Power distribution system and method thereof in which redundant power is collected only when power pool is below or equal to pool threshold

• US 8,219,839 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2010
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Akimoto, Shunsuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Cao, Chun
• Application Number:
  US12/706,492
• Publication Number:
  US 20100211807A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/320
• US Class Current: 713/320
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/305 in the event of power-supply fluctuations

Abstract

A power distribution system is adapted to a management module connected to a plurality of servers, each of which is varied in power consumption in response to a power mode and performance thereof, via a power allocation request line and a power allocation response line. The management module records the upper-limit power setting, the power allocations, and the power pool with regard to the servers. The server records the power mode, the power allocation, the upper mode request threshold, and the redundant power which is calculated based on the difference between the power allocation and the actual power consumption. The management module recovers the redundant power from the server so as to update the power pool. Upon receiving a power allocation request, the management module distributes at least a part of the power pool to the server, thus allowing the server to shift the power mode to the upper mode.

Claims

1. In a power distribution system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses, undergoing fluctuations of power consumption and performance owing to a power mode being set, is connected to a management module, for allocating power to the plurality of information processing apparatuses, via a network,

said power distribution system characterized in that when the information processing apparatus needs surplus power allocation, the information processing apparatus sends a power allocation request to the management module so that the management module sends back a power allocation response to the information processing apparatus via a communication line,

wherein the management module includes a first control calculation unit and a first storage unit,

wherein the first storage unit stores an allocated power management table, which describes an upper-limit value of power entirely allocated to the plurality of information processing apparatuses and an allocated power allocated to each information processing apparatus, and a power pool unallocated to any one of the information processing apparatuses,

wherein the information processing apparatus includes a power sensor measuring real power consumption, a second control calculation unit, and a second storage unit,

wherein the second storage unit stores the power mode, a power mode management table describing a maximum power value for each power mode and an upper mode request threshold for requesting transition to an upper power mode, the allocated power, and redundant power,

wherein the second control calculation unit calculates the redundant power based on a difference between the allocated power and the real power consumption, thus updating the redundant power stored in the second storage unit,

wherein the first control calculation unit collects the redundant power and adds it to the power pool,

wherein when the information processing apparatus requests additional power allocation, the first control calculation unit allocates a part of or the entirety of the power pool to the information processing apparatus,

wherein the second control calculation unit changes the power mode in response to the allocated power,

wherein the first storage unit stores a pool threshold representing a lower-limit value of the power pool, and

wherein the first control calculation unit collects the redundant power only when the power pool is below or equal to the pool threshold.

2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the communication line is configured of a plurality of bits.

3. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the power sensor measures real power consumption during a predetermined power monitor time, and wherein the second control calculation unit detects a power monitor value corresponding to a maximum value within the real power consumption measured during the predetermined power monitor time, thus calculating the redundant power based on a difference between the allocated power and the power monitor value.

4. A power distribution method for allocating power to a plurality of information processing apparatuses undergoing fluctuations of power consumption and performance owing to a power mode being set, said power distribution method characterized by comprising the steps of:

storing an allocated power management table, describing an upper-limit value of power entirely allocated to the plurality of information processing apparatuses and an allocated power allocated to each information processing apparatus, and a power pool unallocated to any one of the information processing apparatuses;

storing the power mode, a power mode management table, describing a maximum power value for each power mode and an upper mode request threshold for requesting transition to an upper power mode, the allocated power, and redundant power;

calculating the redundant power based on a difference between the allocated power and real power consumption, thus updating the stored redundant power;

collecting the redundant power and adding it to the power pool;

allocating a part of or the entirety of the power pool to the information processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus requests additional power allocation via communication line;

changing the power mode in response to the allocated power via the communication line; and

storing a pool threshold representing a lower-limit value of the power pool,

wherein the redundant power is collected only when the power pool is below or equal to the pool threshold.