Patent Publication Number: US-2023156972-A1

Title: Server, Cabinet Server, and Blade Server

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of Int&#39;l Patent App. No. PCT/CN2021/093974 filed on May 15, 2021, which claims priority to Chinese Patent App. No. 202010986329.5 filed on Sep. 18, 2020 and Chinese Patent App. No. 202010739036.7 filed on Jul. 28, 2020, all of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of server technologies, and in particular, to a server, a cabinet server, and a blade server. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With improvement of a computing capability of a server, accordingly, power consumption of each component (for example, a processor, a memory, or a hard disk) in the server significantly increases. As the power consumption of the component in the server increases, more heat is accumulated on the component in the server. To ensure that each component in the server normally operates, a heat dissipation capability of the server needs to be improved to dissipate, in a timely manner, the heat accumulated on the component in the server. 
     Currently, air cooling is usually used in the server for heat dissipation, and an air exhaust vent and an air intake vent are disposed in the server. Cold air flows into through the air intake vent, passes through each component in the server, takes away the heat accumulated on each component in the server, and then flows out through the air exhaust vent. 
     However, because a direction in which a backplane configured to house the hard disk is disposed in the server is perpendicular to an air direction of the air intake vent, the hard disk backplane blocks circulation of the cold air. This reduces the heat dissipation capability of the entire server. Although an air volume of the circulating cold air can be increased by drilling holes on the hard disk backplane, the backplane is designed with a complex circuit, and a drilling area is limited. Consequently, this still cannot ensure that the server has a relatively good heat dissipation capability. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure provides a server, a cabinet server, and a blade server, to improve a heat dissipation capability of the server. 
     According to a first aspect, an embodiment provides a server. The server includes a backplane. A component, for example, a hard disk or a memory, in the server may be housed on the backplane. The backplane may be disposed between an air exhaust vent and an air intake vent of the server, and the backplane may be parallel to an air inflow direction of the air intake vent or an air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent. 
     Based on the server, the backplane is parallel to the air direction, to reduce obstruction to air flowing into or flowing out of the server, increase a ventilation volume in the server, and improve a heat dissipation capability of the server. 
     In a possible design, the hard disk in the server may be housed on the backplane, and the hard disk in the server may be housed on the backplane in a direction parallel to the backplane. 
     Based on the server, the hard disk is also parallel to the air direction, to further reduce the obstruction to the air flowing into or out of the server, and ensure that the server has a relatively good heat dissipation capability. 
     In a possible design, the backplane includes a plurality of PCBs. The plurality of PCBs are disposed in parallel. To be specific, each PCB is parallel to an air inflow or outflow direction of the server. Each PCB is provided with a hard disk slot, and the hard disk in the server may be housed on each hard disk slot. 
     Based on the server, the backplane uses a layered structure, to ensure that sufficient hard disks can further be housed on the backplane when the ventilation volume in the server is ensured. 
     In a possible design, there are many manners of arranging the plurality of PCBs. For example, the plurality of PCBs may be located on a same plane, and the plane is parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent or the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent. 
     Based on the server, the plurality of PCBs may be arranged on the same plane, so that a large volume of air may circulate in the server, to ensure the heat dissipation capability of the server. 
     In a possible design, the plurality of PCBs may alternatively be distributed on a plurality of planes, and the plurality of planes are all parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent or the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent. For example, the plurality of PCBs may be sequentially arranged in a direction perpendicular to the air direction. To be specific, projections of the plurality of PCBs on a plane perpendicular to the air direction coincide. The plurality of PCBs may alternatively be arranged in a stepped shape. 
     Based on the server, arrangement manners of the plurality of PCBs are flexible, and are applicable to different server architectures. 
     In a possible design, there is a spacing between adjacent PCBs in the plurality of PCBs in the direction perpendicular to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent or the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent. 
     Based on the server, there is a spacing between the adjacent PCBs, and the air flowing into the server can circulate through the spacing, so that heat accumulated on the component in the server can be taken away, to achieve a better heat dissipation effect. 
