Redirecting input and output for multiple computers

• US 7,519,749 B1
• Filed: 08/25/2004
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Megatrends Incorporated
• Original Assignee: American Megatrends Incorporated
• Inventors: Sivertsen, Clas Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, ALAN S
• Application Number:
  US10/926,241
• Time in Patent Office: 1,693 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 710/73
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes

Abstract

Apparatus, methods, and systems provide for remote management of a set of local computers by transferring screen frames produced by the local computer for viewing at a remote computer. A redirection module captures and transmits video signals from a local computer through over a network, such as the Internet, to a remote computer where the remote computer produces a display that contains the screen frames being transferred. The module is configured for use with and installation within a keyboard, video, and mouse switch configured for receiving the module. The redirection module is further configured for use with and installation on a server-blade to allow remote management of the server-blade.

Claims

1. A system for allowing control of a plurality of local computers from a remote computer, comprising:

a first printed circuit board having at least one internal connector for connection to a KVM redirection module, wherein the at least one internal connector is configured to provide video signal data from a local computer of the plurality of local computers to a connected KVM redirection module;

a housing that encloses the first printed circuit board and at least one internal connector comprising at least one opening corresponding to the at least one internal connector for receiving a KVM redirection module;

a plurality of keyboard, video, and mouse input connectors electrically connected to the printed circuit board corresponding to the plurality of local computers, wherein the plurality of keyboard, video, and mouse input connectors are accessible externally from the housing; and

a second printed circuit board comprising

an interface connector connected to the at least one internal connector, wherein the interface connector is disposed at a first edge of the second printed circuit board and is configured to receive video signals from a local computer of the plurality of local computers through the at least one internal connector, a frame grabber that grabs screen frames from the video signals to create screen frame data,

a network interface device having a network connector disposed at a second edge of the second printed circuit board opposite the first edge such that the network connector is externally accessible through the at least one opening in the housing, and

at least one processing device configured to provide the screen frame data to the network interface device for distribution across a network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board can be installed in the housing while the housing is fully assembled and while the plurality of local computers are connected to the plurality of keyboard, video, and mouse input connectors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board can be installed in the housing such that the interface connector is mated to the internal connector to begin operation without removing power from the first circuit board.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board further comprises an RS-232 port that is externally accessible through the housing when the interface connector is connected to the internal connector on the first printed circuit board for connection to a local computer for configuration of the module.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second circuit board further comprises an RS-232 port that is externally accessible through the housing when the interface connector is connected to the internal connector on the first printed circuit board for connection to a power control device to control power on and off to a local computer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board further comprises a USB controller, wherein the processing device controls the USB controller to emulate a storage device of the remote computer for use by each of the plurality of local computers.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board further comprises an analog-to-digital converter that digitizes analog video signals to produce digitized video signals.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second circuit board further comprises a front surface adjacent to the second edge, and wherein the front surface is substantially perpendicular to the second circuit board and has connecting means for securing the front surface to a housing surface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second printed circuit board further comprises opposing third and fourth edges that span between the first and second edges and wherein the distance between the opposing third and fourth edges is equal to or less than 1.625 inches.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises:

a first vertical surface parallel to and opposing the first printed circuit board, wherein the at least one opening is through the first vertical surface at a location opposing the at least one internal connector;

guiding means for slidably receiving the second circuit board such that the interface connector engages the internal connector on the first printed circuit board while a face surface of the module contacts the first vertical surface of the housing.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the guiding means comprises slide rails disposed within the housing substantially perpendicular to the first vertical surface.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing has a height dimension equal to or less than 1 U.

13. A method of controlling a plurality of local computers from a remote computer, comprising:

connecting the plurality of local computers to a corresponding plurality of input connectors on a KVM switch;

installing a KVM redirection module in the KVM switch by inserting the redirection module through an opening in a housing surface of the KVM switch such that an interface connector disposed on a first edge of the redirection module connects to an internal connector disposed on a surface of a printed circuit board within the KVM switch, and such that a first surface of the redirection module that is adjacent to a second edge opposing the first edge secures the redirection module to the housing surface of the KVM switch;

connecting a network cable to a network and to a network connector disposed at a second edge of the redirection module opposite the first edge such that the network connector is externally accessible through an opening in a housing that encompasses the printed circuit board with the internal connector and the installed redirection module;

selecting a local computer from the plurality of local computers;

receiving video signals at the remote computer from the selected local computer transmitted over the network by the KVM redirection module;

providing keyboard or mouse input to the local computer at the remote computer; and

transmitting the remote input over the network to the local computer via the KVM redirection module and KVM switch.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein installing a KVM redirection module in the KVM switch further comprises sliding the redirection module into the KVM switch on slide rails until the interface connector of the redirection module mates with the internal connector of the KVM switch.