Power management method for information platform

A power management method for an information platform, includes holding system configuration information indicating a correspondence between a logical system and a processing module constituting the logical system; holding power management information indicating a correspondence between information with which a type of the logical system can be specified, an operating condition of the logical system, and first power consumption for operating the logical system; selecting the processing module which constitutes the logical system specified by a configuration request by referring to the system configuration information when receiving the configuration request of the logical system; calculating the first power consumption for operating the logical system based on the type and the operating condition included in the configuration request, and the power management information; and determining second power consumption to be supplied to the processing module based on the calculated first power consumption and information on the processing modules.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from Japanese patent application JP 2006-147772 filed on May 29, 2006, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an information platform for limiting power consumed by a processing module constituting a logical system.

In recent years, for improving investment efficiencies for IT systems in companies, needs for consolidation of information platforms are increasing. Owing to the consolidation, processing systems such as a server system, a router system, and a storage system which have been constituted in different casings up to now are integrated in a single casing.

Specifically, in a case of the server system, a blade server in which a plurality of server systems are mounted to a single casing, for realizing saving of space and reducing complexity of cabling of power supplies, networks, and the like is used. In the blade server, components such as a CPU, a memory, and a hard disk drive (HDD) are mounted in a thin case called a “blade”, and a plurality of blades are mounted to a casing called an “enclosure”, thereby realizing a denser platform of the server systems.

Also in a case of the storage system or the router system, generally constituent elements of the processing system are modularized and only the necessary elements are connected in terms of performance to the casing, for securing performance and scalability. As described above, the current information platforms have the constituent elements of the processing system modularized.

As a system configuration of integrating those processing systems into one, an integration platform for integrating the plurality of processing systems by a single switch is desirable. In the integration platform, various applications are mounted to one or more logical systems configured in the information platform, to thereby execute tasks.

In a case where the integration platform is configured by the blade server, each processing module is constituted by a blade, and one or a plurality of processing modules are combined to constitute the logical system. The blade server is equipped with a single or a multiplexed power supply and supplies power to each blade. Generally, the power supply module is designed to be capable of supplying maximum power necessary for operating all the blades equipped in the blade server. In a case of executing tasks, a maximum power permissible is supplied according to the configuration of the system.

For example, JP 2004-178598 A discloses a power supplying method in a blade server system. A procedure of inserting a blade and/or an interconnect device into a chassis of a server being supplied with power or being operated is called hot-plugging. In the power supplying method, prior to supplying power to the hot-plugged blade and/or interconnect device, a fabric type of an already installed blade and/or interconnect device is correlated with that of the newly hot-plugged blade and/or interconnect device, and power supply to the hot-plugged blade and/or interconnect device is switched according to a result of the correlation.

Further, JP 2005-202506 A discloses a power management system in which power is managed by an entire blade server without depending on an operating system (OS) or an application. In the power management system, a blade server includes in a casing a plurality of blades, one or more power supply boxes for supplying power to the blades, and a single system management controller connected to a baseboard management controller (BMC). The single system management controller detects a mounting number of the blades, power consumption of each of the blades, and output power from the power supply boxes, and also controls the power consumption of the blades according to a priority of reduction in power consumption of each of the blades, in a case where power consumption of the entire blade server exceeds the maximum output power.

Further, JP 2004-078935 A discloses a method of managing an operation voltage of a blade in a bladed architecture. In a case of operating a first blade at a first voltage level, the first blade serves as a host for an application requiring a first power distribution, and consumes a part of budget (e.g. heat/power) of the bladed architecture system based on the first power distribution. In a case of operating a second blade at a second voltage level, the second blade serves as a host for an application requiring a second power distribution, and consumes a part of budget of the bladed architecture system based on the second power distribution. The entire amount of budget in this case is maintained by adjusting at least one of the first voltage level and the second voltage level.

The logical system described above is employed in various ways depending on the logical system itself and applications thereof. For example, in a case of operating a Web application, a CPU use ratio is low since the Web application does not require such a high-speed operation. On the other hand, in a case of a database server, loads on the CPU becomes high since high-speed computing processing is required, leading to an increase in power consumption. In the conventional technique, maximum power necessary is determined based on a calculation of the power consumption of the information platform as a whole. Therefore, it is impossible to control the power consumption for each logical system.

In addition, in a case of a blade server, even when the blade server has a system in which a plurality of logical systems exist and a system configuration of the logical systems dynamically changes, power systems for each of the logical systems cannot be changed dynamically because a relationship between a position of the blade and the power module is fixed. An example will be given of an information platform including a blade server having four blades0,1,2, and3, in which a power module0supplies power to the blades0and1and a power module1supplies power to the blades2and3. In the information platform of this type, when a logical system0is composed of the blades0and2and a logical system1is composed of the blades1and3, either one of the logical systems1and2is composed of modules having different power systems connected thereto. In this case, when a failure occurs in either one of the power modules0and1, a failure is caused in both the logical systems0and1.

