Patent Publication Number: US-2023152872-A1

Title: Systems and methods for configuring a power distribution unit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/234,439, filed Apr. 19, 2021, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONFIGURING A POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT”, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 15/617,336, filed Jun. 8, 2017, now U.S. Pat. 10,983,578, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONFIGURING A POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT,” which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 13/371,334, filed Feb. 10, 2012, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING PLURALITY OF LINKED POWER DISTRIBUTION UNITS IN WHICH CONFIGURATION DATA OF THE LINKED POWER DISTRIBUTION UNITS ARE ACCESSIBLE BY THE REMOTE SYSTEM,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,703,342, the entireties of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     This application is related to the following patents and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 7,774,443, entitled “POWER-MANAGER CONFIGURATION UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NETWORK MANAGERS,” issued on Aug. 10, 2010; U.S. Pat. No. 8,494,661, entitled “DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT, AND MONITORING SYSTEMS,” issued on Jul. 23, 2013; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,321,163, entitled “MONITORING POWER-RELATED PARAMETERS IN A POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT,” issued on Nov. 27, 2012. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to power distribution units and, more specifically, to systems and methods for configuring operational parameters of power distribution units. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A conventional Power Distribution Unit (PDU) is an assembly of electrical outlets (also called receptacles) that receive electrical power from a source and distribute the electrical power to one or more separate electronic appliances. Each such unit has one or more power cords plugged in to one or more of the outlets. PDUs also have power cords that can be directly hard wired to a power source or may use a traditional plug and receptacle connection. PDUs are used in many applications and settings such as, for example, in or on electronic equipment racks. One or more PDUs are commonly located in an equipment rack (or other cabinet), and may be installed together with other devices connected to the PDU such as environmental monitors, temperature and humidity sensors, fuse modules, or communications modules that may be external to or contained within the PDU housing. A PDU that is mountable in an equipment rack or cabinet may sometimes be referred to as a Cabinet PDU, or “CDU” for short. 
     As mentioned, computing facilities generally include electronic equipment racks, such as standard RETMA racks, that commonly comprise rectangular or box-shaped housings sometimes referred to as a cabinet or a rack and associated components for mounting equipment, associated communications cables, and associated power distribution cables. Electronic equipment is commonly mountable in such racks so that the various electronic devices are aligned vertically one on top of the other in the rack. Often, multiple such racks are oriented side-by-side, with each containing numerous electronic components and having substantial quantities of associated component wiring located both within and outside of the area occupied by the racks. Such racks commonly support equipment that is used in a computing network for an enterprise, referred to as an enterprise network. 
     In many cases, computing facilities such as server farms or data centers support large networks, referred to as enterprise networks. Enterprise networks exist to support large world-wide organizations and depend on a combination of technologies, e.g., data communications, inter-networking equipment such as frame relay controllers, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switches, routers, integrated services digital network (ISDN) controllers, and application servers, and network management application software. Such enterprise networks can be used to support a large company’s branch offices or campuses throughout the world and, as such, these networks have become mission critical to the functioning of such organizations. Masses of information are routinely expected to be exchanged, and such information exchanges are necessary to carry on the daily business of modern organizations. For example, some international banks have thousands of branch offices placed throughout Europe, Asia and North America that each critically depend on their ability to communicate banking transactions quickly and efficiently with one another and with their respective headquarters. A typical enterprise network uses building blocks of router and frame relay network appliances mounted in equipment racks. Such equipment racks are distributed to remote point of presence (POP) locations in the particular network. Each equipment rack can include, for example, frame relay controllers, routers, ISDN controllers, servers, network attached storage devices, etc., each of which are connected to one or more power sources. 
     Many equipment racks may be located in a data center, each of which having one or more associated PDUs. One or more such data centers may serve as data communication hubs for an enterprise. On the other hand, more than one enterprise may use computing facilities in a data centers. In any event, a particular enterprise and/or a particular data center may have a large number of equipment racks and associated PDUs. Furthermore, many PDUs include network connections that provide for remote control and/or monitoring of the PDUs. Such PDUs generally have configurations that are programmed into the PDU such as, for example, network communication configurations, alarm threshold configurations, control configurations, etc. As mentioned, a particular enterprise and/or data center may have numerous PDUs, which may each need to be programmed with configuration information. Traditionally, each PDU is required to be programmed individually by initiating a programming session and then programming the PDU. Furthermore, any time configuration information is required to be updated, each PDU traditionally is required to be individually updated. As will be recognized, such a task may consume significant amounts of time when being performed on hundreds, or even thousands, of PDUs that may be located in one or more data centers, for example. Additionally, when new data centers are brought on-line, or additions to data centers are brought on-line, the pressure to get equipment installed and running often results in PDUs that are not configured, even though such PDUs have the capability to provide information and be controlled over the network. In some cases, even after the data center is brought on-line, such PDUs may not be configured, or are eventually configured after a relatively long time period, due to higher priority tasks to be performed by data center personnel. 
