Server chassis hardware master system and method
First Claim
1. A midplane, comprising:
- a printed circuit board;
a first communication coupling coupled with the printed circuit board and configured to receive a first computing device;
a second communication coupling coupled with the printed circuit board and configured to receive a second computing device;
a master signal control module coupled with the first and second communication couplings;
wherein the master signal control module is operable to communicate control signals to the second communication coupling if the first computing device is not coupled with the first communication coupling; and
wherein the master signal control module prevents communication of the control signals to the second communication coupling if the first computing device is coupled with the first communication coupling.
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Abstract
A system and method for selecting a hardware master from a plurality of computing devices and controlling the communication of a master control signal(s) to one or more of the plurality of computing devices includes monitoring first and second connectors coupled with a midplane to detect the presence of first and second computing devices, respectively. Master control signals may be transmitted to the second computing device if the first computing device is not coupled with the first connector. Transmission of the master control signals to the second computing devices may be prevented if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, master control signals may be transmitted to the first computing device if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector.
77 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A midplane, comprising:
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a printed circuit board;
a first communication coupling coupled with the printed circuit board and configured to receive a first computing device;
a second communication coupling coupled with the printed circuit board and configured to receive a second computing device;
a master signal control module coupled with the first and second communication couplings;
wherein the master signal control module is operable to communicate control signals to the second communication coupling if the first computing device is not coupled with the first communication coupling; and
wherein the master signal control module prevents communication of the control signals to the second communication coupling if the first computing device is coupled with the first communication coupling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A server chassis, comprising:
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a midplane printed circuit board having first and second connectors configured to receive first and second server processing cards, respectively;
at least a first server processing card coupled with the first connector;
a master signal control module coupled with the midplane printed circuit board;
the master signal control module being operable to communicate control signals to the first server processing card if the second server processing is not coupled with the second connector; and
wherein the master signal control module is operable to prevent communication of the control signals to the first server processing card if the second server processing card is coupled with the second connector.
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10. A method for controlling a plurality of hardware components, comprising:
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monitoring first and second connectors coupled with a midplane to detect the presence of first and second computing devices, respectively;
transmitting master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is not coupled with the first connector; and
preventing the transmission of the master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A computer readable medium encoded with logic operable to:
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monitor first and second connector coupled with a midplane to detect the presence of first and second computing devices, respectively;
transmit master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is not coupled with the first connector; and
prevent the transmission of the master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A system, comprising:
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means for monitoring first and second connectors coupled with a midplane to detect the presence of first and second computing devices, respectively;
means for transmitting master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is not coupled with the first connector; and
means for preventing the transmission of the master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification