Patent ID: 8689017
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A server power manager that operates within a server system that includes a plurality of multi-core processors and a plurality of memory modules, the server power manager configured to: implement one or more server management policies that identify at least one of target server power consumption and target functionality for the server system; determine at least one of an amount of excess processing capability and an amount of excess physical memory based on the target server power consumption and the target functionality; transition at least one processor core of the plurality of multi-core processors to a lower-operational state when at least a predetermined amount of excess processing capability is determined while maintaining server system functionality during the transition; and transition at least one memory module of the plurality of memory modules to a lower-operational state when at least a predetermined amount of excess physical memory is determined while maintaining server system functionality during the transition, wherein during the lower-operational state of a processor core, the server power manager is configured to either disable clock signals to the processor core or induce a lower power functionally-active state with at least one of slower clock signals and reduced voltage levels, wherein during the lower-operational state of a memory module, the server power manager is configured to either disable clock signals or instruct the memory module to enter an auto-refresh state, and wherein to transition a processor core to the lower-operational state, the server power manager is configured to request a virtual machine monitor (VMM) or an operating system to: