a radio frequency
identification tag reader of a power distribution unit wirelessly
reading the power supply unit power rating from the read/write
radio frequency identification tag prior to coupling the power
cable to the power distribution unit. The method further comprises
a management entity determining whether the power distribution unit
has a sufficient power available to supply the power supply unit
with an amount of power equal to the power supply unit power rating
without exceeding a power distribution unit power rating.
[0020] In various embodiments, the method may further comprise
obtaining a power rating for each of a plurality of other power
supply units already coupled to the power distribution unit,
wherein the amount of power available is equal to the power
distribution unit power rating less a sum of the power ratings for
each of the plurality of other power supply units already coupled
to the power distribution unit. In one option, the method may then
energize a visual indicator adjacent to one of a plurality outlets
in the power distribution unit that can supply an amount of power
equal to or greater than the power rating of the electronic device.
In another option, the method may supply power from a first
electrical phase to a first subset of outlets in the power
distribution unit, supply power from a second electrical phase to
the second subset of outlets of outlets in the power distribution
unit, supply power from a third electrical phase to the third
subset of outlets of outlets in the power distribution unit, and
energize a visual indicator adjacent to an outlet to which the
power supply unit may be connected while achieving a greater
balance of total power supply unit power ratings among the first,
second and third phases.
[0021] In one non-limiting example, a PDU has six outlets and is
able to supply six times 750 watts or 4500 watts of total power.
However, if five servers are already connected to the PDU, with
four servers each consuming 900 watts according to the
Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) power rating and a fifth server
consuming 750 watts. According to this example, only 150 watts of
power remains to be supplied by the PDU before the PDU would exceed
its PDU power rating of 4500 watts. If another 750 watt power
supply of a sixth server were allowed to be connected to the PDU,
the PDU circuit breaker would activate and the five powered servers
would be powered off, thereby disrupting the normal server
operation. Therefore, when the IT specialist tries to connect the
cable, the PDU management entity uses an RFID reader to read the
RFID tag in the PDU end of the power cable. Since the power rating
indicated by the RFID tag is 750 watts, the current power
consumption of 4350 watts would increase to 5100 watts if the
server was connected to the PDU. However, since 5100 watts exceeds
the PDU power rating of 4500 watts, a red LED adjacent to the
available PDU outlet is illuminated indicating that this PDU outlet
cannot be used to power this server. An outlet on another PDU needs
to be found.
[0022] In a further embodiment, the method may further comprise
detecting that a power cable has been inserted into the power
supply unit of the electronic device, wherein the power supply unit
power rating is provided to the read/write radio frequency
identification tag in response to detecting that the power cable
has been plugged into the power supply unit.
[0023] Optionally, the power supply unit power rating may be
provided to a read/write radio frequency identification tag of the
power cable coupled to the power supply unit by transmitting the
power supply unit power rating over a serial communication bus that
extends through the power cable to the read/write radio frequency
identification tag. When the power cable is coupled to the external
connector of the power supply unit, the serial communication bus is
extended by virtue of contact between communication wires in the
power cable and the existing serial communication bus controlled by
the baseboard management controller.
[0024] Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a computer
program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable
storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the
program instructions executable by a processor to cause the
processor to perform a method. One such method comprises providing
a power supply unit power rating to a read/write radio frequency
identification tag of a power cable coupled to the power supply
unit, a radio frequency identification tag reader of a power
distribution unit wirelessly reading the power supply unit power
rating from the read/write radio frequency identification tag prior
to coupling the power cable to the power distribution unit, and a
management entity determining whether the power distribution unit
has a sufficient power available to supply the power supply unit
with an amount of power equal to the power supply unit power rating
without exceeding a power distribution unit power rating.
[0025] The foregoing computer program products may further include
computer readable program code for implementing or initiating any
one or more aspects of the methods described herein. Accordingly, a
separate description of the methods will not be duplicated in the
context of a computer program product.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 10 including a server 20, a
power distribution unit 40, and a power cable 60 that can be used
to connect the server 20 to the power distribution unit 40. The
server 20 has an external connector 22 with three prongs 24 for an
AC voltage connection, a pair of contacts 26 for a cable detection
circuit, and a pair of contacts 28 for extending a serial
communication bus.
