Intelligent modular server management system for selectively operating and locating a plurality of computers

• US 7,454,495 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2003
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RIIP, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Raritan Americas Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Hsieh, David, Chen, Alan, Kan, Tomy
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaugh, Jr.; William C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mesfin; Yemane
• Application Number:
  US10/667,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20050076102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,888 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/223, 709/224, 370/400, 370/422
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0677 Localisation of faults
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5061 characterised by the interaction between service providers and their network customers, e.g. customer relationship management

Abstract

Disclosed is a remote computer or server management system for coupling a series of remote computers to one or more user workstations allowing for efficient location, error detection and/or general status indication of the remote computers or servers. In particular, computer interface modules connected to the remote computers or servers include a signaling circuit to emit an audible or visual signal upon detection of a problem or upon receipt of a signal command from a user trying to locate a particular remote computer. Alternatively, the signaling circuit may transmit a message to the user workstation to inform the user of a problem, general status (e.g., of firmware upgrade), etc., which may be displayed on the user'"'"'s video monitor.

Claims

1. A remote computer management system comprising:

a plurality of remote computers;

at least one user interface unit coupled to a keyboard, video monitor and cursor control device, said user interface unit comprising circuitry for receiving and transmitting keyboard, cursor control device and video signals, wherein, said circuitry for receiving and transmitting video signals includes a tuning circuit containing a plurality of conditioning circuits for providing automatic signal tuning to the video components to uniformly amplify and condition the signals and to automatically tune the frequency of the received signals to achieve a desired video signal amplitude and frequency suitable for transmissions over extended lengths; and

a plurality of computer interface units, each of said computer interface units being a standalone unit that is co-located with and coupled to one of the plurality of remote computers in a one to one relationship, and wherein each of said computer interface units comprises circuitry for receiving and transmitting keyboard, cursor control device and video signals, and a signaling circuit for generating at least an audible or visual signal upon detection of a specific event transpiring at the remote computer, said signal being generated and broadcast at both the coupled computer interface unit and said remote computer coupled to said computer interface unit; and

a computer management unit which bi-directionally communicates with said user interface unit and each of said computer interface units;

wherein said computer interface unit bi-directionally communicates with said user interface unit over a network.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said signaling circuit produces a first response in response to said signaling circuit signal and a second response to a second signaling circuit signal.

3. A. system according to claim 1, wherein said signaling circuit signal is produced in response to a hardware or software failure on said remote computer.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said signaling circuit signal is produced in response to a firmware upgrade on said remote computer.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said signaling circuit signal is produced in response to the completion of a firmware upgrade on said computer interface unit.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said signaling circuit signal indicates the status of an upgrade to said remote computer.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said computer management unit is coupled to each of said computer interface units and enables bi-directional communication among said user interface units and said remote computers.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said user interface unit sends a request to said computer interface unit via said computer management unit.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said signaling circuit signal is generated in response to said request.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein said signaling circuit signal is transmitted to said user interface unit, which displays a notification message on said video monitor upon receipt of said signaling circuit signal.

11. A remote device management system comprising:

a plurality of remote interface modules, each said remote interface module being a standalone unit for physically connecting to keyboard, cursor control device and video cables of one of a plurality of remote devices and for receiving and transmitting keyboard, cursor control device and video signals, each remote interface module being co-located with a corresponding remote device;

a signaling circuit within each of said remote interface modules responsive to a signaling circuit control signal, wherein said signaling circuit is capable of generating a signal in response to said signaling circuit control signal; and

wherein a audible or visual signal is generated at said connected remote interface module and at the at least one user interface device;

at least one management unit coupled to each of said remote interface modules; and

at least one user interface device coupled to a keyboard, cursor control device, and video monitor for receiving and transmitting keyboard, cursor control device and video signals;

wherein said user interface device contains circuitry for receiving and transmitting video signals, said circuitry including a tuning circuit containing a plurality of conditioning circuits for providing automatic signal tuning to the video components to uniformly amplify and condition the signals and to automatically tune the received signals to achieve a desired video signal amplitude and frequency suitable for transmissions over extended lengths and, wherein said user interface device is also capable of producing said signaling circuit control signal; and

wherein each said remote interface module is connected via a single network cable to said management unit.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said response signal indicates the status of said remote devices.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said response signal indicates the status of said remote interface modules.

14. A system according to claim 11, wherein said response signal is transmitted to said user interface device and upon receipt of said response signal, a status message is displayed on said video monitor.

15. A remote computer management system comprising:

a plurality of remote computers;

at least one user interface unit coupled to a keyboard, video monitor and cursor control device, said user interface unit comprising circuitry for receiving and transmitting keyboard, cursor control device and video signals;

wherein, said circuitry for receiving and transmitting video signals includes a tuning circuit containing a plurality of conditioning- circuits for providing automatic signal tuning to the video components to uniformly amplify and condition the signals and to automatically tune the received signals to achieve a desired video signal of amplitude and frequency suitable for transmissions over extended lengths, and

a plurality of computer interface units, each of said computer interface units being a standalone physical unit co-located with and coupled to one of said remote computers, each of said computer interface units comprising circuitry for receiving and transmitting keyboard, cursor control device and video signals, and a signaling circuit for generating a audible or visual signal upon detection of a specific event, wherein the signal is noticeable at least a coupled remote computer undergoing said specific event and at said at least one user interface unit, wherein said computer interface unit bi-directionally communicates with said user interface unit over a network.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the signal is emitted at a computer interface unit that detected the specific event.