Patent Publication Number: US-6906925-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for maximizing equipment storage density

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/191,923 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Maximizing Equipment Storage Density,” filed Jul. 9, 2002. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to equipment enclosures, and is more particularly directed toward structures for maximizing the amount of equipment that may be stored by an equipment enclosure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Equipment enclosures are used to store a wide variety of equipment. For example, equipment enclosures may be used to store electronic devices, such as personal computers, hubs, routers, and the like. An equipment enclosure may also be used to store equipment other than electronic devices, such as boxes, tools, medical supplies, and so forth. Equipment enclosures may sometimes be referred to as equipment racks, equipment cabinets, or the like. 
     Equipment enclosures are produced in differing widths to accommodate varying equipment requirements. One standard equipment enclosure is commonly referred to as a “19 inch rack,” which denotes that the enclosure is designed to accommodate equipment with a standard width of 19 inches. Equipment that is to be stored in the enclosures may be designed to conform to industry standard dimensions. One standard dimension is referred to as “1 U,” which equals 1.75 inches. Equipment to be stored in the enclosures may be made to have a height that is a multiple of 1 U. That is, equipment may be made to have a height of 1 U (1.75 inches), 2 U (3.50 inches), 3 U (4.25 inches), etc. 
     Equipment enclosures typically include four corner vertical mounting rails or two center vertical mounting rails. Vertical arrays of mounting holes or fastener mounting receptacles facilitate the retention of the equipment into the enclosure. Support shelves may be attached to the mounting rails via the mounting holes or receptacles, and equipment may be positioned on top of the support shelves. Some equipment enclosures include a housing that either partially or completely encloses the mounting rails. 
     One specific use of equipment enclosures is for storing a computer cluster. A computer cluster is a group of computers working together in a distributed computer system. Computer clusters are an increasingly popular alternative to more traditional computer architectures and supercomputers. Each individual computer of the cluster is typically referred to as a node. Nodes of a cluster work together as a single entity or in groups to cooperatively provide processing power and mass storage. 
     It is often desirable to maximize the amount of equipment that an equipment enclosure may store. One way to accomplish this is to utilize the area outside the region bounded by the vertical mounting rails. However, this area is left unused in known equipment enclosures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A mounting mechanism for mounting a enclosure-mountable device to an equipment enclosure having a plurality of vertical mounting rails disposed so as to define an equipment storage region is disclosed. The mounting mechanism includes a first portion configured to be attached to the enclosure-mountable device, and a second portion configured to be attached to one or more of the vertical mounting rails. The first and second portions are configured such that the enclosure-mountable device may be disposed in a first position outside the equipment storage region and a second position outside the equipment storage region. 
     The mounting mechanism may also include a hinging mechanism configured to allow the enclosure-mountable device to rotate from the first position to the second position. In one embodiment, the hinging mechanism includes a slot in the first portion of the mounting mechanism, the slot including a first endpoint and a second endpoint disposed above the first endpoint in a vertical direction. 
     The mounting mechanism may also include a securing mechanism for securing the enclosure-mountable device in the second position. In one embodiment, the securing mechanism includes a female fastener attached to the second portion of the mounting mechanism. The female fastener is configured to receive a male fastener attached to the enclosure-mountable device. In another embodiment, the vertical mounting rail includes a female fastener that is configured to receive the male fastener. 
     The enclosure-mountable device may include a power port configured to be connected to a power port on an electronic device. The electronic device may take the form of a node in a computer cluster. In such an embodiment, the enclosure-mountable device may also include a monitoring port configured to be connected to a peripheral card that is connected to an expansion slot within the node, and a serial access port configured to be connected to a serial port within the node. 
     An equipment enclosure for storing a enclosure-mountable device is also disclosed. The equipment enclosure includes a plurality of vertical mounting rails disposed so as to define an equipment storage region, a enclosure-mountable device, and a mounting mechanism. The mounting mechanism includes a mounting benclosureet configured to attach the enclosure-mountable device to one or more of the vertical mounting rails such that the enclosure-mountable device is disposed outside the equipment storage region in a first position, a hinging mechanism configured to allow the enclosure-mountable device to be rotated from the first position to a second position, and a securing mechanism configured to secure the enclosure-mountable device in the second position. 
