Computer module housing

• US 6,934,150 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2002
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Kitchen, James Robert, Ritson, Nigel Dean, Matthews, Simon James, Riddiford, Martin Philip, Tosh, Andrew P., Wilson, Helenaur
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Lynn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/171,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20030030989A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361685-690, 361724-730, 361/816, 361/818, 248560-638
• US Class Current: 361/679.33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/55 Detecting local intrusion or implementing counter-measures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/629 to features or functions of an application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2119 Authenticating web pages, e.g. with suspicious links
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2141 Access rights, e.g. capability lists, access control lists, access tables, access matrices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/128 of the plurality of recording/reproducing devices, e.g. disk drives, onto a chassis
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1416 Event detection, e.g. attack signature detection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1425 of standardised dimensions, e.g. 19"-subrack
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1489 characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays H05K7/1491 takes precedence

Abstract

A rack mountable shelf supports a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs) in the form of server cartridges, or blades. The blades are provided with an enclosure that includes a metal portion and a plastics portion. The provision of a blade enclosure for the blade can protect the components of the blade from physical damage and can also isolate them from electrical, static and other effects that could be potentially damaging to the blade components. The use of metal can provide strength and electromagnetic interference shielding with a very thin layer. The use of plastics can provide lightness, flexibilty in design, and the avoidance of metal to metal contact to facilitate insertion and removal of the blades.

Claims

1. A server blade configured to be receivable as a field replaceable unit in a carrier of a blade server system, the carrier being configured to receive a plurality of server blades side-by-side therein, the blade comprising a server processor and a blade enclosure enclosing the server processor, the blade enclosure having two opposing side faces, two end faces and upper and lower opposing faces, wherein a plastics portion of the blade enclosure forms at least part of at least the upper and lower opposing faces of the enclosure formed with respective guide formations for facilitating insertion of the blade into a carrier, wherein a metal portion of the blade enclosure forms one of the opposing side faces and at least part of one of the end faces, wherein each of the end faces comprising ventilation apertures for the passage of cooling air, wherein the plastics portion forms the opposing side face opposite the side face formed by the metal portion, wherein the plastics portion comprises a thin inner metallic layer, and wherein the plastics portion further comprises apertures to permit electromagnetic interference fingers to contact the thin metal layer through the plastics portion.

2. The server blade of claim 1 wherein the blade enclosure has six faces, the metal portion further forming at least part of at least one of four faces adjacent the side face formed by the metal portion.

3. The server blade of claim 1, wherein:

the side faces and the upper and lower faces have substantially the same length, and the side faces are narrower than the upper and lower faces;

the end faces have a length substantially equivalent to the width of the side faces and a width substantially the same as the width of the upper and lower faces.

4. The server blade of claim 3 wherein the plastics portion further includes a bezel forming at least one end face of the enclosure.

5. The server blade of claim 4, wherein the bezel carries blade status indicators.

6. The server blade of claim 4, wherein the bezel includes a pivotal mounting for an ejector lever mechanism for the blade.

7. The server blade of claim 6, wherein the bezel includes a detent retaining a latch of the lever mechanism.

8. The server blade of claim 3 wherein one of the end faces carries connections for connecting the blade with the carrier.

9. The server blade of claim 3, wherein the plastics portion includes an aperture in the side wall to accommodate components of the blade, the aperture being closed by a metal layer.

10. The server blade of claim 1, wherein the thin inner metallic layer is heat bonded to the plastics portion.

11. The server blade of claim 1, comprising random access memory within the blade enclosure.

12. The server blade of claim 1, comprising a service controller within the blade enclosure providing system management functions.

13. The server blade of claim 1, comprising a storage device within the blade enclosure.

14. The server blade of claim 1, comprising connections accessible externally to the blade enclosure.

15. The server blade of claim 14, wherein the connections include at least one information signal connection.

16. The server blade of claim 14, wherein the connections include at least one system management signal connection.

17. The server blade of claim 14, wherein the connections include at least one power connection.

18. The server blade of claim 14, wherein the blade enclosure is slideably mountable in the carrier with the connectors being located on face of the blade enclosure that is inserted first into the carrier.

19. The server blade of claim 1, wherein the metal portion comprises a stamped steel sheet.

20. The server blade of claim 1, wherein the plastics portion comprises a plastics moulding.

21. The server blade of claim 20, wherein the plastics comprises PC-ABS.

22. The server blade of claim 3, wherein the guide formations of the plastics portion comprise at least one groove.

23. The server blade of claim 22, wherein a groove in one of the upper and lower faces is wider than a groove in the other of the upper and lower faces.

24. The server blade of claim 22, wherein at least one groove has a wider entry portion to facilitate alignment of the blade.

