Methods and Apparatus For Remotely Monitoring Access To Rack Mounted Server Cabinets

• US 20170111451A1
• Filed: 12/07/2015
• Published: 04/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lithul LLC
• Original Assignee: Lithul LLC
• Inventors: Thul, Theodore M.
• Application Number:
  US14/961,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20170111451A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/28 Restricting access to network management systems or functions, e.g. using authorisation function to access network configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A server cabinet includes a rack region bounded by a first door and configured to house network devices, a camera configured to surveil an area proximate the door, a lock configured to releasably lock the door in a closed position, and a PDU configured to supply power to the network devices. The PDU also includes a first data port configured to communicate with the camera, a second data port configured to communicate with the lock, and a network connectivity module configured to communicate with a remote computer.

Claims

1. An elongated power distribution unit (PDU) for use in a rack mounted server cabinet, the PDU comprising:

a plurality of electrical power supply;

a network connectivity module configured to facilitate communication between the PDU and a remote computer; and

a security connection module configured to communicate data between at least one peripheral security device and the network connectivity module.

2. The PDU of claim 1, wherein the network connectivity module is compliant with CAT 5 network protocols.

3. The PDU of claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral security device comprises at least one of a camera, motion detector, and a cabinet door lock.

4. The PDU of claim 1, wherein the network connectivity module comprises at least one data port configured to communicate with the at least one peripheral security device.

5. The PDU of claim 4, wherein the network connectivity module further comprises network interface port configured to communicate with the remote computer.

6. The PDU of claim 5, wherein the network interface port supports Ethernet 10/100Base protocols.

7. The PDU of claim 1, wherein the network connectivity module comprises an operating system configured to support a web page viewable at the remote computer.

8. The PDU of claim 7, wherein the network connectivity module is configured to employ TCP/IP internet protocols and support a simple network management protocol (SNMP).

9. A server cabinet comprising:

a rack region bounded by a first door and configured to house network devices;

a camera configured to surveil an area proximate the first door;

a PDU configured to supply power to the network devices, the PDU comprising;

a first data port configured to communicate with the camera; and

a network connectivity module configured to communicate with a remote computer.

10. The server cabinet of claim 9, further comprising a first lock configured to releasably lock the first door in a closed position.

11. The server cabinet of claim 10, wherein the PDU further comprises a second data port configured to communicate with the first lock.

12. The server cabinet of claim 11, wherein the first and second data ports each comprise one of a wireless and a wired connection.

13. The server cabinet of claim 12, wherein the network connectivity module is configured to communicate data from the camera and the first lock to the remote computer.

14. The server cabinet of claim 13, wherein the network connectivity module is configured to communicate instructions from the remote computer to the camera and the first lock.

15. The server cabinet of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second data ports is internal to the PDU.

16. The server cabinet of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second data ports is external to the PDU.

17. The server cabinet of claim 9, wherein the rack region is further bounded by a second door having a second lock configured to releasably lock the second door in a closed position, wherein the PDU further comprises a third data port configured to communicate with the second lock.

18. A system for remotely monitoring access to networked computing devices, comprising:

a remote access application configured to run on an application server;

a client device configured to display a GUI provided by the remote access application; and

a server cabinet assembly including;

a rack region bounded by a door and configured to house network devices;

a camera configured to surveil an area proximate the door;

a lock configured to releasably lock the door in a closed position; and

a PDU configured to supply power to the network devices, the PDU comprising a first data port configured to communicate with the camera, a second data port configured to communicate with the lock, and a network connectivity module configured to communicate with the remote access application.

19. The remote monitoring system of claim 18, wherein the GUI is configured to alert a user of the client device of an access event.

20. The remote monitoring system of claim 18, wherein the GUI is configured to permit a user of the client device to build and configure the server cabinet assembly.