Data connector with movable cover

A data connector to interface with a sled of a data center includes a main body, a plurality of guide shafts, and a cover. The main body includes electrical contacts. The guide shafts are associated with the main body, and each guide shaft extends along a corresponding longitudinal axis. The cover is coupled to the guide shafts such that the cover is slidable along the guide shafts in a direction defined by the longitudinal axes. The cover includes a movable door to provide protection to the electrical contacts of the main body when not in use.

BACKGROUND

Typical enterprise-level data centers can include several to hundreds of racks or cabinets, with each rack/cabinet housing multiple servers. Each of the various servers of a data center may be communicatively connectable to each other via one or more local networking switches, routers, and/or other interconnecting devices, cables, and/or interfaces. The number of racks and servers of a particular data center, as well as the complexity of the design of the data center, may depend on the intended use of the data center, as well as the quality of service the data center is intended to provide.

Traditional rack systems are self-contained physical support structures that include a number of pre-defined server spaces. A corresponding server may be mounted in each pre-defined server space. A server mounted in the pre-defined server space may interface with a data connector coupled to the rack system. When the server is removed from the pre-defined server space or otherwise not installed in the server space, there is a risk that one or more components of the data connector of the rack system may be contaminated by foreign material or debris due to exposure to the local open environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1illustrates a conceptual overview of a data center100that may generally be representative of a data center or other type of computing network in/for which one or more techniques described herein may be implemented according to various embodiments. As shown inFIG. 1, data center100may generally contain a plurality of racks, each of which may house computing equipment comprising a respective set of physical resources. In the particular non-limiting example depicted inFIG. 1, data center100contains four racks102A to102D, which house computing equipment comprising respective sets of physical resources (PCRs)105A to105D. According to this example, a collective set of physical resources106of data center100includes the various sets of physical resources105A to105D that are distributed among racks102A to102D. Physical resources106may include resources of multiple types, such as—for example—processors, co-processors, accelerators, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), memory, and storage. The embodiments are not limited to these examples.

The illustrative data center100differs from typical data centers in many ways. For example, in the illustrative embodiment, the circuit boards (“sleds”) on which components such as CPUs, memory, and other components are placed are designed for increased thermal performance In particular, in the illustrative embodiment, the sleds are shallower than typical boards. In other words, the sleds are shorter from the front to the back, where cooling fans are located. This decreases the length of the path that air must to travel across the components on the board. Further, the components on the sled are spaced further apart than in typical circuit boards, and the components are arranged to reduce or eliminate shadowing (i.e., one component in the air flow path of another component). In the illustrative embodiment, processing components such as the processors are located on a top side of a sled while near memory, such as DIMMs, are located on a bottom side of the sled. As a result of the enhanced airflow provided by this design, the components may operate at higher frequencies and power levels than in typical systems, thereby increasing performance Furthermore, the sleds are configured to mate with power and data communication cables in each rack102A,102B,102C,102D, enhancing their ability to be quickly removed, upgraded, reinstalled, and/or replaced. Similarly, individual components located on the sleds, such as processors, accelerators, memory, and data storage drives, are configured to be easily upgraded due to their increased spacing from each other. In the illustrative embodiment, the components additionally include hardware attestation features to prove their authenticity.

Furthermore, in the illustrative embodiment, the data center100utilizes a single network architecture (“fabric”) that supports multiple other network architectures including Ethernet and Omni-Path. The sleds, in the illustrative embodiment, are coupled to switches via optical fibers, which provide higher bandwidth and lower latency than typical twisted pair cabling (e.g., Category 5, Category 5e, Category 6, etc.). Due to the high bandwidth, low latency interconnections and network architecture, the data center100may, in use, pool resources, such as memory, accelerators (e.g., graphics accelerators, FPGAs, ASICs, etc.), and data storage drives that are physically disaggregated, and provide them to compute resources (e.g., processors) on an as needed basis, enabling the compute resources to access the pooled resources as if they were local. The illustrative data center100additionally receives utilization information for the various resources, predicts resource utilization for different types of workloads based on past resource utilization, and dynamically reallocates the resources based on this information.

The racks102A,102B,102C,102D of the data center100may include physical design features that facilitate the automation of a variety of types of maintenance tasks. For example, data center100may be implemented using racks that are designed to be robotically-accessed, and to accept and house robotically-manipulatable resource sleds. Furthermore, in the illustrative embodiment, the racks102A,102B,102C,102D include integrated power sources that receive a greater voltage than is typical for power sources. The increased voltage enables the power sources to provide additional power to the components on each sled, enabling the components to operate at higher than typical frequencies.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary logical configuration of a rack202of the data center100. As shown inFIG. 2, rack202may generally house a plurality of sleds, each of which may comprise a respective set of physical resources. In the particular non-limiting example depicted inFIG. 2, rack202houses sleds204-1to204-4comprising respective sets of physical resources205-1to205-4, each of which constitutes a portion of the collective set of physical resources206comprised in rack202. With respect toFIG. 1, if rack202is representative of—for example—rack102A, then physical resources206may correspond to the physical resources105A comprised in rack102A. In the context of this example, physical resources105A may thus be made up of the respective sets of physical resources, including physical storage resources205-1, physical accelerator resources205-2, physical memory resources205-3, and physical compute resources205-5comprised in the sleds204-1to204-4of rack202. The embodiments are not limited to this example. Each sled may contain a pool of each of the various types of physical resources (e.g., compute, memory, accelerator, storage). By having robotically accessible and robotically manipulatable sleds comprising disaggregated resources, each type of resource can be upgraded independently of each other and at their own optimized refresh rate.