25. A carrier for a blade server system comprising a carrier enclosure that includes a plurality of server blade receiving locations for receiving server blades side-by-side within the carrier enclosure, at least one of the server blade receiving locations having a field replaceable and enclosed server blade removably received therein, the server blade comprising a server processor and a blade enclosure enclosing the server processor, the blade enclosure having two opposing side faces, two end faces and upper and lower opposing faces, wherein a plastics portion of the blade enclosure forms at least part of at least the upper and lower opposing faces of the enclosure formed with respective guide formations for facilitating insertion of the blade into a carrier, wherein a metal portion of the blade enclosure forms at least one of the opposing side faces and at least part of one of the end faces, wherein each of the end faces comprising ventilation apertures for the passage of cooling air, wherein the plastics portion forming the opposing side face opposite the side face formed by the metal portion, wherein the plastics portion comprises a thin inner metallic layer, wherein the plastics portion further comprises apertures to permit electromagnetic interference fingers to contact the thin metal layer through the plastics portion, and wherein the server blade receiving locations being formed with guide formations for engaging with the guide formations of a received server blade.

26. The carrier of claim 25, wherein at least one server blade receiving location guide formation is formed by a folded portion of a wall of the carrier.

27. The carrier of claim 26, wherein at least one server blade receiving location guide formation comprises at least one rail that includes first and second stamped upstands from material forming a base of the carrier.

28. The carrier of claim 27, where the material is sheet metal.

29. The carrier of claim 25, wherein at least one server blade receiving location guide formation comprises a sprung wire loop that projects from a wall of the carrier.

30. The carrier of claim 26, wherein the wall of the carrier is an upper wall of a server blade receiving location.

31. The carrier of claim 25, where the carrier forms a rack-mountable shelf.

32. A rack mountable shelf comprising a carrier enclosure that includes a plurality of server blade receiving locations for receiving server blades side-by-side within the carrier enclosure, at least one of the server blade receiving locations having a field replaceable and enclosed server blade removably received therein, the server blade comprising a server processor and a blade enclosure enclosing the server processor, the blade enclosure having two opposing side faces, two end faces and upper and lower opposing faces, wherein a plastics portion of the blade enclosure forms at least part of at least the upper and lower opposing faces of the enclosure formed with respective guide formations for facilitating insertion of the blade into a carrier, wherein a metal portion of the blade enclosure forms at least one of the opposing side faces and at least part of one of the end faces, wherein each of the end faces comprising ventilation apertures for the passage of cooling air, wherein the plastics portion forming the opposing side face opposite the side face formed by the metal portion, wherein the plastics portion comprises a thin inner metallic layer, wherein the plastics portion further comprises apertures to permit electromagnetic interference fingers to contact the thin metal layer through the plastics portion, and wherein the server blade receiving locations being formed with guide formations for engaging with the guide formations of a received server blade.

33. The rack mountable shelf of claim 32, wherein each received server blade is slideably mounted in a respective receiving location in the front of the shelf.

34. The rack mountable shelf of claim 33, wherein each received server blade is received in a respective server blade receiving location, the receiving locations being arrayed side by side along the front of the shelf.

35. The rack mountable shelf of claim 34, wherein each received server blade is configured as a thin server blade to provide a high server density.

36. A computer server system comprising at least one rack mountable shelf, the rack mountable shelf comprising a carrier enclosure that includes a plurality of server blade receiving locations for receiving server blades side-by-side within the carrier enclosure, at least one of the server blade receiving locations having a field replaceable and enclosed server blade removably received therein, the server blade comprising a server processor and a blade enclosure enclosing the server processor, the blade enclosure having two opposing side faces, two end faces and upper and lower opposing faces, wherein a plastics portion of the blade enclosure forms at least part of at least the upper and lower opposing faces of the enclosure formed with respective guide formations for facilitating insertion of the blade into a carrier, wherein a metal portion of the blade enclosure forms at least one of the opposing side faces and at least part of one of the end faces, wherein each of the end faces comprising ventilation apertures for the passage of cooling air, wherein the plastics portion forming the opposing side face opposite the side face formed by the metal portion, wherein the plastics portion comprises a thin inner metallic layer, wherein the plastics portion further comprises apertures to permit electromagnetic interference fingers to contact the thin metal layer through the plastics portion, and wherein the server blade receiving locations being formed with guide formations for engaging with the guide formations of a received server blade.

37. A rack mounted computer server system comprising a rack frame and, mounted in the rack frame, at least one rack mountable shelf, the rack mountable shelf comprising a carrier enclosure that includes a plurality of server blade receiving locations for receiving server blades side-by-side within the carrier enclosure, at least one of the server blade receiving locations having a field replaceable and enclosed server blade removably received therein, the server blade comprising a server processor and a blade enclosure enclosing the server processor, the blade enclosure having two opposing side faces, two end faces and upper and lower opposing faces, wherein a plastics portion of the blade enclosure forms at least part of at least the upper and lower opposing faces of the enclosure formed with respective guide formations for facilitating insertion of the blade into a carrier, wherein a metal portion of the blade enclosure forms at least one of the opposing side faces and at least part of one of the end faces, wherein each of the end faces comprising ventilation apertures for the passage of cooling air, wherein the plastics portion forming the opposing side face opposite the side face formed by the metal portion, wherein the plastics portion comprises a thin inner metallic layer, wherein the plastics portion further comprises apertures to permit electromagnetic interference fingers to contact the thin metal layer through the plastics portion, and wherein the server blade receiving locations being formed with guide formations for engaging with the guide formations of a received server blade.

