Thermal Control System Based on Nonlinear Zonal Fan Operation and Optimized Fan Power

A method comprising:

• retrieving pre-characterization data corresponding to a fan that cools one or more components included in a computer system, wherein the pre-characterization data includes a plurality of operational zones that are each based upon a plurality of fan power measurements corresponding to a plurality of fan speed settings, and wherein each of the plurality of operational zones is categorized based upon an average fan power requirement within each of the plurality of operational zones;
• setting the fan to a first speed setting within a first operational zone included in the plurality of operational zones;
• detecting, in response to setting the fan to the first speed setting, that one of the components generates a temperature change value that exceeds a specified temperature change value;
• selecting, in response to the detecting, a second operational zone from the plurality of operational zones;
• setting the fan to a second speed setting within the second operational zone, wherein the second speed setting is a highest fan speed setting within the second operational zone;
• determining, while the fan is operating at the highest fan speed setting, that none of the one or more components generates a subsequent temperature change value that exceeds their corresponding specified temperature change values;
• and
• selecting the first operational zone and setting the fan to a subsequent highest fan speed setting corresponding to the first operational zone, wherein the subsequent highest fan speed setting corresponding to the first operational zone is slower than the highest fan speed setting corresponding to the second operational zone.