Methods and apparatus for dynamic mapping of power outlets

Abstract

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network management module. The network management module is configured to send a request for power output data from a first network element having a first power supply configured to be coupled to a first power outlet, and a second power supply configured to be coupled to a second power outlet. The network management module is configured to receive a first confirmation from the first network element that the first power supply and the second power supply are receiving power. The network management module is configured to send a request to disable a third power outlet and to receive, after sending the request to disable the third power outlet, a second confirmation from the first network element that the first power supply and the second power supply are receiving power. The network management module is configured to define a power distribution table after receiving the second confirmation, the power distribution table designating the third power outlet as unused.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a power distribution unit having a plurality of power outlets, the power distribution unit configured to be operatively coupled to a first network segment and a second network segment; and   a first network element associated with the first network segment, the first network element including a first power supply configured to be coupled to a first power outlet from the plurality of power outlets, and a second power supply configured to be coupled to a second power outlet from the plurality of power outlets, the first network element configured to define a power distribution table based on a coupling of the first power supply and the first power outlet and based on a coupling of the second power supply and the second outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a second network element associated with the second network segment, and configured to be operatively coupled to the first network element, the second network element including a third power supply configured to be coupled to a third power outlet from the plurality of power outlets and a fourth power supply configured to be coupled to a fourth power outlet from the plurality of power outlets. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the second network element is configured to determine power output data of the third power supply and the fourth power supply, and store the power output data. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first network element is configured to retrieve stored power output data from the second network element. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first network element is configured to disable the third power outlet and the fourth power outlet to disable the second network element. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first network element is a compute device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first network element is a switch.