Server rack and its server device

A server rack and its server device are provided. The server device includes a chassis, a motherboard module, a power-supply module, a storage array module, and a plurality of input/output interface elements. The chassis is provided with a containing space, a first opening and a second opening in which the first opening and the second opening are located at two opposite ends of the containing space. The power-supply module and the motherboard module are both disposed in the containing space and are pluggable independently, are both capable of plugging in and out from the chassis via the first opening, and are electrically connected to each other. The input/output interface elements are fixed on the motherboard module, and all of them are disposed at the first opening. The storage array module is disposed in the containing space and is slidable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 102110932, filed Mar. 27, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a server rack and server devices thereof. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a server device which may be maintained and replaced from the front of the chassis.

BACKGROUND

In current server industry, the server rack generally includes plural server devices which may be pulled out from the front end. However, when a supervisor wants to maintain or replace the server devices, he needs to move to the rear end of the rack or the rack/the chassis needs to be taken apart so that the certain wires may be removed from the rear end of the server device and then some components may be taken out from the server device.

However, the requirement of the server maintaining service is usually emphasized on the rapid response, action and trouble shooting. Even the server device is pulled out and the chassis is disassembled very soon, it still takes time to remove the wires from the server device. These actions not only take time and cost, but also they are inconvenient for a user.

Therefore, it is a significant task to provide a design which may match the requirements above.

SUMMARY

One aspect of this disclosure is to provide a server rack and server devices thereof which are more easily maintained and replaced. The convenience of sever operating, component replacing, taking out modules, or removing wires may be improved such that the cost and time are saved.

According to one embodiment of this disclosure, a server device includes a chassis, a motherboard module, a power-supply module, a storage array module, and plural input/output interface elements. The chassis has a containing space, a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are located at two opposite ends of the containing space. The motherboard module is disposed in the containing space, is pluggable independently, and is capable of plugging in and out from the chassis via the first opening. The power-supply module is disposed in the containing space, is pluggable independently, is electrically connected to the motherboard module, and is capable of plugging in and out from the chassis via the first opening. The power-supply module includes a power port which is located in the first opening. The input/output interface elements are disposed on the motherboard module, are electrically connected to the motherboard module, and are disposed in the first opening.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the chassis includes a first inner wall, a second inner wall, a splitting plate, a bottom surface and a first isolation body. The first inner wall is faced to the containing space. The second inner wall faces to the containing space and is opposite to the first inner wall. The splitting plate is connected to the first inner wall and the second inner wall and divides the containing space into an upper region and a lower region which is stacked each other. The bottom surface faces the containing space. The storage array module is located in the upper region. The lower region is located between the bottom surface and the upper region. The first isolation body is located on the bottom surface and divides the lower region into a first sub-region and a second sub-region which parallels each other. The motherboard module is located in the first sub-region of the lower region. The power-supply module is located in the second sub-region of the lower region.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the chassis further includes a second isolation body. The second isolation body is connected to the first inner wall and the bottom surface. The second inner wall, the second isolation body, the splitting plate and the bottom surface define the lower region. The first isolation body, the second isolation body, the splitting plate and the bottom surface define the first sub-region. The second inner wall, the first isolation body, the splitting plate and the bottom surface define the second sub-region.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the motherboard module includes a motherboard, plural electronic components and a first tray. The electronic components are disposed on the motherboard. The first tray is slidable in the first sub-region and carries the motherboard.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the chassis further includes a first position limiting portion and a second position limiting portion. The first position limiting portion is disposed on one side of the first isolation body, wherein the side faces the first sub-region. The second position limiting portion is disposed on one side of the second isolation body, wherein the side faces the first sub-region. The second position limiting portion and the first position limiting portion limits the first tray to slide in the first sub-region linearly.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the splitting plate has a position limiting rib extending to the bottom surface. The position limiting rib is connected to the second inner wall. The power-supply module includes a housing and a power control board. The housing is slidable in the second sub-region. The power control board is disposed in the housing. The position limiting rib and the first isolation body limit the housing to slide in the second sub-region linearly.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the motherboard module includes at least one first tool-less connector. The chassis further includes a first adapter board which is mounted in the containing space. The first adapter board has at least one third tool-less connector. When the motherboard module is plugged into the chassis from the first opening, the first tool-less connector is electrically coupled to the third tool-less connector and is pluggable.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the power-supply module further includes at least one second tool-less connector. The chassis further includes a second adapter board which is mounted in the containing space of the chassis. The second adapter board is electrically connected to the first adapter board and has at least one forth tool-less connector. When the power-supply module is plugged into the chassis from the first opening, the second tool-less connector is electrically coupled to the forth tool-less connector and is pluggable.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the server device further includes a storage array module. The storage array module is slidable in the upper region of the containing space and may be pulled out from the first opening of the chassis.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the chassis includes a first outer rail and a second outer rail. The first outer rail is disposed on a portion of the first inner wall, wherein the portion faces the upper region. The second outer rail is disposed on a portion of the second inner wall, wherein the portion faces the upper region.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the storage array module includes two storage arrays, a second tray, a first middle rail, a second middle rail, a first inner rail and a second inner rail. Each of the storage arrays includes a storage array back board and plural disk devices. The disk devices are electrically connected to the storage array back board and are electrically connected to the motherboard module thereby. A bottom portion of the second tray carries the storage arrays. The bottom portion further has a hollow portion and the two storage arrays are disposed on the opposite sides of the hollow portion respectively. The first middle rail is slidable and connected to the first outer rail. The second middle rail is slidable and connected to the second outer rail. The first inner rail is disposed on one side of the second tray, is slidable, and connected to the first middle rail. The second inner rail is disposed on the other side of the second tray, is slidable, and connected to the second middle rail.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the chassis further includes a wire protection chain. The wire protection chain is consisted of plural chain units which are joined each other in series. Each of the chain units has a hollow portion and all the hollow portions are connected to each other to form a wire passing channel. The storage array module includes plural wires which are passed the wire passing channel and connected to the disk devices and the motherboard module.