FIG. 3illustrates an example of a data center300that may generally be representative of one in/for which one or more techniques described herein may be implemented according to various embodiments. In the particular non-limiting example depicted inFIG. 3, data center300comprises racks302-1to302-32. In various embodiments, the racks of data center300may be arranged in such fashion as to define and/or accommodate various access pathways. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the racks of data center300may be arranged in such fashion as to define and/or accommodate access pathways311A,311B,311C, and311D. In some embodiments, the presence of such access pathways may generally enable automated maintenance equipment, such as robotic maintenance equipment, to physically access the computing equipment housed in the various racks of data center300and perform automated maintenance tasks (e.g., replace a failed sled, upgrade a sled). In various embodiments, the dimensions of access pathways311A,311B,311C, and311D, the dimensions of racks302-1to302-32, and/or one or more other aspects of the physical layout of data center300may be selected to facilitate such automated operations. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of a data center400that may generally be representative of one in/for which one or more techniques described herein may be implemented according to various embodiments. As shown inFIG. 4, data center400may feature an optical fabric412. Optical fabric412may generally comprise a combination of optical signaling media (such as optical cabling) and optical switching infrastructure via which any particular sled in data center400can send signals to (and receive signals from) each of the other sleds in data center400. The signaling connectivity that optical fabric412provides to any given sled may include connectivity both to other sleds in a same rack and sleds in other racks. In the particular non-limiting example depicted inFIG. 4, data center400includes four racks402A to402D. Racks402A to402D house respective pairs of sleds404A-1and404A-2,404B-1and404B-2,404C-1and404C-2, and404D-1and404D-2. Thus, in this example, data center400comprises a total of eight sleds. Via optical fabric412, each such sled may possess signaling connectivity with each of the seven other sleds in data center400. For example, via optical fabric412, sled404A-1in rack402A may possess signaling connectivity with sled404A-2in rack402A, as well as the six other sleds404B-1,404B-2,404C-1,404C-2,404D-1, and404D-2that are distributed among the other racks402B,402C, and402D of data center400. The embodiments are not limited to this example.

FIG. 5illustrates an overview of a connectivity scheme500that may generally be representative of link-layer connectivity that may be established in some embodiments among the various sleds of a data center, such as any of example data centers100,300, and400ofFIGS. 1, 3, and 4. Connectivity scheme500may be implemented using an optical fabric that features a dual-mode optical switching infrastructure514. Dual-mode optical switching infrastructure514may generally comprise a switching infrastructure that is capable of receiving communications according to multiple link-layer protocols via a same unified set of optical signaling media, and properly switching such communications. In various embodiments, dual-mode optical switching infrastructure514may be implemented using one or more dual-mode optical switches515. In various embodiments, dual-mode optical switches515may generally comprise high-radix switches. In some embodiments, dual-mode optical switches515may comprise multi-ply switches, such as four-ply switches. In various embodiments, dual-mode optical switches515may feature integrated silicon photonics that enable them to switch communications with significantly reduced latency in comparison to conventional switching devices. In some embodiments, dual-mode optical switches515may constitute leaf switches530in a leaf-spine architecture additionally including one or more dual-mode optical spine switches520.

In various embodiments, dual-mode optical switches may be capable of receiving both Ethernet protocol communications carrying Internet Protocol (IP packets) and communications according to a second, high-performance computing (HPC) link-layer protocol (e.g., Intel's Omni-Path Architecture's, Infiniband) via optical signaling media of an optical fabric. As reflected inFIG. 5, with respect to any particular pair of sleds504A and504B possessing optical signaling connectivity to the optical fabric, connectivity scheme500may thus provide support for link-layer connectivity via both Ethernet links and HPC links. Thus, both Ethernet and HPC communications can be supported by a single high-bandwidth, low-latency switch fabric. The embodiments are not limited to this example.

FIG. 6illustrates a general overview of a rack architecture600that may be representative of an architecture of any particular one of the racks depicted inFIGS. 1 to 4according to some embodiments. As reflected inFIG. 6, rack architecture600may generally feature a plurality of sled spaces into which sleds may be inserted, each of which may be robotically-accessible via a rack access region601. In the particular non-limiting example depicted inFIG. 6, rack architecture600features five sled spaces603-1to603-5. Sled spaces603-1to603-5feature respective multi-purpose connector modules (MPCMs)616-1to616-5.

FIG. 7illustrates an example of a sled704that may be representative of a sled of such a type. As shown inFIG. 7, sled704may comprise a set of physical resources705, as well as an MPCM716designed to couple with a counterpart MPCM when sled704is inserted into a sled space such as any of sled spaces603-1to603-5ofFIG. 6. Sled704may also feature an expansion connector717. Expansion connector717may generally comprise a socket, slot, or other type of connection element that is capable of accepting one or more types of expansion modules, such as an expansion sled718. By coupling with a counterpart connector on expansion sled718, expansion connector717may provide physical resources705with access to supplemental computing resources705B residing on expansion sled718. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 8illustrates an example of a rack architecture800that may be representative of a rack architecture that may be implemented in order to provide support for sleds featuring expansion capabilities, such as sled704ofFIG. 7. In the particular non-limiting example depicted inFIG. 8, rack architecture800includes seven sled spaces803-1to803-7, which feature respective MPCMs816-1to816-7. Sled spaces803-1to803-7include respective primary regions803-1A to803-7A and respective expansion regions803-1B to803-7B. With respect to each such sled space, when the corresponding MPCM is coupled with a counterpart MPCM of an inserted sled, the primary region may generally constitute a region of the sled space that physically accommodates the inserted sled. The expansion region may generally constitute a region of the sled space that can physically accommodate an expansion module, such as expansion sled718ofFIG. 7, in the event that the inserted sled is configured with such a module.

FIG. 9illustrates an example of a rack902that may be representative of a rack implemented according to rack architecture800ofFIG. 8according to some embodiments. In the particular non-limiting example depicted inFIG. 9, rack902features seven sled spaces903-1to903-7, which include respective primary regions903-1A to903-7A and respective expansion regions903-1B to903-7B. In various embodiments, temperature control in rack902may be implemented using an air cooling system. For example, as reflected inFIG. 9, rack902may feature a plurality of fans919that are generally arranged to provide air cooling within the various sled spaces903-1to903-7. In some embodiments, the height of the sled space is greater than the conventional “1U” server height. In such embodiments, fans919may generally comprise relatively slow, large diameter cooling fans as compared to fans used in conventional rack configurations. Running larger diameter cooling fans at lower speeds may increase fan lifetime relative to smaller diameter cooling fans running at higher speeds while still providing the same amount of cooling. The sleds are physically shallower than conventional rack dimensions. Further, components are arranged on each sled to reduce thermal shadowing (i.e., not arranged serially in the direction of air flow). As a result, the wider, shallower sleds allow for an increase in device performance because the devices can be operated at a higher thermal envelope (e.g., 250 W) due to improved cooling (i.e., no thermal shadowing, more space between devices, more room for larger heat sinks, etc.).

