Method and system for detecting whether a computer server has shut down gracefully

Apparatus for identifying whether a server has shut down gracefully after issuance to it of a shutdown command, comprising:

• means for monitoring the power consumption of the server;
• means for detecting the issuance to the server of a shutdown command;
• and
• means for comparing, after a predetermined time duration required for the server to shut down gracefully after receiving a shutdown command, the power consumption of the server with a predetermined level of power consumption below which the server is considered to have been shut down gracefully.

A power monitoring system for use with a plurality of servers, the system identifying a server that has failed to shut down gracefully after issuance to it of a shutdown command and thereby permitting an operator to take appropriate action with respect to such identified server, the system comprising:

• means for monitoring the power consumption of each server;
• means for detecting the issuance of a shutdown command to a server;
• and
• means for comparing, after a predetermined time duration required for a server to shut down gracefully after receiving a shutdown command, the power consumption of the server that has been issued a shutdown command with a predetermined level of power consumption below which the server is considered to have been shut down;
• and
• means for identifying, to an operator, a server that has been issued a shutdown command and that has a power consumption exceeding such predetermined level of power consumption.