IP Library Granted Patent US 9,690,343
Granted Patent B2
US 9,690,343 · App. 14/178,102 · Granted Jun 27, 2017

Power distribution system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,690,343
App. No.
14/178,102
Granted
Jun 27, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power distribution system includes a chassis with a plurality of ports that include a first port configured to communicate with powering devices and a second port configured to communicate with powered devices. A power distribution engine in the chassis is coupled to each of the plurality of ports. The power distribution engine determines that power available to the power distribution engine is insufficient to power a first powered device that is coupled to the first port, requests power from a first powering device that is coupled to the second port, and provides power that is received through the second port from the first powering device to the first powered device through the first port. In an embodiment, the first powered device and the second powered device are switch IHSs, the first port is configured as a trunk port, and the second port is configured as an access port.

Claims (72)

1. A power distribution system, comprising:

a chassis;

a plurality of ports that are located on the chassis, wherein a first port of the plurality of ports is configured to both communicate data with powered devices and provide power to powered devices, and wherein each of a second port and a third port of the plurality of ports is configured to communicate data with powering devices, provide power to powering devices, and receive power from powering devices;

a power distribution engine that is included in the chassis and that is coupled to each of the plurality of ports, wherein the power distribution engine is configured to:

determine that power available to the power distribution engine is insufficient to power a first powered device that is coupled to the first port;

send, to a first powering device that is coupled to the second port and in response to determining that the power available to the power distribution engine is insufficient to power the first powered device, a request for power that is to be provided from the first powering device, wherein the first powering device is not providing power to the second port prior to sending the request;

receive power through the second port from the first powering device subsequent to sending the request;

provide power that is received through the second port from the first powering device to the first powered device through the first port;

communicate data to the first powered device through the first port;

receive, from a second powering device that is coupled to the third port, a request for power;

provide, in response to receiving the request for power from the second powering device, power that is received through the second port from the first powering device to the second powering device through the third port;

determine power provided to the second powering device through the third port is insufficient to satisfy the request for power from the second powering device and, in response, send, to the first powering device, a request for additional power;

receive additional power through the second port from the first powering device subsequent to sending the request for additional power; and

provide at least some of the additional power that is received through the second port from the first powering device to the second powering device through the third port.

2. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the first port is designated an access port, and wherein each of the second port and the third port are designated as trunk ports.

3. The power distribution system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a power system that is included in the chassis and that is coupled to the power distribution engine, wherein the power system is configured to couple to a power source that is separate from the powering devices and provide power to the power distribution engine, and wherein the power distribution engine is configured to determine that power available from the power system is insufficient to power the first powered device that is coupled to the first port.

4. The power distribution system of claim 3 ,

wherein the power distribution engine is further configured to:

provide power that is received from the power system to the second powering device through the third port.

5. The power distribution system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a fourth port of the plurality of ports that is configured to communicate data with powering device, provide power to powering devices, and receive power from powering devices, wherein the power distribution engine is further configured to:

send, to the first powering device that is coupled to both the second port and the fourth port, the request for power that is to be provided from the first powering device, wherein the first powering device is not providing power to the second port and the fourth port prior to sending the request;

receive power through the second port and the fourth port from the first powering device subsequent to sending the request; and

provide power that is received through both the second port and the fourth from the first powering device to the first powered device through the first port.

6. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:

a first networking switch device;

a second networking switch device;

a third networking switch device that includes:

a first port that is coupled to the first networking switch device and that is configured to communicate data with the first networking switch device, provide power to the first networking switch device, and receive power from the first networking switch device;

a second port that is coupled to the second networking switch device and that is configured to communicate data with the second networking switch device, provide power to the second networking switch device, and receive power from the second networking switch device, and

a third port that is coupled to a first powered device and that is configured to communicate data with the first powered device and provide power to the first powered device, wherein the third networking switch device is configured to:

determine that power available to the third networking switch device is insufficient to power the first powered device;

send, through the first port to the first networking switch device and in response to determining that the power available to the third networking switch device is insufficient to power the first powered device, a request for power that is to be provided from the first networking switch device, wherein the first networking switch device is not providing power to the third networking switch device prior to sending the request;

receive power from the first networking switch device through the first port subsequent to sending the request;

provide power that is received from the first networking switch device through the first port to the first powered device through the third port; and

communicate data to the first powered device through the third port;

receive, through the second port from the second networking switch device, a request for power;

provide, in response to receiving the request for power from the second networking switch device, power that is received through the first port from the first powering device to the second networking switch device through the second port;

determine power provided to the second networking switch device through the second port is insufficient to satisfy the request for power from the second networking switch device and, in response, send a request for additional power to the first networking switch device;

receive additional power through the first port from the first networking switch device subsequent to sending the request for additional power; and

provide at least some of the additional power that is received from the first networking switch device to the second networking switch device through the second port.