     SUMMARY 
     Methods, systems, and devices are described for configuration of multiple power distribution units in an efficient manner. Power distribution units may be discovered on a network, and automatically configured according to a configuration defined for a particular location. A location may be, for example, a geographical region, a data center, a zone within a data center, a cabinet, or an individual PDU. All PDUs associated with a particular location may be provided with a common configuration file that defines operating parameters for the PDUs. In such a manner, a user may simply connect the PDU to the network, with the appropriate configuration provided without additional involvement of the user. 
     One aspect of the disclosure provides a power distribution apparatus that includes a housing having a power input and a remote system communication interface, a plurality of power outputs disposed in the power distribution apparatus housing each connectable in power supply communication with the power input and one or more separate electronic appliances. The power distribution apparatus includes a configuration file accessible by a remote system through the remote system communication interface, the configuration file comprising configuration data corresponding to operating parameters of the power distribution apparatus. A power distribution apparatus identifier is stored in a memory associated with the power distribution apparatus, the power distribution unit identifier comprising data usable to identify a location of the power distribution apparatus. A configuration file transfer mechanism is in two-way communication (import/export) with the remote system communication interface. The configuration file may include, for example, configuration data corresponding to operating parameters for the PDU, including, for example, login banner, system settings, HTTP, IPv4, Telnet, SSH, SNTP, SSL, SMTP, SNMP, ftp, LDAP, Radius and TACACS+, user and user group definitions and permissions, and outlet group configurations. In some embodiments, the configuration file may also include at least on-off parameters for a subset of the plurality of outlets, user preference parameters, alarm threshold parameters, and network operating parameters, for example. The power distribution apparatus identifier may include a network identifier indicative of a location of the power distribution apparatus, such as a data center or a location within a data center. The power distribution apparatus identifier may also include information related to a user of the apparatus, with all power distribution apparatuses of a user being configured with the same or similar configuration files. A configuration substitution command mechanism may be in communication with the configuration file transfer mechanism, and configured to recognize a command to download a substitute configuration file to the configuration file storage memory from a remote system. The configuration file may also include configuration data corresponding to a power infeed associated with one or more of the power outputs, such as data corresponding to a utility power source associated with one or more of the power outputs. 
     In another aspect, a method for configuring the operation of a plurality of power distribution apparatus is provided. The method includes receiving a first power distribution unit identifier from a first power distribution apparatus over a network, determining, based on the first power distribution apparatus identifier, a first configuration file of a plurality of available configuration files for the first power distribution apparatus, and transmitting the first configuration file to the first power distribution apparatus. The first power distribution identifier may include location information related to the first power distribution apparatus for use in locating the first power distribution unit. The location information may include an identification of a data center that houses the first power distribution apparatus, or a location within a data center that houses the first power distribution apparatus, for example. The method may further include receiving a second power distribution apparatus identifier from a second power distribution apparatus over the network, determining, based on the second power distribution apparatus identifier, a second configuration file of the plurality of available configuration files for the second power distribution apparatus, and transmitting the second configuration file to the second power distribution apparatus. In one example, the first power distribution apparatus is located in a first area of a data center, and the second power distribution apparatus is located in a second area of the data center, and the first and second configuration files comprise different configuration data based on the first and second locations. The first configuration file may also include power infeed information identifying a first power infeed associated with the first location, and the second configuration file may include power infeed information identifying a second power infeed associated with the second location. In one embodiment, the first and second power distribution apparatuses are associated with respective customers of a data center, and the first and second configuration files include different configuration data based on requirements associated with the first and second customers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label. 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a power distribution system including components configured according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is an illustration of an exemplary power distribution unit according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    is a functional block diagram of a power distribution system according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    is a functional block diagram of another power distribution system according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    is an illustration of geographic and/or data center locations according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is an exemplary user interface screen shot for setting device discovery parameters according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is another exemplary user interface screen shot for setting device discovery parameters according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is an exemplary user interface screen shot for setting device configuration information according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is an illustration of rows of racks in a data center and different zones that may be defined in the data center according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is an illustration of rows of racks in a data center and different zones that may be defined in the data center according to another embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is an illustration of rows of racks in a data center and different locations of racks that are associated with different data center customers according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS.  12 - 17    are illustrations of exemplary configuration setting templates according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  18    is a flow chart diagram of operational steps for configuring power distribution units according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  19    is a flow chart diagram of operational steps for configuring power distribution units according to another embodiment 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This description provides examples, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements. 
