Abstract: In a blade-based computer system, the number of loaded blades in the system is determined. Next, an optimal performance configuration for each of the individual blades is determined. The optimal performance configuration is based at least in part on the number of the blades loaded in the chassis and the overall thermal and power envelope. Then an individual frequency for at least one of said individual blades is set creating a more efficiently run system.

Abstract: In an electronic system, a method for operating a cooling fan comprises rotating an impeller about a rotational axis and detecting fan failure. The impeller is spatially expanded in response to the detected fan failure whereby airflow through the failed fan is blocked.

Abstract: A frequency manager automatically selects a clock frequency for each device or bus, or for a plurality of devices or buses, in a system, based on various factors and objectives. These factors and objectives can include optimizing performance of the devices without exceeding the system's power/thermal budget. The frequency manager can then control circuits that generate and provide clock signals having the selected frequency(ies) to these devices or buses. For example, in a system that is less than fully populated with devices, embodiments of the invention can select higher clock frequencies than a fully populated system would utilize. Some embodiments of the invention select higher clock frequencies for high-bandwidth devices than for low-bandwidth devices. Other embodiments use information about application programs that will be executed by systems, such as which devices these application programs will frequently access, to select higher clock frequencies for the frequently accessed devices.

Abstract: A rack equipment application performance modification system and method is disclosed for providing a convenient and efficient manner to modify performance of rack equipment based upon an application. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rack equipment application performance modification system comprises rack equipment, an application performance modification component, and a communication bus. The rack equipment processes information. The application performance modification component modifies performance of said rack equipment based upon an application. The communication bus communicatively couples the rack equipment and the application performance modification component and the communication bus communicates information between the application performance modification component and the rack equipment.

Abstract: A frequency manager automatically selects a clock frequency for each device or bus, or for a plurality of devices or buses, in a system, based on various factors and objectives. These factors and objectives can include optimizing performance of the devices without exceeding the system's power/thermal budget. The frequency manager can then control circuits that generate and provide clock signals having the selected frequency(ies) to these devices or buses. For example, in a system that is less than fully populated with devices, embodiments of the invention can select higher clock frequencies than a fully populated system would utilize. Some embodiments of the invention select higher clock frequencies for high-bandwidth devices than for low-bandwidth devices. Other embodiments use information about application programs that will be executed by systems, such as which devices these application programs will frequently access, to select higher clock frequencies for the frequently accessed devices.

Abstract: In a system and method for managing the operating frequency of processors in a blade-based computer system, a circuit receives a signal with instructions relating to the desired operating frequency of the processors or blades. The circuit then generates a control signal based upon the specific frequency designated by the user. A frequency synthesizer then processes an input frequency signal and the control signal and outputs an output frequency to be used by at least one processor in the blade-based computer system.

Abstract: A method includes modulating a first voltage level of a first processor and a second voltage level of a second processor within a multi-processor computer system. The first processor operates at a first performance level and the second processor operates at a second performance level. The first performance level is higher than said second performance level. A system includes means for modulating a first voltage level of a first processor, which operates at a first performance level, and means for modulating a second voltage level of a second processor, which operates at a second performance level, with a multi-processor computer system.

Abstract: A method includes modulating a first voltage level of a first processor and a second voltage level of a second processor within a processor-based system. The first processor processes applications at a first performance level and the second processor processes applications at a second performance level. The first performance level is higher than said second performance level. A system includes means for modulating a first voltage level of a first processor, which processes applications at a first performance level, and means for modulating a second voltage level of a second processor, which processes applications at a second performance level, with a processor-based system.

Abstract: In an electronic system, a method for operating a cooling fan comprises rotating an impeller about a rotational axis and detecting fan failure. The impeller is spatially expanded in response to the detected fan failure whereby airflow through the failed fan is blocked.

Abstract: In a system, method and apparatus for the frequency management of processors in a multi-processor (MP) computer system, a first processor requiring a first level of performance is operated at a specific frequency and consumes a portion of the thermal and power budget. A second processor requiring a second level of performance is operated at a second specific frequency and consumes a portion of the thermal and power budget. The overall power and thermal budget in the multi-processor computer system is maintained under the different operating frequencies.

