Patent Publication Number: US-2007121283-A1

Title: Do it yourself server modules

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a server, and particularly to server modules suitable for do it yourself (DIY) server assembly and repair.  
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
      Conventionally, a server includes a base dock, and an upper lid. The base dock has an upper beam bridging two opposite ends thereof. One end of the base dock is for mounting a plurality of data processing components, such as circuit boards, hard disk drives, and so on. The other end of the base dock is for mounting a plurality of auxiliary components, such as power supplies, fans, network switches, and so on. The upper lid is mounted to the base dock to enclose the data processing components and the auxiliary components. Sometimes, the data processing components or the auxiliary components may wear out. Worn out components should be repaired. However, some worn out components cannot be repaired. Thus, a new server should be bought to replace the above-mentioned server, which would be expensive.  
      Do it yourself (DIY) computer assembly is currently popular because DIY computer modules can be assembled to form a computer which is according to a user&#39;s taste. If some component of a module should wear out and cannot be repaired, the user need only replace that module, which is much less expensive than replacing the whole computer. Additionally, people enjoy a sense of achievement having assembled a computer. This option, however, is not available yet with servers for people who enjoy DIY projects.  
      What is desired, therefore, is server composed of modules suitable for people who would enjoy to do it for themselves.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An exemplary server includes a front module, a middle module, and a back module. The front module includes a first chassis able to receive a plurality of data processing components. The back module includes a second chassis able to receive a plurality of auxiliary components to serve the data processing components via the middle module. Two first-rails are mounted to opposite sides of the first chassis of the front module respectively, for slidably engaging with a rack. Two second-rails are mounted to opposite sides of the second chassis of the back module, for slidably engaging with the rack.  
      Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a server in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the server includes a front module, a middle module, and a back module;  
       FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , together with a rack;  
       FIG. 3  is similar to  FIG. 2 , showing the front module, the middle module and the back module being mounted to the rack; and  
       FIG. 4  is an assembled view of  FIG. 2 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a server in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a front module  10 , a back module  30 , and a middle module  50 .  
      The front module  10  includes a chassis  12 . A plurality of data processing components (not shown), such as circuit boards, hard disk drives, and so on, is mountable to the chassis  12 . Ports  14  electrically connected to the data processing components are exposed on a rear surface of the front module  10 . Two rails  18  are mounted to opposite sides of the chassis  12  respectively. A mounting hole  16  is defined in the chassis  12  at each corner thereof.  
      The back module  30  includes a chassis  32 . A plurality of auxiliary components (not shown), such as power supplies, fans, network switches, and so on, is mountable to the chassis  32 . Ports (not shown) electrically connected to the auxiliary components are exposed on a front surface of the back module  30 . Two rails  34  are mounted to opposite sides of the chassis  32  respectively. A mounting hole (not shown) is defined in the chassis  32  at each corner thereof.  
      The auxiliary components of the back module  30  serve the data processing components of the front module  10  via the middle module  50 . The middle module  50  includes a plurality of ports (not shown) at a front surface thereof, and a plurality of ports  52  at a rear surface thereof. Four posts  54  extend forward from four corners of the front surface of the middle module  50  respectively. Four posts  56  extend rearward from four corners of the rear surface of the middle module  50  respectively.  
      Referring also to FIGS.  2  to  4 , in assembling the server to a rack  70 , a bottom of the middle module  50  is supported on a supporting wall  72  of the rack  70 . Two parallel rails  74  of the rack  70  clamp to opposite sides of the middle module  50  respectively. The front module  10  is placed on the supporting wall  72  of the rack  70 . Each rail  18  of the front module  10  is slidingly engaged with the corresponding rail  74  of the rack  70  from one end facing the front surface of the middle module  50 . The front module  10  is pushed to move toward the middle module  50 . The posts  54  of the middle module  50  are engaged in the corresponding mounting holes  16  of the front module  10 . Ports at the front surface of the middle module  50  are electrically connected to the ports  14  of the front module  10 . Thus, the front module  10  is mounted to the middle module  50 . The back module  30  is placed on the supporting wall  72  of the rack  70  from an opposite end facing the rear surface of the middle module  50 . Each rail  34  of the back module  30  is slidingly engaged with the corresponding rail  74  of the rack  70 . The back module  30  is pushed to move toward the middle module  50 . The posts  56  of the middle module  50  are engaged in the corresponding mounting holes of the back module  30 . Ports  52  at the front surface of the middle module  50  are electrically connected to the ports of the back module  30 . Thus, the back module  30  is mounted to the middle module  50 .  
      The server can be broken down into separate modules for convenient packing and transportation. Additionally, the modular design allows convenient repair, replacement, or upgrading of a part of a server rather than the great expense of replacing the whole server. Moreover, users can select the modules to assemble a server according to their individual taste and needs.  
      It is believed that the present embodiment and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the example hereinbefore described merely being a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the invention.