This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems and therefore has an object to provide an information platform which is capable of saving power by limiting power consumed by a processing module constituting a logical system, and which improves fault-tolerant characteristics by setting a power supply system in a unit of the logical system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A representative aspect of this invention is as follows. That is, there is provided a power management method for an information platform including: at least one processing module; a management module; a switch coupled to the processing module and the management module; and a power supply module for supplying power to the processing module, the management module, and the switch, wherein the information platform causes at least one logical system constituted by the processing module to operate. The example method comprises: a first step of holding, by the management module, system configuration information indicating a correspondence between the logical system and the at least one processing module constituting the logical system; a second step of holding, by the management module, power management information indicating a correspondence between information with which a type of the logical system can be specified, an operating condition of the logical system, and first power consumption for operating the logical system; a third step of selecting, by the management module, the processing module which constitutes the logical system specified by a configuration request of the logical system by referring to the system configuration information when receiving the configuration request; a fourth step of calculating, by the management module, the first power consumption for operating the logical system based on the type of the logical system and the operating condition of the logical system included in the configuration request, and the power management information; and a fifth step of determining, by the management module, second power consumption to be supplied to the processing module based on the calculated first power consumption and information on each of the processing modules constituting the logical system.

Accordingly, by controlling power in a unit of the logical system and controlling power in a unit of the processing module constituting the logical system, a power-saving effect on the information platform can be achieved by not having to constantly supply power at maximum power consumption to each of the processing modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a configuration block diagram of an information platform for realizing a power management system in accordance with a first embodiment of this invention.

An information platform109includes a plurality of processing modules (e.g., general-purpose processing modules and special-purpose processing modules), a switching hub104, a management module105, a power supply module106(106A and106B), and a management console108. The processing modules include general-purpose processing modules101(101A and101B) and special-purpose processing modules102(102A and102B).

The general-purpose processing module101, the special-purpose processing module102, and the management module105are connected to the switching hub104. Each of the modules and the switching hub104are connected to one another via a common physical interface. In actuality, each of the modules is mounted with an adapter which is an interface for connecting with the switching hub104, and each of the modules is connected to the switching hub104via the adapter.

A common physical interface is used for the connection with the information platform109. However, for a protocol to which the interface is subordinated, any protocol may be used. For example, the protocol may be a unique protocol having a unique physical interface, or may be a unique protocol having a standard physical interface such as a PCI. Alternatively, the protocol may be a standard protocol having a standard physical interface such as PCI Express or Advanced Switching Interconnect.

In the embodiment of this invention, each of the modules and the switching hub are connected with each other via the physical interface using the PCI Express. It should be noted that in the example embodiment described herein, the modules are connected to a single switching hub104. However, various other embodiments of the invention may contemplate the modules being connected by a plurality of switching hubs.

Each general-purpose processing module101(101A and1018) exchanges management information and user data with the special-purpose processing module102and the management module105via the switching hub104. Further, a general-purpose processing module101exchanges information with another general-purpose processing module101via the switching hub104. The general-purpose processing module101executes processing of enhancing functionality, such as computing processing of a server system, network processor processing of a router system, and RAID control processing of a storage system. It should be noted that in the example embodiment described herein, two general-purpose processing modules101are shown in the figure. However, other example embodiments of the invention contemplate that there may be provided two or more such modules.

Each special-purpose processing module102(102A and102B) exchanges information with the general-purpose processing module101and the management module105via the switching hub104. The special-purpose processing module102executes processing corresponding to a line card of the router system and the like for connecting to an external network, and processing of accessing a special-purpose device such as a hard disk drive of the storage system. It should be noted that in the example embodiment described herein, two special-purpose processing modules102are shown in the figure. However, other example embodiments of the invention contemplate that there may be provided two or more such modules.

The switching hub104connects the general-purpose processing module101, the special-purpose processing module102, and the management module105with one another. It should be noted that the switching hub104is composed of a crossbar switch. An inner configuration of the switching hub104may be of any configuration as long as information can be exchanged between the special-purpose processing module102and the management module105such configurations may include a bus, a crossbar network, and a multi-stage network. Further, in the example embodiment described herein, only one switching hub104is shown in the figure. However, other example embodiments of the invention may contemplate that there may be provided a plurality of those.

The switching hub104includes a route analysis means140and a switching means141. The route analysis means140analyzes a header portion of a packet transferred from each of the processing modules and determines to which port of the switching hub104the packet is to be transferred. The switching means141switches a destination of the packet to a destination port according to a result of analysis of the route analysis means140.

The management module105manages the entire configuration of the information platform109. It should be noted that in the example embodiment described herein, only one management module105is shown in the figure. However, other example embodiments of the invention contemplate that there may be provided a plurality of those for enhancing reliability. In the case of providing the plurality of management modules105, for consistency therebetween, a structure with which information can be exchanged among the management modules105becomes necessary.

Each of the power supply modules106(106A and106B) supplies power to each portion of the information platform109. A plurality of power supply modules106, all of which are multiplexed, are provided in the information platform109. From which of the power supply modules106A and106B the power is to be supplied is determined in advance for each of the processing modules (general-purpose processing module101and special-purpose processing module102). Specifically, the power supply module106that supplies power to a slot into which each processing module is inserted is determined for each slot.

It should be noted that in the embodiment described herein, two power supply modules106are shown in the figure. However, other example embodiments of the invention contemplate that two or more of those may be provided.

The management console108is a computer having a CPU, a memory, and the like. The management console108transfers a system configuration request from an administrator to the management module105. The system configuration request includes: a new system configuration request for newly configuring a system of the information platform109; a system expansion request, a configuration degeneration request, a configuration deletion request, and a system function change request for changing the configuration of the information platform; and a system configuration investigation request for investigating the configuration of the system. The system configuration request will be described in detail later.

Each of the general-purpose processing modules101(101A and101B) includes a general-purpose resource110(110A and110B), an operating system (OS)111(111A and111B), and a module power management means112(112A and112B) respectively. The general-purpose resource110includes a CPU and a memory. The OS111is software operated in the general-purpose processing module101.

The module power management means112manages power consumed by the general-purpose processing module101. Each of the module power management means112(112A and112B) includes a power adjustment means160(160A and160B) and a management request processing means161(161A and161B) respectively. The power adjustment means160sets maximum permissible power for the general-purpose processing module101. The management request processing means161communicates with the management module105and sets the maximum permissible power to be supplied to the general-purpose processing module101.

The special-purpose resource120is an I/O device such as a disk drive or a line card of a router. The special-purpose OS121is a program executed exclusively for I/O processing. The module power management means122is similar to the module power management means112of the general-purpose processing module101described above.

The management module105manages each portion of the information platform109. The management module105includes a system component management table130, a power management table131, a power condition management table132, a system component management means133, a power management means134, a storage135, and a module management table136.

The system component management table130manages configuration modules of a logical system configured in the information platform109. Specifically, the system component management table130manages combinations of the general-purpose processing module101or the special-purpose processing module102which constitute the logical system. Types of the logical system include a server system, a router system, and a storage system.

For example, the server system is composed of the special-purpose processing module102for executing access processing to the disk drive, and the plurality of general-purpose processing modules101. The router system is composed of the special-purpose processing module102for executing I/O processing to an external device, such as the line card, and the general-purpose processing module101for executing processing for routing. Further, the storage system is composed of the special-purpose processing module102for realizing a storage controller that executes access processing to the disk drive, and the general-purpose processing module101for executing processing such as RAID control processing.

It should be noted that the management module105can manage various systems other than the server system, the router system, and the storage system as described above. The management module105may manage any system as long as the system can be constituted by the combinations of the general-purpose processing module101and the special-purpose processing module102. Details of the system component management table130will be given later with reference toFIG. 2.

The power management table131is information managed by the power management means134and is a table for managing operating conditions of a plurality of logical systems configured in the information platform109for each type, and permissible power with respect to the logical systems. Details of the power management table131will be given later with reference toFIG. 3.

The power condition management table132is a table managed by the power management means134and holds a correspondence between the permissible power and an operation condition for each of the processing modules. Details of the power management table132will be given later with reference toFIG. 4.

The module management table136manages a correspondence between an identifier of each processing module and the logical system to which the processing module belongs. Details of the module management table136will be given later with reference toFIG. 9.

The system component management means133accepts a system configuration management request transmitted from the management console108and configures a logical system by combinations of the general-purpose processing module101and the special-purpose processing module102based on the accepted management request. The system component management means133manages the configuration of all the logical systems. The system component management means133refers to the system component management table130and the module management table136and executes the processing.

The power management means134includes a table initialization means170, a permissible power calculation means171, and a power condition setting means172. The power management means134manages power for each logical system and sets a power condition of the processing module constituting the logical system so that the power condition satisfies the power managed for each logical system.

The power management means134refers to the table initialization means170to register or delete information with respect to each entry of the power management table131and the power condition management table132. Details of the table initialization means170will be given later with reference toFIG. 5.

The permissible power calculation means171calculates permissible power of the logical system. Details of the permissible power calculation means171will be given later with reference toFIG. 6.

The power condition setting means172sets the power condition calculated by the permissible power calculation means171to each processing module constituting the logical system.