     A method for maximizing equipment storage density within an equipment enclosure having a plurality of vertical mounting rails disposed so as to define an equipment storage region is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of mounting a enclosure-mountable device to one or more of the vertical mounting rails such that the enclosure-mountable device is disposed outside the equipment storage region in a first position, rotating the enclosure-mountable device from a first position to a second position outside the equipment storage region, and securing the enclosure-mountable device in the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present embodiments will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of the invention&#39;s scope, the embodiments will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mounting mechanism for mounting a enclosure-mountable device to an equipment enclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the enclosure-mountable device of  FIG. 1  shown in its extended position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative enclosure-mountable device mounted to an equipment enclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative enclosure-mountable device mounted to an equipment enclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a enclosure-mountable device mounted to an equipment enclosure by the mounting mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of multiple enclosure-mountable devices mounted to an equipment enclosure by the mounting mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative mounting mechanism for mounting a enclosure-mountable device to an equipment enclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the enclosure-mountable device of  FIG. 7  shown in its extended position; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the mounting mechanism of  FIGS. 7-8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative mounting mechanism for mounting a enclosure-mountable device to an equipment enclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the enclosure-mountable device of  FIG. 10  shown in its extended position; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the mounting mechanism of  FIGS. 10-11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a cluster management apparatus mounted to an equipment enclosure by the mounting mechanism of  FIGS. 7-9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the enclosure-mountable device of  FIG. 13  shown in its extended position; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an equipment enclosure with a plurality of nodes stored therein; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a cluster management apparatus connected to a plurality of nodes and shown in its extended position; and 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a cluster management apparatus connected to a plurality of nodes and shown in its upright position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mounting mechanism  112  for mounting an enclosure-mountable device  110  to an equipment enclosure  100 . The equipment enclosure  100  includes four mounting rails  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c ,  102   d  which extend in a vertical direction  108 . The mounting rails  102  may be made using standard manufacturing techniques known by those skilled in the art. Different types of materials may be used for the mounting rails  102  including a variety of plastics, metals, etc. The mounting rails  102  may include a plurality of mounting holes  104 . The mounting holes  104  may be threaded in order to receive screws, threaded bolts, etc. Alternatively, the mounting rails  102  may accept threaded inserts that are configured to receive screws, threaded bolts, etc. In alternative embodiments, the equipment enclosure  100  may also include a housing that either partially or completely encloses the mounting rails  102 . 
     Typically, the four vertical mounting rails  102  are disposed so as to define an equipment storage region. In particular, a plurality of support shelves (not shown) are typically attached to the mounting rails  102  so that the support shelves are disposed inside the region bounded by the mounting rails  102 . Equipment then may be placed on top of the support shelves. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the mounting rails  102  form the corners of a rectangle, i.e., the region bounded by the vertical mounting rails  102  is rectangular in shape. However, any number of vertical mounting rails  102  may be used, and the mounting rails  102  may be disposed so as to form the corners, vertices, and/or endpoints of any desired shape. 
     The equipment enclosure  100  may be used to store a wide variety of equipment. For example, the equipment enclosure  100  may be used to store computers that are part of a computer cluster, i.e., a group of standalone computers working together in a distributed computing environment. Alternatively, a web site hosting provider may use the equipment enclosure  100  to store multiple computers which host the web sites of various companies, but which are not part of a cluster. Alternatively still, a telecommunications central office may use the equipment enclosure  100  to store hubs, routers, switches, and the like. The equipment enclosure  100  may also be used to store equipment other than electronic devices, such as boxes, tools, medical supplies, and so forth. Those skilled in the art will recognize many additional uses for the equipment enclosure  100  in light of the teachings contained herein. 
