Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 119
Table 2-29 lists all features that are supported, showing all cases in which AEM is not
required, and also details the features that can be activated by traditional user interfaces
(for example, ASMI and HMC).
Table 2-29 AEM support
The Power 770 and Power 780 systems implement all the EnergyScale capabilities listed in
2.14.1, “IBM EnergyScale technology” on page 115.
2.14.2 Thermal power management device (TPMD) card
The TPMD card is a separate micro controller installed on some POWER6 processor-based
systems, and on all POWER7 processor-based systems. It runs real-time firmware whose
sole purpose is to manage system energy.
The TPMD card monitors the processor modules, memory, environmental temperature, and
fan speed. Based on this information, it can act upon the system to maintain optimal power
and energy conditions (for example, increase the fan speed to react to a temperature
change). It also interacts with the IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager to report
power and thermal information and to receive input from AEM on policies to be set. The
TPMD is part of the EnergyScale infrastructure.
Feature Active Energy Manager (AEM) required ASMI HMC
Power Trending Y N N
Thermal Reporting Y N N
Static Power Saver N Y Y
Dynamic Power Saver Y N N
Power Capping Y N N
Energy-optimized Fans N - -
Processor Core Nap N - -
Processor Core Sleep N - -
Processor Folding N - -
EnergyScale for I/O N - -
Server Power Down Y - -
Partition Power
Management
Y--