The storage135is a non-volatile storage device constituted by, for example, one or more hard disk drives. The storage135saves initial values of various tables stored in the management module105and periodically stores the various tables.

The storage135holds the various tables managed by the system component management means133and the power management means134. Those tables include the module management table136, the system component management table130, the power management table131, and the power condition management table132.

It should be noted that those tables are stored in a memory area in the management module105, and contents of those tables are updated by the processing of the management module105. In addition, the management module105periodically stores those various tables in the storage135. Thus, the various tables are held in the storage135even when power supply to the management module105is stopped.

Each of the power supply module106(106A and106B) includes a management request processing means150and an output power adjustment means151. The management request processing means150receives information on power set by the management module105and instructs the output power adjustment means151to adjust the output power. The output power adjustment means151determines the permissible power to be supplied according to the instruction and supplies the determined power to each portion of the information platform109.

FIG. 2is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the system component management table130stored in the management module105in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

The system component management table130manages the configuration of the logical system configured in the information platform109. The system component management table130is managed by the system component management means133of the management module105. Specifically, the system component management table130stores information of the logical system constituted by the general-purpose processing module101and the special-purpose processing module102.

The system component management table130is composed of entries including a logical system number field201, a system type field202, and a module identifier field203.

The system number field201stores an identifier of the logical system constituted by the processing module. The identifier is a value unique in the information platform. The system type field202stores an identifier indicating a type of the logical system.

Specifically,FIG. 2shows two kinds of server systems of a “server1” and a “server2”. For example, the server1is for a Web server application and the server2is for a DB server application. In the example embodiment described herein, only two system types are shown. However, other example embodiments of the invention contemplate that server applications such as a router system application or a storage system application may be set as the system types. Further, even in the case of the server system, two or more kinds of the system type may be set.

The module identifier field203stores an identifier of the processing module constituting the logical system. For example, in the embodiment of this invention, the logical system #1is composed of a module #1and a module #3and a logical system #2is composed of a module #2and a module #4.

FIG. 3is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the power management table131stored in the management module105in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

The power management table131is managed by the power management means134and stores permissible power for each system type. The power management table131is created prior to configuration of the logical system.

The power management table131is composed of entries including a system type field301, an operating condition field302, and a permissible power field303.

The system type field301stores a type of the logical system. Since the system type is the same as the system type field202ofFIG. 2, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The operating condition field302stores a broad operating condition of the system type of the logical system when the logical system is operated. The operating condition of the logical system is set by an administrator via the management console108, and indicates a power level or a performance level permissible for the logical system.

For example, in a case of managing the power level, “HIGH” is stored when the power necessary for the logical system is relatively large, and “LOW” is stored when the necessary power is relatively low. Further, in a case of managing the performance level, “HIGH” is stored when performance necessary for the logical system is high, and “LOW” is stored when necessary performance is low. The operating condition may be any condition as long as it is information readily understood by the administrator in managing the system.

The permissible power field303stores a specific power value permissible for the logical system with respect to the operating condition. For example, in the embodiment of this invention, “A” is set for the permissible power with respect to the operating condition “HIGH” and “B” is set for the permissible power with respect to the operating condition “LOW”.

FIG. 4is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the power condition management table132stored in the management module105in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

The power condition management table132is composed of entries including a permissible power for module field401, a processor operation frequency field402, a memory operation frequency field403, and an operation voltage field404.

The power condition management table132is set prior to the configuration of the logical system. The power condition management table132is set according to the processing module type. For example, the power condition management table132is set for both of the general-purpose processing module101and the special-purpose processing module102. It should be noted that only one power condition management table132may be provided if the table includes information indicating the processing module type.

The permissible power for module field401indicates power permissible to the processing module (permissible power). The processor operation frequency field402, the memory operation frequency field403, and the operation voltage field404hold operation conditions for realizing the permissible power. In other words, the processor operation frequency field402stores an operation frequency of a processor of the processing module for realizing the permissible power. The memory operation frequency field403stores an operation frequency of a memory of the processing module. The operation voltage field404stores an operation voltage of the processing module.

Specifically, in the example ofFIG. 4, the operation condition in realizing a permissible power X1is as follows: P1for the processor operation frequency, M1for the memory operation frequency, and V1for the operation voltage. Further, Xmax indicates a maximum permissible power of the processing module. When the permissible power is at its maximum, the operation condition is follows: Pmax for the processor operation frequency, Mmax for the memory operation frequency, and Vmax for the operation voltage.

It should be noted that in the example embodiment described herein, the permissible power per processing module is determined based on three operation conditions including the processor operation frequency, the memory operation frequency, and the operation voltage. However, other example embodiments of the invention contemplate that the permissible power may be determined based on other operation conditions in addition to those described above. Further, three values of X1, X2, and Xmax are set for the permissible power inFIG. 4. However, three or more values may be set.

