US 7,032,119 B2Granted

Dynamic power and workload management for multi-server system

AssigneeAmphus, Inc.

InventorHenry T. Fung

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Abstract

Network architecture, computer system and/or server, circuit, device, apparatus, method, and computer program and control mechanism for managing power consumption and workload in computer system and data and information servers. Further provides power and energy consumption and workload management and control systems and architectures for high-density and modular multi-server computer systems that maintain performance while conserving energy and method for power management and workload management. Dynamic server power management and optional dynamic workload management for multi-server environments is provided by aspects of the invention. Modular network devices and integrated server system, including modular servers, management units, switches and switching fabrics, modular power supplies and modular fans and a special backplane architecture are provided as well as dynamically reconfigurable multi-purpose modules and servers. Backplane architecture, structure, and method that has no active components and separate power supply lines and protection to provide high reliability in server environment.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A computer system comprising:

a plurality of computers operating as servers each having at least one processor and an activity monitor identifying a level of activity indicator for said at least one processor;
each of said computers being operable in:
(i) a first mode having a first maximum performance level and a first power consumption rate, and (ii) a third mode having a third maximum performance level lower than said first maximum performance level and a third power consumption rate lower than said first power consumption rate;
each of said computers further being operable in (iii) a second mode having a second maximum performance level intermediate between said first maximum performance level and said third maximum performance level and a second power consumption rate intermediate between said first power consumption rate and said third power consumption rate;
and
a power manager computer:
(i) configured within or coupled to each of said computers and receiving said level of activity information from each of said plurality of computers;
(ii) analyzing said plurality of received level of activity information;
(iii) determining an operating mode for each of said computers selected from said first mode, said second mode, and third mode based on said analyzed activity information and predetermined policies take into account performance of a combination of said servers and power conservation;
and (iv) generating commands to each of said plurality of computers directing each of said plurality of computers to operate in said determined operating mode.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/860,373Filed 18 May 2001 · us provisional application
Priority: 27 Sep 2000
Published: US 2002/0062454 A123 May 2002
Granted: 18 Apr 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G06F 3/0634
Configuration or reconfiguration of storage systems: by changing the state or mode of one or more devices
G06F 1/3203
Means for saving power: power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
G06F 1/3209
Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality: monitoring remote activity, e.g. over telephone lines or…
G06F 1/3221
Monitoring of peripheral devices: of disk drive devices

Family

Application60/236,043Us provisional application · filed 27 Sep 2000
Application60/236,062Us provisional application · filed 27 Sep 2000
Application60/283,375Us provisional application · filed 11 Apr 2001
US 2002/0062454 A1Pre-grant publication · published 23 May 2002
US 7,032,119 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.