IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,444,532
Granted Patent B2
US 7,444,532 · App. 10/005,936 · Granted Oct 28, 2008

System and method for autonomous power sequencing

Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,444,532
App. No.
10/005,936
Filed
Dec 3, 2001
Granted
Oct 28, 2008
Kind
B2
Examiner
CHEN, TSE W
Art Unit
2116
USPC
713/330
Abstract

A system and method are provided for autonomous power sequencing in a computer system. The system and method includes at least one server module such as a server blade or a server brick. A midplane receives the server modules and provides a unique address for each server module based on the location of the server modules on the midplane. The server modules each include an address module having a timer, the address module operable to obtain the unique address from the midplane and calculate a start-up time for the associated server module based on the unique address for each server module. A power supply sequences power to the server modules based on the start-up times for the server modules. Therefore, the server modules power up in a sequence instead of simultaneously and without the aid of a central controller controlling the sequencing of the powering of the server modules.

Claims (26)

1. A computer system comprising: a power supply; a plurality of server modules; a midplane comprising: a plurality of connectors receiving the plurality of server modules, each connector having a unique predetermined address independent of the plurality of server modules; and an address module obtaining the unique predetermined addresses of the plurality of connectors from the midplane and to calculate a start-up time associated with each connector based on (a) the unique predetermined address for each connector and (b) a multiplication factor associated with a duration of an inrush load of at least one of the plurality of server modules, the start-up times calculated for the plurality of connectors defining a start-up sequence for the plurality of connectors; wherein the computer system couples the power supply to the plurality of server modules based on the start-up times and the defined start-up sequence associated with the plurality of connectors; and a management controller associated with the midplane, the management controller storing the defined start-up sequence for the plurality of server modules and the management controller providing sequence redundancy by sequencing power to the plurality of server modules during start-up if the midplane experiences a failure.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of server modules comprise blade servers.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of server modules comprise brick servers.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the midplane further comprises a circuit board including the plurality of connectors coupled to the midplane and two or more resistors coupled to the midplane.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the plurality of connectors provide an interface between the plurality of server modules and the midplane.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein each connector interfaces with one server module.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the midplane provides a unique address to each server module through resistor strapping the two or more resistors.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the midplane further provides an interface between the plurality of server modules and the power supply.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the power supply provides power to each server module upon expiration of an associated start-up time for each server module.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the address module includes a timer, the address module further sets the timer with an associated start-up time and the timer counts down from the associated start-up time.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a switch associated with each server module and the address module, the switch accepts a command from the address module to switch between an on position and an off position.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein at an expiration of an associated start-up time, the address module switches a selected switch to the on position allowing an associated server module to receive power from the power supply.

13. A method for autonomous power sequencing in a computer system, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of server modules into a plurality of connectors on a midplane, each connector having a predetermined address independent of the plurality of server modules; assigning a unique address to each server module based on the predetermined address of each connector receiving each server module; obtaining the unique address for each server module from the midplane; calculating a start-up time associated with each connector based on (a) the unique address for each connector and (b) an inrush load requirement of each server module; automatically sequencing power to start up the plurality of server modules based on the start-up times for the plurality of connectors; and storing a start-up sequence for the plurality of server modules and providing redundancy by sequencing power to the plurality of server modules during start-up if the midplane experiences a failure.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the server modules comprise blade servers.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the server modules comprise brick servers.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein calculating the start-up time comprises:

obtaining a multiplication factor for each server module; and

calculating the start-up time associated with each connector using the multiplication factor.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising: setting a timer with an associated start-up time; counting down the timer until the associated start-up time expires; and on an expiration of the associated start-up time, switching a switch to an on position that allows an associated server module to receive power from a power supply.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving the server modules comprises inserting each server module into a connector coupled to the midplane.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein providing the unique address for each server module comprises strapping one or more resisters to the midplane whereby each connector has a unique predetermined address independent of the server modules.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein automatically sequencing power to the server modules comprises providing power to the server modules one server module at a time.

21. The method of claim 13 wherein automatically sequencing power to the server modules comprises providing power to each server module upon an expiration of an associated start-up time for each server module.

22. A computer system comprising: a plurality of server modules processing data; one or more midplanes associated with the plurality of server modules, the one or more midplanes including a plurality of connectors, each connector having a unique predetermined address independent of the plurality of server modules, each connector interfacing with one of the plurality of server modules; an address module associated with the one or more midplanes, the address module obtaining the unique predetermined addresses from the plurality of connectors and to calculate a start-up time associated with each connector based on (a) the unique address for each connector and (b) at least one start-up characteristic of each server module, the start-up times calculated for the plurality of connectors defining a start-up sequence for the plurality of connectors; a power supply associated with the one or more midplanes, the power supply providing power to start up the plurality of server modules in a sequence determined by the start-up times and the defined start-up sequence associated with the plurality of connectors; a management controller associated with a respective midplane, the management controller storing the defined start-up sequence for the plurality of server modules and the management controller providing sequence redundancy by sequencing power to the plurality of server modules during start-up if the respective midplane experiences a failure; and one or more chassis housing the plurality of server modules, the one or more midplanes, and the power supply.

23. The computer system of claim 22 further comprising one or more cabinets housing the one or more chassis.

24. An information handling system comprising: a power supply; a plurality of server modules; a midplane comprising: a plurality of connectors receiving the plurality of server modules, each connector having a unique predetermined address independent of the plurality of server modules; and an address module obtaining the unique predetermined addresses of the plurality of connectors from the midplane and to associate each unique predetermined address of the plurality of connectors with a predetermined start-up time stored by the address module, the predetermined start-up times for the plurality of connectors defining a start-up sequence for the plurality of connectors; and wherein the information handling system couples the power supply to the plurality of server modules based on the predetermined start-up times and the defined start-up sequence associated with the plurality of connectors; and a management controller associated with the midplane, the management controller storing the defined start-up sequence for the plurality of server modules and the management controller providing sequence redundancy by sequencing power to the plurality of server modules during start-up if the midplane experiences a failure.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 3, 2001
From: MASUYAMA, JINSAKU; PIONKE, JEREMEY J.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 012358/0900 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20030105984A1 · Jun 5, 2003