FIG. 5is a further detailed block diagram of the table initialization means170included in the power management means134of the management module105in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

The table initialization means170includes a power management table entry registration means501, a power management table entry deletion means502, a power condition management table entry registration means503, and a power condition management table entry deletion means504.

The power management table entry registration means501newly registers an entry to the power management table131and updates contents of entries held in the power management table131. The power management table entry deletion means502deletes an entry already registered in the power management table131. The power condition management table entry registration means503newly registers an entry to the power condition management table132and updates entries held in the power condition management table132. The power condition management table entry deletion means504deletes an entry already registered in the power condition management table132.

FIG. 6is a further detailed block diagram of the permissible power calculation means171included in the power management means134of the management module105in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention. The permissible power calculation means171includes a system permissible power specifying means601, a module information acquisition means602, a supply power optimizing means603, a system permissible power verification means604, and a configuration module permissible power calculation means605.

The system permissible power specifying means601specifies, when the administrator newly configures a logical system, permissible power of the logical system to be newly configured based on the system type and the operating condition designated as parameters of the system configuration request. The module information acquisition means602acquires information from each processing module or the power supply module included in the information platform109.

When the administrator has set a mode for optimizing supply power in the system configuration request, the administrator has issued a supply power optimizing request, or the administrator has made a setting in advance to optimize the supply power in the system, the supply power optimizing means603optimizes the supply power so that the supply power is balanced with a total amount of permissible power of the logical system configured in the information platform. Accordingly, the supply power can be reduced when the supply power is larger than the permissible power.

The system permissible power verification means604compares the permissible power of the logical system specified by the system permissible power specifying means601with the maximum power of each module constituting the logical system, which has been acquired by the module information acquisition means602.

The configuration module permissible power calculation means605calculates the permissible power of the processing module using the power condition management table132when the permissible power of the new logical system is smaller than the total of the maximum power of the configuration modules.

FIG. 7is a further detailed block diagram of the system component management means133of the management module105in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

The system component management means133includes a system configuration request accepting means701, a system configuration request analysis means702, a module selection means703, and a configuration management table setting means704.

The system configuration request accepting means701accepts a system configuration request input by the administrator via the management console108. The system configuration request analysis means702analyzes a content of the accepted system configuration request. The module selection means703refers to the module management table136and selects a module for constituting a logical system according to the input system configuration request. It should be noted that details of the module management table136will be given later with reference toFIG. 9. The configuration management table setting means704newly adds an entry or updates settings with respect to the system component management table130and the module management table136.

FIG. 8is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration of the system configuration request input from the management console108in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

The system configuration request is input to the management console108by the administrator or the like, and is received by the system component management means133of the management module105.

The system configuration request includes as parameters of the request a command type field1001, a system type field1002, an operating condition field1003, and a configuration module type and quantity field1004. In the example embodiment described herein, three kinds of parameters are shown. However, other example embodiments of the invention contemplate that three or more parameters may be provided. For example, the mode for optimizing the supply power as described above may be designated as the parameter.

The command type field1001stores a command type of the system configuration request. It should be noted that in the example embodiment described herein, two command types including a new system configuration request and a system operating condition change request are shown. However, other example embodiments of the invention contemplate that the command type field1001may support other management requests than those described above.

The system type field1002stores a system type. For example, the “server2” of the system type indicates a Web server and the “server1” of the system type indicates a DB server.

The operating condition field1003stores an operating condition of the logical system. The performance level is used herein as the operating condition. Because the server2does not require much of the computing processing, “LOW” is set as the performance level. Because the server1requires the computing processing, “HIGH” is set as the performance level. It should be noted that as described above, the operating condition may be managed based on two or more levels.

The configuration module type and quantity field1004stores a type and a quantity of the processing module constituting the logical system.

An example of the system configuration request shown inFIG. 8will be specifically explained.

An entry in the upper row indicates a new system configuration request, that is, a configuration request for a new logical system. As can be seen, the system type of the logical system is “server2” and the operating condition thereof is “LOW”. Further, it shows that the logical system is constituted by two general-purpose processing modules101.

Similarly, an entry in the lower row indicates a system operating condition change request, that is, a request to change the operating condition of the logical system already set. As can be seen, the system type of the logical system is “server1” and the operating condition thereof is “HIGH”. Further, it shows that the logical system is constituted by two general-purpose processing modules101.

FIG. 9is an explanatory diagram of the module management table136in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

The module management table136is managed by the system component management means133and manages a correspondence between the logical system and each processing module constituting the logical system. It should be noted that the module management table136may be set according to the type of the module or the correspondence may be managed in a single table. Any management method may be employed as long as the correspondence between each module and the logical system can be managed.

The system component management means133and the power management means134refer to the module management table136to grasp which logical system is constituted by which processing module, or which processing module constitutes which logical system.