     Thus, various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that the methods may be performed in an order different than that described, and that various steps may be added, omitted or combined. Also, aspects and elements described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. It should also be appreciated that the following systems, methods, devices, and software may individually or collectively be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify their application. 
     Systems, devices, methods, and software are described for configuration of power distribution units (PDUs) in an efficient manner. Power distribution units may be discovered on a network, and manually or automatically configured according to a configuration defined for a particular location or particular group of PDUs. A location may be, for example, a geographical region, a data center, a zone within a data center, a cabinet, or an individual PDU. All PDUs associated with a particular location may be provided with a common configuration that defines operating parameters for the PDUs. Similarly, groups of PDUs such as PDUs associated with a particular service, application, or customer, may be provided with a common configuration that defines operating parameters for the PDUs associated with a group. Thus, when PDUs are configured or have a configuration update, all of the PDUs associated with a location may be configured or updated by pushing configuration information to each PDU. Such action may occur automatically, such as when a PDU is discovered on a network, or may occur manually when an operator initiates configuration or update of PDU(s) at a particular location. 
     In some embodiments, locations may be nested, such as, for example, all PDUs in a data center having a first subset of operating parameters, and all PDUs within an identified zone within the data center having a second subset of operating parameters. When a configuration file is pushed to PDUs in the data center, all PDUs, including the PDUs within the identified zone, receive the first subset of operating parameters. PDUs within the identified zone may receive the second subset of operating parameters at the same time, or at a different time, as receiving the first subset of operating parameters. The configuration file may include, for example, configuration data corresponding to operating parameters for the PDU, including, for example, login banner, system settings, HTTP, IPv4, Telnet, SSH, SNTP, SSL, SMTP, SNMP, ftp, LDAP, Radius and TACACS+, user and user group definitions and permissions, and outlet group configurations. In some embodiments, the configuration file may also include at least on-off parameters for a subset of the plurality of outlets, user preference parameters, alarm threshold parameters, and network operating parameters, for example. 
     With reference now to  FIG.  1   , a block diagram of an exemplary system  10  of an embodiment is now described. A PDU  20  supplies power to one or more associated computing assets. The PDU  20  is useable in a computer network  24 , and may communicate over the computer network  24  with a network power manager application  28 . The PDU  20  of this embodiment includes a power supply  32  that supplies operating power for the components within the PDU  20 . Communication with network power manager  28  is conducted through a communications module such as a network interface card (NIC)  34  within the PDU  20 . The network power manager  28  may reside in a workstation or other device that is used in the management of a data center or other enterprise management, and issues network commands over a network communications connection. The NIC  34  may include application firmware and hardware that allows the PDU  20  to communicate with various modules within a PDU, and in this embodiment includes a power manager agent application  36 . The PDU  20  includes a plurality of power outlets  40  arranged within an intelligent power module (IPM)  44 . The NIC  34 , and power manager agent  36  are connected to the computer network  24 . IPM  44  controls the application of power from the input power to a corresponding power outlet among the power outlets  40 , and is in communication with the power manager agent application  36  to provide power and power cycling on-off for one or more of the corresponding power outlets, which may be accomplished through one or more relays  45  and associated relay driver  46 . The IPM  44  receives input power, and provides power to one or more outlets  40  through the relays  45 , although it will be readily understood that a PDU  20  may operate without the use of relays to control power applied to power outlets  40 . The IPM  44  may also provide power state sensing or load sensing with respect to the corresponding power outlet in response to one or more commands. The IPM  44  in this embodiment includes a microprocessor  48  used to control the power applied to a corresponding power outlet. The microprocessor, according to the embodiment of  FIG.  1   , also is connected to a voltage sensing device  52  and a current sensing device  56  to sense the voltage and current at corresponding individual power outlet(s). The microprocessor  48  may use this information to determine the power supplied through an outlet, with such information provided through the NIC  34  to the network power manager  28 . In this embodiment, the IPM  44  also includes a power supply  58  used to provide DC operating power to components within the IPM  44 . A display  23 , for example a single-digit or multi-digit LED display, may be included to provide a visual indication of voltage, current or another power metric; the display is shown as communicating with the microprocessor  48  but could instead communicate directly with other elements such as the sensors  56  or  52 . The display may instead be driven by either the NIC  36  or the power supply  32 . 
