Data center equipment cabinet information center and updateable asset tracking system

• US 8,917,513 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Hazzard, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hoa C
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, BINH BACH THANH
• Application Number:
  US14/208,164
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 361/724, 361/725, 361/726, 361/727, 361/826, 361/827, 361/828, 361/601, 361/622, 174/17.05, 174/72.C, 211/153, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 340/12.51, 340/13.26
• US Class Current: 361/724
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• 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 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/161 Portable computer, e.g. notebook
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/163 Server or database system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0208 Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1498 Resource management, Optimisation arrangements, e.g. configuration, identification, tracking, physical location thermal management H05K7/20836
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20836 Thermal management, e.g. server temperature control

Abstract

A cabinet frame enclosure is provided having a first side wall, a second side wall, a first opening and a second opening each in combination defining an interior space for accommodating a plurality of equipment, the equipment being removable through the first opening. A plurality of functional modules are provided such as: an asset tracking module for detecting the presence or absence of the equipment from the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure, the asset tracking module disposed in the first side wall adjacent the first opening; an access control module for providing electronic locking and access control to the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure; an environmental management module for monitoring and controlling environmental conditions within the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure; a power management module for monitoring and controlling power distribution to equipment located in the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure, the power management module disposed in one of the first side wall or second side wall and adjacent the second opening; and a cabinet control module (CCM) for providing consolidated connectivity to the plurality of functional modules, wherein the CCM presents a single network connection for managing the equipment located in the cabinet frame enclosure.

Claims

1. A data center infrastructure management electronic cabinet integrated rack appliance, the integrated appliance comprising:

a rack frame enclosure having a first side wall, a second side wall, the first and second sidewalls extending between a top and bottom, a first opening extending between the top and bottom, a door for enclosing the first opening and a second opening extending between the top and bottom and the frame having an inside surface defined by a portion of one of the first and second side walls, the inside surface extending between the top and bottom, the rack defining an interior space for accommodating a plurality of electronic equipment, the electronic equipment being removable through the first opening;

a plurality of functional modules selected from a group consisting of;

an updatable asset tracking module for detecting the presence or absence of the electronic equipment from the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure including a tag information file that identifies the electronic equipment, the updatable asset tracking module capable of writing to an electronic equipment tag to enable modification of the tag information file when the electronic equipment is relocated, the asset tracking module disposed along the inside surface;

an access control module for providing electronic locking and access control to the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure;

an environmental management module for monitoring and controlling environmental conditions within the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure;

a power management module for monitoring and controlling power distribution to electronic equipment located in the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure, the power management module disposed in one of the first side wall or second side wall and adjacent the second opening;

a cabinet control module (CCM) for providing consolidated connectivity to the plurality of functional modules, wherein the CCM presents a single network connection for managing the electronic equipment located in the cabinet frame enclosure.

2. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the updateable asset tracking module is configured to detect the electronic equipment wirelessly and an RFID tag attached to the electronic equipment.

3. The integrated appliance of claim 2, wherein the updateable asset tracking module is configured to write to one or more RFID tags attached to the electronic equipment.

4. The integrated appliance of claim 3, wherein the updateable asset tracking module comprises one or more RFID readers provided by a detachable strip located within the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure.

5. The integrated appliance of claim 4, wherein the updateable asset tracking module further comprises a plurality of blocks connected in series and each block containing at least one RFID reader.

6. The integrated appliance of claim 5 wherein each block includes a male end and an opposite female end so that corresponding blocks may be interconnected to form a strip.

7. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the access control module comprises one of:

a touch-sensor-based key keypad, a proximity card reader, an on-screen touch-screen control, a remote network control, and biometric access.

8. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the access control module is configured to use visual data including at least one of still images and video.

9. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the environmental management module includes one of a fan and a dehumidifier for controlling one of airflow and humidity within the interior space of the cabinet frame enclosure.

10. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the power management module comprises one or more of:

a power distribution unit (PDU), a power strip, and an intelligent power battery backup device.

11. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the power management module is configured to selectively control at least one of power delivery and power storage to the electronic equipment.

12. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the cabinet control module is wirelessly connect to the plurality of functional modules.

13. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the cabinet control module is wired to the plurality of functional modules.

14. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the cabinet control module comprises a touch-screen display for providing external user interaction between a user and the integrated appliance.

15. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the cabinet control module is configured to manage a correlated automation scenario where information received from at least a first functional module is used to manage at least a second functional module.

16. The integrated appliance of claim 1, wherein the single network connection has a single IP address.

17. The electronic equipment rack of claim 16 wherein the first component includes an asset tracking module that is configured to detect one or more RFID tags attached to the electronic equipment.

18. The electronic equipment rack of claim 17 wherein the first and second component each include an RFID reader having a capability to write to an RFID tag mounted to the electronic equipment.

19. The electronic equipment rack of claim 17 further comprising a third component located below the first component in the first sidewall for wirelessly detecting the presence of at least one of the electronic equipment.

20. A self-contained and self-monitoring electronic equipment rack comprising:

a cabinet frame enclosure having a first side wall, a second side wall, a first opening and a second opening each in combination defining an interior space for accommodating a plurality of electronic equipment, a door for enclosing one of the first or second openings, the electronic equipment being removable through the first opening along a removal path;

a first component disposed in the first sidewall adjacent the removal path, the first component for wirelessly detecting the presence of at least one of the electronic equipment, the first component including a tag information file that identifies the electronic equipment and having a read and write capability to enable modification of the tag information file when the electronic equipment is relocated;

a second component for locking the door of the cabinet, the second component controlled remotely and electronically,

a third component having a temperature sensor, a fan and a remote control for controlling temperature within the cabinet;

a fourth component disposed in the first or second side wall for providing power to the entire cabinet and each of its first, second and third components via a single power cable, each of the first, second and third components connected to the fourth component;

a cabinet control module (CCM) connected to each of the first, second, third and fourth components and the CCM for consolidating the monitoring and control of the first, second, third and fourth components; and

a display screen linked to the CCM for viewing component operation data and controlling the CCM, the display screen accessible from outside the cabinet without opening the door.

21. An updateable asset tracking system comprising:

a cabinet frame enclosure having a first side wall, a second side wall, a first opening and a second opening each in combination defining an interior space for accommodating a plurality of electronic equipment, a door for enclosing one of the first or second openings, the electronic equipment being removable through the first opening;

a first component disposed in the first sidewall for wirelessly detecting the presence of at least one of the electronic equipment, the first component remaining stationary with respect to the electronic equipment when removed from the cabinet, the first component capable of tracking the removal of the electronic equipment, the first component including a tag information file that identifies the electronic equipment and having a read and write capability to enable modification of the tag information file when the electronic equipment is relocated;

a second component disposed in the second sidewall for wirelessly detecting the presence of at least one of the electronic equipment, the second component including a tag information file that identifies the electronic equipment and having a capability to enable modification of the tag information file when the electronic equipment is relocated.