MPCMs916-1to916-7may be configured to provide inserted sleds with access to power sourced by respective power modules920-1to920-7, each of which may draw power from an external power source921. In various embodiments, external power source921may deliver alternating current (AC) power to rack902, and power modules920-1to920-7may be configured to convert such AC power to direct current (DC) power to be sourced to inserted sleds. In some embodiments, for example, power modules920-1to920-7may be configured to convert 277-volt AC power into 12-volt DC power for provision to inserted sleds via respective MPCMs916-1to916-7. The embodiments are not limited to this example.

MPCMs916-1to916-7may also be arranged to provide inserted sleds with optical signaling connectivity to a dual-mode optical switching infrastructure914, which may be the same as—or similar to—dual-mode optical switching infrastructure514ofFIG. 5. In various embodiments, optical connectors contained in MPCMs916-1to916-7may be designed to couple with counterpart optical connectors contained in MPCMs of inserted sleds to provide such sleds with optical signaling connectivity to dual-mode optical switching infrastructure914via respective lengths of optical cabling922-1to922-7. In some embodiments, each such length of optical cabling may extend from its corresponding MPCM to an optical interconnect loom923that is external to the sled spaces of rack902. In various embodiments, optical interconnect loom923may be arranged to pass through a support post or other type of load-bearing element of rack902. The embodiments are not limited in this context. Because inserted sleds connect to an optical switching infrastructure via MPCMs, the resources typically spent in manually configuring the rack cabling to accommodate a newly inserted sled can be saved.

FIG. 10illustrates an example of a sled1004that may be representative of a sled designed for use in conjunction with rack902ofFIG. 9according to some embodiments. Sled1004may feature an MPCM1016that comprises an optical connector1016A and a power connector1016B, and that is designed to couple with a counterpart MPCM of a sled space in conjunction with insertion of MPCM1016into that sled space. Coupling MPCM1016with such a counterpart MPCM may cause power connector1016to couple with a power connector comprised in the counterpart MPCM. This may generally enable physical resources1005of sled1004to source power from an external source, via power connector1016and power transmission media1024that conductively couples power connector1016to physical resources1005.

Sled1004may also include dual-mode optical network interface circuitry1026. Dual-mode optical network interface circuitry1026may generally comprise circuitry that is capable of communicating over optical signaling media according to each of multiple link-layer protocols supported by dual-mode optical switching infrastructure914ofFIG. 9. In some embodiments, dual-mode optical network interface circuitry1026may be capable both of Ethernet protocol communications and of communications according to a second, high-performance protocol. In various embodiments, dual-mode optical network interface circuitry1026may include one or more optical transceiver modules1027, each of which may be capable of transmitting and receiving optical signals over each of one or more optical channels. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Coupling MPCM1016with a counterpart MPCM of a sled space in a given rack may cause optical connector1016A to couple with an optical connector comprised in the counterpart MPCM. This may generally establish optical connectivity between optical cabling of the sled and dual-mode optical network interface circuitry1026, via each of a set of optical channels1025. Dual-mode optical network interface circuitry1026may communicate with the physical resources1005of sled1004via electrical signaling media1028. In addition to the dimensions of the sleds and arrangement of components on the sleds to provide improved cooling and enable operation at a relatively higher thermal envelope (e.g., 250 W), as described above with reference toFIG. 9, in some embodiments, a sled may include one or more additional features to facilitate air cooling, such as a heatpipe and/or heat sinks arranged to dissipate heat generated by physical resources1005. It is worthy of note that although the example sled1004depicted inFIG. 10does not feature an expansion connector, any given sled that features the design elements of sled1004may also feature an expansion connector according to some embodiments. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 11illustrates an example of a data center1100that may generally be representative of one in/for which one or more techniques described herein may be implemented according to various embodiments. As reflected inFIG. 11, a physical infrastructure management framework1150A may be implemented to facilitate management of a physical infrastructure1100A of data center1100. In various embodiments, one function of physical infrastructure management framework1150A may be to manage automated maintenance functions within data center1100, such as the use of robotic maintenance equipment to service computing equipment within physical infrastructure1100A. In some embodiments, physical infrastructure1100A may feature an advanced telemetry system that performs telemetry reporting that is sufficiently robust to support remote automated management of physical infrastructure1100A. In various embodiments, telemetry information provided by such an advanced telemetry system may support features such as failure prediction/prevention capabilities and capacity planning capabilities. In some embodiments, physical infrastructure management framework1150A may also be configured to manage authentication of physical infrastructure components using hardware attestation techniques. For example, robots may verify the authenticity of components before installation by analyzing information collected from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with each component to be installed. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As shown inFIG. 11, the physical infrastructure1100A of data center1100may comprise an optical fabric1112, which may include a dual-mode optical switching infrastructure1114. Optical fabric1112and dual-mode optical switching infrastructure1114may be the same as—or similar to—optical fabric412ofFIG. 4and dual-mode optical switching infrastructure514ofFIG. 5, respectively, and may provide high-bandwidth, low-latency, multi-protocol connectivity among sleds of data center1100. As discussed above, with reference toFIG. 1, in various embodiments, the availability of such connectivity may make it feasible to disaggregate and dynamically pool resources such as accelerators, memory, and storage. In some embodiments, for example, one or more pooled accelerator sleds1130may be included among the physical infrastructure1100A of data center1100, each of which may comprise a pool of accelerator resources—such as co-processors and/or FPGAs, for example—that is globally accessible to other sleds via optical fabric1112and dual-mode optical switching infrastructure1114.

In another example, in various embodiments, one or more pooled storage sleds1132may be included among the physical infrastructure1100A of data center1100, each of which may comprise a pool of storage resources that is globally accessible to other sleds via optical fabric1112and dual-mode optical switching infrastructure1114. In some embodiments, such pooled storage sleds1132may comprise pools of solid-state storage devices such as solid-state drives (SSDs). In various embodiments, one or more high-performance processing sleds1134may be included among the physical infrastructure1100A of data center1100. In some embodiments, high-performance processing sleds1134may comprise pools of high-performance processors, as well as cooling features that enhance air cooling to yield a higher thermal envelope of up to 250 W or more. In various embodiments, any given high-performance processing sled1134may feature an expansion connector1117that can accept a far memory expansion sled, such that the far memory that is locally available to that high-performance processing sled1134is disaggregated from the processors and near memory comprised on that sled. In some embodiments, such a high-performance processing sled1134may be configured with far memory using an expansion sled that comprises low-latency SSD storage. The optical infrastructure allows for compute resources on one sled to utilize remote accelerator/FPGA, memory, and/or SSD resources that are disaggregated on a sled located on the same rack or any other rack in the data center. The remote resources can be located one switch jump away or two-switch jumps away in the spine-leaf network architecture described above with reference toFIG. 5. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, one or more layers of abstraction may be applied to the physical resources of physical infrastructure1100A in order to define a virtual infrastructure, such as a software-defined infrastructure1100B. In some embodiments, virtual computing resources1136of software-defined infrastructure1100B may be allocated to support the provision of cloud services1140. In various embodiments, particular sets of virtual computing resources1136may be grouped for provision to cloud services1140in the form of SDI services1138. Examples of cloud services1140may include—without limitation—software as a service (SaaS) services1142, platform as a service (PaaS) services1144, and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) services1146.

In some embodiments, management of software-defined infrastructure1100B may be conducted using a virtual infrastructure management framework1150B. In various embodiments, virtual infrastructure management framework1150B may be designed to implement workload fingerprinting techniques and/or machine-learning techniques in conjunction with managing allocation of virtual computing resources1136and/or SDI services1138to cloud services1140. In some embodiments, virtual infrastructure management framework1150B may use/consult telemetry data in conjunction with performing such resource allocation. In various embodiments, an application/service management framework1150C may be implemented in order to provide QoS management capabilities for cloud services1140. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Referring now toFIG. 12, in another embodiment, an illustrative data center1200includes one or more racks1206configured to house or otherwise receive one or more sleds1202for mounting therein. The data center1200may generally be representative of a data center or other type of computing network. Accordingly, the data center1200may be similar to, embodied as, or otherwise form a part of, the data centers100,300,400,1100described above. The rack1206may house computing equipment comprising a set of physical resources, which may include processors, co-processors, accelerators, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), memory, and storage, for example. The rack1206may therefore be similar to, embodied as, or otherwise form a part of, the racks102A-102D,202,302-1-302-32,402A-402D,902described above. Additionally, in some embodiments, the rack1206may incorporate architecture similar to the aforementioned rack architectures600,800. The sled1202may be embodied as any type of server or server components such as a circuit board on which components such as CPUs, memory, and other components are placed. As such, the sled1202may be similar to, embodied as, or otherwise form a part of, the sleds204-1-204-4,404A-1,404A-2,404B-1,404B-2,404C-1,404C-2,404D-1,404D-2,504A,504B,704,1004,1130,1132,1134.

The data connector1204is coupled to the rack1206and may be communicatively coupled to, or otherwise form a part of, an optical fabric, which may include optical signaling media and/or optical switching infrastructure such as a dual-mode optical switching infrastructure. In that respect, the data connector1204may be coupled to, or otherwise form a part of, the optical fabrics412,1112, the optical cabling922-1-922-7, and/or the dual-mode optical switching infrastructures914,1114described above. The data connector1204may also be coupled to, or otherwise form a part of, the aforementioned dual-mode optical network interface circuitry1026and/or the optical transceiver modules1027.

The illustrative data connector1204is sized to be received by the sled1202to establish an electrical connection between the data connector1204and the sled1202. Prior to being received by the sled1202, as further discussed below, electrical contacts1440of the data connector1204are protected from contaminants and/or foreign debris that may be encountered when the sled1202is removed from the rack1206. In the process of being received by the sled1202, the electrical contacts1440(seeFIG. 14) are exposed to enable the data connector1204to mate with the sled1202, as further discussed below. As will be apparent from the description below, the sled1202is designed to mate with the data connector1204, thereby facilitating removal of the sled1202from the rack1206, reinstallation of the sled1202in the rack1206, replacement of the sled1202, and/or upgrading of the sled1202.

The illustrative rack1206includes two elongated support posts1210,1212arranged vertically, as suggested byFIG. 12. The rack1206also includes one or more horizontal elongated support arms1214that extend outwardly from the support posts1210,1212. The support arms1214are configured to support one or more sleds, such as the sled1202.

The elongated support arms1214may be coupled to the corresponding elongated support posts1210,1212using any suitable securing mechanisms. For example, in some embodiments, the elongated support arms1214may be permanently attached to the corresponding elongated support posts1210,1212via welds, adhesives, or other permanent securing mechanism. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the elongated support arms1214may be coupled to the corresponding elongated support posts1210,1212using non-permanent securing mechanisms such as bolts, straps, or other securing devices. In such embodiments, the elongated support arms1214may be selectively coupled to the corresponding elongated support posts1210,1212in one of multiple locations. That is, the elongated support arms1214may be adjustable, relative to the elongated support posts1210,1212, in some embodiments.

The elongated support arms1214cooperatively define sled slots1216of the illustrative rack1206, as shown inFIG. 12. One such sled slot1216is configured to receive the sled1202. To receive sleds such as the sled1202, each elongated support arm1214includes a circuit board guide1218secured to, or otherwise mounted to, a top side1220of the corresponding elongated support arm1214. For example, in the illustrative embodiment, each circuit board guide1218is a mounted at a distal end of the corresponding elongated support arm1214relative to the corresponding elongated support post1210,1212. The circuit board guide1218defines a circuit board slot1222that is configured to receive, in the illustrative embodiment, a chassis-less circuit board substrate1224of the sled1202when the sled1202is received in the corresponding sled slot1216.

The illustrative sled1202is configured for installation in the rack1206by a user or a robot. The user or robot aligns the chassis-less circuit board substrate1224of the sled1202with the corresponding sled slot1216and the circuit board slot1222. Then, the user or robot may slide the circuit board substrate1224in the direction indicated by arrow1226into the sled slot1216such that the substrate1224is received in the corresponding circuit board slot1222, as shown inFIG. 12. When the sled1202is fully received by the sled slot1216, the sled1202may fully mate with the data connector1204to establish the electrical connection between the sled1202and the data connector1204, as further discussed below.

The illustrative rack1206includes seven pairs of elongated support arms1214that at least partially define a corresponding seven sled slots1216, as suggested byFIG. 12. Of course, in other embodiments, the rack1206may include additional or fewer pairs of elongated support arms1214(i.e., additional or fewer sled slots1216). It should be appreciated that because the sled1202is chassis-less, the sled1202has an overall reduced height relative to typical servers. As such, in some embodiments, the height of each sled slot1216may be shorter than the height of a typical server (e.g., shorter than a single rack unit, “1U”). That is, the vertical distance between each pair of elongated support arms1214may be less than a standard rank unit “1U.” Additionally, due to the relative decrease in height of the sled slots1216, the overall height of the rack1206may be shorter than the height of traditional rack enclosures. For example, in some embodiments, each of the elongated support posts1210,1212may have a length of six feet or less. Again, in other embodiments, the rack1206may have different dimensions. Further, it should be appreciated that the rack1206does not include any walls, enclosures, or the like. Rather, the rack1206is an enclosure-less rack that is opened to the local environment. Of course, in some cases, an end plate may be attached to one of the elongated support posts1210,1212in those situations in which the rack1206forms an end-of-row rack in the data center1208.

The illustrative rack1206includes a fan array1227coupled thereto as shown inFIG. 12. The fan array1227may be coupled to, and supported by, cross-support arms (not shown) of the rack1206. In any case, the fan array1227includes one or more rows of cooling fans1228. In the illustrative embodiment, the fan array1227includes a row of cooling fans1228for each sled slot1216of the rack1206.

The illustrative data connector1204is coupled to the rack1206as shown inFIG. 12. Specifically, in one embodiment, the data connector1204may be mounted to a stationary backplane or bulkhead1230that may be affixed to the rack1206. In some embodiments, the data connector1204may be mounted to a platform of one of the cross-support arms. Regardless, the data connector1204is associated with a corresponding sled slot1216and is configured to mate with a corresponding connector or receptacle provided on the sled1202when the server sled1202is received in the corresponding sled slot1216. Although only a single data connector1204is shown inFIG. 12for clarity of the drawing, it should be appreciated that the rack1206may include a data connector1204for each sled slot1216of the rack1206.

The illustrative sled1202includes one or more physical resources1232mounted to a top side1234of the chassis-less circuit board substrate1224, as shown inFIG. 12. The physical resources1232may be embodied as any type of processor, controller, or other compute circuit capable of performing various tasks such as compute functions and/or controlling the functions of the sled1202depending on, for example, the type or intended functionality of the sled1202. For example, the physical resources1232may be embodied as high-power processors in embodiments in which the sled1202is embodied as a compute sled, as accelerator co-processors or circuits in embodiments in which the sled1202is embodied as an accelerator sled, and/or as storage controllers in embodiments in which the sled1202is embodied as a storage sled. The sled1202may include one or more additional components, such as, but not limited to, a communication circuit having a network interface controller, physical resources in addition to those discussed above, an input/output (I/O) subsystem, a power connector, and one or more memory devices. In any case, as further discussed below, the illustrative sled1202includes a receptacle1736coupled to the chassis-less circuit board substrate1224that is sized to receive the data connector1204.

Referring now toFIGS. 13-16, the illustrative data connector1204is shown in various connection states resulting from interaction with, or a lack of interaction with, the sled1202, as further discussed below. That is, the data connector1204is shown inFIGS. 13-16in various time during the connection of the data connector1204to the sled1202(e.g., while the sled1202is being installed into the rack1206). Although the sled1202has been omitted fromFIGS. 13-16for the sake of clarity of the drawing, the various states of the data connector1204depicted in those figures are substantially identical to the various states of the data connector1204shown in respectiveFIGS. 17-20, in which the sled1202is shown. Accordingly, the paragraphs below describe one state of the data connector1204with reference toFIGS. 13 and 17, another state of the data connector1204with reference toFIGS. 14 and 18, yet another state of the data connector1204with reference toFIGS. 15 and 19, and yet another state still of the data connector1204with reference toFIGS. 16 and 20.

Referring now toFIGS. 13 and 17, the illustrative data connector1204is sized to be received by the receptacle1736of the sled1202, as mentioned above. The data connector1204illustratively includes a main body1338, guide shafts1342,1344, a cover1346, and a door1348. The main body1338includes the electrical contacts1440mentioned above. The guide shafts1342,1344are associated with the main body1338and extend along respective longitudinal axes1342A,1344A thereof. The cover1346is coupled to the guide shafts1342,1344such that the cover1346is slidable along the guide shafts1342,1344in a direction defined by the axes1342A,1344A. The door1348is coupled to the cover1346to pivot relative to the cover1346between a closed position1750, in which access to the electrical contacts1440is restricted, and an open position1852, in which access to the electrical contacts1440is permitted, as discussed below. In this way, the cover1346provides an amount of protection for the electrical contacts1404from the local environment when the data connector1204is not in use (i.e., not coupled to a sled1202).

In the illustrative embodiment, the main body1338of the data connector1204is embodied as, or otherwise provides, a quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) connector. The illustrative data connector1204is coupled to a terminating end1354of a fiber optic cable1356. In other embodiments, however, the main body1338may provide a suitable interconnect other than a four-lane interconnect. Additionally, in other embodiments, the data connector1204may be coupled to another suitable type of cable, such as a copper cable, for example.