     In a possible design, each of the plurality of PCBs is fastened to a housing of the server by using a mechanical part. 
     Based on the server, the plurality of PCBs are fastened to the housing of the server, to ensure stability of the plurality of PCBs. 
     In a possible design, the server may further include a mainboard. The backplane includes a plurality of first interfaces, the mainboard includes a plurality of second interfaces, and one first interface corresponds to one second interface. Each first interface is connected to a corresponding second interface through a data cable, and lengths of data cables used for connecting adjacent first interfaces to corresponding second interfaces are different. A correspondence between the first interfaces and the second interfaces may be preconfigured. 
     Based on the server, the lengths of the data cables used for connecting the adjacent first interfaces to the corresponding second interfaces are different. Therefore, the corresponding first interface and second interface can be distinguished by using the length of the data cable, to ensure that the first interface can be correctly connected to the second interface. 
     In a possible design, the server may further include an expansion board. The expansion board may be parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent or the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent. 
     The first interface may be connected to the second interface through the data cable by using the expansion board. In other words, the first interface may be connected to the expansion board through the data cable, and the expansion board is connected to the second interface. 
     Based on the server, the expansion board can implement an interface expansion effect, so that each first interface on the backplane can be connected to the mainboard of the server. 
     In a possible design, the server may further include a management module. The management module is connected to the second interface, and the management module may detect whether the first interface is correctly connected to the second interface, and may give an alarm when detecting that first interface is incorrectly connected to the second interface. The first interface being correctly connected to the second interface means that the first interface is connected to the corresponding second interface. Correspondingly, the first interface being incorrectly connected to the second interface means that the first interface is not connected to the corresponding second interface, for example, is connected to another second interface, or the data cable between the first interface and the corresponding second interface is disconnected. 
     Based on the server, the management module can find, in a timely manner, that the first interface is incorrectly connected to the second interface, to further determine that the first interface may be connected to the corresponding second interface. 
     In a possible design, when detecting whether the first interface is correctly connected to the second interface, the management module may obtain a signal on the data cable between the first interface and the second interface, and determine, based on the signal on the data cable, whether the first interface is correctly connected to the second interface. For example, the management module may compare the signal on the data cable with a preset signal. If the signals are consistent, it indicates that the first interface is correctly connected to the second interface. Otherwise, the first interface is incorrectly connected to the second interface. 
     Based on the server, the management module can accurately determine, by using the signal on the data cable, whether the first interface is correctly connected to the second interface, and can also find, in a relatively timely manner by using the signal on the data cable, that the first interface is incorrectly connected to the second interface, to ensure detection timeliness. 
     According to a second aspect, an embodiment provides a cabinet server. The cabinet server includes one or more servers provided in any one of the first aspect or the designs of the first aspect. 
     According to a third aspect, an embodiment provides a blade server. The blade server includes one or more servers provided in any one of the first aspect or the designs of the first aspect. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a schematic diagram of a disposed position of a hard disk backplane in a server; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a schematic diagram of a structure of a hard disk backplane in a server; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a schematic diagram of a structure of a server; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a schematic diagram of a structure of a server; 
         FIG.  3 A  to  FIG.  3 C  are schematic diagrams of a structure of a plurality of PCBs; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a schematic diagram in which a PCB is fixedly connected to a housing of a server; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a schematic diagram in which a PCB is fixedly connected to a component having a fastening function in a server; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram of a structure of a PCB in a hard disk backplane; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic diagram in which a PCB in a hard disk backplane is connected to a mainboard of a server; 
         FIG.  7 A  and  FIG.  7 B  are schematic diagrams in which a first interface in a PCB is connected to a second interface in a mainboard of the server; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a schematic diagram of data cables with different lengths between first interfaces in a PCB and second interfaces in a mainboard of a server; 
         FIG.  8 B  is a schematic diagram of a disposed position of a management module in a server; and 
         FIG.  9 A  to  FIG.  9 C  are schematic diagrams in which a backplane is connected to a mainboard of a server. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1 A  is a schematic diagram of a disposed position of a hard disk backplane in a server. The hard disk backplane is located between an air exhaust vent and an air intake vent of the server. In  FIG.  1 A , the hard disk backplane is vertically housed in the server, and the hard disk backplane is perpendicular to an air direction of the air exhaust vent of the server. This disposing manner of the hard disk backplane blocks air circulation in the server. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 B , in addition to hard disk slots, the hard disk backplane may further be provided with air vents. However, because the hard disk backplane is a printed circuit board (PCB), a large quantity of components need to be deployed on the PCB. Consequently, positions for disposing the air vents on the hard disk backplane are limited, only few air vents can be disposed on the hard disk backplane, and the few air vents cannot effectively improve a heat dissipation capability of the server. 
     To improve the heat dissipation capability of the server, an embodiment provides a server.  FIG.  2 A  is a schematic diagram of the server according to this embodiment. A server  100  includes a backplane  110 , and the backplane  110  is configured to house a component in the server  100 . A type of the component is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the component may be a hard disk or a memory. 
     The backplane  110  is located between an air exhaust vent and an air intake vent, and the backplane  110  may be parallel to an air inflow direction of the air intake vent or an air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent. 
     In this embodiment, an example in which the air inflow direction of the air intake vent is consistent with the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent is used for description. For a case in which the air inflow direction of the air intake vent is inconsistent with the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent, the backplane  110  may be parallel to either of the air inflow direction of the air intake vent and the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent. 
     With respect to a relationship between the backplane  110 , the air inflow direction of the air intake vent, and the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent, the backplane  110  may be abstracted as a spatial plane (where the spatial plane may be referred to as a spatial plane corresponding to the backplane  110 ), the air inflow direction of the air intake vent (or the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent) may be abstracted as a group of spatial straight lines (where the group of spatial straight lines may be referred to as spatial straight lines corresponding to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent or spatial straight lines corresponding to the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent). 
     The backplane  110  being parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent means that the spatial plane corresponding to the backplane  110  is parallel to the spatial straight lines corresponding to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent. The backplane  110  being parallel to the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent means that the spatial plane corresponding to the backplane  110  is parallel to the spatial straight lines corresponding to the air outflow direction of the air exhaust vent. 
     When the backplane  110  is disposed at a different position in the server  100 , a structure of the server  100  differs to an extent. Directions of two mutually perpendicular edges of the server  100  are respectively defined as a width direction and a length direction herein. The length direction is a direction of an edge between a front side and a rear side of the server  100 , and the width direction is a direction of an edge between a left side and a right side of the server  100 . 
     In the server  100  shown in  FIG.  2 A , the backplane  110  is disposed in the width direction of the server  100 . To be specific, two ends of the backplane  110  may be respectively fastened to the left side and the right side of the server  100 . The backplane  110  is parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent. 
       FIG.  2 B  shows another server  100  according to an embodiment. A backplane  110  in the server  100  is disposed in a length direction of the server  100 . In other words, two ends of the backplane  110  may be respectively fastened to a front side and a rear side of the server  100 . The backplane  110  is parallel to an air inflow direction of an air intake vent. 
     The backplane  110  is disposed in a direction parallel to an air direction (for example, the air inflow direction of the air intake vent or an air outflow direction of an air exhaust vent), so that the backplane  110  can greatly reduce obstruction to air flowing into the server  100 , and a ventilation volume in the server  100  can be effectively improved, to further improve a heat dissipation capability of the server  100 . 
     For example, the backplane  110  is a hard disk backplane, that is, is configured to house a hard disk in the server  100 . A case in which the backplane  110  is configured to house another component in the server  100  is similar to the case in which the backplane  110  is a hard disk backplane, and a difference lies in that a housed component is different. For a structure and a disposing manner of the backplane  110 , refer to related descriptions when the backplane  110  is a hard disk backplane. Details are not described herein again. 
