Computer system
First Claim
1. A computer system which comprises:
- (i) a host processor;
(ii) a temperature sensor for sensing temperature in, or in relation to, an enclosure of the system;
(iii) one or more fans for cooling the enclosure;
(iv) a service processor for providing system management functions within the computer system, including generating fan speed signals in response to temperature values detected by the temperature sensor, and generating a control signal; and
(v) a fan controller for providing a driving signal for the fan or at least one of the fans in response to the fan speed signals generated by the service processor only when the fan controller also receives the control signal from the service processor;
wherein, in the absence of the control signal from the service processor, the fan controller will alter the driving signal to increase the fan speed to a predetermined fan speed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system comprises a host processor, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature in an enclosure of the system and one or more fans for cooling the enclosure. A service processor is provided for providing system management functions within the computer system. These include generating fan speed signals in response to temperature values detected by the temperature sensor, and generating a control signal. The system includes a fan controller for providing power for driving the fan or at least one of the fans in response to the fan speed signals generated by the service processor only when the fan controller also receives the control signal from the service processor. In the absence of the control signal from the service processor, the fan controller will increase the fan speed to a predetermined fan speed, for example maximum, in order to ensure that no damage occurs in the event of a service processor malfunction.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A computer system which comprises:
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(i) a host processor;
(ii) a temperature sensor for sensing temperature in, or in relation to, an enclosure of the system;
(iii) one or more fans for cooling the enclosure;
(iv) a service processor for providing system management functions within the computer system, including generating fan speed signals in response to temperature values detected by the temperature sensor, and generating a control signal; and
(v) a fan controller for providing a driving signal for the fan or at least one of the fans in response to the fan speed signals generated by the service processor only when the fan controller also receives the control signal from the service processor;
wherein, in the absence of the control signal from the service processor, the fan controller will alter the driving signal to increase the fan speed to a predetermined fan speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A network which includes at least one computer server comprising:
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(i) a host processor;
(ii) a temperature sensor for sensing temperature in an enclosure of the system;
(iii) one or more fans for cooling the enclosure;
(iv) a service processor for providing system management functions within the computer system, including generating fan speed signals in response to temperature values detected by the temperature sensor, and generating a control signal;
(v) a fan controller for providing a driving signal the fan or at least one of the fans in response to the fan speed signals generated by the service processor only when the fan controller also receives the control signal from the service processor; and
(vi) a management communication device that can communicate with the service processor and with a network administrator only when it receives the control signal from the service processor;
wherein, in the absence of the control signal from the service processor, the fan controller will increase the fan speed to a predetermined fan speed.
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19. A method of operating a computer system which comprises:
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(i) measuring air temperature in or in relation to an enclosure of the system and sending measured air temperature data to a service processor of the system;
(ii) sending fan speed signals generated by the service processor in response to the air temperature data to a fan controller together with a control signal generated by the service processor;
(iii) sending fan driving signals generated by the fan controller to at least one fan so that it is driven at a rate determined by the service processor in accordance with the measured temperature if and only if the control signal is received by the fan controller; and
(iv) sending a fan driving signal to the or at least one fan to increase the speed of the fan to a constant value if no control signal is received from the service processor by the fan controller. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification