RFID-based rack inventory management systems
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a control function module configured to manage a set of network devices having a corresponding allocated rack space, the set being sparsely distributed over multiple cabinets, wherein an aggregate rack space occupied by the set does not exceed the allocated rack space;
a user interface communicatively coupled to the control function module and configured to generate a virtual representation visible to a user of the set residing in a virtual cabinet corresponding to the allocated rack space; and
a user control module to enable the user to interact with the set to configure a functionality of at least one network device in the set residing in the virtual cabinet.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An asset management system comprises a control function module configured to manage a set of rack-mounted devices having a corresponding allocated rack space when the devices are sparsely distributed over multiple cabinets, possibly in different data centers. The aggregate rack space occupied by the set of devices does not exceed the allocated rack space. A user interface is communicatively coupled to the control function module and configured to generate a virtual representation visible to a user of the set residing in a virtual cabinet corresponding to the allocated rack space. The user interface includes a user control to enable the user to interact with the set of devices. The asset location system can comprise a radio frequency identification (RFID) system to locate and track the devices, and select a subset of the devices to display and control based on filter parameters.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a control function module configured to manage a set of network devices having a corresponding allocated rack space, the set being sparsely distributed over multiple cabinets, wherein an aggregate rack space occupied by the set does not exceed the allocated rack space; a user interface communicatively coupled to the control function module and configured to generate a virtual representation visible to a user of the set residing in a virtual cabinet corresponding to the allocated rack space; and a user control module to enable the user to interact with the set to configure a functionality of at least one network device in the set residing in the virtual cabinet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method, comprising:
-
providing for control of a set of network devices having a corresponding allocated rack space, the set being sparsely distributed over multiple cabinets, wherein an aggregate rack space occupied by the set does not exceed the allocated rack space; generating a virtual representation visible to a user, the virtual representation depicting the set residing in at least one virtual cabinet corresponding to the allocated rack space; and providing a user control module to enable the user to interact with the set to configure a functionality of at least one network device in the set residing in the virtual cabinet. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a plurality of allocable hardware components residing in a plurality of distributed network machines; a communication network communicatively coupling together the plurality of hardware components; a controller configured to determine availability of each of the allocable hardware components and select a set of the allocable hardware components upon determining the availability; and a hardware abstraction layer comprising a user interface that represents the set as a single network machine to a user, and comprising a user control module for enabling the user to operate the network machine. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method, comprising:
-
determining availability of each of a plurality of distributed network machines, each network machine comprising at least one of a plurality of allocable hardware components; from the availability, determining a plurality of selected distributed network machines, the plurality of selected distributed network machines comprising a sufficient plurality of allocable hardware components to function as a single computer server; communicatively coupling together the sufficient plurality of allocable hardware components; and generating a hardware abstraction layer comprising a user interface that represents the sufficient plurality of allocable hardware components as a single device and includes a control module to operate the single device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification