Abstract:
A structure of redundant arrays of inexpensive disks (R.A.I.D.) with servers is disclosed. The structure of the invention includes a R.A.I.D., a server, and a housing. The connection between the R.A.I.D. and the server, and the connection between the server and the housing are achieved by connectors respectively formed on edges of the R.A.I.D., the server and the housing. Thereby, the device space and wiring limitation can be overcome.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a structure of redundant arrays of inexpensive disks (R.A.I.D.) with servers. More specifically, the invention relates to a structure which has a server installed directly on a R.A.I.D. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An industrious specification for computer housing includes 1U, 2U, 3U and 4U. The limit to the interior space of the computer housing for arranging devices greatly influences the performance of the computer. Usually, a computer housing of 3U specification is used as a memory cell. A plurality of hard disks are arranged in the front half space of the 3U housing to form the R.A.I.D. A power supply and an electric fan are arranged in the remaining space of the 3U housing. Under such an arrangement, a control panel can be mounted only in the remaining space. Because of the limited space, a server, including a motherboard, CD-ROM drives, and floppy drives, has to be mounted in another computer housing of 1U or 2U specification and connected to other devices through buses. However, this arrangement has several problems, such as: 
     1. The control panel can be installed in a same housing with the hard disks. But the control panel is usually mounted face inward. Therefore, either the control panel has to be turned back until it faces outward or a user has to change his(her) position in a manner to face the control panel. It is thus not user-friendly. 
     2. The motherboard and the R.A.I.D. are mounted in different housings, which needs longer signal wires for connection and transmission. Longer signal wires may cause signal decay and complicate the wiring of the devices. 
     3. Since the motherboard is mounted in another housing, an additional power supply is needed for the motherboard and therefore the equipment cost is increased. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a structure in which a server is mounted directly on redundant arrays of inexpensive disks (R.A.I.D.) so that more devices can be received in a same housing. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a control panel for controlling the R.A.I.D. that is formed in front of the server, while the distance between the internal connections is reduced and a power supply can be shared. Thereby, the prior problems can be solved. 
     In order to achieve the above and other objectives, a structure of R.A.I.D. with servers is provided. The structure of the invention includes a R.A.I.D., a server, and a housing. The connection between the R.A.I.D. and the server, and the connection between the server and the housing are achieved by connectors respectively formed on edges of the R.A.I.D., the server and the housing. Thereby, the device space and wiring limitations can be overcome. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings included herein provide a further understanding of the invention and, incorporated herein, constitute a part of the invention disclosure. A brief introduction of the drawings is as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a structure of redundant arrays of inexpensive disks (R.A.I.D.) with servers according to one embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG.  2 A and FIG. 2B are exploded views of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2C is a locally enlarged view of FIG. 2B; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the structure in use according to one embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is another schematic view of the structure in use according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG.  5 A and FIG. 5B are schematic views of the structure according to another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Wherever possible in the following description, similar reference numerals and symbols will refer to similar elements unless otherwise illustrated. 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a structure of redundant arrays of inexpensive disks (R.A.I.D.) with servers according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG.  2 A and FIG. 2B are exploded views of FIG.  1 . FIG. 2C is a locally enlarged view of FIG.  2 B. 
     With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2A, FIG.  2 B and FIG. 2C, a R.A.I.D.  1  engages a server  2 . A housing  3  covers the sever  2 . First connectors  12  are formed on tops of sidewalls  11  of the R.A.I.D.  1 . Second connectors  22  matching the first connectors  12  are formed on bottoms of sidewalls  21  of the server  2 . With the engagement of the first connectors  12  and the second connectors  22 , the R.A.I.D.  1  is further attached to server  2 . The bottom of the server  2  is further provided with an opening  24  for receiving a signal wire  71  and a power wire  72 . Furthermore, third connectors  23  are formed on tops of the sidewall  21 . Fourth connectors  31  are formed on bottoms of sidewalls of the housing  3 . With the engagement of the third connector  23  and the fourth connector  31 , the server  2  is attached to the housing  3 . A structure of the R.A.I.D. with the server  2  is thereby accomplished to increase the interior space for receiving more devices and simplifies the wiring of the devices. 
     The first connector  12  includes a first extension  121 , a first support  124  which is connected to the first extension  121  to form a backbone  122 , and a plurality of first slots  123 . The second connector  22  includes a connection section  221  that has a plurality of connection members  222  matching the first slots  123 . 
     The third connector  23  includes a second extension  231  and a second support  234  connected to the second extension  231  to form a backbone  232 . A plurality of slots  233  is provided along the backbone  232 . The fourth connector  31  includes a second connection section  311  that has a plurality of connection members  312  matching the second slots  233 . Similar to the first connector  12 , the server  2  can be connected to another server (not shown) via the third connector  23 . Furthermore, similar to the second connector  22 , the fourth connector  31  of the housing  3  is connected to the first connector of the R.A.I.D. 
     When in use, the R.A.I.D.  1  is formed according to industrious standard of 3U, 4U or 5U computer specification, and the server  2  is formed according to industrious standard of 1U or 2U computer specification. Currently, a plurality of portable hard disks  6  is arranged in a front half space of the R.A.I.D.  1 . A transition plate  52  and a power supply  53  are arranged in the remaining space of the R.A.I.D.  1 . The server  2  is stacked upon the R.A.l.D.  1 . Hence, a motherboard  51 , a CD-ROM drive  7  or a floppy disk drive  8  can be further arranged in the server  2  while connection wires and the power wires  72  can be also connected to the transition plate  52  and the power supply  53  through the opening  24 . The device space and wiring limitations can be thereby overcome. For example, a control panel  4  of the R.A.I.D.  1  can be arranged in front of the server  2 , as shown in FIG. 3 which is a schematic view of the structure in use according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is another schematic view of the structure in use according to one embodiment of the invention. The third connector  23  of the server  2  is connected to a second connector of another server (shown in FIG.  4 ). In this manner, the first server can receive the motherboard (not shown), the CD-ROM drive  7  and the floppy drive  8 , and the second server can receive the control panel  4  of the R.A.I.D.  1 . Alternatively, a plurality of servers can be further stacked upon the R.A.I.D.  1 . 
     FIG.  5 A and FIG. 5B show other views of the structure according to another embodiment of the invention. Dual-axle covers  9 ,  9 ′ are further respectively provided at front surfaces of the R.A.I.D.  1  and the server  2  to protect the structure of the invention. The covers  9 ,  9 ′ are pulled out and then upward in two stages to avoid the covers  9 ,  9 ′ from colliding with each other and to draw out the devices such as portable hard disks. 
     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above description is only illustrative of specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The invention should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to the herein-described structure and operations of the invention, provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following appended claims.