System and method for limiting processor performance

1. A method for managing processor performance, the method comprising:

storing a value indicative of a maximum processor performance state;

detecting a request for a transition to a first processor performance state;

transitioning the processor to the first processor performance state, in response to determining the first processor state is less than or equal to the maximum processor performance state;

transitioning the processor to the maximum processor performance state, in response to determining the first processor state is greater than the maximum processor state; and

reporting to an operating system that the processor has transitioned to the first processor state, in response to determining the first processor state is greater than the maximum processor state.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein storing said value is responsive to a detected operating environment condition.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein said condition comprises a thermal condition.

4. The method as recited in claim 2 , further comprising:

detecting said operating environment condition in a first portion of an enclosure;

reporting the operating environment condition to a remote service processor;

conveying a command from the service processor to a second portion of the enclosure; and

storing the value responsive to receiving the command.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein said operating environment condition is not detected in said second portion of the enclosure.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the value indicative of a processor performance state is stored in an externally accessible register of the processor.

7. A system for managing processor performance, the system comprising:

an enclosure comprising a first processing board which comprises a processor, and a second processing board which comprises a processor; and

a service processor coupled to the enclosure via an interconnect;

wherein the second processing board is configured to:

store a value indicative of a maximum processor performance state;

detect a request for a transition to a first processor performance state;

transition the processor in the second processing board to the first processor performance state, in response to determining the first processor state is less than or equal to the maximum processor performance state;

transition the processor in the second processing board to the maximum processor performance state, in response to determining the first processor state is greater than the maximum processor state; and

report to an operating system that the processor has transitioned to the first processor state, in response to determining the first processor state is greater than the maximum processor state.

8. The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the value stored in the second processing board is responsive to a detected operating environment condition.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 , wherein said condition comprises a thermal condition.

10. The system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the operating environment condition is detected by the first processing board and reported to the service processor, and wherein in response to the reported condition, the service processor conveys a command to the second processing board which is configured to store the value responsive to receiving the command.

11. The system as recited in claim 10 , wherein said operating environment condition is not detected in said second portion of the enclosure.

12. The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the value indicative of a processor performance state is stored in an externally accessible register of the processor on the second board.

13. A system for managing processor performance, the system comprising:

a controller configured to monitor operating environment conditions; and

a processor comprising an externally accessible register, wherein the processor is configured to:

detect a request for a transition to a first processor performance state;

access the register to determine a maximum processor performance state;

transition the processor to the first processor performance state, in response to determining the first processor state is less than or equal to the maximum processor performance state;

transition the processor to the maximum processor performance state, in response to determining the first processor state is greater than the maximum processor state; and

report to an operating system that the processor has transitioned to the first processor state, in response to determining the first processor state is greater than the maximum processor state.

14. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to store a value indicative of the maximum processor performance state responsive to a detected operating environment condition.

15. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein said condition comprises a thermal condition.

16. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the operating environment condition is detected by a device external to the processor and controller, and wherein the controller is configured to store said value in response to a command received from a service processor.

17. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the controller comprises a baseboard management controller.