In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the server device further includes plural signal wires. The signal wires are plugged into the input/output interface elements respectively, and passed through the first opening from the chassis.

Another aspect of this disclosure is providing a server rack. The server rack includes a rack and plural server devices mentioned above, wherein the server devices are stacked each other in the rack.

Therefore, according to the server rack and the design of the server devices in this disclosure, before the server devices are maintained or surveyed, the supervisor may proceed operating, replacing, plugging out or removing wires for the sever devices from the front end of the server rack. Because it is not necessary to moving to the rear end of the server rack or to disassemble the server rack in order to remove the wires, the time of maintenance and inspection is saved.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a server rack SC according to this disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 1, the server rack SC (also named server cabinet) of this disclosure includes a rack100which may receive plural server devices200. In practically, one side of the rack100has a rectangle slot F so that these server devices200may be stacked and mounted in the rectangle slot F, for example, in one row. However, this disclosure is not limited to the arrangement above.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of a server device200with the motherboard module500and the power-supply module600detached according to this disclosure.FIG. 3is a perspective view of a server device200with the motherboard module500and the power-supply module600plugged according to this disclosure.

In some embodiments of this disclosure, as shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, each of the server devices200includes a chassis210, a motherboard module500, a power-supply module600, and plural input/output interface elements530. The chassis is210in form of a cuboid and mounted in the rack100(as shown inFIG. 1). The chassis210has a containing space220, a first opening230and a second opening240, wherein the first opening230and the second opening240are located at two opposite ends of the containing space220. The containing space220is connected to the outer space of the chassis210through the first opening230and the second opening240. The motherboard module500is disposed in the containing space220, and is pluggable independently. The motherboard module500is capable of plugged into the chassis210along the Y axis (as shown inFIG. 3) or plugged out from the chassis210(as shown inFIG. 2) via the first opening230. The power-supply module600is disposed in the containing space220, is pluggable independently, and is electrically connected to the motherboard module500. The power-supply module600is capable of plugged into the chassis210along the Y axis (as shown inFIG. 3) or plugged out from the chassis210(as shown inFIG. 2) via the first opening230. The input/output interface elements530are disposed on the motherboard module500, and are electrically connected to the motherboard module500. All of the input/output interface elements530are disposed in the first opening230. For example, the input/output interface elements530may be exposed outside the chassis210from the first opening230or not exposed so that the signal wires531which are plugged into portion or all of the input/output interface elements530may extend outside the chassis210from the first opening230. The power-supply module600includes a power port640which is located in the first opening230. For example, the power port640may be exposed outside the chassis210from the first opening230or not exposed so that the power line (not shown) which is plugged into the power port640may extend outside the chassis210from the first opening230.

