Determining power topology of a plurality of computer systems
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- communicating, by a first power distribution unit, with a first computer system of a plurality of computer systems mounted in a rack, the communicating through dedicated communication conductors integral with a first cord carrying operational power to first computer system;
communicating, by a second power distribution unit, with a second computer system of the plurality of computer systems, the communicating through dedicated communication conductors integral with a second cord carrying operational power to first computer system;
determining, by the first and second power distribution units, a power topology regarding the plurality of computer systems based on the communicating, wherein determining the power topology comprises determining from which phase of a multi-phase power source each of the first and second computer systems draw operational power; and
communicating an indication of the power topology.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Determining power topology of a computer system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including communicating with a first computer system of a plurality of computer systems mounted in a rack (the communicating through dedicated communication conductors integral with a first cord carrying operational power to first computer system), communicating with a second computer system of the plurality of computer systems (the communicating through dedicated communication conductors integral with a second cord carrying operational power to first computer system), determining a power topology regarding the plurality of computer systems based on the communicating, and displaying an indication of the power topology.
54 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
communicating, by a first power distribution unit, with a first computer system of a plurality of computer systems mounted in a rack, the communicating through dedicated communication conductors integral with a first cord carrying operational power to first computer system; communicating, by a second power distribution unit, with a second computer system of the plurality of computer systems, the communicating through dedicated communication conductors integral with a second cord carrying operational power to first computer system; determining, by the first and second power distribution units, a power topology regarding the plurality of computer systems based on the communicating, wherein determining the power topology comprises determining from which phase of a multi-phase power source each of the first and second computer systems draw operational power; and communicating an indication of the power topology. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A system comprising:
-
a first power distribution unit coupled to a source of alternating current power, the first power distribution unit defines a first plurality of electrical connectors, each electrical connector defines conductors configured to carry power and conductors configured to carry data; a second power distribution unit, different than the first power distribution unit, the second power distribution unit coupled to a source of alternating current power, the second power distribution unit defines a second plurality of electrical connectors different than the first plurality of electrical connectors, each electrical connector defines conductors configured to carry power and conductors configured to carry data; a first computer system communicatively coupled to the first and second power distribution units; a second computer system coupled to an electrical connector of the first plurality of electrical connectors; and a third computer system coupled to an electrical connector of the second plurality of electrical connectors; the first power distribution unit is configured to communicate with the second computer system by way of the conductors configured to carry data of the electrical connector of the first plurality of electrical connectors, and the second power distribution unit is configured to communicate with the third computer system by way of the conductors configured to carry data of the electrical connector of the second plurality of electrical connectors; and the first and second power distribution units are configured to send power topology data to the first computer system, the power topology data associated with the communication to the respective first and second computer systems; and wherein the first computer system is configured to determine, based on the communications, the power distribution unit from which each of the second and third computer systems draw power. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An apparatus comprising:
-
an enclosure that defines an external surface and an interior volume; a power supply; a plurality of electrical connectors accessible on the external surface, each electrical connector defines power conductors configured to carry operational power and data conductors configured to carry data; a plurality of current measurement devices disposed in the interior volume, one current measurement device in operational relationship with each electrical connector and configured to measure current drawn on at least one power conductor of the respective electrical connector; and a processor disposed within the interior volume, the processor coupled to the data conductors of the electrical connectors, and the processor coupled the plurality of current measurement devices; the processor is configured to communicate with computer systems drawing operational power through the electrical connectors, the communication over respective data conductors of the electrical connectors; and the processor is configured to send power topology data to the processor outside the enclosure, the power topology data comprising a value indicative of electrical current drawn through at least one electrical connector, and the power topology data also specifying which phase of a multi-phase power source the power supply receives power. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
Specification