阅读说明：本技术 用于标识电源与负载之间的连接路径的方法和系统 (Method and system for identifying a connection path between a power source and a load ) 是由 米罗斯拉夫·彼得·克洛鲍 于 2019-06-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：方法和系统标识电源与多个负载之间的连接路径。在将电源的电力输出端连接至配电单元(PDU)的线缆上发送可达性信号。PDU接收可达性并且在PDU的一个或多个电力输出端上将修改的可达性信号转发到一个或多个负载。PDU从一个或多个负载接收返回可达性信号并且在线缆上将相应的修改的返回可达性信号转发到电源。电源的电力输出端接收多个修改的返回可达性信号,所述多个修改的返回可达性信号均包括PDU的标识、PDU的相应电力输出端的标识和相应负载的标识。这些标识之间的参考由电源存储在数据库中。(Methods and systems identify connection paths between a power source and a plurality of loads. The reachability signal is transmitted over a cable connecting a power output of the power source to a Power Distribution Unit (PDU). The PDU receives reachability and forwards the modified reachability signal to one or more loads on one or more power outputs of the PDU. The PDU receives return reachability signals from one or more loads and forwards corresponding modified return reachability signals to the power supply over the cable. The power output of the power supply receives a plurality of modified return reachability signals that each include an identification of the PDU, an identification of a respective power output of the PDU, and an identification of a respective load. References between these identifications are stored in a database by the power supply.)

1. A method implemented in a power supply for identifying connection paths between the power supply and a plurality of loads, comprising:

Transmitting, from a power output of the power source, a reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of the power output of the power source over a cable connecting the power output of the power source to a Power Distribution Unit (PDU);

receiving a plurality of return reachability signals over the cable at the power output of the power source, each received return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of a respective power output of the PDU, and an identification of a respective load; and

Storing, in a database, for each received return reachability signal, a respective reference between an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the respective power output of the PDU, and an identification of the respective load.

2. the method of claim 1, wherein:

Each return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of the respective load; and

The method also includes storing an identification of the power input of the respective load in the respective reference.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein:

each return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of the PDU; and

the reference stored in the database for each return reachability signal also includes an identification of the power input of the PDU.

4. the method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the power output of the power supply is one of a plurality of power outputs of the power supply, the PDU is one of a plurality of PDUs, the cable is one of a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables respectively connects one of the plurality of power outputs of the power supply to a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, the method further comprising:

Transmitting a reachability signal over each cable connecting a respective one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source to a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, each reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of the respective one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source;

A plurality of additional return reachability signals are received,

Each return reachability signal is received at a given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source; and is

each return reachability signal includes an identification of the power source, an identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source, an identification of a given one of the plurality of PDUs corresponding to the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source, an identification of a power output of the given one of the plurality of PDUs, and an identification of a given one of the plurality of loads; and

For each of the plurality of additional return reachability signals, storing in the database a reference between:

An identification of the power source, an identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source, an identification of the given one of the plurality of PDUs, an identification of the power output of the given one of the plurality of PDUs, and an identification of the given one of the plurality of loads.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

each return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of the given one of the plurality of PDUs; and

the reference stored in the database for each return reachability signal further includes an identification of the power input of the given one of the plurality of PDUs.

6. a method implemented in a power distribution unit, PDU, for identifying a connection path between a power source and a load, comprising:

Receiving, at a power input of the PDU, a reachability signal on an input cable connecting the power input of the PDU to the power source, the reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of a power output of the power source;

in response to receiving the reachability signal, forwarding a modified reachability signal from a power output of the PDU on an output cable connecting the power output of the PDU to the load, the modified reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU;

receiving, at the power output of the PDU, a return reachability signal on the output cable after the forwarding of the modified reachability signal, the return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the load; and

forwarding, from the power input of the PDU, a modified return reachability signal on the input cable in response to receiving the return reachability signal, the modified return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the load.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising storing in a database a reference between the identity of the load, the identity of the power source, the identity of the power output of the power source, the identity of the PDU, and the identity of the power output of the PDU.

8. the method of claim 6 or 7, wherein each of said modified reachability signal, said return reachability signal, and said modified return reachability signal further includes an identification of said power input of said PDU.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing in a database a reference between an identification of the load, an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the power input of the PDU.

10. the method of any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the power output of the PDU is one of a plurality of power outputs of the PDU, the load is one of a plurality of loads, the output cable is one of a plurality of output cables, each of the plurality of output cables respectively connecting one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU to one of the plurality of loads, the method further comprising:

broadcasting the modified reachability signal on the plurality of power outputs of the PDU; and

For each given one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU:

Receiving a return reachability signal including an identification of a respective one of the plurality of loads, an

forwarding a modified return reachability signal on the power input of the PDU, the modified return reachability signal including an identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU and an identification of the respective one of the plurality of loads.

11. A power supply, comprising:

A power output adapted to supply power to a plurality of loads via a cable connecting the power output to a power distribution unit, PDU, the power output further adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from the PDU via the cable; and

a processor operatively connected to a database and to the power output, the processor adapted to:

Cause the power output to transmit a reachability signal to the PDU over the cable, the reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of the power output of the power source,

Receiving a plurality of return reachability signals from the power output, each return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of a respective power output of the PDU, and an identification of a respective load, an

for each return reachability signal, cause the database to store a respective reference between an identity of the power source, an identity of the power output of the power source, an identity of the PDU, an identity of the respective power output of the PDU, and an identity of the respective load.

12. the power supply of claim 11, wherein:

Each return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of the PDU; and

the reference stored in the database for each return reachability signal also includes an identification of the power input of the PDU.

13. the power supply of claim 11 or 12, wherein the power output is one of a plurality of power outputs, the PDU is one of a plurality of PDUs, the cable is one of a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables respectively connects one of the plurality of power outputs to a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, the processor is further adapted to:

cause a reachability signal to be transmitted on each cable connecting a respective one of the plurality of power outputs to a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, each reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of the respective one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source;

receiving a plurality of additional return reachability signals from a given one of the plurality of power outputs, each return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source, an identification of a given one of a plurality of PDUs corresponding to the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source and an identification of the power output of the given one of the plurality of PDUs and an identification of a given one of the plurality of loads, and

For each return reachability signal, causing the database to store a reference between an identification of the power source, an identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs, an identification of the given one of the plurality of PDUs, and an identification of the power output of the given one of the plurality of PDUs, and an identification of the given one of the plurality of loads.