     The network power manager  28  of  FIG.  1    communicates with the intelligent power module  44  through the power manager agent  36 . In this embodiment, the network power manager  28  may receive information from, and provide instructions to, power manager agent  36  which communicates with IPM  44 . The network power manager  28  may also receive related power measurements from the IPM  44  (through power manager agent  36 ) and report power information related to the PDU  20 , and related to one or more individual outlets (and thus power information for individual assets powered by the outlet) of the PDU  20 . The network power manager  28  also, in various embodiments, provides a configuration file to the PDU  20  that defines various operating parameters for the PDU  20 . The configuration file may be stored in the NIC  34  as a part of the power manager agent  36 , for example. In one embodiment, the MC  34  includes an identification that may be reported to the network power manager  28 , which the network power manager  28  uses to determine the configuration file that is to be provided to the PDU  20 , as will be described in more detail below. 
       FIG.  2    is an illustration of a PDU  65  that includes Intelligent Power Modules  200 , along with a communications module  66  that provides communications functions, an environmental monitor port  68 , and an input power cord  70  with associated plug  72 . The PDU  65  according to this embodiment includes a housing that is vertically mountable in an equipment rack, although it will be understood that other form factors may be used, such as a horizontally mountable housing. The Intelligent Power Modules  200  each include eight outlets  202 - 216  that supply power to assets that may be mounted into an equipment rack. Such equipment racks are well known, and often include several individual assets that are used in operation of a data center. As is well known, numerous equipment racks may be included in a data center, and in various embodiments each asset in each equipment rack may be monitored for power usage through one or more associated IPMs  200 . The visual display  23  (shown displaying the numeral “57”) is disposed in the PDU  65  although in other embodiments the display might be external to the PDU  65 . 
     In one embodiment, the power outlet module  200  includes eight outlets ( 202 - 216 ) each of NEMA 5-20R type, contained in a housing. It will be understood that this embodiment, and other embodiments described herein as having NEMA 5-20R type outlets, are exemplary only and that any of various other types of outlets alternatively can be used. For example, the “outlets” can be other NEMA types (e.g., NEMA 5-15R, NEMA 6-20R, NEMA 6-30R or NEMA 6-50R) or any of various IEC types (e.g., IEC C13 or IEC C19). It also will be understood that all “outlets” in a particular power outlet module  200 , or other module-outlet described herein, need not be identical or oriented uniformly along the PDU. It also will be understood that the “outlets” are not limited to three-prong receptacles; alternatively, one or more of the “outlets” can be configured for two or more than three prongs in the mating male connector. It also will be understood that the “outlets” are not limited to having female prong receptacles. In any “outlet,” one or more of the “prong receptacles” can be male instead of female connection elements, as conditions or needs indicate. In general, as used herein, female and male “prong receptacles” are termed “power-connection elements”. Furthermore, the principles described herein also are applicable to devices that may be hard-wired into an outlet module. While outlet module  200  of this embodiment includes eight outlets, it will be understood that this is but one example and that an outlet module may include a different number of outlets. 
     The housing for an outlet module may be any suitable housing for such a device, as is known to one of skill in the art, and may be assembled with other modules in a PDU. Such a housing generally includes a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion is substantially planar, and the rear portion is substantially planar and parallel to the front portion. The housing also includes longitudinally extending side portions and transverse end portions. The front portion, rear portion, side portions, and end portions are generally orthogonal to each other in a generally rectangular or box-type configuration. The housing can be made of any suitable, typically rigid, material, including, for example, a rigid polymeric (“plastic”) material. In at least certain embodiments, the front and rear portions are made from an electrically insulative material, whereas in other embodiments conducting materials are used for safe ground bonding. The side portions and the end portions may be integrally formed, optionally along with the front portion or the rear portion. Furthermore, while the outlet module described in this embodiment includes a housing, other embodiments may include an outlet module that does not include a housing. For example, an outlet module may include a number of outlets coupled together with no exterior housing that may then be installed into another piece of equipment. 
