Power Topology Determination

• US 20090189774A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Rao, Anil Venkatasubba, Shetty, Sudhir, Brundridge, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/020,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20090189774A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/654
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/40 Display of information, e.g. of data or controls

Abstract

A power topology determination system includes a management engine. A power line communication device is coupled to the management engine. A first power device is coupled to the power line communication device through a power line connection. The power line communication device is operable to retrieve first power device information from the first power device and the management engine is operable to provide the first power device information for power topology display.

Claims

1. A power topology determination system, comprising:

a management engine;

a power line communication device coupled to the management engine; and

a first power device coupled to the power line communication device through a power line connection, wherein the power line communication device is operable to retrieve first power device information from the first power device and the management engine is operable to provide the first power device information for power topology display.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power line communication device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a power distribution unit, an uninterruptible power supply, a proxy network device, and combinations thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first power device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a power supply unit, an uninterruptible power supply, a power distribution unit, and combinations thereof.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the management engine is coupled to the power line communication device through a management bus connection.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the management engine is coupled to the first power device through a management bus connection.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first power device information includes power consumption information.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second power device coupled to the first power device through a power line connection, wherein the power line communication device is operable to retrieve second power device information from the second power device and the management engine is operable to provide the second power device information for power topology display.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a third power device coupled to the second power device through a power line connection, wherein the power line communication device is operable to retrieve third power device information from the third power device and the management engine is operable to provide the third power device information for power topology display

9. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:

a management IHS comprising a management engine;

a power line communication device coupled to the management engine; and

a first IHS comprising a first IHS power device coupled to the power line communication device through a power line connection, wherein the power line communication device is operable to retrieve first IHS power device information from the first IHS power device and the management engine is operable to provide the first IHS power device information for power topology display.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the power line communication device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a power distribution unit, an uninterruptible power supply, a proxy network device, and combinations thereof.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the first IHS power device comprises a power supply unit.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

an intermediate power device coupled between the power line communication device and the first IHS power device, wherein the power line communication device is operable to retrieve intermediate power device information from the intermediate power device and the management engine is operable to provide the intermediate power device information for power topology display.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the management engine is coupled to the power line communication device through a management bus connection.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the management engine is coupled to the first IHS power device through a management bus connection.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the first IHS power device information includes power consumption information.

16. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a second IHS comprising a second IHS power device coupled to the power line communication device through a power line, wherein the power line communication device is operable to retrieve second IHS power device information from the second IHS power device and the management engine is operable to provide the second IHS power device information for power topology display.

17. A method for power topology determination, comprising:

communicating first power device information from a first power device to a power line communication device through a first power line connection;

communicating second power device information from a second power device to the power line communication device through a second power line connection; and

providing a power topology using the first power device information and the second power device information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the power topology comprises power consumption information.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

indicating that extra power capacity exists using the power topology.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

communicating with the power line communication device through a management bus connection; and

communication with the first power device and the second power device through a management bus connection.