Patent ID: 8024586

Claim:
A server-based computing system comprising: a plurality of servers each having at least one processor operable to process data, each of the plurality of servers comprising: a plurality of onboard components including at least one NVRAM, and optional modules having FRU EEPROMs, wherein, each component and module is operable to respond to requests from the at least one processor in a powered-off state; a plurality of power supplies, the power supplies operable to: supply power to the servers when the servers are in a powered-on state; and provide auxiliary power to the NVRAMs and the FRU EEPROMs, wherein the auxiliary power is supplied when the servers are in a powered-off state; and a management processor operable to: request a base configuration power requirement from an NVRAM of a given server of the plurality of servers in response to a power-on request; request a power requirement from each FRU EEPROM of each optional module of the given server in response to receiving the base configuration power requirement; and maintain an internal database having all the power requirements.