     It is often desirable to maximize the amount of equipment that is stored within the equipment enclosure  100 . One way to accomplish this objective is to utilize the space in the equipment enclosure  100  that lies outside the equipment storage region, i.e., the region bounded by the mounting rails  102 . In particular, a enclosure-mountable device  110  may be mounted to a subset of the mounting rails  102  by a mounting mechanism  112  such that it  110  is disposed outside the region typically occupied by the support shelves. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the enclosure-mountable device  110  is mounted to the mounting rails  102   c ,  102   d , such that it is disposed outside the equipment storage region. 
     The mounting mechanism  112  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a mounting bracket  114 . The mounting bracket  114  includes a first portion  132  and a second portion  134 . The first and second portions  132 ,  134  are attached together at a knuckle  136  and disposed perpendicularly to one another. In alternative embodiments, the first and second portions  132 ,  134  may be disposed any desired direction relative to one another. 
     The first portion  132  is configured to be attached to the enclosure-mountable device  110 , and the second portion  134  is configured to be attached to a mounting rail  102 . In particular, both the first portion  132  and the second portion  134  include a plurality of mounting holes  116 . Suitable fasteners  118 , such as screws, bolts, etc., may be inserted through the mounting holes  116  to attach the first portion  132  to the enclosure-mountable device  110  and the second portion  134  to a mounting rail  102 . 
     The mounting bracket  114  may be made using standard manufacturing techniques known by those skilled in the art. The first and second portions  132 ,  134  may be separate components joined together by a suitable fastening technique, such as (but not limited to) welding. Alternatively, the mounting bracket  114  may be made from a single piece of material that has been suitably shaped to form the first and second portions  132 ,  134 . Different types of materials may be used for the mounting bracket  114  including a variety of plastics, metals, etc. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the enclosure-mountable device  110  may be used as a power distribution unit (PDU) for supplying or controlling the supply of power to a plurality of electronic devices (not shown). The PDU  110  includes a front side  120  and a back side  122 . A plurality of switches  124  are disposed on the front side  120 . Each switch  124  may control the supply of power to a single electronic device. Of course, the PDU  110  shown in  FIG. 1  is exemplary only; in alternative embodiments, the enclosure-mountable device  110  may take many different forms. In one embodiment, the enclosure-mountable device  110  may be a cluster management apparatus (CMA) for monitoring individual computers in a cluster. Alternatively, the enclosure-mountable device  110  may be a device (e.g., a computer) that would otherwise be stored in the equipment enclosure  100  within the equipment storage region. Those skilled in the art will recognize numerous additional enclosure-mountable devices  110  in light of the teachings contained herein. 
     The mounting mechanism  112  is configured to allow the enclosure-mountable device  110  to be disposed in an upright position  126  and an extended position  202 . In  FIG. 1 , the enclosure-mountable device  110  is shown in its upright position  126 , i.e., so that the front side  120  and the back side  122  are disposed vertically.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the equipment enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  showing the enclosure-mountable device  110  mounted in its extended position  202 . In particular, the enclosure-mountable device  110  is mounted to the mounting rails  102  such that the front side  120  and the back side  122  are disposed horizontally. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , moving the enclosure-mountable device  110  from its upright position  126  to its extended position  202  involves disengaging the fasteners  118  that attach the enclosure-mountable device  110  to the mounting bracket  114 , repositioning the enclosure-mountable device  110  to its extended position  202 , and reattaching the fasteners  118  as illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     As in  FIG. 1 , the enclosure-mountable device  110  shown in  FIG. 2  takes the form of a PDU  110 . The back side  122  of the PDU  110  includes a plurality of power ports or outlets  204  which are configured to distribute power to a plurality of electronic devices. Of course, as stated previously, the type of enclosure-mountable device  110  mounted to the mounting rails  102  may take many alternate forms. 
     In addition, the shape of the enclosure-mountable device  110  may vary.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative enclosure-mountable device  310  mounted in its upright position  326 . The width of the enclosure-mountable device  310  is greater than the width of the equipment enclosure  100 . The mounting bracket  314  is configured to accommodate the enclosure-mountable device  310 . Similarly,  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another alternative enclosure-mountable device  410  mounted in its upright position  426 . The width of the enclosure-mountable device  410  is smaller than the width of the equipment cabinet  100 . The mounting bracket  414  is configured to accommodate the enclosure-mountable device  410 . Of course, in addition to the enclosure-mountable devices explicitly shown, those skilled in the art will recognize any number of differently shaped enclosure-mountable devices in light of the teachings contained herein. 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the enclosure-mountable device  110  mounted to the equipment enclosure  100  by the mounting mechanism  112 . As illustrated previously, the mounting mechanism  112  is configured so that the enclosure-mountable device  110  may be moved from an upright position  126  to an extended position  202 , and vice versa. Whether in its upright position  126  or its extended position  202 , the enclosure-mountable device  110  is disposed outside the equipment storage region (i.e., the region bounded by the mounting rails  102 ). 
     In  FIG. 5 , only one enclosure-mountable device  110  is mounted to the equipment enclosure  100 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , however, multiple enclosure-mountable devices  110  may be mounted to the equipment enclosure  100 . The enclosure-mountable devices  110  may be mounted at different heights and on different sides of the equipment enclosure  100 . The enclosure-mountable devices  110  may be in communication with one another, or they may function separately. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative mounting mechanism  712  for mounting a enclosure-mountable device  710  to the equipment enclosure  100 . Elements of the enclosure-mountable device  710  of  FIG. 7  that correspond to elements of the enclosure-mountable device  110  of  FIG. 1  are labeled with similar reference numbers. For example, the front side  120  of the enclosure-mountable device  110  in  FIG. 1  corresponds to the front side  720  of the enclosure-mountable device  710  in FIG.  7 . 
     In the embodiments shown previously, the mounting mechanism  112  did not allow the enclosure-mountable device  110  to freely rotate from its upright position  126  to its extended position  202 . Instead, to move the enclosure-mountable device from one position to another, the enclosure-mountable device  110  was unattached from the mounting mechanism  112  and reattached in the desired position. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the mounting mechanism  712  includes a hinging mechanism  740  configured to allow the enclosure-mountable device  710  to rotate from its upright position  726  to its extended position  802  (shown in FIG.  8 ). 
     As with the embodiment described previously, the mounting mechanism  712  includes a mounting bracket  714 . The mounting bracket  714  includes a first portion  732  and a second portion  734 . The first and second portions  732 ,  734  are attached together at a knuckle  736  and disposed perpendicularly to one another. The first portion  732  is configured to be attached to the enclosure-mountable device  710 , and the second portion  734  is configured to be attached to a mounting rail  102 . In particular, both the first portion  732  and the second portion  734  include a plurality of mounting holes  716 . Suitable fasteners  718 , such as screws, bolts, etc., may be inserted through the mounting holes  716  to attach the first portion  732  to the enclosure-mountable device  710  and the second portion  734  to a mounting rail  102 . 
     The mounting mechanism  712  includes a hinging mechanism  740 . The hinging mechanism  740  includes a slot  742  and an opening  749  in the first portion  732  of the mounting bracket  714 . The slot  742  includes a first endpoint  744  and a second endpoint  746 . The hinging mechanism  740  also includes a first cylindrical pin  748  and a second cylindrical pin  751 . The second cylindrical pin  751  may also be referred to as a pivot pin  751 . The first cylindrical pin  748  is attached to the enclosure-mountable device  710  so as to engage the slot  742 . When the enclosure-mountable device  710  is in its upright position  726 , the first cylindrical pin  748  rests in the first endpoint  744 . When the enclosure-mountable device  710  is in its extended position  802 , the first cylindrical pin  748  rests in the second endpoint  746 . The pivot pin  751  is attached to the enclosure-mountable device so as to engage the opening  749 . The pivot pin  751  allows the enclosure-mountable device  710  to be freely rotated from its upright position  726  to its extended position  802 . 