The illustrative data connector1204includes two guide shafts1342,1344, as shown inFIG. 13. In other embodiments, however, the connector1204may include another suitable number of guide shafts other than two. In any case, the guide shafts1342,1344include respective shaft bodies1342B,1344B interconnected with respective shaft tips1342T,1344T. The illustrative shaft bodies1342B,1344B have a circular cross-sectional shape. The illustrative shaft tips1342T,1344T have a frustoconical cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, however, the shaft bodies1342B,1344B and the shaft tips1342T,1344T may take the shape of other suitable geometric forms.

The cover1346is illustratively positioned on the guide shafts1342,1344to shield covered portions1342P,1344P thereof from contaminants before the portions1342P,1344P are received by the receptacle1736, as shown inFIG. 17. The illustrative cover1346includes a faceplate1358, shaft shields1360,1362, a cutout1364, and a door flange1370. Those components of the cover1346are described in greater detail below.

The illustrative faceplate1358of the cover1346extends transverse to the longitudinal axes1342A,1344A between the guide shafts1342,1344, as shown inFIG. 13. Additionally, the faceplate1358extends transverse to the longitudinal axes1342A,1344A beyond the guide shafts1342,1344such that opposite ends1358E-1,1358E-2of the faceplate1358are located exteriorly of the guide shafts1342,1344. In the illustrative embodiment, the faceplate1358has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, in other embodiments, the faceplate1358may take the shape of another suitable geometric form. In any case, the faceplate1358includes two apertures1358A-1,1358A-2extending therethrough that are sized to receive the guide shafts1342,1344.

The illustrative shaft shields1360,1362of the cover1346are interconnected with, and extend outwardly away from, the faceplate1358, as shown inFIG. 13. The shaft shields1360,1362include respective bores1360B,1362B aligned with the apertures1358A-1,1358A-2. As such, the shaft shields1360,1362are sized to receive the guide shafts1342,1344such that the portions1342P,1344P are covered and surrounded by the shields1360,1362when the guide shafts1342,1344are received by the shaft shields1360,1362. When the guide shafts1342,1344are received by the shaft shields1360,1362and the main body1338is received by the cutout1364, the main body1338is arranged between the covered portions1342P,1344P of the guide shafts1342,1344. In the illustrative embodiment, the shaft shields1360,1362have a circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, however, the shields1360,1362may take the shape of other suitable geometric forms.

The illustrative cutout1364of the cover1346is sized to receive the main body1338, as shown inFIG. 13. The cutout1364extends through a rectangular projection1374that extends outwardly away from the faceplate1358. Additionally, the cutout1364extends through the faceplate1358. The cutout1364is arranged between the shaft shields1360,1362and includes a window1366and a window1368, each of which extends through the projection1374and the faceplate1358. The window1366is open to receive a portion1338P-1of the main body1338when the door1348is in each of the closed position1750and the open position1852. The window1368opens to receive a portion1338P-2of the main body1338separate from the portion1338P-1that provides the electrical contacts1440when the door1348pivots relative to the cover1346from the closed position1750to the open position1852. However, when the door1348is in the closed position1750, the window1368is closed off by the door1348and therefore unable to receive the portion1338P-2.

The illustrative door flange1370of the cover1346is interconnected with, and extends outwardly away from, the projection1374, as shown inFIG. 13. The door flange1370is configured to interface with the door1348to enable the door1348to pivot relative to the cover1346about a pivot axis1348P between the closed position1750and the open position1852. In the illustrative embodiment, the door1348is coupled to the flange1370to pivot relative to the flange1370about the axis1348P. A pivot pin1772may be received by the door1348and the flange1370to enable the door1348to pivot relative to the flange1370about the axis1348P.

The illustrative door1348of the data connector1204has a rectangular shape complementary to the shape of the window1368, as shown inFIG. 13. When the guide shafts1342,1344are received by the shaft shields1360,1362, the door1348is arranged between the covered portions1342P,1344P of the guide shafts1342,1344. In the illustrative embodiment, the door1348is biased to the closed position1750by one or more biasing elements (not shown), such as one or more springs, for example.

The illustrative data connector1204also includes a mounting block1376to attach the connector1204to the stationary backplane1230, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 17. The illustrative mounting block1376includes mounting plates1378,1380that are spaced from each other in an axial direction indicated by arrow1782to define a gap1784therebetween. As best seen inFIG. 17, the backplane1230is aligned with the gap1784. The mounting plate1378includes apertures1378A-1,1378A-2sized to receive the respective guide shafts1342,1344and a rectangular slot1378S sized to receive the main body1338. The mounting plate1380includes a slot1380S sized to receive the terminating end1354of the fiber optic cable1356. The end1354may interface with the main body1338in the gap1784or in the slot1380S.

When the tips1342T,1344T of the guide shafts1342,1344are spaced from the receptacle1736of the sled1202in the axial direction1782as shown inFIG. 17, the door1348is in the closed position1750. As such, the door1348protects the electrical contacts1440from contaminants that may be encountered in the local environment prior to interaction between the data connector1204and the receptacle1736. As discussed below, in response to certain interaction between the data connector1204and the receptacle1736, the door1348pivots relative to the cover1346from the closed position1750to the open position1852.

Referring now toFIGS. 14 and 18, the illustrative data connector1204is sized for receipt in a receiving space1886defined by the receptacle1736. The receptacle1736is illustratively embodied as, or otherwise includes, a cage or housing designed to interface with a QSFP connector. The receptacle1736includes a flange1888that defines an end1890thereof and extends above the receiving space1886.

Compared to a position1792of the receptacle1736shown inFIG. 17, the receptacle1736is displaced further toward the guide shafts1342,1344of the data connector1204in the axial direction1782in a position1892shown inFIG. 18as the sled1202is installed into the rack1206. As such, the tips1342T,1344T of the guide shafts1342,1344are located in the receiving space1886when the receptacle1736is in the position1892. The tips1342T,1344T illustratively extend a distance D1into the receiving space1886that is greater than a threshold distance D when the receptacle1736is in the position1892. The door1348is in the open position1852when the tips1342T,1344T extend into the receiving space1886over the distance D1, as shown inFIG. 18. Of course, it should be appreciated that when the receptacle1736is displaced from the position1792toward the position1892, the tips1342T,1344T extend a distance D2into the receiving space1886that is less than the threshold distance D, at least before the receptacle1736reaches the position1892. The door1348is in the closed position1750when the tips1342T,1344T extend into the receiving space1886over the distance D2.