     Each outlet  202 - 216  is interconnected to the power source  32  through any of a number of well-known connection schemes, such as spade, lug, plug connectors, screw connectors, or other suitable type of connector. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of these electrical connectors can be located inside the housing or outside the housing, in embodiments where the power outlet module includes a housing. 
       FIG.  3    is a block diagram of a power manager system  300  of an embodiment. In this embodiment, a PDU  305  includes a power input  310  that receives power from a power source  315 . Power from the power input  310  is provided to one or more IPM(s) and associated power outputs  320  for distribution to one or more electronic appliances  325 . A network connector  330 , such as an Ethernet or serial connector, provides a connection to a network  335  and remote system  340 . A communications module  345 , according to this embodiment, includes one or more processor module(s)  350 . The processor module(s)  350  execute instructions related to various functions of the PDU. A memory  355  is included that stores, at least temporarily, configuration data  360  for the PDU, an identifier  365  for the PDU, and software  370  that when executed by the processor module(s)  350  causes the PDU  305  to perform various tasks including those described herein. Memory  355  may include any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory. A configuration transfer mechanism  375  operates to transfer configuration data  360  to and/or from the PDU  305 , using remote system communication interface  380 . In one embodiment, the configuration transfer mechanism  375  reports the PDU identifier  365  out to the remote system  340  via the remote system communication interface  380 , network connector  330 , and network  335 . The remote system  340  receives the identifier  365  and determines a configuration to be provided to the PDU  305  based on the identifier  365 . The identifier  365 , in an embodiment, is an IP address. The remote system  340 , based on the identifier, determines a location of the PDU  305  and the configuration for the PDU is determined based on the location of the PDU  305 , in an embodiment. The location may be, for example, a country or region, a data center, or a location within a data center. In another embodiment, the location is determined based on a power infeed that supplies power to the PDU. In still another embodiment, the remote system  340  determines a particular customer associated with a PDU  305 , and provides a configuration based on the requirements for the particular customer. Such a customer specific configuration may be provided to PDUs  305  in different locations. 
       FIG.  4    is a block diagram of a power manager system  300 - a  of another embodiment. In this embodiment, multiple PDUs  305 - a  through  305 - n  are connected to remote system  340 - a  through network  335 . In this embodiment, remote system  340 - a  includes a power manager server  400  that interconnects to network  335  through network connector  405 , such as an Ethernet or serial connection. The power manager server  400 , in this embodiment, includes one or more processor module(s)  410  that execute instructions related to various functions of the remote system  340 - a . A memory  415  is included that stores, at least temporarily, configuration data  420  for multiple different configurations of PDUs, an identification database  425 , and software  430  that when executed by the processor module(s)  410  cause the remote system  340 - a  to perform various tasks including those described herein. Memory  415  may include any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory. Furthermore, some or all of the configuration data  420  and identification database  425  may be stored externally to the power manager server  400 , such as in a remotely located storage system or database system. A power manager module  435  operates to transfer configuration data  360  to and/or from the PDUs  305 , using network interface  440 . In one embodiment, the power manager module  435  receives a PDU identifier from a PDU (PDU  305 - a , for example) via the network interface  440 , network connector  405 , and network  335 . The power manager module  435  receives the identifier, and accesses the identification database  425  to determine configuration data to be provided to the PDU  305 - a  based on the identifier  365 . When the configuration is identified, the power manager module  435  retrieves the identified configuration data from configuration data storage  420  in memory  415 , and provides the configuration data to the PDU  305 - a  via the network interface  440 , network connector  405 , and network  335 . The identifier received from the PDU  305 - a , in an embodiment, is an IP address. The power manager module  435 , based on the identifier and information included in the identification database  425 , determines a location of the PDU  305 - a , and the configuration for the PDU is determined based on the location of the PDU  305 - a , according to an embodiment. The location may be, for example, a country or region, a data center, a location within a data center (also referred to as a zone), a particular equipment rack, or a particular PDU. In another embodiment, the location is determined based on a power infeed that supplies power to the PDU. In still another embodiment, the power manager module  435  determines a particular customer associated with a PDU  305 - a , and provides a configuration based on the requirements for the particular customer. Such a customer specific configuration may be provided to multiple PDUs  305  for a particular customer in different locations. 
