PowerEdge Server Power Consumption through ipmitool

Thank you for your questions about PowerEdge server power consumption measurements using ipmitool. I'll address each of your inquiries:

1. Instantaneous Power Reading vs. iDRAC Raw Power Consumption:

The "Instantaneous power reading" from the ipmitool command is generally equivalent to the "Raw Power Consumption" value you would see in the iDRAC interface. However, there are a few important points to consider:

• This value is typically an average over a very short period (often 1 second, as indicated by your sampling period), rather than a truly instantaneous measurement.
• While it's designed to give you a current snapshot of power consumption, it's not a single point-in-time measurement due to the rapid fluctuations in server power draw.
• The iDRAC and ipmitool are likely using the same underlying power monitoring hardware, so their values should be very close or identical under normal circumstances.

2. Sampling Period:

The "Sampling period" in your output refers to the time frame over which the power readings are collected and averaged. In your case, it shows "00000001 Seconds," which means:

• The power readings (instantaneous, minimum, maximum, and average) are based on data collected over a 1-second interval.
• This short interval allows for near real-time power monitoring while still providing some averaging to smooth out instantaneous spikes.

Regarding changing the sampling period:

• The sampling period for the DCMI (Data Center Manageability Interface) power reading command is typically fixed and not user-configurable through ipmitool.
• The 1-second interval is a standard defined by the DCMI specification to provide a balance between responsiveness and stability in power readings.
• If you need power data over longer periods, you would typically need to collect multiple readings over time and perform your own averaging or analysis.

For more detailed or customizable power monitoring, you might consider:

1. Using server management software that provides more advanced power monitoring features.
2. Collecting multiple readings over time using scripts and performing your own data analysis.
3. Exploring other ipmitool commands or server-specific tools that might offer more granular control over power monitoring parameters.

Remember that the exact implementation can vary slightly between different PowerEdge server models and firmware versions, so it's always a good idea to consult your specific server's documentation for the most accurate information.