Abstract: In a system, method and apparatus for managing the operating frequency of blades in a blade-based computer system based upon performance requirements, a first blade that requires a specific power allocation is operated at a specific frequency and consumes a portion of the thermal and power budget for the blade-based computer system. A second blade that requires a specific power allocation is operated at a specific frequency and consumes a portion of the thermal and power budget for the blade-based computer system. Additionally, the overall power and thermal budget of the blade-based computer system is maintained.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an input signal, which contains instructions for modulating a voltage of a blade, generating a control signal, which is determined by the instructions contained in the input signal, generating an output voltage, and providing the output voltage to the blade. A system includes receiving means for receiving an input signal, first generating means for generating a control signal, second generating means for generating an output voltage, and first providing means for providing the output voltage to the blade.

Abstract: A fan rotor system for cooling an electronic system includes a rotor body configured to be rotated by a fan motor and at least one collapsible fan blade mounted on the rotor body for moving cooling air through the electronic system. The at least one collapsible fan blade has a first air driving position, wherein the fan blade moves cooling air in a desired direction for cooling the electronic system, and a second air passage position, wherein the at least one collapsible fan blade is collapsed to allow cooling air to pass the at least one collapsible fan blade with less drag than when the at least one collapsible fan blade is in the first air driving position. The at least one collapsible fan blade is movable between the first air driving position when the rotor body is rotating and the second air passage position when the rotor body is not rotating.

Abstract: A method and method of mastering a serial bus. A serial bus is monitored in order to detect a quiescent period on the bus. Responsive to a detection of a quiescent period, bus signals to a first master device of the serial bus are interrupted, isolating the first bus master from the rest of the bus. Once the first bus master is isolated, a second bus master may operate on the bus, free from potential deleterious interference from the first bus master. When the second bus master is finished operating, it may cause the re-coupling of the bus, restoring the capability of the first bus master to operate.

Abstract: A method includes modulating a first voltage level of a first blade and a second voltage level of a second blade within a bladed architecture system. The first blade hosts applications that require a first performance level and the second blade hosts applications that require a second performance level. The first performance level is higher than said second performance level. A system includes means for modulating a first voltage level of a first blade, which hosts applications that require a first performance level, and means for modulating a second voltage level of a second blade, which hosts applications that require a second performance level, with a bladed architecture system.

Abstract: An apparatus for terminating a transmission line includes a terminating circuit coupled to a first connector portion. A second connector portion mates with the first connector portion. The second connector portion is coupled in electrical contact with the transmission line and includes one or more components, such as pins, that can radiate unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) when the transmission line is not terminated. The terminating circuit includes components, such as one or more resistors, that substantially match the impedance of the transmission line. The terminating circuit can also be configured to terminate other conductive lines that can pick up signal noise in a system. The terminating apparatus can be utilized on operational boards that plug into devices such as backplanes or mid-planes. Alternatively, the terminating circuit can be included on a null device or built into the first connector portion.

Abstract: An electronic system has independently coolable first and second zones. The electronic system includes a first zone having a first zone fan and a plurality of first zone connectors for connecting electronic modules and a second zone having a second fan zone and a plurality of second zone connectors for connecting electronic modules. A module manager is also provided for communicating with the first and second zone connectors and with the first and second zone fans. The module manager can independently control the speed of the first and second zone fans based upon operational parameters received from the first and second zone connectors.

Abstract: A rack equipment capacity control system and method is presented. In one embodiment of the present invention, a capacity demand plan rack equipment control method is utilized to control operation of rack equipment. A rack equipment capacity alteration request is received. An analysis of the rack equipment capacity alteration request is performed. Performance of the rack equipment is changed in accordance with the analysis of the rack equipment capacity alteration request.

Abstract: A method of optimizing performance of a memory subsystem in a computer system. This method including the step of informing the computer system of what type of memory module loading is present in the memory subsystem. The method also includes operating the memory subsystem at a first frequency that is at a chosen ratio to a second frequency at which a frontside bus (FSB) operates. Further, the method includes optimizing the performance of the memory subsystem by changing the ratio.

Abstract: A rack equipment power pricing plan control system and method is presented. In one embodiment of the present invention, a power pricing plan rack equipment control method is utilized to control operation of rack equipment. A power pricing plan for operating the rack equipment is established. The rack equipment is operated in accordance with the power pricing plan.