Power-manager configuration upload and download method and system for network managers
DCFirst Claim
1. A reconfigurable network-equipment power-management system, comprising:
- a power-distribution apparatus having a power input disposed in the power-distribution apparatus and a communication interface disposed in the power-distribution apparatus for communicating with a remote user system;
a plurality of outlets disposed in the power-distribution apparatus, the plurality of outlets connectable in power supply communication with the power input and one or more separate electronic appliances;
a configuration information file accessible by the remote user system, wherein the configuration information file comprises configuration data for at least two of the plurality of outlets disposed in the power-distribution apparatus;
a memory disposed in the power-distribution apparatus and having a configuration information file storage area;
at least one power controller disposed in the power-distribution apparatus, wherein the at least one power controller corresponds to at least two of the plurality of outlets, the at least one power controller comprising a configuration information file transfer mechanism in communication with the communication interface accessible by the remote user system, whereby the configuration information file transfer mechanism imports and exports the configuration information file between the power-distribution apparatus and the remote user system via the communication interface as a plurality of data packets; and
a network agent executable by the power-distribution apparatus and communicably coupled between the at least one power controller and the remote user system, the network agent configured to convert values for one or more of voltage, current, and temperature readings into data packets for transmission to the remote user system.
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Abstract
A power management system embodiment of the present invention comprises a power manager with a network agent in communication over a network with a network manager. The power manager is connected to control the operating power flowing to various pieces of computer network equipment at a single site. A user is able to assign names to each control port, and the power manager maintains a list of enrolled users who have access. Many operational mode choices are possible, and each can be configured by the user while remote from the power manager. The power manager can be commanded to upload a user configuration list, and it can be commanded to accept a downloaded user configuration list.
151 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable network-equipment power-management system, comprising:
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a power-distribution apparatus having a power input disposed in the power-distribution apparatus and a communication interface disposed in the power-distribution apparatus for communicating with a remote user system; a plurality of outlets disposed in the power-distribution apparatus, the plurality of outlets connectable in power supply communication with the power input and one or more separate electronic appliances; a configuration information file accessible by the remote user system, wherein the configuration information file comprises configuration data for at least two of the plurality of outlets disposed in the power-distribution apparatus; a memory disposed in the power-distribution apparatus and having a configuration information file storage area; at least one power controller disposed in the power-distribution apparatus, wherein the at least one power controller corresponds to at least two of the plurality of outlets, the at least one power controller comprising a configuration information file transfer mechanism in communication with the communication interface accessible by the remote user system, whereby the configuration information file transfer mechanism imports and exports the configuration information file between the power-distribution apparatus and the remote user system via the communication interface as a plurality of data packets; and a network agent executable by the power-distribution apparatus and communicably coupled between the at least one power controller and the remote user system, the network agent configured to convert values for one or more of voltage, current, and temperature readings into data packets for transmission to the remote user system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A power distribution apparatus, comprising:
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a power input; a communication interface for communicating with a remote user system; a plurality of outlets; a plurality of power-control relays affecting provision of power from the power input to the plurality of outlets; a memory having a configuration file storage area for storing a configuration file, the configuration file accessible by the remote user system and affecting the provision of power from the power input to the plurality of outlets, the configuration file comprising configuration data for at least two of the plurality of outlets; at least one programmable component for use in exporting the configuration file via the communication interface, wherein the at least one programmable component is configured to gather the configuration data from the power distribution apparatus into the configuration file prior to exporting the configuration file; and a network agent executable by the power distribution apparatus and communicably coupled between the at least one programmable component and the remote user system, the network agent configured to convert values for one or more voltage, current, and temperature readings into data packets for transmission to the remote user system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of operating a power distribution apparatus, comprising:
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receiving a configuration file upload command; in response to the configuration file upload command, exporting a power manager configuration file, as a plurality of data packets, over a network from the power distribution apparatus to a remote user system, the power distribution apparatus having a plurality of internal power-control relays for selectively interrupting operating power to one or more outlets of the power distribution apparatus, said power manager configuration file affecting provision of power to a plurality of outlets of the power distribution apparatus, wherein the power manager configuration file includes user-defined names for the at least one of the outlets, wherein the power distribution apparatus is configured to gather configuration data from the power distribution apparatus into the power manager configuration file prior to exporting the power manager configuration file; and executing a network agent with the power distribution apparatus, the network agent being configured to convert values for one or more voltage, current, and temperature readings into data packets for transmission to the remote user system.
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23. A method of configuring a power distribution apparatus, comprising:
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uploading a power manager configuration file, as a plurality of data packets, over a network from a first power distribution apparatus to a remote user system, the power manager configuration file affecting provision of power to outlets of the first power distribution apparatus which are electrically coupled to one or more power-control relays operative to selectively interrupt operating power to said outlets, wherein the power manager configuration file includes user-defined names for at least one of the outlets, wherein the first power distribution apparatus is configured to gather configuration data from the first power distribution apparatus into the power manager configuration file prior to exporting the power manager configuration file; executing a network agent with the first power distribution apparatus, the network agent being configured to convert values for one or more voltage, current, and temperature readings into data packets for transmission to the remote user system; and downloading at least a portion of the power manager configuration file, as a second plurality of data packets, over the network from the remote user system to a second power distribution apparatus to affect provision of power to outlets of the second power distribution apparatus.
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24. A method of configuring a power distribution apparatus, comprising:
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uploading a power manager configuration file, as a plurality of data packets, over a network from a first power distribution apparatus to a remote user system, the power manager configuration file comprising user-specified parameters for outlets of the first power distribution apparatus, wherein the power manager configuration file includes user-defined names for the outlets, wherein the first power distribution apparatus is configured to gather configuration data from the first power distribution apparatus into the power manager configuration file prior to exporting the power manager configuration file; executing a network agent with the first power distribution apparatus, the network agent being configured to convert values for one or more voltage, current, and temperature readings into data packets for transmission to the remote user system; and downloading at least a portion of the power manager configuration file, as a second plurality of data packets, over the network from the remote user system to a second power distribution apparatus to configure user-specified parameters for outlets of the second power distribution apparatus.
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25. A method of configuring a power distribution apparatus, comprising:
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uploading a power manager configuration file, as a plurality of data packets, over a network from a first power distribution apparatus to a remote user system, the power manager configuration file affecting provision of power to outlets of the first power distribution apparatus which are electrically coupled to one or more power-control relays operative to selectively interrupt operating power to said outlets of the first power distribution apparatus, wherein the power manager configuration file includes user-defined names for at least one of the outlets, wherein the first power distribution apparatus is configured to gather configuration data from the first power distribution apparatus into the power manager configuration file prior to exporting the power manager configuration file; and executing a network agent with the first power distribution apparatus, the network agent being configured to convert values for one or more voltage, current, and temperature readings into data packets for transmission to the remote user system; modifying the uploaded power manager configuration file; downloading the modified uploaded power manager configuration file, as a second plurality of data packets, over the network from the remote user system to a second power distribution apparatus, the modified uploaded power manager configuration file affecting provision of power to outlets of the second power distribution apparatus.
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Specification