Flexible configuration server system

• US 10,146,720 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2016
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Original Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Inventors: Ma, Yao-Feng
• Primary Examiner(s): Abad, Farley
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yimer, Getente A
• Application Number:
  US15/145,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20170322900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/00 Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units interface circuits for specific input/output devices G06F3/00 ; multiprogram control therefor G06F9/46; multiprocessor systems G06F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4022 using switching circuits, e.g. switching matrix, connection or expansion network G06F13/4009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4068 Electrical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/00 Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures printed connections to, or between, printed circuits H05K1/11

Abstract

A flexible server configuration system includes a connector array including a plurality of slots and a first jumper board configured to removably engage with the connector array by connecting to a first set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots. The first jumper board is configured to disengage and reengage from the connector array to connect with a different set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots. The system further includes a first set of at least one peripheral device, each connected to one of the plurality of slots, and a first node including at least one first node processor. The first node is connected to two of the plurality of slots.

Claims

1. A flexible server configuration system comprising:

a connector array comprising a plurality of slots;

a first jumper board configured to removably engage with the connector array by connecting to a first set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots, the first jumper board configured to disengage and reengage from the connector array to connect with a different set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots;

a first set of at least one peripheral device, each connected to one of the plurality of slots;

a first node comprising a first processor slot having a first node processor, and a second processor slot having a second node processor, the first node connected to two of the plurality of slots; and

a second node comprising a third processor slot having a third node processor connected to a slot of the plurality of slots;

a fourth processor slot and a second node multiplexer connected to the third processor slot and the fourth processor slot, the second node multiplexer configured to select at least one of the third processor slot or the fourth processor slot to connect to at least the slot of the plurality of slots.

2. The flexible server configuration system of claim 1, wherein the first node further comprises:

a first node multiplexer connected to the first processor slot and the second processor slot, a first node multiplexer configured to select one of the first processor slot or the second processor slot to connect to one of the plurality of slots.

3. The flexible server configuration system of claim 1, further comprising a second jumper board configured to removably engage with the connector array by connecting to a second set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots, the second jumper board configured to disengage and reengage from the connector array to connect with a different set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots.

4. The flexible server configuration system of claim 1, wherein the first set of at least one peripheral device comprises at least one graphics processing unit (GPU).

5. The flexible server configuration system of claim 1, wherein the first set of at least one peripheral device comprises at least one network interface controller (NIC).

6. The flexible server configuration system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first network interface controller (MC) connected to a first slot of the plurality of slots;

a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs) each connected to a corresponding consecutive slot starting from a third slot of the plurality of slots,

wherein the first jumper board is connected to a second slot of the plurality of slots and another slot of the plurality of slots.

7. The flexible server configuration system of claim 1, wherein the connector array comprises fourteen slots.

8. The flexible server configuration system of claim 7, further comprising four graphics processing units (GPUs) respectively connected to a third, fourth, fifth, and six slot of the fourteen slots.

9. The flexible server configuration system of claim 7, wherein

the first processor slot is connected to a seventh slot of the fourteen slots;

and

a first node multiplexer connected to the first processor slot, the second processor slot, and a second slot of the fourteen slots.

10. A method for a flexible server configuration, comprising:

connecting a first set of at least one peripheral device to a connector array comprising a plurality of slots;

connecting a first node to two of the plurality of slots, wherein the first node comprises a first processor slot and a second processor slot, the first processor slot having a first node processor, the second processor slot having a second node processor;

connecting a second node to one of the plurality of slots, wherein the second node comprises a third node processor connected to a slot of the plurality of slots;

a fourth processor slot and a second node multiplexer connected to the third processor slot and the fourth processor slot, the second node multiplexer configured to select at least one of the third processor slot or the fourth processor slot to connect to at least the slot of the plurality of slots

engaging a first jumper board to the connector array by connecting to a first set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots;

disengaging the first jumper board from the connector array; and

reengaging the first jumper board to the connector array to connect to a different set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

engaging a second jumper board to the connector array by connecting to a second set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots;

disengaging the second jumper board from the connector array; and

reengaging the second jumper board to the connector array to connect to a different set of consecutive slots from the plurality of slots.