     When the hard disk is housed on the backplane  110 , the hard disk may be housed on the backplane  110  in a direction parallel to the backplane  110 , so that the hard disk is also parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent. The hard disk housed on the backplane  110  also does not greatly obstruct the air flowing into the server  100 , to further ensure the ventilation volume of the server  100 . 
     The following describes the structure of the backplane  110 . 
     The backplane  110  may include one or more PCBs  111 . One PCB  111  may be provided with one or more hard disk slots  112 , and a hard disk can be inserted into the hard disk slot  112 . For a direction in which the hard disk is housed, refer to the foregoing descriptions. Details are not described herein again. 
     When the backplane  110  includes a plurality of PCBs  111 , the plurality of PCBs  111  are disposed in parallel, and there is a plurality of manners in which the plurality of PCBs  111  are disposed in parallel. For example, the plurality of PCBs  111  may be located on a same plane, or may be separately located on a plurality of different parallel planes. The following lists several of the plurality of manners. 
       FIG.  3 A  is a schematic diagram of a structure of a server  100  according to an embodiment. A backplane  110  includes a plurality of PCBs  111 , the plurality of PCBs  111  are located on a same plane, and the plane is parallel to an air inflow direction of an air intake vent. 
     It can be learned from  FIG.  3 A  that the plurality of PCBs  111  in the backplane  110  are disposed side by side in a direction parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent. 
     There may be a spacing between the plurality of PCBs  111 , and the plurality of PCBs  111  are arranged relatively loosely. Alternatively, there may be no spacing, and the plurality of PCBs  111  may be closely arranged. 
     In this manner, the plurality of PCBs  111  are located on the same plane, and obstruction of the backplane  110  to air flowing into the server  100  is greatly reduced, so that a volume of air circulating in the entire server  100  is increased, to improve a heat dissipation capability of the server  100 . 
       FIG.  3 B  is a schematic diagram of a structure of a server  100  according to an embodiment. A backplane  110  includes a plurality of PCBs  111 , the plurality of PCBs  111  are located on a plurality of different parallel planes, and the plurality of parallel planes are parallel to an air inflow direction of an air intake vent. In other words, there are PCBs  111  located on different planes in the plurality of PCBs  111 . 
     A quantity of the plurality of planes is not limited herein. The quantity of the plurality of parallel planes may be the same as a quantity of the plurality of PCBs  111 . In other words, one PCB  111  is located on one plane. 
     The plurality of PCBs  111  may be arranged in the following two manners. 
     Manner 1: The plurality of PCBs  111  intersect with a same straight line, and are all perpendicular to the straight line, and the straight line is perpendicular to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent. In other words, the plurality of PCBs  111  are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent, and projections of the plurality of PCBs  111  on a plane perpendicular to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent coincide. The backplane  110  shown in  FIG.  3 B  is arranged in Manner 1. 
     To further improve a heat dissipation capability of the server  100 , there is a spacing between adjacent PCBs  111  in the plurality of PCBs  111  in the direction perpendicular to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent. In this way, air flowing into the server  100  can circulate through the spacings, to improve a ventilation rate of the server  100 . 
     In this manner, the plurality of PCBs  111  are disposed in the server  100  in a centralized manner, to occupy less space. In addition, because the plurality of PCBs  111  are parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent, obstruction to the air can be reduced, and heat dissipation of the server  100  is ensured. 
     Manner 2: The plurality of PCBs  111  are sequentially arranged in a direction parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent, and the plurality of PCBs  111  are arranged in a stepped shape. 
     A backplane  110  shown in  FIG.  3 C  is arranged in Manner 2. Similar to that in Manner 1, there may also be a spacing between adjacent PCBs  111  in the plurality of PCBs  111  in a direction perpendicular to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent, to improve a ventilation rate of the server  100 . 