     The components described with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS.  3  and  4    may, individually or collectively, be implemented with one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integrated circuits. In other embodiments, other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors. 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  5 - 11   , various different locations for PDUs according to various embodiments are discussed. As mentioned above, a location may be a region, such as North America, Europe, or Asia, or a particular data center such as a data centers  505 ,  510 , and  515  as illustrated in  FIG.  5   . Each data center  505 ,  510 ,  515  includes a number equipment racks that each include one or more PDUs. According to various embodiments, PDUs located at various data centers may be discovered and configured automatically. The discovery of PDUs that are to be configured may be performed periodically, such as daily or weekly, or on demand. In one embodiment, device discovery settings are available, such as illustrated in the exemplary screen shot of  FIG.  6   . In this embodiment, user of a network power manager application  600  may select a device discovery item  605 , which provides a listing  610  of different device discovery settings that may be saved for a particular network power manager application  600 . New device discovery settings may be provided through a device discovery configuration mechanism, an exemplary screen shot  700  of which is provided in  FIG.  7   . In this example, a name  705  may be provided for the device discovery settings. A beginning IP address  710 , and an ending IP address  715  are provided. In one embodiment, PDUs are provided that are Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enabled. As is well known, DHCP automates network-parameter assignment to network devices from one or more DHCP servers. DHCP is useful because it makes it easy to add new machines to the network. When a DHCP-configured client (a computer or any other network-aware device) connects to a network, the DHCP client sends a broadcast query requesting necessary information from a DHCP server. The DHCP server manages a pool of IP addresses and information about client configuration parameters such as default gateway, domain name, the name servers, other servers such as time servers, and so forth. On receiving a valid request, the server assigns the computer an IP address, a lease (length of time the allocation is valid), and other IP configuration parameters, such as the subnet mask and the default gateway. 
     In the example of  FIG.  7   , the beginning IP address  710  and ending IP address  715  are determined based on IP addresses that may be assigned from a DHCP server, and are known to personnel operating the power manager application. For example, a network administrator may know that devices within a certain location, or zone within a location, will have IP addresses within a certain range of IP addresses that are assigned by a DHCP server located within that location or zone. Discovery properties, including public/private availability of a get community  720  and a set community  725  are also provided in the discovery settings. In some embodiments, discovery settings may also include username information, an authentication pass phrase, and/or a privacy pass phrase. The particular discovery settings may be selected based on a version of SNMP that is used in the system, as well as the security requirements for particular users. Get community properties  720  relate to the public or private availability of information about the network entity, PDUs in this case, provided in response to a SNMP GET request. Similarly, set community properties  725  relate to the public or private ability to set information for a network entity (PDUs in this case) using a SNMP SET command. A SNAP template  730  may be provided to PDUs discovered in the IP address range, and will be described in more detail below. An option to run discovery now  735  is provided, that may be initiated instead or, or in addition to, periodically scheduled discovery operations. Parent information  740  may also be provided based on the IP address range and knowledge that devices within the begin IP address  710  and ending IP address  715  are associated a particular parent configuration. For example, PDUs may be located in equipment racks in a particular section, or zone, of a location such as a data center, and assigned IP addresses within a known IP address range. Templates may be provided to configure PDUs within different locations, different data centers, zones within (or across) data centers, cabinets, or even for a particular PDU, such as illustrated in the system  800  of  FIG.  8   , which shows a portion of a configuration template. In this embodiment, a template may be set for the particular location, data center, zone, cabinet, or PDU through selection in a menu  805 . Configuration templates will be described in more detail below. A particular zone, for example, may be located within a data center with some configuration items set based on the data center, and other configuration items set based on the section or zone of the data center. Parent information  740 , of  FIG.  7   , may be set to provide both sets of configuration data to PDUs within the data center and section. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 - 11   , of rows  905 ,  1005 , and  1105 , respectively, of equipment cabinets may be provided in data centers  900 ,  1000 , and  1100 . In various embodiments, configuration templates may be defined for all PDUs for a location, such as all data centers in a particular area, or for PDUs located within certain areas of a data center, for example. Templates may also be defined based on other criteria, such as PDUs of a particular customer, PDUs providing power to different types of equipment, and PDUs having particular physical attributes (such as three-phase power input), to name but a few examples. 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS.  9 - 11   , each cabinet may contain one or more PDUs, as is well understood. A PDU may be located within a data center, such as Location A of  FIGS.  9  and  10   . Such a data center may include a number of different zones, such as Zones 1, 2, and 3 in data center  900  of  FIG.  9   . The different zones may require different configurations for any of a variety of reasons, such as the types of equipment located in cabinets in different areas of a data center (e.g., network attached storage may be in one area, and servers may be in another area). In some cases, configurations may be nested, meaning that, for example, a particular data center  900  may have certain global configuration information for all PDUs located within the data center, and particular zones, such as zones 1, 2, and 3, within the data center  900  may have configuration information specific to the particular zone. 