Next, an operation of the information platform109configured as described above will be explained.

FIG. 10is a flowchart of processing of the management module105in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

The flowchart ofFIG. 10shows a processing flow of when the management module105has received a system configuration request from the administrator via the management console108.

It should be noted that in the information platform109, no logical system is configured yet and supply of power from the power supply module106to each of the processing modules is not yet started. At this time, least necessary power for processing a request is supplied to the switching hub104, the management module105, and the management console108. In addition, power necessary for communicating with the management module105, storing setting information, and the like is supplied to each processing module from a network via a power supply path or the switching hub104. This can be realized by a system equivalent to the standard such as PCI. Thus, description thereof will be omitted.

The processing is started when a system configuration request is instructed to the management console108by the administrator or the like (S1101).

First, in the management module105, upon reception of the system configuration request input to the management console108by the system component management means133, system configuration request analysis processing for analyzing contents thereof is executed (S1102). Specifically, upon reception of the system configuration request, the system configuration request accepting means701transmits the received system configuration request to the system configuration request analysis means702. The system configuration request analysis means702analyzes the content of the received system configuration request. The system configuration request analysis means702extracts information on the logical system and information on the operating condition and the processing module included in the system configuration request and transmits the extracted information to the module selection means703.

Subsequently, the module selection means703executes configuration module selection processing to select the processing module for constituting the logical system based on the information received from the system configuration request analysis means702(S1103). Specifically, the module selection means703refers to the module management table136and acquires information on the processing module not yet allocated to the logical system. Then, the module selection means703selects the processing module which constitutes the logical system based on the information on the processing module received from the system configuration request accepting means701and the acquired information on the processing module. After that, the module selection means703transmits the selected information to the power management means134.

Next, the power management means134executes permissible power calculation processing for calculating the permissible power of each of the processing modules and the permissible power of the whole information platform based on the received information (S1104). The processing will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12.

Next, the management module105executes table setting processing for setting calculated pieces of information in various tables (S1105). Upon completion of the processing, supply of power to each processing module in the information platform109is started based on the set pieces of information. Thus, the information platform109starts the processing of the set logical system.

Upon completion of the above-mentioned processing, the processing of the flowchart is ended (S1106).

FIG. 11is a flowchart of processing of the permissible power calculation means171in the power management means134of the management module105in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

Upon reception of the information on each processing module and the information on the system type, operating condition, and the like of the logical system from the system component management means133, the permissible power calculation means171starts the processing (S801).

First, the permissible power calculation means171refers to the power management table131and specifies permissible power of a logical system to be newly created, based on the information on the system type and the operating condition included in the system configuration request (S802).

Next, the permissible power calculation means171makes an inquiry to the power supply module106and acquires output power of the power supply module106(S803). It should be noted that the output power of the power supply module106is equivalent to the maximum power that can be supplied therefrom.

Next, the permissible power calculation means171investigates an existing logical system already set by using the system component management table130, and investigates the permissible power of the existing logical system by referring to the power management table131. Then, the permissible power calculation means171calculates a value by adding permissible power of the logical system to be newly set to the total permissible power of the existing logical systems. After that, the permissible power calculation means171judges whether the calculated value is smaller than the output power acquired from the power supply module106(S804).

When the calculated value is determined to be equal to or larger than the acquired output power, the permissible power exceeds maximum output power of the power supply module106with the operating condition of the logical system required. Accordingly, a logical system cannot be newly configured. Thus, when the calculated value is determined to be equal to or larger than the acquired output power of the power supply module, the permissible power calculation means171notifies an error to the management console108and instructs resetting of the operating condition of the logical system (S811).

On the other hand, when the calculated value is determined to be smaller than the acquired output power, the permissible power calculation means171judges whether a supply power optimizing mode is set (S805).

The supply power optimizing mode is set by the administrator or the system prior to the configuration request processing. When the supply power optimizing mode is designated, the permissible power calculation means171executes supply power optimizing processing of the power supply module (S812).

Specifically, when the calculated value is determined to be smaller than the acquired supply power, the permissible power calculation means171adjusts the supply power of the power supply module so that the total permissible power of all the logical systems becomes substantially equal to the permissible power to be supplied from the power supply module106. Accordingly, the power to be supplied to the information platform as a whole can be suppressed to a least necessary amount while supplying necessary power to each of the processing modules, thus making it possible to save power in the information platform.

When the supply power optimizing mode is not designated and after the supply power optimizing processing of the power supply module is carried out, the permissible power calculation means171acquires the maximum power of each processing module based on the information on the processing modules received from the system component management means133. Specifically, the permissible power calculation means171makes an inquiry to each processing module on the maximum power and acquires the maximum power of each processing module. It should be noted that the maximum power of the processing module is equivalent to the maximum power consumption of the processing module. Thus, the maximum power of each of the processing modules constituting the newly configured logical system is acquired (S806).