     In this manner, the plurality of PCBs  111  are dispersedly disposed in the server  100 , and this is applicable to a scenario in which components in the server  100  are specially deployed. In addition, because the plurality of PCBs  111  are parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent, it can still be ensured that the server  100  has a better heat dissipation capability. 
     The quantity of the plurality of planes may alternatively be different from the quantity of the plurality of PCBs  111 . For example, the quantity of the plurality of planes may be less than the quantity of the plurality of PCBs  111 . In other words, at least two of the plurality of PCBs  111  are located on a same plane. In this case, PCBs  111  located on a same plane may be arranged in the manner shown in  FIG.  3 A , and PCBs  111  located on different planes may be arranged in the manner shown in  FIG.  3 B  or  FIG.  3 C . For a specific arrangement manner, refer to the foregoing content. Details are not described herein again. 
     The plurality of PCBs  111  may be fastened in the server  100 , and there are many manners of fastening the plurality of PCBs  111  in the server  100 . For example, the plurality of PCBs  111  may be fastened to a housing of the server  100 , and the plurality of PCBs  111  may alternatively be connected to a component having a specific fastening function in the server  100 . 
     Herein, only a manner of fastening one of the plurality of PCBs  111  to the housing of the server  100  is used as an example for description. As shown in  FIG.  4 A , the PCB  111  is fastened to the housing of the server  100  by using an L-shaped mechanical part  210 . The PCB  111  and the housing of the server  100  are respectively fastened to two perpendicular surfaces of the L-shaped mechanical part  210 . The PCB  111  may be fastened to one surface of the L-shaped mechanical part  210  by using a nut. The housing of the server  100  may also be fastened to the other surface of the L-shaped mechanical part  210  by using a nut. 
     The shape of the mechanical part  210  shown in  FIG.  4 A  is merely an example. The shape of the mechanical part is not limited in this embodiment. Any mechanical part that can fasten the plurality of PCBs  111  to the housing of the server  100  is applicable to this embodiment. 
     Herein, only a manner of fastening one of the plurality of PCBs  111  to a component  300  having a fastening function in the server  100  is used as an example for description. As shown in  FIG.  4 B , the component  300  may be a plate-shaped or rod-shaped component that is fastened inside the server  100 . The shape of the component  300  herein is merely an example. The shape and a type of the component  300  are not limited in this embodiment. Any component that is inside the server  100  and has a fastening function is applicable to this embodiment. 
     The PCB  111  is fastened to the component  300  by using an L-shaped mechanical part  220 . The PCB  111  and the component  300  are respectively fastened to two perpendicular surfaces of the L-shaped mechanical part  220 . The PCB  111  may be fastened to one surface of the L-shaped mechanical part  220  by using a nut. The component  300  may also be fastened to the other surface of the L-shaped mechanical part  220  by using a nut. 
     The backplane  110  may be connected to a mainboard of the server  100 .  FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram of a structure of a PCB  111  in the backplane  110 . The PCB  111  may include at least two first interfaces  113 , and each first interface  113  is connected to the mainboard of the server  100  through a data cable  130 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , second interfaces  121  corresponding to the first interfaces  113  of the PCB  111  are also disposed on a mainboard  120  of the server  100 . Each first interface  113  may establish a connection to the second interface  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  through a data cable  130 . 
     On a PCB  111 , a first interface  113  on the PCB  111  corresponds to some or all of hard disks housed on hard disk slots  112  on the PCB  111 . In other words, the first interface  113  is connected to some or all of the hard disks on the PCB  111 . The first interface  113  on the PCB  111  is connected to the second interface  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  through the data cable  130 , so that the mainboard  120  (for example, a processor on the mainboard  120 ) of the server  100  may establish a connection to a hard disk corresponding to the first interface  113  on the PCB  111 , to perform a read/write operation on the hard disk corresponding to the first interface  113 . 
