Modular system of internet service provider focused computer services

• US 7,187,546 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2003
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bresniker, Kirk M.
• Primary Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US10/655,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20040052047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 361/760, 361679-687, 361724-727, 455/126, 455/127, 455/127.5, 3122231-2236, 312/298, 379/88.17, 379/89
• US Class Current: 361/679.48
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to the efficient distribution of equipment for communication modules in a communication networking environment. Where a plurality communication devices serves a networking function, economy of cost and space are obtained by providing equipment and functionality for the individual computing devices from a centralized location such as a base station thereby enabling a simpler and less expensive design for the individual communication devices. The individual computing devices may thereby be made much smaller effecting savings in space at an Internet service provider location. Savings are also obtained by reducing the total number of components required and by reducing the total power consumption of the totality of the hardware in the network. Equipment most amenable to removal from the individual units and centralization in a base station include the main power supply, backup power supply, cooling fans.

Claims

1. A server system, the system comprising:

at least two computer server modules, wherein each server comprises at least one central processor unit (CPU);

a base station having at least one servicing component for providing a service to said at least two computer server modules, wherein said at least two computer server modules are attachable to said base station.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one servicing component comprises:

a power supply, wherein the power supply is disposed within the base station and supplies power requirements of said at least two computer server modules.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one said servicing component comprises:

air moving equipment for cooling said integrated server system; and

a substantially continuous air passage linking said base station and said at least two computer server modules.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one servicing component further comprises:

a converter, thereby enabling provision of a D.C. voltage to said at least two computer server modules by said base station.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said continuous air passage comprises:

an air duct disposed in each of said at least two computer server modules, wherein said air duct is a server module air duct thereby establishing at least one server module air duct; and

a central air duct disposed in said base station, wherein said central air duct and said at least one server module air duct are substantially aligned.

4. The system of 1, further comprising:

a LAN connection disposed in said base station; and

a network switch card in communication with said LAN connection, disposed in said base station; and

one internal connection between said network switch card for each of said at least two computer server modules, thereby enabling said LAN connection disposed in said base station to service said at least two computer server modules.

7. A method comprising:

providing equipment in a base station able to serve at least two computer server modules in a server system, wherein equipment provided in said base station is centralized equipment and each server comprises at least one central processor unit (CPU); and

connecting said base station and said at least two computer server modules to enable said centralized equipment to perform at least one function in said at least two computer server modules.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein providing comprises:

disposing a power supply in the base station able to provide operating power to said at least two computer server modules; and

the step of connecting comprises;

connecting said power supply in said base station to said at least two computer server modules, thereby providing power to said at least two computer server modules.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

generating an air flow in said base station able to remove heat from said base station and said at least two computer server modules; and

disposing a continuous air flow path through said base station and said at least two computer server modules to thereby enable cooling said at least two computer server modules.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

aligning an air duct in said base station with an air duct in each of said at least two computer server modules, thereby facilitating said step of disposing a continuous air flow path through said base station and said at least two computer server modules.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

disposing a LAN connection in said base station; and

disposing a network switch card in communication with said LAN connection;

and establishing data connections between the base station and said at least two computer server modules.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

converting AC voltage to DC voltage in said base station; and

wherein said step of connecting comprises the step of;

connecting a DC voltage source in said base station to said at least two computer server modules.

13. A server system comprising:

a plurality of computer servers, wherein each server comprises at least one central processor unit (CPU) and a housing that encloses the server; and

a base station having at least one servicing component for providing a service to each of the plurality of servers;

wherein each server is attachable to said base station such that the service is provided to the server through a duct in the server.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said at least one servicing component further comprises:

a power supply, wherein the power supply is disposed within the base station and supplies power requirements a plurality of the servers.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one said servicing component comprises:

air moving equipment for cooling said server system; and

a substantially continuous air passage linking said base station and said plurality of servers that is used by the air moving equipment.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said continuous air passage comprises:

an air duct disposed in each of the servers, wherein said air duct is a server air duct; and

a central air duct disposed in said base station, wherein said central air duct and the server air duct are substantially aligned.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a LAN connection disposed in said base station; and

a network switch card in communication with said LAN connection, disposed in said base station; and

one internal connection between said network switch card for each of the servers.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein each server is a server module.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one servicing component further comprises:

a converter for providing a DC voltage to a plurality of the servers.

20. A method comprising:

providing equipment in a base station able to serve a plurality of computer servers in a server system, wherein equipment provided in said base station is centralized equipment;

connecting each server to the base station so that a duct through a housing of the server aliases with a duct on the base station; and

providing a service of the equipment to the servers via the ducts.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein providing comprises disposing a power supply in the base station able to provide operating power to a portion of the plurality of servers;

and the step of connecting comprises;

connecting said power supply in said base station to the portion of the plurality of servers.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

generating an air flow in said base station able to remove heat from the server system; and

disposing a continuous air flow path through said base station and said at least one server module via the ducts.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the ducts are air ducts, the method further comprising:

aligning the air duct in said base station with the air duct in each of the servers.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

disposing a LAN connection in said base station; and

disposing a network card in communication with said LAN connection in each server; and

establishing a data connection between the base station and each server.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

converting AC voltage to DC voltage in said base station; and

wherein said step of connecting comprises the step of;

connecting a DC voltage source in said base station to the portion of the plurality of servers.