Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling computing device expansion modules based on airflow rates are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining airflow rates in areas available for operable connection of expansion modules within a computing device during operation of the computing device. The method also includes determining expected power consumption of the expansion modules. Further, the method includes presenting placement of the expansion modules in the areas based on the determined airflow rates and the expected power consumption of the expansion modules.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling computing device expansion modules based on airflow rates are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining airflow rates in areas available for operable connection of expansion modules within a computing device during operation of the computing device. The method also includes determining expected power consumption of the expansion modules. Further, the method includes presenting placement of the expansion modules in the areas based on the determined airflow rates and the expected power consumption of the expansion modules.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for adjusting voltage settings, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a number of components electrically coupled to an output of a voltage regulator; determining voltage tolerance information corresponding to each of the number of components; determining a voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator; using the determined voltage tolerance information in combination with the voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator to determine whether an output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; calculating an amount by which to reduce an output voltage of the voltage regulator in response to determining that the output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; and sending one or more instructions to the voltage regulator to reduce the output voltage of the voltage regulator by the calculated amount.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: monitoring one or more types of system performance data, determining whether a current value corresponding to each of the types of system performance data is outside a respective predefined range, sending instructions to make adjustments to settings of a voltage regulator in response to determining that a current value corresponding to one of the types of system performance data is outside a respective predefined range, and performing an iterative process. The iterative process includes: determining whether an updated value corresponding to the one of the types of system performance data is outside the respective predefined range, and sending instructions to make additional adjustments to the settings of the voltage regulator in response to determining that the updated value corresponding to the one of the types of system performance data is outside the respective predefined range.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for adjusting voltage settings, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a number of components electrically coupled to an output of a voltage regulator; determining voltage tolerance information corresponding to each of the number of components; determining a voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator; using the determined voltage tolerance information in combination with the voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator to determine whether an output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; calculating an amount by which to reduce an output voltage of the voltage regulator in response to determining that the output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; and sending one or more instructions to the voltage regulator to reduce the output voltage of the voltage regulator by the calculated amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for voltage regulation device adjustment includes a configuration module that determines a configuration of an electronic device, where determining the configuration includes determining which components are installed and information about the installed components. The electronic device includes a voltage regulator device (“VRD”) providing power to one or more of the components. The apparatus includes an environment module that measures one or more environmental variables relating to an operating environment of the electronic device. The apparatus includes a firmware selection module that selects new firmware for the VRD of the electronic device in response to the determined configuration and measured environmental variables, and a firmware update module that replaces previously installed firmware on the VRD with the new firmware. The new firmware includes control settings for the VRD.

Abstract: An apparatus for voltage regulation device adjustment includes a configuration module that determines a configuration of an electronic device, where determining the configuration includes determining which components are installed and information about the installed components. The electronic device includes a voltage regulator device (“VRD”) providing power to one or more of the components. The apparatus includes an environment module that measures one or more environmental variables relating to an operating environment of the electronic device. The apparatus includes a firmware selection module that selects new firmware for the VRD of the electronic device in response to the determined configuration and measured environmental variables, and a firmware update module that replaces previously installed firmware on the VRD with the new firmware. The new firmware includes control settings for the VRD.

Abstract: An upper power limit and an average power limit that is less than the upper power limit are selected for each server of a computer system having a plurality of servers. The instantaneous power consumption and the average power consumption of each server is determined and the instantaneous power consumption of each server is prevented from exceeding the respective upper power limit. A first subset of the servers for which the average power consumption is less than the average power limit are identified. The instantaneous power consumption of each server is allowed to exceed the respective average power limit. A second subset of the servers for which the average power consumption is not less than the average power limit is identified, and the instantaneous power consumption of each server in the second subset is prevented from exceeding the respective average power limit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an upper power limit and an average power limit are specified for each server of a computer system. Power to each server is controlled so that the instantaneous power consumption does not exceed the upper power limit and the average power consumption does not exceed the average power limit. Servers whose average power consumption is currently less than the average power limit are identified. The instantaneous power consumption of each identified server is temporarily allowed to exceed its average power limit, to maximize server throughput. In cases where the average power limit of a device is reduced, such as may occur during peak energy pricing hours, the instantaneous power consumption of the device may be throttled down below the average power limit until the average power consumption no longer exceeds the average power limit.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling clocking speed of a processor, is provided. One implementation involves receiving a real-time precision signal representing available power from a power supply output, monitoring said real-time precision signal, and dynamically adjusting the clocking speed of the processor based on the monitored signal for dynamic processor speed throttling based on available power, whereby the processor is clocked at the maximum speed that matches the maximum output power available from the power supply, wherein the processor clock frequency is adjusted up or down continuously to always maximize processor performance based on available power at the system level.