Rack architecture and management system
One embodiment of the invention provides a fully distributed, scaleable and modular rack architecture and management system. One feature of the invention provides device management throughout the rack system with a vertical interface column integrated into the rack cabinet. Within each rack unit (U) of the vertical interface column, the vertical interface column may deliver connectivity to a device housed within the rack cabinet thereby eliminating runs of cable typically necessary for management of such devices. The vertical interface column can be expanded as necessary to provide connectivity to more devices using hot-swappable interface modules. A rack management system allows both local and remote management access to all devices mounted in the rack cabinet and coupled to the vertical interface column. The rack management system may also access to devices mounted in other rack cabinets.
1. A control unit apparatus comprising:
a control module comprising
a first interface to communicatively connect to a midplane module in an interface column and a plurality of first electronic devices connected to the interface column,
a second interface capable of having a user module connected to it, and
a plurality of processors capable of controlling a plurality of user modules, the plurality of processors also capable of controlling a plurality of server interface modules, a plurality of backplane modules, and a plurality of midplane modules in the interface column;
a computing device communicatively coupled to the control module, the computing device configured to
control the plurality of first electronic devices over the first interface, maintain an inventory of those devices coupled to the interface column and recognize when electrical devices have been added, and
provide centralization security access to the first electronic devices, and collect and analyze usage of the first electronic devices for proper preventive maintenance and provisioning of the first electronic devices; and
a dual redundant power supply connected to the computing device or the control module.
2. The control unit apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dual redundant power supply comprises a first power source and a second power source, each capable of providing power for normal operation in the event that the other power source fails.
3. The control unit apparatus of claim 1 wherein the computing device is a single board computer with enough processing power and resources to run an embedded operating system.
4. The control unit apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of first electronic devices is a managed server.
5. The control unit apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control module has a plurality of serial management ports to control a plurality of second electronic devices.
6. The control unit apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of second electronic devices is selected from a group consisting of a power distribution unit, an environmental management unit, a cabinet lock, a managed network hub, and a managed switch.
7. The control unit apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control module has a port for connection to an external modem to allow remote management of the control unit apparatus.
8. The control unit apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of user modules is a local user interface module.
9. The control unit apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of user modules is a remote user interface module.
10. The control unit apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of user modules is a user cascade interface module.
11. An apparatus comprising:
a control module, the control module including a first interface to communicate with one or more electronic devices coupled to an interface column;
a computing device communicatively coupled to the control module, the computing device configured to
control one or more of the electronic devices over the first interface, maintain an inventory of those devices coupled to the interface column and recognize when electrical devices have been added, provide centralization security access to the electrical devices, and collect and analyze usage of the electrical devices for proper preventive maintenance and provisioning of the electrical devices.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 where the control module provides keyboard and video access to the one or more electronic devices.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the control module provides mouse, serial port, and universal serial bus access to the one or more electronic devices.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the control module permit electrical devices coupled to the interface column to share a peripheral device.
15. A rack management system comprising:
a first interface column having one or more interfaces to communicatively couple to one or more servers;
a second interface column having one or more interfaces to communicatively couple to one or more servers;
a control module communicatively coupled to the first interface column and the second interface column;
a user interface device communicatively coupled to the control module, the user interface device configured to
monitor the one or more servers coupled to the first interface column,
monitor the one or more servers coupled to the second interface column, and
maintain an inventory of the servers coupled to the first interface column and the second interface column to recognize when a new server has been added.
16. The rack management system of claim 15 wherein the first interface column is located in a first rack cabinet and the second interface column in located in a second rack cabinet.