When the receptacle1736is in the position1892, the shaft shields1360,1362of the cover1346illustratively contact the flange1888, as shown inFIG. 18. In response to contact between the cover1346and the flange1888, the door1348pivots relative to the cover1346from the closed position1750to the open position1852. Contact between the cover1346and the flange1888may overcome the biasing force applied by the one or more biasing elements to the door1348, thereby facilitating pivoting of the door1348relative to the cover1346from the closed position1750to the open position1852.

In the illustrative embodiment, when in the closed position1750, the door1348is angularly spaced relative to the door1348when the door1348is in the open position1852by 90 degrees, as shown inFIGS. 17 and 18. When the door1348pivots relative to the cover1346from the closed position1750to the open position1852in response to contact between the cover1346and the flange1888, the door1348pivots 90 degrees relative to the cover1346in a counterclockwise direction CCW. When the door1348pivots to the open position1852, the electrical contacts1440of the main body1338are exposed and may be accessed, as best seen inFIG. 14.

Referring now toFIGS. 15 and 19, the receptacle1736is further displaced toward the backplane1230in the axial direction1782to cause the cover1346to slide along the guide shafts1342,1344to the right in the direction1782. Contact between the cover1346and the flange1888causes the cover1346to slide along the guide shafts1342,1344to the right in the direction1782. Accordingly, the flange1888constrains the cover1346against movement toward the receiving space1886in the direction1782in response to contact between the flange1888and the cover1346. Compared to the position1892of the receptacle1736shown inFIG. 18, the receptacle1736is therefore displaced to the right in the axial direction1782in the position1992shown inFIG. 19. The tips1342T,1344T illustratively extend a distance D3into the receiving space1886that is greater than the distance D1when the receptacle1736is in the position1992. Additionally, after the door1348pivots to the open position1852, the electrical contacts1440protrude through the window1368of the cover1346as shown inFIG. 15when the receptacle1736is in the position1992.

Referring now toFIGS. 16 and 20, the receptacle1736is displaced further still toward the backplane1230in the axial direction1782to cause the cover1346to slide along the guide shafts1342,1344to the right in the direction1782so that the cover1346is arranged in close proximity to the mounting block1376. As indicated above, contact between the cover1346and the flange1888causes the cover1346to slide along the guide shafts1342,1344to the right in the direction1782. The receptacle1736is displaced further toward the backplane1230in the axial direction1782in the position2092shown inFIG. 20than in the position1992. The tips1342T,1344T illustratively extend a distance D4into the receiving space1886that is greater than the distance D3when the receptacle1736is in the position2092. Additionally, after the door1348pivots to the open position1852, the electrical contacts1440protrude through the window1368of the cover1346as shown inFIG. 16when the receptacle1736is in the position2092. When the electrical contacts1440protrude through the window1368as shown inFIGS. 16 and 20, the contacts1440may interface with counterpart features provided on the sled1202to electrically connect the data connector1204to the sled1202.

As discussed above, the door1348pivots relative to the cover1346from the closed position1750to the open position1852in response to movement of the sled1202to the right in the axial direction1782relative to the data connector1204, as shown inFIGS. 17-20. Once the door1348moves to the open position1852, further movement of the sled1202to the right in the axial direction1782(i.e., when the receptacle1736is in the position2092) establishes an electrical connection between the data connector1204and the sled1202. Thus, when the data connector1204is retained in one of the sled slots1216, the sled1202may be advanced into the one of the slots1216until the data connector1204is fully received by the receptacle1736, thereby establishing the electrical connection between the data connector1204and the sled1202without visual observation of the interaction between the data connector1204and the receptacle1736. As such, in the illustrative embodiment, the sled1202is configured to mate with the data connector1204, as mentioned above. Additionally, in the illustrative embodiment, the data connector1204is sized to be received by the receptacle1736of the sled1202despite some degree of misalignment between the data connector1204and the receptacle1736in a direction2000that is perpendicular to the axial direction1782and the longitudinal axes1342A,1344A. Accordingly, some degree of float between the illustrative data connector1204and the illustrative sled1202is permitted when those components interact with one another.

Referring now toFIG. 21, an illustrative method2100of installing the sled1202in the rack1206of the data center1208is shown. The method2100begins with block2102in which the data connector1204is attached to the stationary backplane1230coupled to the rack1206. To do so, in block2104, the mounting block1376of the data connector1204may be mounted to the backplane1230. Subsequently, in block2106, the sled1202may be advanced into one of the sled slots1216to cause the sled1202to interface or mate with the data connector1204. It should be appreciated, of course, that the method2100may be performed in a number of sequences other than the illustrative sequence ofFIG. 21. Additionally, it should be appreciated that advancing the sled1202into one of the sled slots1216to cause the sled1202to interface with the data connector1204, as indicated in block2106, may be performed in a number of sequences other than the sequence described below with reference toFIG. 22.