[0027] The power cable 60 may be interchangeably used with a
variety of servers or other electronic devices and a variety of
power distribution units. The power cable 60 has a first plug end
62 for selectively coupling with the external connector 22 of the
server 20 and a second plug end 64 for selectively coupling with
one of the outlets 42 of the power distribution unit 40. The first
plug end 62 includes three receptacles 65 for engaging with the
three prongs 24, a conductive strip 66 for bridging the pair of
contacts 26 to close a cable detect circuit, and a pair of contacts
68 that engage the pair of contacts 28 for extending the serial
communication bus. While not shown in FIG. 1, the power cable 60
includes three conductive wires for carrying AC voltage and/or
ground from the three receptacles 65 at the first plug end 62 to
three prongs 70 at the second plug end 64. In addition, the power
cable 60 includes a pair of communication wires that extend through
the power cable 60 from the pair of contacts 68 at the first plug
end 62 to a read/write radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 72
at the second plug end 64.
[0028] The power distribution unit (PDU) 40 receives power from a
power source through an input cable 44 and distributes that power
among the six outlets 42, although the number of outlets may vary.
Each outlet 42 includes receptacles 46 for engaging the prongs 70
of the second plug end 64. The power distribution unit 40 also
includes a radio frequency identification tag reader 48 and a
plurality of visual indicators 50, such a light-emitting diodes. As
shown, the power distribution unit 40 has one visual indicator 50
adjacent each of the outlets 42, although fewer or more visual
indicators may be included in one or more embodiments. For example,
a single visual indicator adjacent a given outlet 42 may be in
either an ON state or an OFF state to indicate that the outlet 42
CAN or CANNOT provide the server 20 with enough power to satisfy
the server's power supply unit power rating. Alternatively, the PDU
40 could have two visual indicators adjacent each outlet 42 such
that, for example, a green LED could be turned ON to indicate that
the outlet CAN supply enough power and a red LED could be turned ON
to indicate that the outlet CANNOT supply enough power.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the server 20 coupled to a first plug
end 62 of the power cable 60. As shown, the pair of serial
communication bus contacts 28 of the external connector 22 are
engaged with the pair of communication wire contacts 68 of the
first plug end 62. Similarly, the pair of cable detection contacts
26 of the external connector 22 are engaged with the conductive
strip 66 of the first plug end 62. Furthermore, the prongs 24 of
the external connector 22 are engaged with the receptacles 65 of
the first plug end 62. While the prongs 24 and receptacles 65 will
eventually be used to carry an AC voltage supply over the power
lines 69 to the power supply unit 35, no power is supplies until
the second plug end is coupled to the power distribution unit.
[0030] The server 20 includes a baseboard management controller
(BMC) 30 that can detect the connection of the first plug end 62 to
the external connector 22 via the cable detection lines 31 and can
output a power rating to the power cable via the wires of the
serial communication bus 32. The baseboard management controller 30
can receive auxiliary power from the battery 33 of the power supply
unit (PSU) 35. Accordingly, the baseboard management controller 30
is able to read the power supply unit power rating 34 that may be
stored in ROM on the power supply unit 35. Optionally, the power
rating may be encoded to simplify communication. Such an encoded
power rating may be, for example, a binary signal 37. For example,
an encoded signal of "00" may be predetermined to mean a 350 watt
power rating, "01" may be predetermined to mean a 500 watt power
rating, "10" may be predetermined to mean a 750 watt power rating,
and "11" may be predetermined to mean a 900 watt power rating.
Therefore, only two binary digits are necessary to distinguish
among four different power ratings. Alternatively, the power rating
may be read as an exact number of watts.
[0031] According to various embodiments of the present invention,
the baseboard management controller 30 may output the power rating
on the serial communication bus ("I.sup.2C" as an example) 32
through the contacts 28, 68 and over the communication wires 67 to
be written to an RFID tag 72 at the second plug end of the cable
(shown in FIG. 3). In fact, the RFID tag can be written and
re-written in case the cable is unplugged and used with a different
server or other electronic device.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the second plug end 64 of the power
cable in proximity of the power distribution unit 40 without being
coupled to the power distribution unit. The second plug end 64
includes the read/write RFID tag 72 coupled to the communication
wires 67 that form an extension of the serial communication bus
from the baseboard management controller. Accordingly, the
read/write RFID tag 72 receives the power rating for the power
supply unit 35 (shown in FIG. 2) from the baseboard management
controller 30 (shown in FIG. 2). The second plug end 64 further
includes the prongs 70 that will selectively engage receptacles 46
of one of the outlets 42 to supply power over the power cable 60 to
the server 20 (shown in FIG. 2).
[0033] The PDU 40 includes a management entity 52 that stores power
rating data, for example in a table 54 or other data structure,
identifying each PDU outlet 42 and the power supply unit power
rating for the electronic device connected to each PDU outlet 42.