Therefore, according to the design above, before the server devices200are maintained or surveyed, the supervisor may proceed operating, replacing, plugging out or removing the signal wires531which are plugged into portion or all of the input/output interface elements530and the power line which is plugged into the power port640for the sever devices200from the near first opening230. Because it is not necessary to moving to the rear end of the server device200or the server rack100, or to disassemble the server rack100in order to remove the wires, the time of maintenance and inspection is saved.

In one embodiment of this disclosure, the server device200further includes plural fan modules800(as shown inFIG. 3). All of the fan modules800are disposed in the second opening240in parallel. The fan modules800are utilized to enhance the air convection between the containing space220and the second opening240. However, the fan modules800are optional components in this disclosure.

FIG. 4is a front view of the server device200viewed from the first opening230, with the server device200plugged according to this disclosure.

In this embodiment, the motherboard module500and power-supply module600are disposed in parallel in the containing space200so that each of them may be detached from the chassis210independently.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 4, in more detail, the chassis210includes a splitting plate270, a bottom surface227, a first inner wall225and a second inner wall226which is opposite to the first inner wall225. The containing space220is between the first inner wall225and the second inner wall226such that both of the first inner wall225and the second inner wall226face the containing space220. The splitting plate270is connected to the first inner wall225and the second inner wall226and divides the containing space220into an upper region221and a lower region222which is stacked each other. The chassis210further includes a first isolation body280. The first isolation body280is located on the bottom surface227and divides the lower region222into a first sub-region223and a second sub-region224which parallels each other. When the motherboard module500is plugged into the chassis210, the motherboard module500is located in the first sub-region223of the lower region222. When the power-supply module600is plugged into the chassis210, the power-supply module600is located in the second sub-region224of the lower region222.

In the embodiment, the chassis210further includes a second isolation body290. The second isolation body290is connected to the first inner wall225and the bottom surface227. The second inner wall226, the second isolation body290, the splitting plate270and the bottom surface227define the lower region222. The first isolation body280, the second isolation body290, the splitting plate270and the bottom surface227define the first sub-region223. The second inner wall226, the first isolation body280, the splitting plate270and the bottom surface227define the second sub-region224.

However, this disclosure is not limited to the arrangement above. The person with ordinary knowledge in the art may optionally utilize the second isolation body290according to the requirement.

Referring toFIG. 2again, the motherboard module500includes a first tray550, a motherboard510, plural electronic components520and plural thermal fins560. The first tray550is slidable in the first sub-region223and carries the motherboard510.

The electronic components520are disposed on the motherboard510. For example, the electronic components520may be a Center Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU), a communication interface unit, a disk unit or plural memory units. The electronic components520are electrically connected to the motherboard510. The thermal fins560are attached on the CPU. The input/output interface elements530, for example, may be a display port, a network port or a USB port and so on. The input/output interface elements530are mounted on one end of the motherboard510, electrically coupled to the motherboard510and exposed on one end of the first tray550.

It is worth noting that the motherboard module500not only limited to include a single node. The motherboard module500may include three or more nodes and is received in the first sub-region223.

Besides, in order to detach the motherboard500from the chassis210more easily, the first tray550further includes a first handle551. The first handle551is disposed on the first tray550and exposed on one end of the first tray550. Thus, when the motherboard module500is plugged into the chassis210along the Y axis, the first handle551is exposed outside the chassis210so that the supervisor may move the motherboard module500by holding the first handle551.

FIG. 5is a partial enlarged drawing of the first sub-region223inFIG. 4. When the motherboard module500is plugged into the chassis210along the Y axis, the first tray550is disposed on the bottom surface227and restricted between the first isolation body280and the second isolation body290. Accordingly, the first tray550is restricted not to move along the X axis. Furthermore, the chassis210further includes a first position limiting portion281and a second position limiting portion291. The first position limiting portion281is disposed on one side of the first isolation body280, wherein the side faces one side of the first sub-region223, and extends to the first sub-region223horizontally (i.e. right direction along the X axis). The second position limiting portion291is disposed on one side of the second isolation body290, wherein the side faces one side of the first sub-region223and extends to the first sub-region223horizontally (i.e. left direction along the X axis).

Therefore, when the motherboard module500is plugged into the chassis210along the Y axis, the first tray550is disposed on the bottom surface227. At this moment, the first position limiting portion281is touched the upper edge of one side552of the first tray550, while the second position limiting portion291is touched the upper edge of the other side553of the first tray550. Accordingly, the first tray550is restricted to slide in the first sub-region223linearly by the first position limiting portion281, the second position limiting portion291and the bottom surface227so that the first tray550is restricted not to move along the Z axis.

