IP Library Granted Patent US 8,195,970
Granted Patent B2
US 8,195,970 · App. 13/154,059 · Granted Jun 5, 2012

System and method for adapting a power usage of a server during a data center cooling failure

Assignee: Dell Products, LP
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,195,970
App. No.
13/154,059
Filed
Jun 6, 2011
Granted
Jun 5, 2012
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2111
USPC
713/323
Abstract

A device comprising a temperature measurement module, a performance state module, and a fan speed module. The temperature measurement module is configured to determine a temperature in a server, and to output a first control signal when temperature in the server is above a threshold. The performance state module is configured to change a performance state of the device to a lowest system performance state in response to the first control signal, and further configured to reduce a processor power consumption and a subsystem power consumption to a minimum power level in response to reducing the performance state to the lowest system performance state. The fan speed module is configured to reduce a fan speed to a minimum fan speed level based on the first control signal.

Claims (54)

1. A device comprising:

a temperature measurement module configured to determine a temperature in a server, to output a first control signal when the temperature in the server is above a threshold temperature, to output a second control signal when the temperature in the server in below the threshold temperature, and to output a third control signal when the temperature in the server is continuing to increase above the threshold temperature;

a performance state module in communication with the temperature measurement module, the performance state module configured to change a performance state of the device to a lowest system performance state in response to the first control signal, and further configured to reduce a processor power consumption and a subsystem power consumption to a minimum power level in response to reducing the performance state to the lowest system performance state; and

a fan speed module in communication with the temperature measurement module, the fan speed module configured to reduce a fan speed level based on the first control signal, and to gradually reduce, in response to the third control signal, the fan speed proportionally to an amount that the temperature has increased above the threshold temperature until the fan speed is at the minimum fan speed level.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a memory bandwidth module in communication with the temperature measurement module, the memory bandwidth module configured to reduce a memory bandwidth to a minimum bandwidth level based on the first control signal.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the memory bandwidth module is further configured to increase the memory bandwidth to an amount prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature in response to the second control signal.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the performance state module is further configured to reset the performance state of the device to a level prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature in response to the second control signal, and to increase the processor power consumption and the subsystem power consumption to an amount prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature in response to the second control signal.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the fan speed module is further configured to increase the fan speed to a level prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature in response to the second control signal.

6. A method comprising:

detecting that a temperature in a server is above a threshold temperature level;

changing the server to a lowest system performance state when the temperature in the server is above the threshold temperature level;

reducing a processor power consumption and a subsystem power consumption to a minimum power level when the server changes to the lowest system performance state;

reducing a memory bandwidth to a minimum bandwidth level when the temperature is above the threshold temperature level;

reducing a fan speed level when the temperature is above the threshold temperature level;

detecting that the temperature in the server is continuing to increase above the threshold temperature level; and

gradually reducing the fan speed proportionally to an amount that the temperature is above the threshold temperature level until the fan speed is at the minimum fan speed level.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

detecting that the temperature is below the threshold temperature level;

resetting a system performance state to a level prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature level when the temperature is below the threshold temperature level; and

increasing the processor power consumption and the subsystem power consumption to an amount prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature level when the temperature is below the threshold temperature level.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

detecting that the temperature is below the threshold temperature level; and

increasing the memory bandwidth to an amount prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature level when the temperature is below the threshold temperature level.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

detecting that the temperature is below the threshold temperature level; and

increasing the fan speed to an level prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature level when the temperature is below the threshold temperature level.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the temperature being above the threshold temperature level indicates a data center cooling failure.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein reducing the fan speed further comprises:

gradually reducing the fan speed proportionally to an amount that the temperature is above the threshold temperature level until the fan speed is at the minimum fan speed level.

12. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

increasing a length of time before the server powers down during a data center cooling failure when the server changes to the lower system performance state, reduces the memory bandwidth, and reduces the fan speed.

13. A method comprising:

detecting that a temperature in a server is above a threshold temperature;

changing the server to a lowest system performance state when the temperature in the server is above the threshold temperature;

reducing a processor power consumption and a subsystem power consumption to a minimum power level when the server changes to the lowest system performance state;

detecting that the temperature in the server is continuing to increase above the threshold temperature level; and

gradually reducing the fan speed proportionally to an amount that the temperature has increased above the threshold temperature until the fan speed is at the minimum fan speed level.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

detecting that the temperature is below the threshold temperature;

resetting a system performance state to a level prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature when the temperature is below the threshold temperature; and

increasing the processor power consumption and the subsystem power consumption to an amount prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature when the temperature is below the threshold temperature.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

reducing a memory bandwidth to a minimum bandwidth level when the temperature is above the threshold temperature.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

detecting that the temperature is below the threshold temperature; and

increasing the memory bandwidth to an amount prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature when the temperature is below the threshold temperature.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

reducing a fan speed to a minimum fan speed level when the temperature is above the threshold temperature.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

detecting that the temperature is below the threshold temperature; and

increasing the fan speed to an level prior to the temperature being above the threshold temperature when the temperature is below the threshold temperature.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

increasing a length of time before the server powers down during a data center cooling failure when the server changes to the lower system performance state, reduces the memory bandwidth, and reduces the fan speed.

Assignments (14)
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 (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 →
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 →
Continuity (2)
Division 12255250 · Oct 21, 2008
Related Publication 20110239025A1 · Sep 29, 2011