Redistribution of memory to reduce computer system power consumption
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJimmy Grant Foster, Sr., Michael Gerard Brinkman, Matthew A. Eckl, Kwok Hon Yu
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Abstract
A method, apparatus and system are disclosed for redistributing memory allocation to portions of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and dual in-line memory module (DIMM) devices that are underutilized, in order to balance memory usage more evenly amongst active devices so as to limit the amount of power and the thermal load consumed by an individual memory component. The disclosed method, apparatus and system are capable of identifying and tracking memory usage to minimize power consumption in a way that lessens the detrimental effects of “throttling” or reduced power modes for memory devices.
Claims35
A computer memory device configured for dynamic redistribution of at least some of its contents to reduce power consumption, comprising:
- (a). at least one active memory storage region;
- (b). at least one active region of memory storage that is held in reserve and not allocated for use;
- and
- (c). one or more control components each configured to perform at least one of the following operations:
- (i). monitoring operating parameter(s) comprising memory usage, power consumption, or thermal loads for each active memory storage region to identify any memory region meeting the following criteria:
- (A). processing activity for that memory region is unbalanced in comparison to any other memory region;
- and
- (B). that memory region sustains a disproportionate share of the memory usage, power consumption or thermal load in comparison to any other memory region over a defined period of time;
- (ii). redistributing or reallocating at least a portion of contents of any memory region meeting the aforementioned criteria into a reserve memory location;
- (iii). accessing the redistributed or reallocated contents from the reserve memory location;
- and
- (iv). repeating the foregoing operations until at least one of the monitored operating parameter(s) is balanced among all active memory components.
A computer system configured for dynamic redistribution of computer memory to reduce power consumption, comprising:
- (a). a processing system comprising one or more processing units each controlled by at least one operating system to process data and instructions and to access memory;
- (b). a memory system comprising one or more memory controllers each operated by at least one processing unit to access one or more active memory storage components;
- (c). an active region of memory storage that is held in reserve and not allocated for use;
- and
- (d). one or more control components each configured for use by at least one processing unit, operating system or memory controller acting in any combination to perform one or more of the following operations:
- (i). monitoring operating parameter(s) comprising memory usage, power consumption, or thermal loads for each storage region of an active memory component to identify any memory component meeting the following criteria:
- (A). processing activity for that memory component is unbalanced in comparison to any other memory component;
- and
- (B). that memory component sustains a disproportionate share of the memory usage, power consumption or thermal load in comparison to any other memory component over a defined period of time;
- (ii). redistributing or reallocating at least a portion of contents of any memory component meeting the aforementioned criteria into a reserve memory location;
- (iii). accessing the redistributed or reallocated contents from the reserve memory location;
- and
- (iv). repeating the foregoing operations until at least one of the monitored operating parameter(s) is balanced among all active memory components.
A method for dynamic redistribution of computer memory to reduce power consumption, comprising:
- (a). configuring one or more components comprising at least one processing unit, operating system, or memory controller acting in combination to perform the following operations:
- (i). holding at least one storage region of an active memory component in reserve that is not allocated for use by a memory system;
- (ii). monitoring operating parameter(s) comprising memory usage, power consumption, or thermal loads for each storage region of an active memory component to identify any memory component meeting the following criteria:
- (A). processing activity for that memory component is unbalanced in comparison to any other memory component;
- and
- (B). that memory component sustains a disproportionate share of the memory usage, power consumption or thermal load in comparison to any other memory component over a defined period of time;
- (iii). redistributing or reallocating at least a portion of memory contents into a reserve memory location for any memory component meeting of the aforementioned criteria;
- and
- (iv). accessing the redistributed or reallocated contents from the reserve memory location;
- and
- (b). repeating the foregoing steps until at least one of the monitored operating parameter(s) is balanced among all active memory components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.