Referring now toFIG. 22, a method2200for advancing a sled1202into a sled slot1216of the rack1206, which may be executed as part of block2106of method2100, begins with block2202. In block2202, the sled1202is advanced into the one of the sled slots1216to cause the cover1346of the data connector1204to contact the flange1888of the receptacle1736(see, e.g.,FIG. 17). Additionally, in block2204, the sled1202is advanced further into the sled slot1216to cause the door1348to pivot relative to the cover1346from the closed position1750to the open position1852(see, e.g.,FIG. 18). As discussed above, the door1348moves from the closed position1750to the open position1852in response to contact between the flange1888and the cover1346. In block2206, the sled1202is advanced yet further into the sled slot1216to cause the door1348to pivot to a fully open position1852of about 90 degrees relative to the cover1346(see, e.g.,FIG. 19). Subsequently, in block2208, the sled1202is fully advanced into the sled slot1216such that electrical connection between the data connector1204and the sled1202is established (see, e.g.,FIG. 20). To do so, in block2210, the electrical contacts1440of the main body1338of the data connector1204are mated with counterpart features of the sled1202.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 includes a data connector to interface with a sled, the data connector comprising a main body that includes electrical contacts; a plurality of guide shafts associated with the main body, wherein each guide shaft extends along a corresponding longitudinal axis; a cover coupled to the plurality of guide shafts such that the cover is slidable along the guide shafts in a direction defined by the longitudinal axes; and a door coupled to the cover and movable to pivot relative thereto between (i) a closed position in which access to the electrical contacts of the main body is restricted and (ii) an open position in which access to the electrical contacts of the main body is permitted.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and wherein a portion of each guide shaft that extends outwardly from the cover is increased as the cover is slid along the guide shafts.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1 and 2, and wherein a greater portion of the guide shafts extend outwardly from the cover when the door is in the open position relative to when the door is in the closed position.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-3, and wherein the door pivots relative to the cover from the closed position to the open position as the cover is slid along the guide shafts.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-4, and wherein the door pivots 90 degrees relative to the cover from the closed position to the open position as the cover is slid along the guide shafts.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-5, and wherein the cover comprises a pair of shaft shields and each guide shaft extends through a corresponding shaft shield, wherein each shaft shield covers a covered portion of the corresponding guide shaft and wherein the covered portion of the guide shafts is dependent on the position of the cover along the guide shafts.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-6, and wherein the door is located between the shaft shields of the cover.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-7, and wherein the main body is located between the shaft shields of the cover.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-8, and wherein the guide shafts include no more than two guide shafts.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-9, and wherein the cover includes a cutout sized to receive the main body, wherein the cutout includes a first window in which a first portion of the main body is received when the door is in each of the closed and open positions.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-10, and wherein the cutout includes a second window to receive a second portion of the main body, separate from the first portion and that includes the electrical contacts, when the door is in the open position.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-11, and wherein the main body forms a quad small form-factor pluggable connector.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-12, and wherein the data connector is coupled to a terminating end of a fiber optic cable.

Example 14 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-13, and further including a mounting block to attach the data connector to a stationary backplane.

Example 15 includes a system comprising a sled for operation in a rack of a data center, the sled including a circuit board substrate, one or more physical resources coupled to the circuit board substrate, and a receptacle coupled to the circuit board substrate; and a data connector sized to be received by the receptacle, the data connector including a main body that includes electrical contacts; guide shafts that extend along longitudinal axes thereof; a cover coupled to the guide shafts to slide along the longitudinal axes; and a door coupled to the cover to pivot relative thereto between (i) a closed position in which access to the electrical contacts of the main body is restricted and (ii) an open position in which access to the electrical contacts of the main body is permitted.

Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 15, and wherein (i) tips of the guide shafts extend a first distance into the receptacle that is less than a threshold distance when the door is in the closed position and (ii) the tips of the guide shafts extend a second distance into the receptacle that is greater than the threshold distance when the door is in the open position.

Example 17 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15 and 16, and wherein the door is in the closed position when the tips of the guide shafts are spaced from the receptacle in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axes.

Example 18 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-17, and wherein (i) the data connector is sized to be received by the receptacle to cause the cover to contact a flange of the receptacle and (ii) the door pivots relative to the cover from the closed position to the open position in response to contact between the cover and the flange.

Example 19 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-18, and wherein the door pivots 90 degrees relative to the cover from the closed position to the open position in response to contact between the cover and the flange.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-19, and wherein the flange constrains the cover against movement toward the receptacle in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axes in response to contact between the cover and the flange.

Example 21 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-20, and wherein the cover comprises a pair of shaft shields and each guide shaft extends through a corresponding shaft shield, wherein each shaft shield covers a covered portion of the corresponding guide shaft and wherein the covered portion of the guide shafts is dependent on the position of the cover along the guide shafts.

Example 22 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-21, and wherein the door is located between the shaft shields of the cover.

Example 23 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-22, and wherein the main body is located between the shaft shields of the cover.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-23, and wherein the guide shafts include no more than two guide shafts.

Example 25 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-24, and wherein the cover includes a cutout sized to receive the main body, wherein the cutout includes a first window in which a first portion of the main body is received in when the door is in each of the closed and open positions.

Example 26 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-25, and wherein the cutout includes a second window to receive a second portion of the main body, separate from the first portion and that includes the electrical contacts, when the door is in the open position.

Example 27 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-26, and wherein the main body forms a quad small form-factor pluggable connector.

Example 28 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-27, and wherein the data connector is coupled to a terminating end of a fiber optic cable.

Example 29 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-28, and wherein the data connector includes a mounting block to attach the data connector to a stationary backplane coupled to the rack.

Example 30 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-29, and wherein the data connector is sized to be received by the receptacle while facilitating a degree of misalignment between the data connector and the receptacle in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes.

Example 31 includes a method for installing a sled in a rack of a data center, the method comprising attaching a data connector to a stationary backplane coupled to the rack; and advancing the sled into a slot formed in the rack to cause the sled to interface with the data connector, wherein advancing the sled into the slot comprises advancing the sled into the slot to cause a door of the data connector to pivot relative to a cover of the data connector from (i) a closed position in which access to electrical contacts of the data connector is restricted and (ii) open position in which access to the electrical contacts is permitted so that the electrical contacts may interface with the sled.

Example 32 includes the subject matter of Example 31, and wherein attaching the data connector to the stationary backplane comprises mounting a mounting block of the data connector to the stationary backplane.

Example 33 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 31 and 32, and wherein advancing the sled into the slot further comprises advancing the sled into the slot to cause the cover to contact a flange of the sled such that the door pivots relative to the cover from the closed position to the open position in response to contact between the cover and the flange.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 31-33, and wherein advancing the sled into the slot to cause the door to pivot relative to the cover comprises advancing the sled into the slot to cause the door to pivot 90 degrees relative to the cover from the closed position to the open position.

Example 35 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 31-34, and wherein advancing the sled into the slot further comprises electrically connecting the data connector to the sled when the door is in the open position.