7. The IHS of claim 6 , wherein the third port is an access port, and wherein each of the first port and the second port are trunk ports.

8. The IHS of claim 6 , wherein the third networking switch device is coupled to a power source that is separate from the first networking switch device and the second networking switch device, and wherein the third networking switch device is configured to determine that power available from the power source is insufficient to power the first powered device.

9. The IHS of claim 8 , further comprising

wherein the third networking switch device is further configured to:

provide power that is received from the power source to the second networking switch device through the second port.

10. The IHS of claim 6 , wherein the third networking switch device is coupled to the first networking switch device through the first port and at least one additional port on the third networking switch device, wherein each of the first port and the at least one additional port is configured to communicate data with the first networking switch device, provide power to the first networking switch device, and receive power from the first networking switch device, and wherein the third networking switch device is further configured to:

send, to the first networking switch device that is coupled to the first port and at least one additional port, the request for power to be provided from the first networking switch device, wherein the first networking switch device is not providing power to the third networking switch device through the first port and the at least one additional port prior to sending the request;

receive power from the first networking switch device through the first port and the at least one additional port subsequent to sending the request; and

provide power that is received through the first port and the at least one additional port from the first networking switch device to the first powered device through the third port.

11. The IHS of claim 10 , wherein the first port and the at least one additional port are configured as a Link Aggregation Group (LAG).

12. A method for distributing power, comprising:

determining, by a first powering device, that power available to the first powering device is insufficient to power a powered device that is coupled to the first powering device through a first port on the first powering device that is configured to communicate data with the powered device and provide power to the powered device;

sending, by the first powering device to a second powering device in response to determining that the power available to the first powering device is insufficient to power the powered device, a request for power that is to be provided from the second powering device through a second port on the first powering device that is configured to communicate data with the second powering device, provide power to the second powering device, and receive power from the second powering device, wherein the second powering device is not providing power to the first powering device prior to sending the request;

receiving, by the first powering device the second powering device, power through the second port subsequent to sending the request;

providing, by the first powering device to the first powered device, power that is received from the second powering device through the first port;

communicating, by the first powering device to the first powered device, data through the first port;

receiving, by the first powering device from a third powering device, a request for power through a third port on the first powering device that is configured to communicate data with the third powering device, provide power to the third powering device, and receive power from the third powering device;

providing, by the first powering device to the third powering device in response to receiving the request for power from the third powering device, power that is received from the second powering device through the third port;

determining, by the first powering device, that power provided to the third powering device through the third port is insufficient to satisfy the request for power from the third powering device and, in response, sending a request for additional power to the second powering device;

receiving, by the first powering device, additional power through the second port from the second powering device subsequent to sending the request for additional power; and

providing, by the first powering device to the third powering device, at least some of the additional power that is received from the second powering device through the third port.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first port is an access port, and wherein the second port and the third port are trunk ports.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first powering device is coupled to a power source that is separate from the second powering device and the third powering device, and wherein the first powering device is configured to determine that power available from the power source is insufficient to power the powered device.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

providing, by the first powering device to the third powering device, power that is received from the power source through the third port.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first powering device is coupled to the second powering device through the second port and at least one additional port on the first powering device that is configured to communicate data with the second powering device, provide power to the second powering device, and receive power from the second powering device, and wherein the method further comprises:

sending, by the first powering device to the second powering device, the request for power that is to be provided from the second powering device that is not providing power to the first powering device through the second port and the at least one additional port prior to sending the request;

receiving, by the first powering device from the second powering device, power through the second port and the at least one additional port subsequent to sending the request; and

providing, by the first powering device to the third powering device, power that is received through the second port and the at least one additional port through the third port.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the second port and the at least one additional port are configured as a Link Aggregation Group (LAG).

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: DELL USA L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; 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 REEL 032810 FRAME 0038 (TL) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040027/0686 →
RELEASE OF REEL 032809 FRAME 0987 (NOTE) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040026/0953 →
RELEASE OF REEL 032810 FRAME 0023 (ABL) Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040014/0320 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded May 1, 2014
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032810/0038 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded May 1, 2014
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 032810/0023 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded May 1, 2014
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032809/0987 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2014
From: TEETER, VICTOR B.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 032227/0724 →