14. The power supply of claim 13, wherein:

Each return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of the given one of the plurality of PDUs; and

the reference stored in the database for each return reachability signal further includes an identification of the power input of the given one of the plurality of PDUs.

15. the power supply of any of claims 11-14, wherein the power supply is an uninterruptible power supply.

16. a power distribution unit, PDU, comprising:

a power input adapted to receive power from a power source via an input cable and to transmit and receive signals to and from the power source via the input cable;

a power output adapted to supply power to a load via an output cable and to transmit and receive signals to and from the load via the output cable; and

a processor operatively connected to the power input and to the power output, the processor adapted to:

receiving a reachability signal from the power input, the reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of a power output of the power source,

in response to receiving the reachability signal, cause the power output to forward a modified reachability signal to the load, the modified reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU,

receiving a return reachability signal from the power output after forwarding of the modified reachability signal, the return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the load, an

in response to receiving the return reachability signal, cause the power input to forward a modified return reachability signal to the power source on the input cable, the modified return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the load.

17. The PDU of claim 16, wherein each of said modified reachability signal, said return reachability signal, and said modified return reachability signal further includes an identification of said power input of said PDU.

18. The PDU of claim 16 or 17, further comprising a modem implementing a power line communication protocol and operatively connected to the processor, to the power input of the PDU, and to the power output of the PDU, the modem being adapted to generate the modified reachability signal and the modified return reachability signal, and to interpret the reachability signal and the return reachability signal.

Technical Field

The present technology relates to systems and methods of power distribution. In particular, the system and method allow for identification of a connection path between a power source and a load.

background

in today's data centers and processing centers, such as those used in blockchain technology, the number of computer servers becomes so large as to be unmanageable. In a data center, new servers may need to be added daily. Of course, some servers may fail and require maintenance or replacement.

All of these servers consume power provided by a power source, such as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), via a cable.

tracking power cabling in a data center with thousands of servers, possibly tens of thousands of servers, becomes a difficult task. Given that some servers may be designated as redundant to other critical servers, it is highly desirable to ensure that a power failure will not immediately result in the loss of a critical server and its redundant servers. For this reason, it is important to constantly know which server is connected to which power source.

given the constant addition or change of servers in a large data center, conventional methods for identifying connections between servers and power sources are inaccurate and slow, while being too labor intensive to be of practical use.

disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present technology have been developed based on a developer's understanding of the shortcomings associated with the prior art.

in particular, these drawbacks may include (1) lack of accuracy; (2) lack of speed; and/or (3) high manpower requirements.

In one aspect, various implementations of the present technology provide a method implemented in a power supply for identifying connection paths between the power supply and a plurality of loads, comprising:

Transmitting, from a power output of a power source, a reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of the power output of the power source over a cable connecting the power output of the power source to a Power Distribution Unit (PDU);

receiving a plurality of return reachability signals on the cable at the power output of the power source, each received return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of a respective power output of the PDU, and an identification of a respective load; and

For each received return reachability signal, storing in a database a respective reference between an identification of the power supply, an identification of the power output of the power supply, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the respective power output of the PDU and an identification of the respective load.

in some implementations of the present technology, each return reachability signal also includes an identification of the power input of the respective load; and the method further comprises storing an identification of the power input of the respective load in the respective reference.

In some implementations of the present technology, each return reachability signal also includes an identification of a power input of the PDU; for each return reachability signal, the reference stored in the database also includes an identification of the power input of the PDU.

In some implementations of the technology, the power output of the power supply is one of a plurality of power outputs of the power supply, the PDU is one of a plurality of PDUs, the cable is one of a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables respectively connects one of the plurality of power outputs of the power supply to a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, the method further comprising: transmitting a reachability signal over each cable connecting a respective one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source to a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, each reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of a respective one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source; receiving a plurality of additional return reachability signals, each return reachability signal received at a given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source and comprising an identification of the power source, an identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source, an identification of a given one of the plurality of PDUs corresponding to the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source, an identification of the power output of the given one of the plurality of PDUs, and an identification of a given one of the plurality of loads; and for each of the plurality of additional returned reachability signals, storing in a database a reference between: an identification of the power source, an identification of a given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source, an identification of a given one of the plurality of PDUs, an identification of the power output of a given one of the plurality of PDUs, and an identification of a given one of the plurality of loads.

In some implementations of the present technology, each return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of a given one of the plurality of PDUs; and for each return reachability signal, the reference stored in the database further includes an identification of the power input of a given one of the plurality of PDUs.

In other aspects, various implementations of the present technology provide a method implemented in a Power Distribution Unit (PDU) for identifying a connection path between a power source and a load, comprising:

receiving, at a power input of the PDU, a reachability signal on an input cable connecting the power input of the PDU to a power source, the reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of a power output of the power source;

In response to receiving the reachability signal, forwarding a modified reachability signal from the power output of the PDU on an output cable connecting the power output of the PDU to the load, the modified reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU;

Receiving, at the power output of the PDU, a return reachability signal on the output cable after forwarding of the modified reachability signal, the return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the load; and

in response to receiving the return reachability signal, forwarding a modified return reachability signal on the input cable from the power input of the PDU, the modified return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the load.

in some implementations of the technology, the method further includes storing in the database a reference between the identification of the load, the identification of the power source, the identification of the power output of the power source, the identification of the PDU, and the identification of the power output of the PDU.

in some implementations of the present technology, each of the modified reachability signal, return reachability signal, and modified return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of the PDU.

In some implementations of the technology, the method further includes storing in the database a reference between an identification of the load, an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the power input of the PDU.

in some implementations of the technology, the power output of the PDU is one of a plurality of power outputs of the PDU, the load is one of a plurality of loads, the output cable is one of a plurality of output cables, each of the plurality of output cables respectively connects one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU to one of the plurality of loads, the method further comprising: broadcasting the modified reachability signal on a plurality of power outputs of the PDU; and for each given one of a plurality of power outputs of the PDU: the method further includes receiving a return reachability signal including an identification of a respective one of the plurality of loads, and forwarding a modified return reachability signal on the power input of the PDU, the modified return reachability signal including an identification of a given one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU and an identification of the respective one of the plurality of loads.