38. A high density computer server system comprising at least one rack frame with, mounted in each rack frame, at least one rack mountable shelf, the rack mountable shelf comprising a carrier enclosure that includes a plurality of server blade receiving locations for receiving server blades side-by-side within the carrier enclosure, at least one of the server blade receiving locations having a field replaceable and enclosed server blade removably received therein, the server blade comprising a server processor and a blade enclosure enclosing the server processor, the blade enclosure having two opposing side faces, two end faces and upper and lower opposing faces, wherein a plastics portion of the blade enclosure forms at least part of at least the upper and lower opposing faces of the enclosure formed with respective guide formations for facilitating insertion of the blade into a carrier, wherein a metal portion of the blade enclosure forms at least one of the opposing side faces and at least part of one of the end faces, wherein each of the end faces comprising ventilation apertures for the passage of cooling air, wherein the plastics portion forming the opposing side face opposite the side face formed by the metal portion, wherein the plastics portion comprises a thin inner metallic layer, wherein the plastics portion further comprises apertures to permit electromagnetic interference fingers to contact the thin metal layer through the plastics portion, and wherein the server blade receiving locations being formed with guide formations for engaging with the guide formations of a received server blade.

39. A method of providing high density computer services, the method comprising:

providing a rack mountable shelf comprising a plurality of receiving locations for receiving side-by-side therein a plurality of field replaceable units in the form of enclosed server blades;

providing guide formations in the receiving locations for engaging with corresponding guide formations of a received server blade;

providing a server blade comprising a server processor and a blade enclosure enclosing the server processor, the blade enclosure having two opposing side faces, two end faces and upper and lower opposing faces, wherein a plastics portion of the blade enclosure forms at least part of at least the upper and lower opposing faces of the enclosure formed with respective guide formations for facilitating insertion of the blade into a carrier, wherein a metal portion of the blade enclosure forms at least one of the opposing side faces and at least part of one of the end faces, wherein each of the end faces comprising ventilation apertures for the passage of cooling air, wherein the plastics portion forming the opposing side face opposite the side face formed by the metal portion, wherein the plastics portion comprises a thin inner metallic layer, wherein the plastics portion further comprises apertures to permit electromagnetic interference fingers to contact the thin metal layer through the plastics portion; and

removeably receiving the server blade in one of the blade receiving locations.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the guide formations of the server blade comprise grooves.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the blade receiving locations are arrayed side by side along the front of the shelf.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the server blade is configured as a thin server blade to provide a high server density.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the server blade enclosure provides shielding and protection for components of the server blade.

44. A server blade configured to be receivable as a field replaceable unit in a carrier of a blade server system, the carrier being configured to receive a plurality of server blades side-by-side therein, the server blade comprising server processor means and server blade enclosure means enclosing the server processor means, the blade enclosure means having two opposing side faces, two end faces and upper and lower opposing faces, wherein a plastics portion of the blade enclosure forms at least part of at least the upper and lower opposing faces of the enclosure formed with respective guide formations for facilitating insertion of the blade into a carrier, wherein a metal portion of the blade enclosure means forms at least one of the opposing side faces and at least part of one of the end faces, wherein each of the end faces comprising aperture means for the passage of cooling air, wherein the plastics portion forms the opposing side face opposite the side face formed by the metal portion, wherein the plastics portion comprises a metallic layer means, and wherein the plastics portion further comprises aperture means to permit electromagnetic interference finger means to contact the metallic layer means through the plastics portion.

45. A carrier for a blade server system comprising carrier enclosure means having a plurality of server blade receiving means for receiving server blades side-by-side within the carrier enclosure, at least one of the server blade receiving means having a field replaceable and enclosed server blade removably received therein, the server blade comprising server processor means and blade enclosure means enclosing the server processor means, the blade enclosure means having two opposing side faces, two end faces and upper and lower opposing faces, wherein a plastics portion of the blade enclosure forms at least part of at least the upper and lower opposing faces of the enclosure formed with respective guide formations for facilitating insertion of the blade into a carrier, wherein a metal portion of the blade enclosure means forms at least one of the opposing side faces and at least part of one of the end faces, wherein each of the end faces comprising aperture means for the passage of cooling air, wherein the plastics portion forming the opposing side face opposite the side face formed by the metal portion, wherein the plastics portion comprises a metallic layer means, wherein the plastics portion further comprises aperture means to permit electromagnetic interference finger means to contact the metallic layer means through the plastics portion, and wherein the server blade receiving means being formed with guide means for engaging with the guide means of the received server blade.