     Herein, a correspondence between the second interfaces  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  and the first interfaces  113  on the PCB  111  is described. A processor may be disposed on the mainboard  120  of the server  100 , and the processor may be connected to the hard disk on the PCB  111  based on the connection between the second interface  121  and the first interface  113 , to implement the read/write operation on the hard disk. However, the backplane  110  includes a plurality of PCB  111 , and one or more hard disks can be housed in the hard disk slots  112  of each PCB  111 . When performing the read/write operation, the processor needs to distinguish the hard disks, to determine a hard disk for reading or writing. The processor may distinguish different hard disks by using different second interfaces  121 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG.  7 A , the mainboard  120  of the server  100  has a second interface  121 A, a second interface  121 B, and a second interface  121 C, and the PCB  111  has a first interface  113 A (corresponding to a hard disk  1  and a hard disk  2  that are housed on the PCB  111 ), a first interface  113 B (corresponding to a hard disk  3  and a hard disk  4  that are housed on the PCB  111 ), and a first interface  113 C (corresponding to a hard disk  5  and a hard disk  6  that are housed on the PCB  111 ). A correct connection relationship between the second interfaces  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  and the first interfaces  113  on the PCB  111  is as follows: The first interface  113 A is connected to the second interface  121 A, the first interface  113 B is connected to the second interface  121 B, and the first interface  113 C is connected to the second interface  121 C. Herein, the correct connection relationship between the first interfaces  113  and the second interfaces  121  is the correspondence between the first interfaces  113  and the second interfaces  121 . The correspondence may be understood as a preset connection relationship. Only when the connection relationship is met, it may be considered that the first interface is correctly connected to the second interface. Otherwise, the first interface is incorrectly connected to the second interface. In this way, after the second interface  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  is connected to the first interface  113  on the PCB  111 , the processor determines that hard disks connected through the second interface  121 A are the hard disk  1  and the hard disk  2 , determines that hard disks connected through the second interface  121 B are the hard disk  3  and the hard disk  4 , and determines that hard disks connected through the second interface  121 C are the hard disk  5  and the hard disk  6 . 
     However, in actual application, to dispose the backplane  110  more flexibly, a hard disk housed on the backplane  110  or one or more PCBs  111  may be replaced based on an actual requirement, a pluggable design is used for the connection between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 . To be specific, the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121  may be flexibly removed from or inserted into the first interface  113  or the second interface  121 . 
     When the pluggable design is used for the connection between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 , there is a case of an incorrect connection between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  7 B , the first interface  113 A is connected to the second interface  121 B, the first interface  113 B is connected to the second interface  121 C, and the first interface  113 C is connected to the second interface  121 A. Due to this incorrect connection, the processor cannot correctly distinguish the hard disks, and the read/write operation performed on the hard disk may be disordered. 
     To avoid this incorrect connection, the embodiments provide several manners. The following separately describes the several manners. 
     Manner 1: The first interface  113  and the second interface  121  that need to be connected (that is, the correspondence between the first interfaces  113  and the second interfaces  121 ) are determined by using a length of the data cable  130 . 
     The data cables  130  between the first interfaces  113  and the second interfaces  121  may be set to different lengths, and the first interfaces  113  on the PCB  111  are connected to the corresponding second interfaces  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  through the data cables  130  of different lengths. 
     For example, lengths of data cables  130  used for connecting two adjacent first interfaces  113  on the PCB  111  to corresponding second interfaces  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  are different. For another example, lengths of data cables  130  used for connecting any two first interfaces  113  on the PCB  111  to corresponding second interfaces  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  are different. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8 A , for example, a data cable  130  between the first interface  113 A and the second interface  121 A is a data cable  130 A, a data cable  130  between the first interface  113 B and the second interface  121 B is a data cable  130 B, and a data cable  130  between the first interface  113 C and the second interface  121 C is a data cable  130 C. The first interface  113 A, the first interface  113 B, and the first interface  113 C are three consecutive first interfaces  113  on the PCB  111 . Lengths of the data cable  130 A, the data cable  130 B, and the data cable  130 C may be different from each other. The lengths of the data cable  130 A and the data cable  130 C may be the same, and the lengths of the data cable  130 A and the data cable  130 B are different. 