It should be noted that at this time, the processing module may transmit not only maximum power but also attribute information including a processing module type (e.g., switch, memory module, or distinction between the general-purpose module and the special-purpose module) of the own module and power condition parameters, in response to the inquiry made by the permissible power calculation means171.

The permissible power calculation means171calculates a value by summing up the acquired maximum power of the processing modules to judge whether the calculated value is smaller than the permissible power of the new logical system calculated in Step S802(S807).

When the calculated value is determined to be smaller than the permissible power of the logical system, it is possible to operate all the processing modules with the maximum power. Thus, the permissible power calculation means171determines to activate each processing module with the maximum power (S813).

On the other hand, when the calculated value is determined to be equal to or larger than the permissible power of the logical system, the permissible power calculation means171calculates the permissible power of each processing module based on the permissible power of the logical system and the information on the processing module constituting the logical system (S808). At this time, the power management table131and the power condition management table132are referred to. After that, the processing of this flowchart is ended (S809) and the processing proceeds to power condition setting processing of a flowchart shown inFIG. 12.

FIG. 12is a flowchart of the power condition setting processing of the power condition setting means172in the power management means134of the management module105in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention.

First, after starting power condition setting processing (S901), the power condition setting means172selects one of the processing modules to constitute the logical system to be newly set (S902).

Next, the power condition setting means172calculates the power control parameter based on the selected processing module type and the permissible power calculation result ofFIG. 11described above (S903).

Subsequently, the power condition setting means172transmits the specified power control parameter to the processing module selected in Step S902(S904).

Next, the power condition setting means172judges whether there is a processing module whose power control parameter is not set (S905). When there is an unset processing module, the processing returns to Step S902and the processing is repeated. When there is no unset processing module, processing of all processing modules that constitute the newly set logical system has been completed (S909). Thus, the processing is ended to return to the flowchart ofFIG. 10.

As described above, in the power management system according to the first embodiment of this invention, it is possible to limit power consumed by each of the processing modules that constitute the logical system based on the system type and the operating condition of the logical system set in the information platform109. Accordingly, power can be saved in the information platform109.

Second Embodiment

Next, description will be given of a power management system according to a second embodiment of this invention.

In the second embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment described above, systems for the power supply module106are set for each processing module, thereby improving fault-tolerant characteristics of the logical system. It should be noted that components same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13is a configuration block diagram of the information platform109in accordance with the second embodiment of this invention.

The configuration of the information platform109according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the following points.

That is, each of the processing modules include a load measurement means1210or1212. Further, each of the module power management means includes a system selection means1260or1262. Specifically, each of the general-purpose processing module101(101A and101B) includes the load measurement means1210(1210A and1210B) respectively. Further, each of the module power management means112(112A and112B) includes the system selection means1260(1260A and1260B) respectively. Similarly, the special-purpose processing module102(102A and102B) includes the load measurement means1212(1212A and1212B) respectively. Further, the module power management means122(122A and122B) includes the system selection means1262(1262A and1262B) respectively.

The management module105includes a monitor information collection means1220. In addition, the power management means134includes a system setting means1270.

The load measurement means1210measures load data of the general-purpose processing module101and transmits the measured load data to the management module105. Specifically, the load measurement means1210measures load data including a load of the CPU of each general-purpose processing module101due to the operation of the logical system constituted by the general-purpose processing modules101, a memory use ratio, or the like, and transmits the measured load data at a predetermined time, with predetermined intervals, or based on a load data transmission request.

Further, the power supply module106includes two modules (106A and106B). The power supply modules106A and106B are each equipped with an independent path for supplying power to each processing module and the management module105. The paths are configured to be capable of being selected on the processing module side. In other words, one processing module can receive power supply from either one of the two power supply modules106A and106B.

It should be noted that hereinafter, which of the power supply modules106A and1068power is to be supplied from is referred to as “systematizing”. In other words, the processing module whose power supply system is set to 1 receives power supply from the power supply module106A. Similarly, the processing module whose power supply system is set to 2 receives power supply from the power supply module106B.

The monitor information collection means1220collects pieces of load data from each of the processing modules.

The system setting means1270sets systems for each of the processing modules.

FIG. 14is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a system component management table1230in accordance with the second embodiment of this invention.

The system component management table1230is similar to the system component management table130of the first embodiment described above except that the system component management table1230includes a power system field1303. The power system field1303stores an identifier of the power system for each logical system.

The system component management means133adds or updates an entry of the system component management table1230based on a system configuration request received from the management console108.

FIG. 15is an explanatory diagram showing a system setting of the power supply module106in accordance with the second embodiment of this invention.

