DATA SERVER WITH HOT REPLACEABLE PROCESSING UNIT MODULES

• US 20010011314A1
• Filed: 06/30/1997
• Published: 08/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emc IP Holding Company LLC (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EMC Corporation (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: GALLAGHER, BRIAN, TEACHOUT, JEFFREY, PIGNOLET, LAWRENCE G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,742,068 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/302
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4081 Live connection to bus, e.g. hot-plugging current or voltage limitation during live insertion H02H9/004
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4406 Loading of operating system

Abstract

A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules. Each module includes a motherboard having plugged therein: a CPU; a main memory; an I/O adapter card, and an interconnect printed board, electrically connected to the motherboard. A backplane has a first connector adapted for coupling to a DC power supply. The interconnect printed circuit board has a DC to DC converter connected to a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane. The backplane has formed thereon a strip transmission line adapted to provide an Ethernet bus for interconnecting a plurality of the modules. A cable management system for a cabinet used to house the module includes at least one vertically extending channel disposed in the cabinet and a fastener adapted to open and enable the a cable to be inserted into the channel and close to retain such cable within the channel. A chassis having a plurality of shelves for supporting electrical modules with a partitioning member adapted for removable insertion onto one of the shelves to accommodate modules with different widths. An I/O adapter card mounting plate, with captive hardware, adapted for securing an array of I/O adapted cards, and honey-combed I/O adapter card filler plate to a case. A method for booting operating system software into a main memory of a processing unit.

Claims

1. A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing units, each one of the processing units including a central processing unit and a main memory.

2. The data server recited in

claim 1

wherein each one of the processing units includes a DC to DC converter.

3. A data server, comprising:

a backplane having a first electrical connector;

a plurality of DC powered processing unit modules each one having;

a motherboard;

a central processing unit plugged into the motherboard;

a main memory plugged into the motherboard; and

an interconnect printed circuit board, electrically connected to the motherboard, the interconnect printed circuit board having a second electrical connector adapted to mate with, and electrically connect to, the first electrical connector.

4. A data server, comprising:

a backplane having a first electrical connector;

a processing unit module, having;

motherboard having plugged therein;

a central processing unit; and

,

a main memory;

an interconnect printed circuit board, electrically connected to the motherboard, such interconnect printed circuit board having a second electrical connector;

and

wherein such first and second electrical connectors are adapted to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane.

5. The data server recited in

claim 4

wherein each one of the interconnect printed circuit boards has mounted thereon a DC to DC converter electrically connected to the backplane.

6. A data server, comprising:

a cabinet having a plurality of slots therein;

a backplane section disposed at a rear of the slots;

a plurality of hot replaceable, DC powered, processing unit modules, each one being adapted to be inserted in, or removed from, a corresponding one of the slots as such one of the processing unit modules is plugged into, or unplugged from the backplane.

7. The data server recited in

claim 6

wherein each one of the backplanes has a first electrical connector and wherein each one of the processing unit modules includes:

a case, such case having stored therein;

a motherboard;

a central processing unit plugged into the motherboard; and

,

a main memory plugged into the motherboard;

an interconnect printed circuit board, electrically connected to the motherboard, such interconnect printed circuit board having a second electrical connector at a rear end of the interconnect printed circuit board; and

wherein such second electrical connector is adapted enable the processing unit module to plug into the first electrical connector.

8. The data server recited in

claim 7

wherein the interconnect printed circuit board has mounted thereto a DC to DC converter, such DC to DC converter being electrically connected to the second electrical connector, and wherein the first electrical connector is coupled to a DC supply voltage.

9. The data server recited in

claim 8

wherein the DC to DC converter supplies DC power to the processing unit.

10. The data server recited in

claim 9

wherein each one of the cases includes a fan and wherein the DC to DC converter supplies DC power to the fan.

11. A data server, comprising:

a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules, each one of the processing unit modules including;

a motherboard having plugged therein;

a CPU, main memory and I/O adapted card;

an interconnect printed board, such interconnect printed circuit board having a first electrical connector and a DC to DC converter electrically connected to the first electrical connector; and

a backplane having a second electrical connector adapted to mate with, and electrically connect to, the first electrical connector for coupling to a DC power supply.