     The mounting mechanism  712  also includes a securing mechanism  750  for securing the enclosure-mountable device  710  in its upright position  726 . The securing mechanism  750  includes a female fastener  806  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) in the second portion  734 . In an alternative embodiment, one of the mounting holes  104  in a mounting rail  102  may serve as the female fastener  806 . The female fastener  806  may be configured to receive a male fastener  752  that is attached to the enclosure-mountable device  710 . In one embodiment, the female fastener  806  may take the form of a threaded protrusion, and the male fastener  752  may take the form of a threaded screw  752 . The male fastener  752  may be attached to a plate  754  that is attached to the enclosure-mountable device  710 . When the enclosure-mountable device is placed in its upright position  726 , the male fastener  752  may be secured to the female fastener  806  to hold the enclosure-mountable device  710  in place. 
     Both the cylindrical pin  748  and the plate  754  may be an integral part of the enclosure-mountable device  110 . Alternatively, the cylindrical pin  748  and the plate  754  may be separate components that are attached to the enclosure-mountable device  710  using any number of standard techniques, such as (but not limited to) welding. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the enclosure-mountable device  710  of  FIG. 7  shown in its extended position  802 . In particular, the enclosure-mountable device  710  has been moved so that the first cylindrical pin  748  rests in the second endpoint  746  of the slot  742 . The second endpoint  746  prevents the first cylindrical pin  748 , and therefore the enclosure-mountable device  710 , from moving any farther in a downward direction. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of each of the sections of the mounting mechanism  712  of  FIGS. 7-8 . In particular, the mounting bracket  714 , hinging mechanism  740 , and securing mechanism  750  are each shown, along with the individual components that make up these sections. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another alternative mounting mechanism  1012  for mounting a enclosure-mountable device  1010  to the equipment enclosure  100 . Elements of the enclosure-mountable device  1010  of  FIG. 10  that correspond to elements of the enclosure-mountable device  110  of  FIG. 1  are labeled with similar reference numbers. For example, the front side  120  of the enclosure-mountable device  110  in  FIG. 1  corresponds to the front side  1020  of the enclosure-mountable device  1010  in FIG.  10 . 
     Like the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the enclosure-mountable device  1010  shown in  FIG. 10  may be rotated from its upright position  1026  to its extended position  1102  (shown in FIG.  11 ). However, the mounting mechanism  1012  has an alternative hinging mechanism  1040  and an alternative securing mechanism  1050  from those illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 . 
     The mounting mechanism  1012  includes a mounting bracket  1014 . In addition to a first portion  1032  and a second portion  1034  (shown in FIG.  11 ), the mounting bracket  1014  also includes a third portion  1036  (shown in FIG.  11 ). The first portion  1032  is configured to be attached to the enclosure-mountable device  1010 , and the second portion  1034  is configured to be attached to a mounting rail  102 . In particular, the mounting bracket  1014  includes a plurality of mounting holes  1016 . Suitable fasteners  1018 , such as screws, bolts, etc., may be inserted through the holes  1016  to attach the mounting bracket  1014  to the enclosure-mountable device  1010  and to the mounting rails  102 . 
     The mounting bracket  1014  includes a hinging mechanism  1040 . The hinging mechanism  1040  takes the form of a 180° hinge  1040  that connects the first portion  1032  and the third portion  1036 . The 180° hinge  1040  is a standard, off-the-shelf component that may be purchased from a variety of suppliers well-known to those skilled in the art. The 180° hinge  1040  allows the first portion  1032  to be rotated upward so that the enclosure-mountable device  1010  is in its upright position  1026 . 
     The mounting mechanism  1012  also includes an alternate securing mechanism  1050  from that described previously. The securing mechanism  1050  includes a flange  1054  that is attached to the enclosure-mountable device  1010 . The flange  1054  may be an integral part of the enclosure-mountable device  1010 . Alternatively, the flange  1054  may be a separate component that is attached to the enclosure-mountable device  1010  using any number of standard techniques, such as (but not limited to) welding. The flange  1054  is configured to be attached to a mounting rail  102 . In particular, the flange  1054  includes a mounting hole  1056 . Suitable fasteners  1058 , such as screws, bolts, etc., may be used to attach the flange  1054  to the mounting rail  102 , thereby securing the enclosure-mountable device  1010  in its upright position  1026 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the enclosure-mountable device  1010  of  FIG. 10  shown in its extended position  1102 . In particular, the first portion  1032  has been rotated about the 180° hinge  1040  so that it  1032  is disposed in a substantially horizontal direction. The 180° hinge  1040  prevents the enclosure-mountable device  1010  from moving any farther in a downward direction. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of each of the sections of the mounting mechanism  1012  of  FIGS. 10-11 . In particular, the mounting bracket  1014 , hinging mechanism  1040 , and securing mechanism  1050  are each shown, along with the individual components that make up these sections. 
     As stated previously, the equipment enclosure  100  may be used to store computers that are part of a computer cluster, i.e., a group of standalone computers working together in a distributed computing environment. Where a computer is part of a cluster, it may be referred to as a node. Thus, as used herein, the term “node” refers to a computer, although the term “computer” does not necessarily refer to a node. 
     Also as stated previously, the enclosure-mountable device  110  may take the form of a cluster management apparatus (CMA) for monitoring the individual nodes within a cluster.  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a CMA  1310  mounted to the equipment enclosure  100  using the mounting mechanism  712  illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9  and shown in its upright position  1326 . 
     The CMA  1310  allows administrators of the cluster to monitor and control node functions. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , the CMA  1310  is configured to be connected to up to 10 nodes (not shown in FIG.  13 ). Of course, this number is exemplary only; in alternative embodiments any desired number of nodes may be connected to the CMA  1310 . The CMA  1310  may also be connected to auxiliary devices (not shown), such as an uninterruptible power supply, a switch, and the like. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , the CMA  1310  may be connected to up to 2 auxiliary devices. Once again, however, this number is exemplary only; in alternative embodiments any desired number of auxiliary devices may be connected to the CMA  1310 . 
     The front side  1320  of the CMA  1310  includes a user interface configured to allow a user to obtain information about one or more nodes. In particular, the front side  1320  of the CMA  1310  includes a display screen  1360 . The display screen  1360  may take the form of an LCD display screen. Information about one or more nodes may be displayed on the display screen  1360 . The CMA  1310  also includes a keypad  1362 . The keypad  1362  includes a plurality of buttons  1364   a-d  which allow a user to cycle through a variety of user options on the display screen  1360 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , the CMA  1310  also includes a network port  1366 , a serial console port  1368 , a data port  1370 , a command port  1372 , and an auxiliary port  1374 . The network port  1366  allows the CMA  1310 , and therefore each node within the cluster, to be connected to a network (e.g., a local area network, wide area network, the Internet, etc.). The serial console port  1368  allows the CMA  1310  to be connected to a console (not shown). This allows users to manage and configure the CMA  1310  via a command line interface. The data port  1370  outputs the data obtained from the serial access ports within each node. The command port  1372  may be connected to a computer, thereby allowing communication between the CMA  1310  and cluster management software (e.g., ClusterWorX, which is available from Linux NetworX in Sandy, Utah). The auxiliary port  1374  allows the CMA  1310  to be connected to an auxiliary device. 
     The CMA  1310  also includes a plurality of power indicator lights  1376 ,  1378 . The power indicator lights  1376  indicate whether power is being supplied to the CMA  1310 . The power indicator lights  1378  indicate whether the CMA  1310  is supplying power to a particular node. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the CMA  1310  mounted to the equipment enclosure  100  using the mounting mechanism  712  illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9  and shown in its extended position  1402 . The back side  1322  of the CMA  1310  includes a plurality of power ports  1410 . The power ports  1410  may be configured to receive power from a standard 110 V electronic outlet. This power may then be distributed to nodes within the cluster through a plurality of power ports  1412 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 , there are enough power ports  1412  to supply power to up to 10 nodes and up to 2 auxiliary devices. The switches  1414  allow power to the CMA  1310  to be toggled on and off. 