     Herein, an example in which the first interface  113  and the second interface  121  that need to be connected are determined by using the length of the data cable  130  is used. In actual application, the first interface  113  and the second interface  121  that need to be connected may alternatively be determined in a manner, for example, a color of the data cable  130 , sizes or shapes of the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 , or orientations of the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 . 
     Manner 2: A management module is disposed. The management module determines, based on a signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 , whether the first interface  113  is correctly connected to the second interface  121 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  8 B , the server  100  may further include a management module  140 . The management module  140  may be disposed on the mainboard  120  of the server  100 , or may be disposed outside the mainboard  120  of the server  100 . The management module  140  may obtain and detect the signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 . 
     A manner in which the management module  140  obtains the signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121  is not limited herein. When the management module  140  is disposed on the mainboard  120  of the server  100 , the management module  140  may be connected to the second interface  121 , and obtain, from the second interface  121 , the signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 . When the management module  140  is disposed outside the mainboard  120  of the server  100 , the management module  140  may be connected to the mainboard  120  of the server  100 , and obtain the signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121  through the mainboard  120  of the server  100 . 
     After obtaining the signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 , the management module  140  may detect the signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 , and compare the signal with a preset signal. If the signals are consistent, the management module  140  determines that the first interface  113  is correctly connected to the second interface  121 . Otherwise, the management module  140  determines that the first interface  113  is incorrectly connected to the second interface  121 . 
     It should be noted that the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121  may include a plurality of pins, and each pin may be configured to transmit a signal. The management module  140  may detect signals transmitted on one or more pins in the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 , and compare the signals transmitted on the one or more pins with the preset signal. 
     When detecting the signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 , the management module  140  may detect a signal value of the signal, for example, detect whether the signal is a high-level signal or a low-level signal. For example, the first interface  113 A on the PCB  111  may send a high-level signal, and the first interface  113 B may send a low-level signal. If a signal obtained by the management module  140  through the second interface  121 A is a high-level signal, and a signal obtained by the management module  140  through the second interface  121 B is a low-level signal, the management module  140  determines that the first interface  113 A is correctly connected to the second interface  121 A, and that the first interface  113 B is correctly connected to the second interface  121 B. If a signal obtained by the management module  140  through the second interface  121 A is a low-level signal, and a signal obtained by the management module  140  through the second interface  121 B is a high-level signal, the management module  140  determines that the first interface  113 A is incorrectly connected to the second interface  121 A, and that the first interface  113 B is incorrectly connected to the second interface  121 B. 
     When detecting the signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121 , the management module  140  may alternatively detect a duty cycle of the signal, where the duty cycle may refer to a proportion of a high-level signal or a low-level signal in a signal period; and determine whether the duty cycle of the signal is a preset value. For example, the first interface  113 A on the PCB  111  may send a signal whose duty cycle is 85%, and the first interface  113 B may send a signal whose duty cycle is 15%. If a signal obtained by the management module  140  through the second interface  121 A is a signal whose duty cycle is 85%, and a signal obtained by the management module  140  through the second interface  121 B is a signal whose duty cycle is 15%, the management module  140  determines that the first interface  113 A is correctly connected to the second interface  121 A, and that the first interface  113 B is correctly connected to the second interface  121 B. If a signal obtained by the management module  140  through the second interface  121 A is a signal whose duty cycle is 100%, and a signal obtained by the management module  140  through the second interface  121 B is a signal whose duty cycle is 100%, the management module  140  determines that the first interface  113 A is incorrectly connected to the second interface  121 A, and that the first interface  113 B is incorrectly connected to the second interface  121 B. 
     A manner of generating the signal sent by the first interface  113  on the PCB  111  is not limited in this embodiment. For example, a component that can generate the signal is disposed on the PCB, and the component is connected to the first interface  113  on the PCB, so that the generated signal is sent through the first interface. For another example, the PCB  111  may be connected to a component that is disposed outside the backplane  110  and that is configured to generate the signal, and the component sends the generated signal through the first interface. 