In other aspects, various implementations of the present technology provide a power supply comprising:

a power output adapted to supply power to a plurality of loads via a cable connecting the power output to a Power Distribution Unit (PDU), the power output further adapted to transmit signals to and receive signals from the PDU via the cable; and

A processor operatively connected to the database and to the power output, the processor being adapted to:

causing the power output to transmit a reachability signal to the PDU over the cable, the reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of the power output of the power source,

Receiving a plurality of return reachability signals from the power outputs, each return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of a power output of the power source, an identification of a PDU, an identification of a corresponding power output of a PDU, and an identification of a corresponding load, an

for each return reachability signal, the database is caused to store a respective reference between an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the respective power output of the PDU, and an identification of the respective load.

in some implementations of the present technology, each return reachability signal also includes an identification of a power input of the PDU; for each return reachability signal, the reference stored in the database also includes an identification of the power input of the PDU.

In some implementations of the technology, the power output is one of a plurality of power outputs, the PDU is one of a plurality of PDUs, the cable is one of a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables respectively connects one of the plurality of power outputs to a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, the processor is further adapted to: causing a reachability signal to be transmitted over each cable connecting a respective one of the plurality of power outputs to a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, each reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of a respective one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source; receiving a plurality of additional return reachability signals from a given one of the plurality of power outputs, each return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source, an identification of a given one of the plurality of PDUs corresponding to the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source, and an identification of a power output of the given one of the plurality of PDUs, and an identification of a given one of the plurality of loads, and for each return reachability signal, causing the database to store a reference between the identification of the power source, the identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs, the identification of the given one of the plurality of PDUs, the identification of the power output of the given one of the plurality of PDUs, and the identification of the given one of the plurality of loads.

In some implementations of the present technology, each return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of a given one of the plurality of PDUs; and for each return reachability signal, the reference stored in the database further includes an identification of the power input of a given one of the plurality of PDUs.

In some implementations of the present technology, the power source is an uninterruptible power supply.

In other aspects, various implementations of the present technology provide a Power Distribution Unit (PDU) comprising:

a power input adapted to receive power from a power source via an input cable and to transmit and receive signals to and from the power source via the input cable;

A power output adapted to supply power to a load via an output cable and to transmit and receive signals to and from the load via the output cable; and

A processor operatively connected to the power input and to the power output, the processor being adapted to:

receiving a reachability signal from the power input, the reachability signal including an identification of the power source and an identification of the power output of the power source,

In response to receiving the reachability signal, cause the power output to forward a modified reachability signal to the load, the modified reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU,

Receiving, from the power output, a return reachability signal after forwarding of the modified reachability signal, the return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the load, an

In response to receiving the return reachability signal, cause the power input to forward a modified return reachability signal to the power source on the input cable, the modified return reachability signal including an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the load.

In some implementations of the present technology, each of the modified reachability signal, return reachability signal, and modified return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of the PDU.

in some implementations of the present technology, the PDU further includes a modem that implements the power line communication protocol and is operatively connected to the processor, to a power input of the PDU, and to a power output of the PDU, the modem being adapted to generate the modified reachability signal and the modified return reachability signal, and to interpret the reachability signal and the return reachability signal.

in the context of this specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, a computer system may refer to, but is not limited to, "electronic device," "operating system," "computer-based system," "controller unit," "monitoring device," "control device," and/or any combination thereof as appropriate for the task at hand.

In the context of this specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the expressions "computer-readable medium" and "memory" are intended to include any medium of any nature and kind, non-limiting examples of which include RAM, ROM, magnetic disks (CD-ROM, DVD, floppy disk, hard drive, etc.), USB keys, flash memory cards, solid state drives, and tape drives. Also in the context of this specification, "a" computer-readable medium and "the" computer-readable medium should not be construed as the same computer-readable medium. Rather, and where appropriate, "a" computer-readable medium and "the" computer-readable medium can also be interpreted as first and second computer-readable media.

In the context of this specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the words "first", "second", "third", and the like have been used as adjectives, merely for the purpose of distinguishing between the terms that they modify one another, and not for the purpose of describing any particular relationship between these terms.

implementations of the present technology each have at least one, but not necessarily all, of the above objects and/or aspects. It should be appreciated that some aspects of the present technology that result from an attempt to achieve the above-described objects may not meet this object and/or may meet other objects not specifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of implementations of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

drawings

for a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features of the present technology, reference is made to the following description to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a network in which a power supply provides power to a plurality of loads;

FIG. 2 illustrates another network in which a power supply provides power to a plurality of loads;

FIG. 3 illustrates yet another network in which power supplies provide power to a plurality of servers via a pair of intermediate power supplies referred to as Power Distribution Units (PDUs);

Figure 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the exchange of return reachability signals in accordance with embodiments of the present technique;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a power supply in accordance with embodiments of the present technique; and

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a Power Distribution Unit (PDU) in accordance with embodiments of the present technique.

It should also be noted that the drawings are not drawn to scale unless explicitly stated otherwise herein.

Detailed Description

The examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the technology and are not intended to limit the scope to the specifically recited examples and conditions. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the technology and are included within its spirit and scope.

Furthermore, to facilitate understanding, the following description may describe a relatively simplified implementation of the present technology. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various implementations of the present technology may be of greater complexity.

In some cases, useful examples considered as modifications to the present techniques may also be set forth. This is merely to aid understanding and, as such, is not intended to limit the scope or to set forth the limits of the present technology. These modifications are not an exhaustive list and other modifications may occur to those skilled in the art while still remaining within the scope of the present techniques. Moreover, where no examples of modifications are set forth, they should not be construed as a viable modification and/or the only way described to implement the elements of the present technology.

Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and implementations of the technology, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof, whether currently known or later developed. Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the technology. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable media and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, including any functional blocks labeled as "processors," may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware executing software that can be associated with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. In some implementations of the present technology, the processor may be a general purpose processor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a processor dedicated to a particular purpose such as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Moreover, explicit use of the term "processor" should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Read Only Memories (ROMs) for storing software, Random Access Memories (RAMs) and non-volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.

Software modules, or modules merely implied as software, may be represented herein as any combination of flowchart elements or other elements indicating execution of process steps and/or textual description. These modules may be performed by hardware shown explicitly or implicitly. Further, it should be understood that a module may comprise, for example but not limited to, computer program logic, computer program instructions, software, a stack, firmware, hardware circuitry, or a combination thereof that provides the desired capabilities.

with these basic principles in mind, some non-limiting examples will now be considered to illustrate various implementations of aspects of the present technology.

fig. 1 shows a network 100 in which power sources 102 and 104 provide power to a plurality of loads 106 through 116. Without limitation, the power sources 102 and 104 may be Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs) 102 and 104, and the loads 106 to 116 may be servers 106 to 116. Each UPS102 and 104 includes 12 power outputs a-l; however, both UPSs 102 and 104 may have a smaller or greater number of outputs. Each server 106 to 116 includes a power input m connected to one of the power outputs a to l of the UPS102 or 104.

