Modular system of internet service provider focused computer services

• US 6,678,155 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1999
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bresniker, Kirk M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/461,169
• Time in Patent Office: 1,491 Days
• Field of Search: 361/687, 361/680-686, 361/724-727, 312/223--22, 455/126, 455/127, 379/89, 320/106
• US Class Current: 361/679.49
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409

Abstract

The present invention relates to the efficient distribution of equipment for communication modules in a communication networking environment. Where a plurality communication devices serves a networking function, economy of cost and space are obtained by providing equipment and functionality for the individual computing devices from a centralized location such as a base station thereby enabling a simpler and less expensive design for the individual communication devices. The individual computing devices may thereby be made much smaller effecting savings in space at an Internet service provider location. Savings are also obtained by reducing the total number of components required and by reducing the total power consumption of the totality of the hardware in the network. Equipment most amenable to removal from the individual units and centralization in a base station include the main power supply, backup power supply, cooling fans.

Claims

1. An integrated communication server system, the system comprising:

at least one server module;

a base station having at least one servicing component for providing a service to said at least one server module, wherein said at least one server module is attachable to said base station;

wherein at least one said servicing component comprises air moving equipment for cooling said integrated server system, an air duct disposed in each of said at least one server modules, and a central air duct disposed in said base station, wherein said central air duct and said at least one air duct are substantially aligned to provide a substantially continuous air passage linking said base station and said at least one module, thereby enabling said air moving equipment to cool said integrated server system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one servicing component further comprises:

a power supply, wherein the power supply is disposed within the base station and supplies power requirements of said at least one server module.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one servicing component further comprises:

a converter, thereby enabling provision of a safe and convenient D.C. voltage to said at least one server module by said base station.

3. The system of 1, further comprising:

a single user data LAN connection disposed in said base station; and

a network switch card in communication with said user data LAN connection, disposed in said base station; and

one internal connection between said network switch card for each of said at least one server modules, thereby enabling said single user data LAN connection disposed in said base station to service said at least one server module.

5. A method for disposing an integrated server system in a minimum footprint, the method comprising the steps of:

providing equipment in a base station able to serve at least one server module in said integrated server system, wherein equipment provided in said base station is centralized equipment;

connecting said base station and said at least one server module to enable said centralized equipment to perform at least one function in said at least one server module;

aligning an air duct in said base station with an air duct in each of said at least one server modules, thereby providing a continuous air flow path through said base station and said at least one server module; and

generating an air flow in said base station able to remove excess heat from said base station and said at least one server module that uses the continuous air flow path.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing comprises the steps of:

disposing a power supply in the base station able to provide operating power to said at least one server module; and

the step of connecting comprises the step of;

connecting said power supply in said base station to said at least one server module, thereby providing power to said at least one server module.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

disposing a user data LAN connection in said base station; and

disposing a network switch card in communication with said user data LAN connection; and

establishing data connections between the base station and said at least one server module.

8. The method of claim 6, comprising the further steps of:

converting AC voltage to DC voltage in said base station; and

wherein said step of connecting comprises the step of;

connecting a DC voltage source in said base station to said at least one server module.

9. An integrated server system, the system comprising:

a base station having a plurality of docking stations;

a plurality of server modules docked in said docking stations on said base station, thereby forming an integrated server system.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a single power supply disposed in said base station; and

a power port disposed in each of said plurality of said docking stations for supplying power to said plurality of server modules, thereby establishing a plurality of power ports and enabling omission of power supplies disposed locally in each server module and a conservation of a cost, and a space requirement, of a plurality of locally disposed power supplies, wherein a single external power connection may be made to power said integrated server system.

11. The system of claim 9, the system further comprising:

a single fan disposed in said base station; and

at least one air flow path substantially continuous throughout said base station and said plurality of server modules, wherein said single fan moves air through said at least one substantially continuous air flow path to thereby cool said integrated server system, thereby enabling omission of fans locally disposed in each of said plurality of server modules and enabling a saving of space and cost associated with said omission of locally disposed fans.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a control data LAN connection disposed in each of said plurality of docking stations, thereby enabling interchange of control data between said plurality of server modules and said base station.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

an external control data LAN connection disposed on said base station to enable an interchange of control data between said base station and at least one other communication system.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

an external user data LAN connection disposed on said base station to enable interactive communication between said server modules on said base station and at least one other communication system;

a user data LAN connection disposed in each of said plurality of docking stations, thereby establishing a plurality of user data communication paths internal to said base station for use by said plurality of server modules; and

a network switch card disposed within said base station to appropriately direct data communication between said external user data LAN connection and said plurality of server modules, wherein a combination of said external user data LAN, said network switch card, and said plurality of internal user data communication paths obviate a need for external user data LAN connections to said plurality of server modules, thereby reducing an amount and a complexity of cabling in said integrated server system.

15. The system of claim 10, the system further comprising:

a converter disposed in said base station, thereby enabling a plurality of power connections between said base station and said plurality of server modules to provide a safe, low level D.C. voltage at said power ports.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a central air channel disposed in said base station in communication with said single fan; and

a local air channel disposed in each of said plurality of server modules, wherein each said local air channel is substantially aligned with said central air channel disposed in said base station, thereby forming at least one substantially continuous air flow path through said integrated server system, thereby enabling said single fan to remove excess heat from substantially all of said integrated server system.