Managing computer power among a plurality of computers

A system for managing computer power among a plurality of computers so that the aggregate power consumption does not exceed a maximum subscription amount, the maximum subscription amount comprising the maximum amount of power that can be supplied to the plurality of computers, the system comprising a computer processor, a computer memory operatively coupled to the computer processor, the computer memory having disposed within it computer program instructions that when executed by the computer processor, causes the computer processor to carry out the steps of:

• monitoring aggregate power consumption of the plurality of computers the central power management module and the computers coupled for data communications through a power management network;
• determining whether the aggregate power consumption exceeds a predetermined maximum aggregate power threshold, the maximum aggregate power threshold less than the maximum subscription amount;
• if the aggregate power consumption exceeds the predetermined maximum aggregate power threshold, throttling-down the plurality of computers, reducing the aggregate power consumption to a level below the predetermined maximum aggregate power threshold
• determining, by at least one local power management module supporting one or more of the plurality of computers, that the one or more computers has lost data communications with the central power management module;
• and
• controlling, by the at least one local power management module, power consumption of the one or more computers that have lost data communications with the central power management module.

A computer program product for managing computer power among a plurality of computers so that the aggregate power consumption does not exceed a maximum subscription amount, the maximum subscription amount comprising the maximum amount of power that can be supplied to the plurality of computers, the computer program product disposed in a recordable computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer program instructions that when executed by the computer processor, causes the computer processor to carry out the steps of:

• monitoring aggregate power consumption of the plurality of computers, the central power management module and the computers coupled for data communications through a power management network;
• determining whether the aggregate power consumption exceeds a predetermined maximum aggregate power threshold, the maximum aggregate power threshold less than the maximum subscription amount;
• if the aggregate power consumption exceeds the predetermined maximum aggregate power threshold, throttling-down the plurality of computers, reducing the aggregate power consumption to a level below the predetermined maximum aggregate power threshold;
• determining, by at least one local power management module supporting one or more of the plurality of computers, that the one or more computers has lost data communications with the central power management module;
• and
• controlling, by the at least one local power management module, power consumption of the one or more computers that have lost data communications with the central power management module.