IP Library Granted Patent US 10,185,379
Granted Patent B2
US 10,185,379 · App. 15/088,086 · Granted Jan 22, 2019

Systems and methods for usage of secondary power supplies in computing environments based on risk and cost assessments

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,185,379
App. No.
15/088,086
Granted
Jan 22, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for usage of secondary power supplies in computing environments based on risk and cost assessments are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a risk value to a primary power source of a need to utilize a secondary power source for powering a plurality of computing devices. The method includes using the secondary power source to power a portion of the computing devices based on the determined risk value.

Claims (49)

1. A method comprising:

storing, by a processor, a program in memory;

receiving, by the processor, media content from a second computing device connected in a computing network;

connecting, by the processor, to a primary power source and a secondary power source, wherein the primary power source and secondary power source provides power to a plurality of computing devices;

executing the program, by the processor;

determining, by the processor, the amount of power usage of the primary power source being utilized to power the plurality of computing devices;

determining, using the processor, a risk value to the primary power source, wherein the risk value is based on the received media content and amount of power usage; and

halting ingress of power, by the processor, from the primary power source;

redirecting, by the processor, power from the second power source to a first power port of the primary power source based on the risk value, the media content, and a cost of using the primary power source; and

activating, by the processor, the secondary power source to power a portion of the computing devices based on the determined risk value the media content, and the cost of using the primary power source.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the computing devices are servers operating within a data center.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a risk value comprises determining a likelihood that a weather condition will disable the primary power source, and

wherein using the secondary power source comprises using the secondary power source to power the portion of the computing devices based on the likelihood of the weather condition.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a risk value comprises determining the risk value based on the analysis of media content, and

wherein using the secondary power source comprises using the secondary power source to power the portion of the computing devices based on the analysis of media content.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a risk value comprises determining the risk value based on an administrator setting, and

wherein using the secondary power source comprises using the secondary power source to power the portion of the computing devices based on the administrator setting.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the administrator setting includes one or more of a time of power usage by the portion of the computing devices, and the amount of power usage by the portion of the computing devices.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a risk value comprises determining a risk value of a need to utilize one of a battery backup system, generator, and solar power system for powering the computing devices.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein using the secondary power source comprises using the secondary power source to power portions of two or more of the computing devices.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining costs associated with using the secondary power source and a primary power source for powering the computing devices, and

wherein using the secondary power source comprises using the secondary power source to power a portion of the computing devices based on the determined risk value and the determined costs.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

determining whether the cost of using the primary power source exceeds the cost of using the secondary power source; and

in response to determining that the cost of using the primary power source exceeds the cost of using the secondary power source, switching from the primary power source to the secondary power source.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein switching from the primary power source to the secondary power source comprises switching from the primary power source to the secondary power source in response to determining that the determined risk meets a predetermined threshold.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein using the secondary power source comprises using the secondary power source to power a server rack with a data center.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of computing devices comprises a first set of computing devices and a second set of computing devices,

wherein the method comprises:

determining whether power consumption of the first and second sets of computing devices by the primary power source exceeds a predetermined threshold; and

in response to determining that power consumption of the first and second sets of computing devices exceeds a predetermined threshold, using the secondary power source to power the second set of computing devices to lower the power consumed by the primary power source to less than the predetermined threshold.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the primary power source and the secondary power source simultaneously to power the computing devices.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising using both the primary power source and the secondary power source simultaneously on different portions of the computing devices for aligning workloads.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising analyzing usage of the primary power source and the secondary power source for reducing costs.

17. A system comprising:

a plurality of computing devices connected in a network;

a primary power source and a secondary power source that provide power to the computing devices;

at least one processor and memory that:

stores a program in the memory;

receives, by the processor, media content from a second computing device connected in a computing network;

connects, by the processor, to a primary power source and a secondary power source, wherein the primary power source and secondary power source provides power to a plurality of computing devices;

executes, by the program;

determines, using the processor, the amount of power usage of the primary power source being utilized to power the plurality of computing devices;

determines, using the processor, a risk value to the primary power source, wherein the risk value is based on the received media content and amount of power usage; and

halts ingress of power, by the processor, from the primary power source;

redirects, by the processor, power from the second power source to a first power port of the primary power source based on the determined risk value, the media content, and a cost of using the primary power source; and

activates, by the processor, the secondary power source to power a portion of the computing devices based on the determined risk value, the media content, and the cost of using the primary power source.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the computing devices are servers operating within a data center.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the risk value comprises a risk value of a need to utilize one of a battery backup system, generator, and solar power system for powering the computing devices.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2025
From: LENOVO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 069869/0614 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2019
From: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
To: LENOVO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL LTD
Reel/Frame 049855/0094 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2016
From: DHOLAKIA, AJAY; BOWER, FRED A.; ARTMAN, PAUL; CUDAK, GARY D.
To: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 038166/0698 →