     The CMA  1310  also includes a plurality of monitoring ports  1416 , each monitoring port  1416  being configured to be in communication with a node within the cluster. The monitoring ports  1416  may be used to access information about the nodes. In one embodiment, the monitoring ports  1416  may be connected to a peripheral card that is plugged into an expansion slot within each node. The peripheral card may be configured to detect information about each node, such as the temperature of one or more components (e.g., the CPU). The peripheral card may also be configured to reset (i.e., reboot) each node. The monitoring ports  1416  may also be used to access information about one or more auxiliary devices in a similar fashion. 
     The CMA  1310  also includes a plurality of serial access ports  1418 , each serial access port  1418  being configured to be in communication with a serial port within a node. The serial ports within each node may output error information about the node. The serial access ports  1418  allow a user to access this information. In one embodiment, the serial access ports  1418  are configured to be compatible with the RS-232 standard. 
     The CMA  1310  also includes two linking ports  1420  that allow multiple CMAs  1310  to be linked together. In one embodiment, the linking ports  1420  are configured to be compatible with the RS-485 standard. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the equipment enclosure  100  with a plurality of support shelves  1502  attached to the mounting rails  102  and a plurality of vertical nodes  1504  stored therein. The support shelves  1502 , and therefore the nodes  1504 , are disposed within the equipment storage region  102 . Each support shelf  1502  is substantially planar. Different types of materials may be used for the support shelves  1502  including a variety of plastics, metals, etc. The support shelves  1502  may be secured to the mounting rails  102  in any number of ways. In one embodiment, the support shelves  1502  include flanges that may be attached to the mounting rails  102 . In another embodiment, two support shelves  1502  are connected together by two side walls, forming a sub enclosure. The side walls may then be fastened to the mounting rails  102 . Those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of other configurations for the support shelves  1502 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , five support shelves  1502  are attached to the mounting rails  102  of the equipment enclosure  100 , and five nodes  1504  are stored on each support shelf  1502 . Of course, in alternative embodiments, any number of support shelves  1502  and/or nodes  1504  may be utilized. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the CMA  1310  attached to the equipment enclosure  100  using the mounting mechanism  712  and connected to a plurality of nodes  1504 . Each node  1504  may include a power port  1606 , an expansion slot  1608  (e.g., a PCI expansion slot  1608 ), and a serial port  1610 . The power port  1606  within each node  1504  is connected to a power port  1412  on the CMA  1310 . A peripheral card (not shown) in the expansion slot  1608  within each node  1504  is connected to a monitoring port  1416  on the CMA  1310 . The serial port  1610  within each node  1504  is connected to a serial access port  1418  on the CMA  1310 . Of course, the types of ports illustrated in each node  1504 , and the configuration of those ports, is exemplary only. Those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of other types and configurations of ports for the nodes  1504 . 
     In  FIG. 16 , the CMA  1310  is shown in its extended position  1402 . The extended position  1402  allows a user to temporarily work on the CMA  1310  without completely removing it  1310  from the equipment enclosure  100 . For example, a user may wish to place the CMA  1310  in its extended position  1402  in order to connect the various ports within the nodes  1504  to various ports on the CMA  1310 , or to connect the CMA  1310  to other CMAs  1310 . 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the CMA  1310  of  FIG. 16  shown in its upright position  1326 . Placing the CMA  1310  into its upright position  1326  allows it  1310  to be stored in a compact configuration outside the equipment storage region. A user may wish to store the CMA  1310  in its upright position whenever the user is not connecting various ports on the CMA  1310  to one or more nodes  1504  or other CMAs  1310 . The display screen  1360  and keypad  1362  allow the user to monitor node  1504  functions without moving the CMA  1310  into its extended position  1402 . Also, as stated previously, the network port  1366  allows the CMA  1310  to be connected to one or more computers over a network, so that a user may manage and configure the CMA  1310  remotely. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.