     A composition of the management module  140  is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the management module  140  may be a central processing unit, an ASIC, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or a module including some or all of the foregoing compositions. The management module may be an added module in the server  100  or an existing management module  140  in the server  100 , for example, a baseboard management controller (BMC). To be specific, a function of detecting the signal on the data cable  130  between the first interface  113  and the second interface  121  is added to the existing management module  140  in the server  100 . 
     When determining that the first interface  113  is incorrectly connected to the second interface  121 , the management module  140  may give an alarm. A manner in which the management module  140  gives the alarm is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the alarm may be given by using a warning sound, the alarm may be given by using a caution light, or the alarm may be given by using both a warning sound and a caution light. 
     A manner of connecting the first interface  113  to the second interface  121  is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the first interface  113  on the backplane  110  may be directly connected to the second interface  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  through the data cable  130 , or may be connected to the second interface  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  through an expansion board. The following separately describes the two manners. 
     Manner 1: The first interface  113  on the backplane  110  is directly connected to the second interface  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  through the data cable  130 . 
     A PCB  111  in the backplane  110  is used as an example. As shown in  FIG.  9 A , the PCB  111  is directly connected to the mainboard  120  of the server  100 . To be specific, a plurality of first interfaces  113  on the PCB  111  are respectively connected to a plurality of second interfaces  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  through data cables  130 , and the first interfaces  113  are connected to the second interfaces  121  one to one. 
     Manner 2: The first interface  113  on the backplane  110  is connected to the second interface  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  through the expansion board. 
     Usually, a quantity of second interfaces  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100  is limited, and it cannot be ensured that each first interface  113  on the backplane  110  can be connected to one second interface  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100 . To ensure that each first interface  113  on the backplane  110  can be connected to the mainboard  120  of the server  100 , an expansion board  150  may be added between the backplane  110  and the mainboard  120  of the server  100 . The expansion board  150  may be a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) expander or a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) switch. A type of the expansion board  150  is not limited in this embodiment. 
     The first interface  113  on the PCB  111  may be first connected to the expansion board  150 , and the expansion board  150  is connected to the second interface  121  on the mainboard  120  of the server  100 , to implement interface expansion. 
     The expansion board  150  may be parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent, to reduce obstruction to air flowing into the server  100 . 
       FIG.  9 B  is a schematic diagram of a structure of the backplane  110  and the expansion board  150 . The expansion board  150  may be parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent, and the expansion board  150  is parallel to the backplane  110 . 
     Similarly, to prevent the first interface  113  from being incorrectly connected to the expansion board  150 , the data cables  130  that need to be connected to different first interfaces  113  may also be distinguished by using the lengths of the data cables  130 , the different first interfaces  113  may be distinguished by using the shapes of the first interfaces  113 , or the management module  140  may determine whether the first interface  113  is correctly connected to the second interface  121  (in this case, it may be understood that whether the first interface  113  is correctly connected to the expansion board  150  is detected). For a specific manner, refer to the foregoing content. Details are not described herein again. 
       FIG.  9 C  is a schematic diagram of a structure of the backplane  110  and the expansion board  150 . The expansion board  150  may be parallel to the air inflow direction of the air intake vent, and the expansion board  150  is perpendicular to the backplane  110 . 
     Similarly, to prevent the first interface  113  from being incorrectly connected to the expansion board  150 , the data cables  130  that need to be connected to first interfaces  113  may also be distinguished by using the lengths of the data cables  130 , the different first interfaces  113  may be distinguished by using the shapes of the first interfaces  113 , or the management module  140  may determine whether the first interface  113  is correctly connected to the second interface  121  (in this case, it may be understood that whether the first interface  113  is correctly connected to the expansion board  150  is detected). For a specific manner, refer to the foregoing content. Details are not described herein again. 
     It is clear that a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In this way, this disclosure is intended to cover these modifications and variations provided that they fall within the scope of the claims and equivalent technologies thereof.