     Different locations may also have different configurations when information related to power infeeds is included in the configuration data. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  10   , utility power may be provided to a data center  1000  through multiple utility power drops and routed to different power infeeds, such as power infeed A  1010 , power infeed B  1015 , and power infeed C  1020 . In some embodiments, PDUs can provide information related to power consumption of components that receive power from the PDUs, and associated information related to the power infeed. This information may be aggregated by a remote system to evaluate overall power consumption of a data center, and identify actions that may be taken to enhance the power efficiency for particular power infeeds  1010 - 1020 , or for the data center  1000  as a whole.  FIG.  11    illustrates different cabinets within a data center  1100  that may be associated with different customers. In this embodiment, customer A has equipment in a number of different racks, and likewise customer B has equipment in a number of different racks. PDUs located in the racks associated with customer A may receive a first type of configuration, while PDUs located in the racks associated with customer B may receive a second type of configuration. When programming device discovery information, IP address ranges for the different zones or customers may be known. Alternatively, a database containing information related to locations, zones, and/or customers may be provided and used to determine location, zone, and/or customer information. 
       FIGS.  12 - 17    illustrate screen shots of a different configuration templates  1200 - 1700  for a power manager server according to an embodiment. In this example, a number of configuration templates  1200 - 1700  are provided that include various types of configuration information.  FIG.  12    includes an example template for System/IP information  1205 . This template includes a login banner  1210 , which may include information related to a banner that is displayed upon login to the PDU. System information  1215  includes configuration information related to the PDUs associated with the template, and IPV4 information  1220  includes configuration information related to enablement of IPV4 and associated domain name server (DNS) information.  FIG.  13    is an exemplary configuration template  1300  for web/telnet/SSH information  1305 . This template  1300  includes web HTTP information  1310 , web SSL information  1315 , telnet information  1320 , and SSH information  1325 . This information includes whether such features are enabled and related information.  FIG.  14    is an exemplary configuration template  1400  for SMTP/Syslog information  1405 . This template  1400  includes SMTP information  1410 , and Syslog information  1415 , regarding whether such features are enabled, and any necessary related information.  FIG.  15    is an exemplary configuration template  1500  for SNMP information  1505 . This template  1500  includes SNMP information  1510  regarding whether SNMP is enabled, and related information.  FIG.  16    is an exemplary configuration template  1600  for FTP and SNTP information  1605 . This template  1600  includes FTP server information  1610  regarding whether FTP server capability is enabled, FTP auto update information  1615  regarding whether FTP auto update is enabled, and related information, and SNTP information  1620  regarding whether SNTP is enabled, and related information.  FIG.  17    is an exemplary configuration template  1700  for LDAP/TACACS/Radius information  1705 . This template  1700  includes LDAP/TACACS/Radius information  1710  regarding whether such features are enabled. As mentioned above, these templates may be saved for a particular location, zone, cabinet, or even PDU. In the event that another PDU in the same location, zone, or cabinet is to be configured, the system discovers the PDU and provides configuration data to the PDU based on the templates that have been set for those particular PDUs. In some instances, a PDU may include a master PDU with an associated link PDU, with both the master PDU and link PDU provided with configuration data using the same configuration templates. As is well understood, a link PDU may be connected to a remote power manager application through the associated master PDU, such link PDUs also sometimes referred to as servant or slave PDUs. In the event that a template is changed, a user may push such a change to a single PDU, or all PDUs associated with the location (e.g., data center, zone, customer, etc.), thus providing for updates to configurations for multiple PDUs in an efficient manner. In some embodiments, when a new or updated template is pushed to PDUs at a location, each PDU provides a real time status as they are updated, and a user may monitor the status of the updates for the PDUs at the associated location. 