In the network 100, the power input 106m of the server 106 is connected to the power output 102a of the UPS102 via a power cable. The power input 108m of the server 108 is connected to the power output 102c of the UPS 102. The power input 110m of the server 110 is connected to the power output 102e of the UPS 102. A power input 112m of server 112 is connected to a power output 104g of UPS 104. The power input 114m of the server 114 is connected to the power output 104e of the UPS 104. The power input 116m of the server 106 is connected to the power output 102l of the UPS 102.

network 100 contains only six (6) different servers 106-116 and tracking the connections between these servers and UPSs 102 and 104 should be a simple task. In a real-life implementation, the UPS can provide, for example, 500KW of power to servers that each consume 100 watts. Thus, a single UPS may be able to power 5000 servers. A large data center may include more servers fed by a greater number of UPSs. New servers and UPSs may be added continuously; in some cases, new servers may be added daily. It may be necessary to replace the malfunctioning device from time to time. Cabling installation errors may occur, cables may be accidentally disconnected, and some cables may fail.

in network 100, two (2) of servers 106-116 may be redundant, with one of the two (2) servers being able to perform the tasks of the other server as a backup in the event of a server failure. One possible cause of server failure is a power outage. Consider, for example, a case where servers 108 and 114 are redundant, server 108 is powered by UPS102 and server 114 is powered by UPS 104. Loss of a UPS, such as UPS102, will not result in a power outage at server 114, which server 114 may continue to receive power from UPS 104 and thus continue to perform the tasks of server 108. However, if servers 106 and 108 are designated as redundant, loss of UPS102 without any backup would result in failure of both servers 106 and 108. Without a proper reference for the cable connection between the power source and the load, it may be difficult to assess whether the power redundancy between the loads is configured correctly.

Fig. 2 illustrates a network 120 in which UPSs 102 and 104 provide power to a plurality of servers 126-136. Each server 126-136 includes dual (redundant) power inputs m and n connected to one of the power outputs a-l of the UPSs 102 and 104. Because the power inputs m and n of each server are independent, each of these power inputs actually constitutes a different load for the UPSs 102 and 104. In the network 120, the power input 126m of the server 126 is connected to the power output 102a of the UPS102 via a power cable, and the power input 126n is connected to the power output 104d of the UPS 104. The power input 128m of the server 128 is connected to the power output 102c of the UPS102, and the power input 128n is connected to the power output 102j of the UPS 102. The power input 130m of the server 130 is connected to the power output 102e of the UPS102, and the power input 130n is connected to the power output 104a of the UPS 104. The power input 132m of the server 132 is connected to the power output 104g of the UPS 104, and the power input 132n is connected to the power output 102b of the UPS 102. The power input 134m of the server 134 is connected to the power output 104e of the UPS 104, and the power input 134n is connected to the power output 104j of the UPS 104. The power input 136m of the server 106 is connected to the power output 102l of the UPS102, and the power input 136n is connected to the power output 104k of the UPS 104.

Comparing the configurations of the networks 100 and 120, if the servers 126 and 128 are designated as redundant, the loss of the UPS102 will result in both power inputs 128m and 128n of the server 128 being powered down. The input 126m of the server 126 will also be powered down, but the server 126 will still receive power from the UPS 104 via its power input 126 n. However, in some implementations, the only redundancy in power delivery to servers 126-136 is at the level of their dual power inputs, and failure of UPS102 will result in failure of server 128, while failure of UPS 104 will result in failure of server 134.

fig. 3 illustrates a network 140 in which the UPS102 provides power to a plurality of servers 126-136 via a pair of intermediate power sources referred to as Power Distribution Units (PDUs) 142 and 144. The PDU 142 receives power at its power input 142o from the power output 102c of the UPS102, and the PDU 144o receives power at its power input 144o from the power output 102f of the UPS 102.

the dual power inputs m and n of the servers 126 to 136 are connected to one of the power outputs a to l of the PDUs 142 and 144. In the network 140, the power input 126m of the server 126 is connected to the power output 142a of the PDU 142 via a power cable, and the power input 126n is connected to the power output 144d of the PDU 144. The power input 128m of the server 128 is connected to the power output 142c of the PDU 142, and the power input 128n is connected to the power output 142j of the PDU 142. The power input 130m of the server 130 is connected to the power output 142e of the PDU 142 and the input 130n is connected to the power output 144a of the PDU 144. The power input 132m of the server 132 is connected to the power output 144g of the PDU 144, and the power input 132n is connected to the power output 142b of the PDU 142. The power input 134m of the server 134 is connected to the power output 144e of the PDU 144, and the power input 134n is connected to the power output 144j of the PDU 144. The power input 136m of the server 136 is connected to the power output 142l of the PDU 142, and the power input 136n is connected to the power output 144k of the PDU 144. In the specific example of network 140, the redundancy considerations equate to redundancy considerations for network 120, where loss of one of PDUs 142 or 144 in network 140 has the same or equivalent effect as loss of a UPS102 or 104 in network 120. Because the PDUs 142 and 144 are both connected to the same UPS102, the network 140 does not have redundant power supplies for the PDUs 142 and 144. However, in real life implementations, the network 140 may include multiple UPSs and multiple PDUs connected to different UPSs, and thus, server redundancy may be provided to prevent complete loss of service in the event of a failure of one of the PDUs or one of the UPSs.

In one implementation, an Identification (ID) of a power input or power output of a node (UPS, PDU, or server) may contain the ID of the node as a prefix, a suffix specifying a particular power input or power output. In another implementation, the ID of the node may not be determinable from the ID of the power input or the power output. Thus, in the example of fig. 3, the UPS102 and PDUs 142 and 144 may not know the IDs of the servers 126-128 and only the IDs of the power inputs at these servers. Equivalently, the UPS102 may not know the IDs of the PDUs 142 and 144, and only the IDs of the power inputs and power outputs of these PDUs. The present disclosure is not limited by the encoding of the ID of each node and its power input and power.

