Methods and apparatus for power management

• US 20040003303A1
• Filed: 07/01/2002
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanmina-SCI Corporation
• Original Assignee: Newisys, Inc. (Sanmina-SCI Corporation)
• Inventors: Zeitler, Carl Jr., Oehler, Richard R., Simpson, Richard O.
• Granted Patent: US 6,986,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/329 by task scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for static and dynamic power management of computer systems. A power authority manages power usage levels in computer systems by monitoring power consumption levels and providing power consumption information to the various systems. In one example, the power authority updates power tables to vary aggregate power consumption levels.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of computer systems, each computer system including a memory coupled to a processor and each computer system having a power consumption level, wherein an aggregate power consumption level comprises a combination of the power consumption levels associated with the plurality of computer systems;

a power source providing power to the plurality of computer systems;

a power authority subsystem for manipulating the aggregate power consumption levels by managing the power consumption levels of the plurality of computer systems.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source has a maximum power output less than the aggregate power consumption levels.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power authority subsystem manages power consumption levels to minimize aggregate power consumption.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the power authority is configured to manage the power consumption of the plurality of computer systems so that the aggregate power consumption of the plurality of computer systems does not exceed the maximum power output or the power source.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein managing the power consumption levels of the plurality of computer systems comprises providing power consumption information to the plurality of computer systems.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein managing the power consumption of the plurality of computer systems comprises writing power consumption information into the power tables associated with the plurality of computer systems.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the power tables are Advanced Configuration and Power Interface tables.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the power source is a power supply.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of computer systems having distinct address spaces.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each computer system is associated with a service processor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein managing the power consumption of the plurality of computer systems comprises providing power consumption information to the plurality of service processors.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein managing the power consumption of the plurality of computer systems comprises providing power consumption information before the reboot sequences of the plurality of computer systems are completed.

13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein managing the power consumption of the plurality of computer systems comprises providing power consumption information after the reboot sequences of the plurality of computer systems are completed.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein power tables are updated dynamically during runtime using power consumption information.

15. A method for managing power consumption across multiple systems, the method comprising:

identifying a maximum power output associated with a power supply configured to provide power to a first computer system and a second computer system;

receiving power requirements information associated with the first and second computer systems;

generating power consumption information using the power requirements information;

providing power consumption information to the first and second computer systems, wherein power consumption information directs the first and second computer systems to run with an aggregate power consumption less than the maximum power output.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein power requirements information is received from a user.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein power requirements information is received from the first and second computer systems.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the power supply is further configured to provide power to a third computer system.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving power requirements information associated with the third computer system.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the power supply is further configured to provide power to the first, second, and third computer systems through a power distribution network.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the first and second computer systems each has its own address space.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein a power authority receives power requirements information.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein power requirements information is received periodically.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein power requirements information is derived using actual power demands and actual workloads associated with the first and second computer systems.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein providing power consumption information comprises sending power consumption information to a first service processor associated with the first computer system and to a second service processor associated with the second computer system.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein providing power consumption information is used to adjust power tables associated with the first and second computer systems.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the power tables are Advanced Configuration and Power Interface tables.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein power consumption information is provided before the boot sequence of the first and second computer systems is completed.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein power consumption information is provided dynamically during runtime of the first and second computer systems.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein adjusting the power table associated with the first computer system changes the power consumption state of a first component in the first computer system.

31. A computer readable medium comprising computer code for managing power consumption across multiple systems, the computer readable medium comprising:

computer code for identifying a maximum power output associated with a power supply configured to provide power to a first computer system and a second computer system;

computer code for receiving power requirements information associated with the first and second computer systems;

computer code for generating power consumption information using the power requirements information;

computer code for providing power consumption information to the first and second computer systems, wherein power consumption information directs the first and second computer systems to run at specified aggregate power consumption levels.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 31, wherein power requirements information is received from a user.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 31, wherein power requirements information is received from the first and second computer systems.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 33, wherein the first and second computer systems each has its own address space.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 33, wherein a power authority receives power requirements information.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 35, wherein power requirements information is received periodically.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 36, wherein power requirements information is derived using actual power demands and actual workloads associated with the first and second computer systems.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 33, wherein providing power consumption information comprises sending power consumption information to a first service processor associated with the first computer system and to a second service processor associated with the second computer system.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein providing power consumption information is used to adjust power tables associated with the first and second computer systems.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 39, wherein the power tables are Advanced Configuration and Power Interface tables.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein power consumption information is provided before the boot sequence of the first and second computer systems is completed.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein power consumption information is provided dynamically during runtime of the first and second computer systems.

43. The computer readable medium of claim 39, wherein adjusting the power table associated with the first computer system changes the power consumption state of a first component in the first computer system.