It should be understood that the first position limiting portion281may be a single one or plural ones disposed in parallel. Otherwise, the first position limiting portion281may be integrated with the first isolation body280or attached to the first isolation body280. The second position limiting portion291may be a single one or plural ones disposed in parallel. Otherwise, the second position limiting portion291may be integrated with the second isolation body290or attached to the first isolation body290.

FIG. 6is a partial enlarged drawing of the second sub-region224inFIG. 4. Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 6, the power-supply module600includes a housing610, a power control board620(shown inFIG. 6), a power fan650and plural power related components (not shown). The housing610is slidable in the second sub-region224. The power control board620and the power related components are disposed in the housing. These power related components, for example, may be a frequency booster, a frequency reducer, or a AC/DC converter and the like. The power control board620is utilized to control the quantity of power output (voltage or current) by controlling the power related components. The power port640is disposed on one end of the housing and, for example, exposed outside the housing610. The power port640is electrically coupled to the power control board620, the power fan650and the power related components. The power fan650is disposed in the housing610and exposed outside one end of the housing610, wherein the power fan650and the power port640is disposed on the same end of the housing610. The power fan650is utilized to provide air convection and to dissipate the heat in the housing610.

Moreover, in order to detach the power-supply module600from the chassis210more easily, the housing610further includes a second handle611. The second handle611is disposed on one end of the housing610, wherein the end exposes the power port640. Thus, when the power-supply module600is plugged into the chassis210along the Y axis, the second handle611is exposed outside the chassis210so that the supervisor may move the power-supply module600by holding the second handle611.

Referring toFIG. 6, the splitting plate270protrudes a position limiting rib271facing the bottom surface227(i.e. down direction along the Z axis). The position limiting rib271is connected to the second inner wall226. Thus, when the power-supply module600is plugged into the chassis210along the Y axis, the housing610of the power-supply module600is disposed on the bottom surface227. The power-supply module600is restricted not to move along the X axis by the position limiting rib271and the first isolation body280and is restricted not to move along the Z axis by the bottom surface227and the splitting plate270. Accordingly, the housing610of the power-supply module600is restricted to slide in the second sub-region224linearly along the Y axis by the position limiting rib271, the first isolation body280, the bottom surface227and the splitting plate270.

FIG. 7is a schematic drawing of the server device200with the motherboard module500and the power-supply module600electrically connected to each other in the chassis210according to this disclosure. Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 7, the motherboard module500includes at least one first tool-less connector540. The first tool-less connector540is disposed on one end of the motherboard510, wherein the end is far from the input/output interface unit530. The power-supply module600includes at least one second tool-less connector630. The second tool-less connector630is disposed on one end of the housing610, wherein the end is far from the power port640. The second tool-less connector630is electrically coupled to the power port640.

The chassis210further includes a first adapter board300and a second adapter board400. The first adapter board300is mounted in the containing space220and has at least one third tool-less connector301. The second adapter board400is mounted in the containing space220, is electrically coupled to the first adapter board300by wires, and has at least one forth tool-less connector401. In more detail, the first adapter board300is mounted on the bottom surface227of the chassis210and is located in the first sub-region223. The third tool-less connector301of the first adapter board300faces the first opening230to receive the first tool-less connector540of the motherboard module500. The second adapter board400is mounted on the bottom surface227of the chassis210and is located in the second sub-region224. The forth tool-less connector401of the second adapter board400faces the first opening230to receive the second tool-less connector630of the power-supply module600.

As shown inFIG. 7, when the motherboard module500is plugged into the chassis210along the Y axis, the first tool-less connector540is electrically coupled to the third tool-less connector301and is pluggable such that the motherboard module500is electrically coupled to the first adapter board300. When the power-supply module600is plugged into the chassis210along the Y axis, the second tool-less connector630is electrically coupled to the forth tool-less connector401and is pluggable such that the power-supply module600is electrically coupled to the second adapter board400. The power-supply module600is electrically coupled to the motherboard module500through the first adapter board300and the second adapter board400and is utilized to provide the power as required. Furthermore, the second adapter board400is electrically coupled to the fan module800by wires (not shown). When the power-supply module600is electrically coupled to the second adapter board400, the second adapter board400provides power to the fan module800as required.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of the server device200with the storage array module700pulled out according to this disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 8, the server device200further includes a storage array module700. The storage array module700is slidable in the containing space220. The storage array module700may be pushed in or pulled out from the chassis210through the first opening230. The storage array module700is slidable in the upper region221of the containing space220.