As described above, in this embodiment, power supplies for the logical system and the processing modules constituting the logical system are categorized based on the systems.FIG. 15is a diagram for showing those systems.

InFIG. 15, there are provided markers (1401,1402,1403, and1404) for indicating which of the power supply modules106A and106B is to supply power to the general-purpose processing modules101A and101B and the special-purpose processing modules102A and102B. For example, the general-purpose processing module101A has the marker1401set on the power supply module106A side. Thus, the general-purpose processing module101A is set to receive power supply from the power supply module106A. Similarly, the special-purpose processing module102B has the marker1404set on the power supply module106B side. Thus, the special-purpose processing module102B is set to receive power supply from the power supply module106B.

The settings of the systems may be displayed on a display screen of the management console108so that an administrator performs the setting using a GUI.

Next, description will be given of an operation of the information platform109of the second embodiment configured as described above.

As described above, each processing module includes the load measurement means1210or1212. The load measurement means1210and1212constantly measure a load of the processing modules and transmit measurement results to the monitor information collection means1220of the management module105.

The monitor information collection means1220receives the load information transmitted from each processing module. Then, the monitor information collection means1220refers to the module management table136and calculates the load of each logical system based on information of the processing module that has transmitted the load information. The monitor information collection means1220causes the management console108to display the load information of each logical system. By viewing the display, the administrator can check the load information of each logical system. Further, when the administrator finds a logical system having a load higher than necessary, the administrator can make a request to optimize the load regarding the logical system.

Specifically, when the administrator transmits a request to optimize the load via the management console108, the management module105changes the setting so as to enhance performance of the processing module constituting the logical system concerned in the request. In other words, the management module105specifies the processing module constituting the logical system. Then, the management module105refers to the power control parameters currently set in the specified processing module, and the power condition management table132. Then, the management module105resets the power control parameters of the processing module to a higher processor operation frequency, memory operation frequency, and operation voltage for each processing module, and transmits the reset power control parameters to the processing modules.

By performing the setting as described above, when a load of the logical system is high, the setting can be made to reduce the load by changing the performance of the logical system.

FIG. 16is a flowchart of processing of the management module105in accordance with the second embodiment of this invention.

Similar toFIG. 9described above, the flowchart ofFIG. 16shows processing carried out when the management module105receives a system configuration request made by the administrator or the like via the management console108.

The processing is started when a system configuration request is instructed by the administrator or the like to the management console108(S1501).

First, in the management module105, when the system component management means133receives a system configuration request input to the management console108, system configuration request analysis processing for analyzing contents thereof is executed (S1502). Specifically, when the system component request accepting means701receives the system configuration request, the system configuration request accepting means701transmits the received system configuration request to the system configuration request analysis means702. The system configuration request analysis means702analyzes contents included in the received system configuration request. The system configuration request analysis means702extracts information on the logical system and information on the operating condition, power systems, and processing module included in the system configuration request, and transmits the extracted pieces of information to the module selection means703.

Next, the module selection means703executes configuration module selection processing for selecting the processing module for constituting the logical system, based on the pieces of information received from the system configuration request analysis means702(S1503). Specifically, the module selection means703acquires information on the processing module yet to be allocated to the logical system by referring to the module management table136. Then, the module selection means703selects the processing module which constitutes the logical system based on the information on the processing module received from the system configuration request accepting means701and the acquired information on the processing module, and transmits the selected information to the power management means134.

Subsequently, the power management means134executes power supply system setting processing for setting power supply systems of the set logical system (S1504). Specifically, the power management means134acquires information on the power systems included in the system configuration request and sets the acquired information to the power systems of the logical system to be newly set.

Next, the power management means134executes permissible power calculation processing for calculating permissible power of each processing module and permissible power of the entire information platform based on the received information (S1505). The processing is similar to those ofFIGS. 11 and 12.

Then, the management module105executes table setting processing for setting the calculated information to the various tables (S1506). Upon completion of the processing, power is supplied to each of the processing modules in the information platform109based on the set information. Accordingly, the information platform109starts the processing of the set logical system. Upon completion of the processing described above, the processing of the flowchart is ended (S1507).

As described above, in the power management system according to the second embodiment of this invention, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it becomes possible to select the power supply module106for supplying power in a unit of a logical system, by setting the power supply systems of the logical system to be set in the information platform109. With the configuration as described above, for example, also when a failure occurs in the power supply module106, the logical system using the power supply system different from the power supply module106in which the failure has occurred can continue on with its processing, thereby eliminating the risk of all the logical systems being stopped due to the failure of the power supply module106. Thus, the fault-tolerant characteristics of the power supply module106of the information platform109is improved. In particular, when multiplicity of the power supply module106is increased, multiplicity of the power supply system is also increased, thereby making it possible to further increase the fault-tolerant characteristics.