For example, the PDU outlets 42 may be identified in the table by a
number, where the six outlets are numbered in numerical order (1-6)
from the top to the bottom of the power distribution unit. Note
that the various power supply unit power ratings are based on the
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label rating of the server, not on
the actual amount of power consumed. As shown, various servers and
other electronic devices 74 are already connected via power cables
76 to five of the outlets 42 (Outlets 2-6) and the power ratings of
the power supply units in those devices 74 are reflected in the
second column of the table 54. The management entity 52 also stores
the PDU power rating 56 (for example, 4500 watts) which represents
the maximum amount of power that can be supplied by the PDU 40. The
management entity 52 has preferably obtained the power ratings from
the other servers and other electronic devices 74 (see column 2 of
table 54) in the same manner described for the server 20.
Accordingly, the management entity 52 is able to calculate a total
of the power ratings for devices already connected to the PDU
outlets 42 (for example, 4350 watts). This allows the PDU
management entity to know the remaining power available (in this
example, 4500-4350=150 watts available).
[0034] When the RFID tag 72 comes into the proximity of the PDU 40,
the RFID reader 48 reads the content of the RFID tag 72. If the
power rating in RFID tag 72 is encoded, then the management entity
52 must decode the power rating before determining an amount of
power available. Consistent with a previous example, if the RFID
tag 72 contains the binary code "10" this may be interpreted to
indicate a 750 watt power rating, whereas a binary code "11" may be
interpreted to mean a 900 watt power rating. Regardless of whether
the power rating was encoded or not, the management entity 52 may
now determine whether it can supply an amount of power equal to the
power rating without causing the sum of all power supply unit power
ratings exceeding the PDU power rating. In the present example, if
the server 20 (see FIG. 2) coupled to the power cable 60 has a
power supply unit power rating of 750 watts, then the management
entity 52 can determine that the sum of the power ratings for the
servers and other electronic devices 74 already connected to the
outlets (4350 watts) and the power rating for the proposed new
server 20 (750 watts) would exceed the PDU power rating (4500
watts) by 600 watts. Accordingly, the management entity 52 may use
the visual indicator 50 adjacent the available outlet 42 (Outlet
#1) to indicate that the power cable 60 should NOT be coupled to
the available outlet 42. Other visual indicator schemes may be
implemented as described herein.
[0035] If the PDU 40 has multiple electrical phases (i.e., 3
phases) distributed among the total number of outlets (6 outlets),
the management entity may perform a load balancing function by
directing the user to plug in the additional electronic device to
an outlet that is on a phase/circuit that is carrying less load.
For example, if Outlets 1-2 are on a first phase with a phase power
rating of 1500 watts (and a 750 watt server already coupled to
Outlet 2), Outlets 3-4 are on a second phase with a phase power
rating of 1500 watts (and a 900 watt server already coupled to
Outlet 4), Outlets 5-6 are on a third phase with a phase power
rating of 1500 watts (and a 900 watt server already coupled to
Outlet 6), then the management entity will use a visual indicator
to indicate that the new 750 watt server should be coupled to
Outlet 1 since the first phase is the only phase with 750 watts of
power available and Outlet 2 is already in use.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method 80 in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. In step 82, the method
provides a power supply unit power rating to a read/write radio
frequency identification tag of a power cable coupled to the power
supply unit. In step 84, a radio frequency identification tag
reader of a power distribution unit wirelessly reads the power
supply unit power rating from the read/write radio frequency
identification tag prior to coupling the power cable to the power
distribution unit. Then, in step 86, a management entity determines
whether the power distribution unit has a sufficient power
available to supply the power supply unit with an amount of power
equal to the power supply unit power rating without exceeding a
power distribution unit power rating.
[0037] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of
the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or
computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present
invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an
entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident
software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and
hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a
"circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, aspects of the
present invention may take the form of a computer program product
embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer
readable program code embodied thereon.
[0038] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s)
may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer
readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A
computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would
include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of
the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable
storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or
store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction
execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0039] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein,
for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any
computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage
medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program
for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device.
[0040] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited
to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for
carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be
written in any combination of one or more programming languages,
including an object oriented programming language such as Java,
Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming
languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar
programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the
user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone
software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a
remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In
the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the
user's computer through any type of network, including a local area
network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may
be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet
using an Internet Service Provider).
[0041] Aspects of the present invention may be described with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program
instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0042] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other
programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored
in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture
including instructions which implement the function/act specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0043] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0044] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more
executable instructions for implementing the specified logical
function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of
the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in
succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or
the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,
depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams
and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special
purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions
or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions.
[0045] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups, but do not
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof. The terms "preferably," "preferred," "prefer,"
"optionally," "may," and similar terms are used to indicate that an
item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not
required) feature of the invention.
[0046] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to
the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
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