For example, in one embodiment of this disclosure, as shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 8, the chassis210includes a first outer rail250and a second outer rail260. The first outer rail250is disposed on a portion of the first inner wall225, wherein the portion faces the upper region221. The second outer rail260is disposed on a portion of the second inner wall226, wherein the portion faces the upper region221. The storage array module700includes a second tray730, two storage arrays710. The second tray730carries the storage arrays710. The storage array module700further includes a first inner rail731A, a second inner rail732A, a first middle rail731B, and a second middle rail732B. The first inner rail731A and the second inner rail732A are located on two opposite outer walls of the second tray730respectively. The first middle rail731B is connected to the first inner rail731A and the first outer rail250. The second middle rail732B is connected to the second inner rail732A and the second outer rail260.

Accordingly, by the first inner rail731A connected to the first middle rail731B, the first middle rail731B connected to the first outer rail250, the second inner rail732A connected to the second middle rail732B and the second middle rail732B connected to the second outer rail260, the second tray730may slide in the containing space220.

Moreover, in order to detach the storage array module700from the chassis210more easily, the second tray730further includes a third handle735. The third handle735is disposed on one end of the second tray730. Thus, when the storage array module700is pushed into the chassis210, the third handle735is exposed outside the chassis210so that the supervisor may move the storage array module700by holding the third handle735.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 8, each of the storage arrays710includes a storage array back board720and plural disk devices711. The disk devices711are arranged in array (in 3*4 array, as shown inFIG. 8) and are stacked on the second tray730. In more detail, each of the disk devices711includes a disk712and a disk slot713. The disk712is disposed in the disk slot713and is detachable. The disk712is electrically connected to the storage array back board720through the connector (not shown) in the disk slot713. Therefore, the disk712may be replaced as required. Besides, the motherboard module500further includes plural control interface cards570(e.g. three control interface cards), wherein two control interface cards570are horizontally stacked on one side of the motherboard510and are received in the first sub-region223. The control interface cards570are connected to the motherboard510and the storage arrays710of the storage array module700so that the control interface cards570may control the signal transmission between the motherboard510and the storage arrays710of the storage array module700.

Moreover, the disk devices711are electrically coupled to the motherboard module500through the storage array back board720. In more detail, the disk devices711are electrically coupled to the motherboard module500by at least one wire750respectively. The one end of the wire750is electrically connected to the storage array back board720of the storage arrays710, and is electrically connected to the disk device711by the storage array back board720. The other end of the wire750is electrically connected to the first adapter board300and is electrically connected to the motherboard module500by the first adapter board300.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 8, the second tray730carries the storage arrays710by the bottom portion733. The bottom portion733of the second tray730has at least one hollow portion734. The bottom portion733of the second tray730has one hollow portion734between every two adjacent storage arrays710so that the two storage arrays710are disposed on the opposite sides of the hollow portion734respectively. Therefore, when a sever device200is located at a higher position in the rack100, any disk712of the storage array710which is far from the third handle735may be plugged out form the bottom portion733of the second tray730through the hollow portion734.

It should be realized that the quantities of the storage arrays710(e.g. two) and the hollow portion734(e.g. one) mentioned above are only for example, and not to limit this disclosure. The person having ordinary knowledge in the art may flexibly select any proper quantity of storage arrays according to the requirement.

Referring toFIG. 8, the chassis210further includes a wire protection chain740. The wire protection chain740is utilized to protect and collect portion of the wires750mentioned above. The wire protection chain740is consisted of plural chain units741which are joined each other in series. Each of the chain units741has a hollow portion742and all the hollow portions742are connected to each other to form a wire passing channel. Accordingly, the wires750may pass through the hollow portions742of the chain units741so that the wires750may be collected and protected by the wire protection chain740.

Therefore, when the second tray730is pulled out or pushed into the first opening230, the wire protection chain740may move with the second tray730, wherein the chain units741may pivot each other to change the profile of the wire protection chain740and to fit the space.

To sum up, according to the server rack and the design of the server devices in this disclosure, before the server devices are maintained or surveyed, the supervisor may remove the signal wires of the input/output interface elements and the power lines of the power port from the first opening easily. Because it is not necessary to moving to the rear end of the server rack or to disassemble the server rack in order to remove the wires, the time of maintenance and inspection is saved.