Offset network card computing blade
View Patent ↗A computing blade for a liquid-cooled supercomputer, including as many network cards as there are processors, each network card being associated with a processor. Each network card includes a plug-in end that receives a connector, and each network card allows data communication between the processor and another processor. Each network card is mounted to the cold plate being connected to the motherboard via a connection system that includes a first connector, connected to the plug-in end of the network card, and a second connector, connected on the one hand to the first connector via a cable and on the other hand to the motherboard.
1. A computing blade for a multi-blade supercomputer, said computing blade comprising:
a motherboard, comprising a plurality of processors mounted to a support;
a cold plate, dimensioned to cover the support of the plurality of processors, and comprising
a plurality of heat sinks,
a cooling circuit comprising channels inside which a cold heat transfer fluid that supplies the plurality of heat sinks circulates, and
a discharge circuit comprising channels inside which a hot heat transfer fluid that has heated up through the plurality of heat sinks,
wherein each heat sink of the plurality of heat sinks is mounted in line with a corresponding processor of the plurality of processors in order to cool the corresponding processor by heat exchange; and,
a plurality of network cards of a same number as said plurality of processors,
wherein each network card of said plurality of network cards is associated with a processor of said plurality of processors,
wherein said each network card comprises a plug-in end configured to receive a connector,
wherein said each network card is configured to allow data communication between said processor and another processor of said plurality of processors,
wherein said each network card is mounted to the cold plate by being connected to the motherboard via a connection system,
wherein said connection system comprises
a first connector, connected to the plug-in end of the each network card, and
a second connector, connected on one hand to the first connector via a cable and on another hand to the motherboard.
2. The computing blade according to claim 1 , wherein the second connector is connected to the motherboard through the cold plate.
3. The computing blade according to claim 1 , wherein said each network card is mounted to the cold plate via a support piece.
4. The computing blade according to claim 3 , wherein the support piece comprises a body and a holding device that holds the first connector, mounted to said body.
5. The computing blade according to claim 4 , wherein the holding device comprises a support blade that supports the first connector and a holding plate that holds the first connector on said support blade.
6. The computing blade according to claim 5 , wherein the support blade is made of aluminum.
7. The computing blade according to claim 5 , wherein the holding plate is made of steel.
8. The computing blade according to claim 5 , wherein the holding plate is attached to the support blade using at least one screw.
9. The computing blade according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one screw is captive, and mounted to the holding plate.
10. The computing blade according to claim 5 , wherein the support blade is attached to the body of the support piece by being offset by a distance from the cold plate.
11. The computing blade according to claim 4 , wherein the body of the support piece is made of a thermally conductive material.
12. The computing blade according to claim 11 , wherein the body of the support piece is made of aluminum.
13. The computing blade according to claim 1 , wherein the cable of the connection system is flexible.
14. The computing blade according to claim 1 , wherein said each network card is attached on one edge of the computing blade by an attachment end, opposite to the plug-in end.
15. A supercomputer comprising:
at least one computing blade that comprises
a motherboard, comprising a plurality of processors mounted to a support;
a cold plate, dimensioned to cover the support of the plurality of processors, and comprising
a plurality of heat sinks,
a cooling circuit comprising channels inside which a cold heat transfer fluid that supplies the plurality of heat sinks circulates, and
a discharge circuit comprising channels inside which a hot heat transfer fluid that has heated up through the plurality of heat sinks,
wherein each heat sink of the plurality of heat sinks is mounted in line with a corresponding processor of the plurality of processors in order to cool the corresponding processor by heat exchange; and,
a plurality of network cards of a same number as said plurality of processors,
wherein each network card of said plurality of network cards is associated with a processor of said plurality of processors,
wherein said each network card comprises a plug-in end configured to receive a connector,
wherein said each network card is configured to allow data communication between said processor and another processor of said plurality of processors,
wherein said each network card is mounted to the cold plate by being connected to the motherboard via a connection system,
wherein said connection system comprises
a first connector, connected to the plug-in end of the each network card, and
a second connector, connected on one hand to the first connector via a cable and on another hand to the motherboard.