Table I summarizes all connections established via the cables between the UPSs 104, PDUs 142 and 144 of the network 140 and the power inputs of the servers 126-136. Depending on, for example, the encoding of the IDs of the various nodes and their power inputs and power, some of the columns in table I may be present in some implementations but not in others. The ordering of the rows in table I is for illustrative purposes and does not limit the disclosure.

TABLE I

it will be appreciated that in large server networks, table I will include a greater number of entries. The examples of fig. 1, 2 and 3 and table I highlight some of the complications associated with wiring in large networks, such as, but not limited to, large server networks that may contain thousands of servers. Whether or not power redundancy is required, it is desirable to facilitate power-to-load referencing in networks that include a large number of cables.

the information as contained in table I and extended over a very large network may be automatically stored in a database using one or more implementations of the present technology. For example, figure 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the exchange of return reachability signals in accordance with embodiments of the present technique. In fig. 4, a sequence 200 for identifying a connection path between a power source and a load includes a plurality of operations that may be performed in a variable order, some of which may be performed simultaneously, some of which may be optional. The sequence 200 illustrates operations occurring in a power source, such as a UPS202, a PDU204, and a load, such as a server 206. The UPS202, PDU204, and server 206 are part of a network 208. It will be understood that the network 208 may include multiple UPSs, a large number of PDUs, and may include thousands or tens of thousands of servers. It will also be appreciated that the network 208 may include other types of power sources that are not uninterruptible, as well as other types of loads that are not computer servers. The UPS202 may include a plurality of power outputs connected to power inputs of a plurality of different PDUs connected to a plurality of different servers. Each PDU may include a plurality of power outputs connected to a plurality of servers. Each server may include one or more power inputs for receiving power via one or more cables. It will also be appreciated that in variations of the network 208, the servers or other loads may be directly connected to the power supply, for example via a cable. Thus, the configuration of the network 208 as shown is for illustrative purposes and does not limit the present disclosure.

at operation 210, the UPS202 inserts its own ID and the ID of one of its power outlets in the reachability signal 212, the reachability signal 212 being transmitted on a cable connected to the power outlet of the UPS 202. The reachability signal 212 may be, for example, in the form of a so-called "echo detection" (ping) packet, using an echo request signal according to the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP). If the UPS202 is directly connected to the server 206 via a single cable, the reachability signal 212 is sent towards the server 206 and will reach the server 206. If the UPS202 includes multiple power outlets, the reachability signal 212 may be broadcast via different cables from each of the power outlets toward multiple directly connected loads, or, as in the case of the network 208, via a cable connecting each of the multiple power outlets of the UPS202 to a respective PDU. In this case, each instance of reachability signal 212 may include an ID of UPS202 and a different ID of the associated power output.

As shown, reachability signal 212 first reaches PDU 204. At operation 214, PDU204 modifies reachability signal 212 by adding its own ID, the ID of the power input of PDU204 that has received reachability signal 212, and the ID of one of the power outputs of PDU204, the modified reachability signal 216 (e.g., another echo-request signal) being forwarded on the cable connected to that power output of PDU 204. If the PDU204 includes multiple power outputs, the modified reachability signal 216 may be broadcast via different cables from each of the power outputs of the PDU204 toward multiple respective loads, such as servers. In this case, each instance of modified reachability signal 216 may include an ID of PDU204 and a different ID of the associated power output of PDU 204.

Having received the modified reachability signal on the power input, server 206 inserts its own ID, the ID of the power input, and the information element included in modified reachability signal 216 in a return reachability signal 220 (e.g., another ping packet in the form of an ICMP echo reply signal) at operation 218, which return reachability signal 220 is transmitted on the same cable connected to the power input of server 206. PDU204 receives return reachability signal 220 and, optionally, at operation 222, stores in a database references between the following information elements included in the return reachability signal:

a.id of the ups202,

The ID of the power output of the ups202,

c.the ID of the pdu204,

d.id of the power input of pdu204,

e.id of the power output of pdu204,

f. the ID of the server 206, and

g. ID of power input of server 206.

PDU204 then forwards the modified return reachability signal 224 (e.g., another echo reply signal) to UPS 202. In one implementation, modified return reachability signal 224 may include the same content as return reachability signal 220.

If the PDU204 has broadcast the modified reachability signal 216 from multiple of its power outputs, the PDU204 may receive multiple instances of the return reachability signal 220, each instance corresponding to a different server or to a different power input of any number of servers. PDU204 performs operation 222 and forwards on each of its power inputs a modified return reachability signal 224 for each instance of return reachability signal 220.

At operation 226, the UPS202 stores references in the database between the following information elements:

a.id of the ups202,

The ID of the power output of the ups202,

c.the ID of the pdu204,

d.id of the power input of pdu204,

e.id of the power output of pdu204,

f. the ID of the server 206, and

g. ID of power input of server 206.

If the UPS202 has broadcast reachability signals 212 from multiple of its power outputs, or if the PDU204 has broadcast modified reachability signals 216 from multiple of its own power outputs, the UPS202 may receive multiple instances of modified return reachability signals 224, each instance corresponding to a different server or to a different power input of any number of servers. UPS202 performs operation 226 for each instance of modified return reachability signal 224.

Many variations of the sequence 200 are contemplated. In a non-limiting example, a database may be integrated within the UPS202, in which case the ID of the UPS202 may not need to be stored in the database. The UPS202 and the PDU204 may be communicatively coupled to the same external database. In another non-limiting example, the ID of the power input of PDU204 may not be included in modified reachability signal 216, as it may be sufficient to include the ID of the power input of PDU204 in modified return reachability signal 224. In yet another non-limiting example, the reachability signal 212 may omit the ID of the UPS202 and the ID of the power output of the UPS202 when it is known that the power output of the UPS202 is connected to the power input of the PDU204 via one and only one cable. The example provided shows all available ID information in each of signals 212, 216, 220, and 224 being included, but the skilled reader will be able to implement sequence 200 without including some of these IDs in some of signals 212, 216, 220, or 224.