       FIG.  18    is a flow chart illustration of the operational steps for providing a configuration file to a PDU, according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, first power distribution unit identification information is received from a first power distribution unit over a network, as indicated at block  1805 . At block  1810 , a determination is made regarding a first configuration file of a plurality of available configuration files for the first power distribution unit. Such a determination may be made in a manner such as described above, based on location, customer information, etc. The first configuration file is then transmitted to the first power distribution unit at block  1815 . After receiving the configuration file, the PDU updates operating parameters and operates according to the first configuration file. 
     As mentioned above, different configuration files may be provided to different PDUs according to one of a number of criteria, such as PDU location, PDU customer requirements, power infeed related to a PDU, etc.  FIG.  19    is a flow chart illustration of the operational steps according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, first power distribution unit identification information is received from a first power distribution unit over a network, as indicated at block  1905 . At block  1910 , a determination is made regarding a first configuration file of a plurality of available configuration files for the first power distribution unit. Such a determination may be made in a manner such as described above, based on location, customer information, etc. The first configuration file is then transmitted to the first power distribution unit at block  1915 . A second power distribution unit identification information is received from a second power distribution unit over the network, as indicated at block  1920 . At block  1925 , a determination is made regarding a second configuration file of a plurality of available configuration files for the second power distribution unit. Such a determination may be made in a manner such as described above, based on location, customer information, etc. The second configuration file is then transmitted to the second power distribution unit at block  1930 . 
     As will be recognized, methods and systems such as described herein provide what may be referred to as a “Plug-and-Play” power distribution unit, with the capability to remotely configure multiple PDUs from a single console. A user may simply connect a PDU to the network, “discover” the device using a remote power manager application, and push configuration data across the network and on to the device. Such a system may save hundreds of hours in PDU configuration time by eliminating or significantly reducing the need for a user to individually initiate configurations and updates for each PDU that is to be configured or updated. Additionally, a user of such a system may, according to some embodiments, instruct single or groups of PDUs, automatically or manually, to download and install the updated product firmware, making firmware version management across numerous PDUs a more manageable task. 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, a web interface connects remote power management software with PDUs. This protocol runs over a secure HTTPS session and may be initiated through any HttpRequest, script or method that uses standard Get/Post commands. Once HTTPS authentication has been verified, remote power manager communication is initiated by sending a specific URL, unique id and command followed by an optional set of unique tag-value (TV) pairs separated by “&amp;”. The unique id may be used by the remote power manager to facilitate identification of the data from the device, and verify to the correct set of information is being communicated. The unique id may be, for example, a time stamp. The message is intercepted by the PDU, which either sets or returns configuration information in TV pairs. Read operations (get or list), according to this embodiment, use the GET method for obtaining data from the PDU. In this case, a unique id, action command and any additional TV tags must be appended to the URL using the “?” separator. Write operations (set) use the POST method to store configuration information in the PDU. In this case, the unique id, command and additional TV pairs are placed in a post buffer. Data will be returned like any standard page request in TV format beginning with the same unique id, a response message and any TV pairs returned or requested. In one embodiment, access requires that authorization credentials be sent for all HTTPS requests using standard base 64 “&lt;user&gt;:&lt;password&gt;” encoding. Tag-Value (TV) pairs may contain a hex tag identifier followed by a separator and data which uses RFC 1738 URL safe encoding. The tag may be, for example, 3-4 characters and structured in a separate class and index portion. Though not in a human readable form, such a structure is more scalable, routable, and easier to validate in software on both server and client ends. Such systems provide simplicity for generating small and powerful configuration commands. 
     It should be noted that the methods, systems and devices discussed above are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed that various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and that various steps may be added, omitted or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, it should be emphasized that technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are exemplary in nature and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. 
     Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. 
     Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in the figure. 
     Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “memory” or “memory unit” may represent one or more devices for storing data, including read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices or other computer-readable mediums for storing information. The term “computer-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels, a SIM card, other smart cards, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing or carrying instructions or data. 
     Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a computer-readable medium such as a storage medium. Processors may perform the necessary tasks. 
     Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above elements may merely be a component of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.