System and method for managing a cable in a server system

• US 7,294,786 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2005
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Richter, Grace A., Aldereguia, Alfredo
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayo, III; William H.
• Application Number:
  US11/101,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20060228090A1
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 174/36, 174/110.R, 174/113.R, 174/115, 174/74.R, 174/78, 174/84.R, 340/815.45, 340/817.47, 439/490
• US Class Current: 174/84.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/562 locatable, e.g. using magnetic means

Abstract

A system and method for managing a cable in a server system. The system includes a first paddle card coupled to a first end of the cable and a first light emitting diode (LED) coupled to the first paddle card. The first LED turns on to facilitate a user in locating the first end of the cable. The system also includes a second paddle card coupled to a second end of the cable and a second LED coupled to the second paddle card. The second LED turns on to facilitate the user in locating the second end of the cable. As a result, the ends of the cable can be conveniently and reliably located in a server system having multiple identical cables.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first paddle card coupled to a first end of a cable;

a first light emitting diode (LED) coupled to the first paddle card, wherein the first LED turns on to facilitate a user in locating the first end of the cable, wherein the first paddle card is plugged into a first node of a first server system, wherein the first LED couples to a first voltage pin that couples directly to Vcc of the first server system, and wherein the first voltage pin does not couple to a ground of the first server system;

a second paddle card coupled to a second end of the cable; and

a second LED coupled to the second paddle card, wherein the first LED is coupled to the second LED, wherein the second LED turns on to facilitate the user in locating the second end of the cable, wherein the second paddle card is plugged into a second node of a second server system, wherein the second LED couples to a resistor that couples to a second voltage pin that couples directly to a ground of the second server system, wherein the second voltage pin does not couple to Vcc of the second server system, and wherein the first LED and the second LEDs turn on when both of the first and second paddle cards are plugged into the respective first and second server systems.

2. A method for managing a cable, the method comprising:

coupling a first light emitting diode (LED) to a first paddle card;

coupling a second LED to a second paddle card, wherein the first LED is coupled to the second LED;

turning on the first and second LEDs, wherein the LEDs facilitate a user in locating the ends of the cable, wherein the first paddle card is plugged into a first node of a first server system, wherein the first LED couples to a first voltage pin that couples directly to Vcc of the first server system, wherein the first voltage pin does not couple to a ground of the first server system, wherein the second paddle card is plugged into a second node of a second server system, wherein the second LED couples to a resistor that couples to a second voltage pin that couples directly to a ground of the second server system, wherein the second voltage pin does not couple to Vcc of the second server system, and wherein the first LED and the second LEDs turn on when both of the first and second paddle cards are plugged into the respective first and second server systems.