It will be understood that reachability signal 212, modified reachability signal 216, return reachability signal 220, and modified return reachability signal 224 may be exchanged between various elements of network 200, whether or not power is applied by UPS202 to PDU204 and to server 206, so long as the elements are connected via a cable. However, in one embodiment, the echo request signals and the echo reply signals 212, 216, 220, and 224 may be implemented by a Power Line Communication (PLC) protocol. According to the protocol, signals such as signals 212, 216, 220, and 224 may be transmitted on a modulated carrier signal that is added to the actual power feed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a power supply in accordance with embodiments of the present technique. The UPS202 of fig. 4 is reproduced on fig. 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the UPS202 includes a power input 230 adapted to receive power from a power grid. Power may be provided to power input 230 at 110 or 220 volts, 50 or 60Hz, for example, through the power grid. The power input 230 is connected to power circuitry 232 that may include various electronic controls for the UPS 202. A plurality of power outputs 234 receive power from the power circuit 232. A respective cable (not shown) may be connected to each of the power outlets 234 and connect the UPS202 to a load or PDU. The power circuit 232 is arranged to recharge the battery 236 when power is available at the power input 230. The power circuit 232 retrieves power from the battery 236 to keep the power output 234 powered for at least some time in the event of a loss of grid power. Other details of the power circuit 232 are not relevant to the present disclosure and are not discussed herein.

the UPS202 also includes a processor 238 coupled to a memory 240, which memory 240 may store configuration information for the UPS 202. The memory 240 may also store non-transitory executable code that, when executed by the processor 238, causes the UPS202 to implement the various functions of the UPS202 described in the foregoing description of fig. 4. The processor 238 obtains information about the connection of the power input 230 and the connection of the power output 234 via a modem 242, which modem 242 may be, for example, a Power Line Communication (PLC) modem. The UPS202 may include a database 244 in which the processor 238 stores information about the connections of the power inputs 230 and the connections of the power outputs 234. Alternatively, instead of the database 244, the UPS202 may include a communication device 246, in which case the processor 238 may cause the communication device 246 to forward information regarding the connections of the power inputs 230 and the connections of the power outputs 234 to a communicatively coupled remote database (not shown).

In fig. 5, thick lines connecting the various components of the UPS202 represent power lines over which there may also be signaling. Thin lines connecting other components of the UPS202 designate signaling paths.

in the UPS202, each of the power outlets 234 is adapted to provide power via a respective cable (not shown) connected thereto and to transmit and receive signals via the cables. The processor 238 is operatively connected to a database 244 or a remote database (not shown) via a communication device 246. The processor 238 is also operatively connected to the power output 234 via the modem 242 and the power circuit 232. The processor 238 may cause any of the power outputs 234 to transmit a reachability signal over the cable to which it is connected. The processor 238 then receives a return reachability signal including the ID of the load from the power output 234. The processor 238 causes the database to store a reference between the ID of the power output 234 and the ID of the load. The ID of the power output 234 may be, for example, part of the configuration information stored in the memory 240.

in one embodiment, the processor 238 may cause the reachability signals to be broadcast on each of the power outputs 234 prior to receiving one or more return reachability signals on each of the power outputs 234. The processor 238 causes the database to store a reference between the ID of each power output 234 that has received the return reachability signal and the ID of the load included in that return reachability signal.

when a given power output 234 is connected to a PDU, the return reachability signal may include the ID of the PDU and the IDs of the power input and power output of the PDU. The processor 238 adds these IDs to the references to be stored in the database. Also in this case, a given power output 234 may receive multiple return reachability signals from the PDU, each return reachability signal including the ID of the load. The processor 238 causes the database to store a reference between the ID of the power output 234, the ID of the PDU, the ID of the power input of the PDU, the ID of the power output of the PDU and the ID of the load.

without limitation, the reachability signal and return reachability signal may be an ICMP echo request signal and an ICMP echo reply signal, respectively. Again, without limitation, these signals may be transmitted via a PLC protocol. Modem 242 may implement a PLC protocol, generate reachability signals, and interpret return reachability signals.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a Power Distribution Unit (PDU) in accordance with embodiments of the present technique. The PDU204 of fig. 4 is reproduced in more detail on fig. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the PDU204 includes a power input 250 adapted to receive power from a power source, such as the UPS 202. Power may be provided to the power input 250 by the UPS202 at 110 volts or 220 volts, at 50Hz or 60Hz, for example. The power input 250 is connected to a power circuit 252 that may include various electronic controls for the PDU 204. A plurality of power outputs 254 receive power from the power circuit 252. Other details of the power circuit 252 are not relevant to the present disclosure and are not discussed herein.

PDU204 also includes a processor 258 coupled to a memory 260, which memory 260 may store configuration information for PDU 204. Memory 260 may also store non-transitory executable code that, when executed by processor 258, causes PDU204 to implement the various functions of PDU204 described in the foregoing description of fig. 4. The processor 258 obtains information about the connection of the power input 250 and the connection of the power output 254 via a modem 262, which modem 262 may be, for example, a PLC modem. The PDU204 may include a database 264 in which the processor 258 stores information about the connection of the power input 250 and the connection of the power output 254. Alternatively, the PDU204 may include a communication device 266 instead of the database 264, in which case the processor 258 may cause the communication device 266 to forward information regarding the connection of the power input 250 and the connection of the power output 254 to a communicatively coupled remote database (not shown). However, in at least one embodiment, the processor 258 may not store any information in the database, in which case the functionality is implemented in the UPS 202.

in fig. 6, the thick lines connecting the various components of PDU204 represent the power line over which signaling may also be present. The thin lines connecting the other components of PDU204 specify the signaling path.

In the PDU204, the power input 250 is adapted to receive power via a cable (not shown) connected thereto and to transmit and receive signals via the cable. Each of the power outputs 254 is adapted to provide power via a respective cable (not shown) connected thereto and to transmit and receive signals via the cable. The processor 258 may optionally be connected to a database. In one variation, the optional database is database 264. In another variation, the optional database is a remote database (not shown) connectable to the communication device 266. The processor 258 is operatively connected to the power input 250 and the power output 254 via the modem 262 and the power circuit 252. The processor 258 may receive the reachability signal from the power input 250 and cause any one of the power outputs 254 to forward the modified reachability signal on the cable to which it is connected. Processor 258 then receives one or more return reachability signals from one or more power outputs 254, each return reachability signal including an ID of the load. For each received return reachability signal, processor 258 causes power input 250 to forward the modified return reachability signal, including the ID of the load, on the cable to which it is connected.

in one embodiment, the reachability signal further includes the ID of the power source and the ID of the power output of the power source connected by the cable to the power input 250, in which case the modified reachability signal further includes the ID of the power source, the ID of the power output of the power source, the ID of the PDU204, and the ID of the power output 254. The return reachability signal may also include the ID of the power supply, the ID of the power output of the power supply, the ID of PDU204, and the ID of power output 254, in which case the modified return reachability signal also includes the ID of the power supply, the ID of the power output of the power supply, the ID of PDU204, the ID of power output 254, and the ID of power input 250. The IDs of the PDU204, the power input 250, and the power output 254 may be, for example, part of the configuration information stored in the memory 260.

the processor 258 may cause each of the power outputs 254 to forward the modified reachability signal on the respective cable in a broadcast manner. The processor 258 may then receive a return reachability signal from each given one of the power outputs 254 that includes the ID of the corresponding load. The processor 258 then causes the power input 250 to forward a modified return reachability signal that includes the ID of one of the power outputs of the given PDU 254 and the ID of the corresponding load.

Modem 262 may implement a PLC protocol, generate modified reachability signals and modified return reachability signals, and interpret the reachability signals and return reachability signals.

as in the case of the UPS202, the reachability signal and return reachability signal may be, without limitation, an ICMP echo request signal and an ICMP echo reply signal, respectively. Again, without limitation, these signals may be transmitted via a PLC protocol.

fig. 5 and 6 do not highlight some important differences between the UPS202 and the PDU 204. A typical PDU204 can deliver, for example, 1000 watts to multiple connected loads, whereas a typical UPS202 may be capable of providing up to 500KW of power. In particular, the respective power circuits 232 and 252 of the UPS202 and PDU204 may include different power controls and electrical protection features. The respective processors 238 and 258 of the UPS202 and PDU204 may perform other functions not relevant to the present disclosure. The UPS202 and PDU204 may each include a different number of power outputs 234 or 254.

although the above implementations have been described and illustrated with reference to particular steps performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these steps may be combined, subdivided, or reordered without departing from the teachings of the present technology. At least some of the steps may be performed in parallel or in series. Accordingly, the order and grouping of the steps is not a limitation of the present technique.

It should be clearly understood that not every embodiment of the present technology is required to enjoy all of the technical effects mentioned herein.

systems and methods for identifying a connection path between a power source and a load implemented according to some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology may be represented as follows, presented in terms of numbers.

Clause and subclause

[ clause 1] a method for identifying a connection path between a power source and a load, comprising:

Transmitting a reachability signal over a cable connecting a power output of the power source toward the load;

Receiving, at the power output of the power source, a return reachability signal including an identification of the load; and

storing in a database a reference between an identification of the power output of the power source and an identification of the load.

clause 2 the method of clause 1, wherein the reachability signal includes an identification of the power source and an identification of the power output of the power source.

[ clause 3] the method of clause 1 or 2, wherein the power output of the power source is one of a plurality of power outputs of the power source, the load is one of a plurality of loads, the cable is one of a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables respectively connecting one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source toward one of the plurality of loads, the method further comprising:

broadcasting the reachability signals on the plurality of power outputs of the power source; and

For each given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source:

receiving a return reachability signal that includes an identification of a respective one of the plurality of loads, an

Storing in the database a reference between an identity of a given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source and an identity of the corresponding one of the plurality of loads.

[ clause 4] the method according to clause 1 or 2, wherein:

The cable connecting the power source towards a Power Distribution Unit (PDU);

The return reachability signal further includes an identification of the PDU; and

Storing a reference between an identification of the power output of the power source and an identification of the load further comprises storing an identification of the PDU.

[ clause 5] the method according to clause 4, wherein:

The identification of the PDU also includes an identification of a power input of the PDU and an identification of a power output of the PDU;

storing the identification of the PDU also includes storing an identification of the power input of the PDU and an identification of the power output of the PDU.

[ clause 6] the method of clause 4 or 5, further comprising:

Receiving one or more additional return reachability signals at the power output of the power source, each additional return reachability signal including an identification of an additional load and an identification of the PDU; and

Storing, in the database, for each of the one or more additional return reachability signals received at the power output of the power source, a reference between an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, and an identification of the additional load.

[ clause 7] the method of clause 4 or 5, wherein the power output of the power source is one of a plurality of power outputs of the power source, the load is one of a plurality of loads, the PDU is one of a plurality of PDUs, the cable is one of a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables respectively connecting one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source toward one of the plurality of PDUs, the method further comprising:

Broadcasting the reachability signals on the plurality of power outputs of the power source;

Receiving a plurality of additional return reachability signals, each additional return reachability signal:

is received at a given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source,

Including an identification of a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, an

including an identification of a given one of the plurality of loads; and

For each of the plurality of additional return reachability signals, storing in the database a reference between:

An identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the power source,

An identification of the respective one of the plurality of PDUs, an

An identification of the given one of the plurality of loads.

clause 8 the method according to any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the database is integrated in the power source.

Clause 9 a method for identifying a connection path between a power source and a load, comprising:

receiving a reachability signal on an input cable connecting a power input of a Power Distribution Unit (PDU) toward the power source;

Forwarding the modified reachability signal over an output cable connecting a power output of the PDU toward the load;

receiving, at the power output of the PDU, a return reachability signal including an identification of the load; and

forwarding a modified return reachability signal including an identification of the load on the power input of the PDU.

Clause 10 the method of clause 9, wherein:

the reachability signal further includes an identification of the power source and an identification of a power output of the power source;

the modified reachability signal further includes an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, and an identification of the power output of the PDU;

the return reachability signal further includes an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, and an identification of the power output of the PDU; and

the modified return reachability signal further includes an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the power input of the PDU.

Clause 11 the method of clause 10, further comprising storing in a database a reference between the identity of the load, the identity of the power source, the identity of the power output of the power source, the identity of the PDU, the identity of the power output of the PDU and the identity of the power input of the PDU.

clause 12 the method of any of clauses 9-11, wherein the power output of the PDU is one of a plurality of power outputs of the PDU, the load is one of a plurality of loads, the output cable is one of a plurality of output cables, each of the plurality of output cables respectively connecting one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU toward one of the plurality of loads, the method further comprising:

Broadcasting the modified reachability signal on the plurality of power outputs of the PDU; and

For each given one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU:

Receiving a return reachability signal including an identification of a respective one of the plurality of loads, an

Forwarding a modified return reachability signal on the power input of the PDU, the modified return reachability signal including an identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU and an identification of the respective one of the plurality of loads.

clause 13 the method of any one of clauses 1-12, wherein the reachability signal is an echo request signal and the return reachability signal is an echo reply signal.

clause 14 the method of any one of clauses 1-13, wherein the reachability signal and the return reachability signal are implemented using a power line communication protocol.

Clause 15 the method of any one of clauses 1-14, wherein the power source is an uninterruptible power supply.

clause 16 the method of any of clauses 1-15, wherein the load is a server.

Clause 17 the method of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the load is a power input of a server having a plurality of independent power inputs.

Clause 18 the method of any one of clauses 1-16, wherein:

the return reachability signal further includes an identification of a power input of the load; and

Storing a reference between an identification of the power output of the power source and an identification of the load further comprises storing an identification of the power input of the load.

clause 19] a power supply, comprising:

a power output adapted to be powered via a cable and to send and receive signals via the cable; and

A processor operatively connected to a database and to the power output, the processor adapted to:

causing the power output to transmit a reachability signal on the cable,

receiving a return reachability signal including an identification of a load from the power output, an

causing the database to store a reference between the identity of the power output and the identity of the load.

Clause 20 the power supply of clause 19, wherein the power output is one of a plurality of power outputs, the load is one of a plurality of loads, the cable is one of a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables respectively connecting one of the plurality of power outputs towards one of the plurality of loads, the processor is further adapted to:

Causing the reachability signals to be broadcast on the plurality of power outputs; and

for each given one of the plurality of power outputs:

receiving a return reachability signal from the given one of the plurality of power outputs that includes an identification of a respective one of the plurality of loads, an

causing the database to store a reference between the identity of the given one of the plurality of power outputs and the identity of the respective one of the plurality of loads.

Clause 21 the power supply of clause 19, wherein:

The cable connecting the power source towards a Power Distribution Unit (PDU);

The return reachability signal further includes an identification of the PDU; and

The processor is further adapted to cause the database to store a reference between the identity of the power output and the identity of the load and the identity of the PDU.

Clause 22 the power supply of clause 21, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

Receiving one or more additional return reachability signals from the power output, each additional return reachability signal including an identification of an additional load and an identification of the PDU; and

for each of the one or more additional return reachability signals received at the power output, causing the database to store a reference between an identification of the power output, an identification of the PDU, and an identification of the additional load.

clause 23 the power supply of clause 21, wherein the power output is one of a plurality of power outputs, the load is one of a plurality of loads, the PDU is one of a plurality of PDUs, the cable is one of a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables respectively connecting one of the plurality of power outputs toward one of the plurality of PDUs, the processor further adapted to:

Causing the reachability signals to be broadcast on the plurality of power outputs;

Receiving a plurality of additional return reachability signals, each additional return reachability signal:

Is received at a given one of the plurality of power outputs,

including an identification of a respective one of the plurality of PDUs, an

including an identification of a given one of the plurality of loads; and

For each of the plurality of additional return reachability signals, causing the database to store a reference between:

an identification of a given one of the plurality of power outputs,

an identification of the respective one of the plurality of PDUs, an

An identification of the given one of the plurality of loads.

Clause 24 the power supply according to any one of clauses 19 to 23, wherein the database is integrated in the power supply.

Clause 25 the power supply of any of clauses 19 to 23, further comprising a communication device operatively connected to the processor and adapted to communicate with the database.

Clause 26 the power supply according to any one of clauses 19 to 25, wherein the reachability signal is an echo request signal and the return reachability signal is an echo reply signal.

Clause 27 the power supply of any one of clauses 19-26, further comprising a modem implementing a power line communication protocol and operatively connected to the processor and to the power output, the modem being adapted to generate the reachability signal and to interpret the return reachability signal.

clause 28 the power supply of any of clauses 19-27, wherein the power supply is an uninterruptible power supply.

[ clause 29] a Power Distribution Unit (PDU), comprising:

a power input adapted to receive power via an input cable and to transmit and receive signals via the input cable;

A power output adapted to be powered via an output cable and to send and receive signals via the output cable; and

A processor operatively connected to the power input and to the power output, the processor adapted to:

receiving a reachability signal from the power input,

Causing the power output to forward the modified reachability signal,

receiving a return reachability signal including an identification of a load from the power output, an

causing the power input to forward a modified return reachability signal that includes an identification of the load.

clause 30 the PDU of clause 29, wherein:

The reachability signal further includes an identification of a power source and an identification of a power output of the power source;

The modified reachability signal further includes an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, and an identification of the power output of the PDU;

the return reachability signal further includes an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, and an identification of the power output of the PDU; and

The modified return reachability signal further includes an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the power input of the PDU.

Clause 31 the PDU of clause 30, further comprising a database operatively connected to the processor, wherein the processor is further adapted to cause the database to store a reference between an identification of the load, an identification of the power source, an identification of the power output of the power source, an identification of the PDU, an identification of the power output of the PDU, and an identification of the power input of the PDU.

Clause 32 the PDU of clause 30, further comprising a communication device operatively connected to the processor and adapted to communicate with a database, the processor further adapted to cause the communication device to forward to the database a reference between the identity of the load, the identity of the power source, the identity of the power output of the power source, the identity of the PDU, the identity of the power output of the PDU and the identity of the power input of the PDU.

clause 33 the PDU of any one of clauses 29-32, wherein the power output of the PDU is one of a plurality of power outputs of the PDU, the load is one of a plurality of loads, the output cable is one of a plurality of output cables, each of the plurality of output cables respectively connecting one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU toward one of the plurality of loads, the processor further adapted to:

Causing the modified reachability signal to be broadcast on the plurality of power outputs of the PDU; and

for each given one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU:

receiving a return reachability signal from the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU that includes an identification of a respective one of the plurality of loads, an

Causing the power input of the PDU to forward a modified return reachability signal that includes an identification of the given one of the plurality of power outputs of the PDU and an identification of the respective one of the plurality of loads.

clause 34 the PDU of any one of clauses 29 to 33, wherein the reachability signal and the modified reachability signal are echo request signals, and the return reachability signal and the modified return reachability signal are echo reply signals.

Clause 35 the PDU of any one of clauses 29 to 34, further comprising a modem implementing a power line communication protocol and operatively connected to the processor, to the power input of the PDU and to the power output of the PDU, the modem being adapted to generate the modified reachability signal and the modified return reachability signal and to interpret the reachability signal and the return reachability signal.

Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. Accordingly, the scope of the present technology is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.