Patent Publication Number: US-2004059850-A1

Title: Modular server processing card system and method

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] The present invention is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/620,105 filed Jul. 20, 2000, entitled Single Board Web Server System and Method, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/848,807 filed Jul. 23, 2001, entitled Embedded Server Chassis Hardware Master System and Method, both of which are incorporated herein for reference. 
    
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates generally to computer servers and related components and, more particularly, to a modular server processing card system and method.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] A critical component of both private intranets and the publicly accessible Internet is what is commonly referred to as a web server. A web server is typically a computer which is capable of receiving requests for information and returning data or performing specialized processing upon the receipt of a network request for such processing. Conventional network architectures envision servers as large scale computing platforms. For example, large commercial entities may include very large systems acting as web servers fielding requests for processing. Alternatively, these entities might employ large parallel server operations where a multitude of individual server computers all service requests for information and processing in parallel.  
       [0004] In today&#39;s network architectures, smaller users such as individuals or small businesses that require server systems will typically be forced to share part of the processing capability of one of these large scale systems. In many cases this sharing of resources does not provide adequate processing capability for the individual or small business user. Further, the sharing of a large processing system means that all parties utilizing that server processing capability are vulnerable to the failure of that system. These large processing platforms are also more difficult to customize if one small user needs specific features or components that other small users do not need. Further, as Internet and intranet traffic have grown, it has become apparent that even the largest processing platforms reach a limit to their processing capability especially in light of the increased traffic in large multimedia content and the necessity for real time processing of transactions.  
       [0005] Another difficulty in providing server technology to individual or small business users is associated with the difficulties in maintaining provisioning and administrating the server technology. Conventional server systems are typically very complex to administer. Software development efforts have not focused on providing simple user interfaces because the typical personnel that are tasked with maintaining servers are typically very sophisticated network technicians.  
       [0006] Servers and associated components are often upgraded in order to satisfy changing demands of end users, and in order to keep pace with advances in technology and enhanced product offerings. Typically, such upgrades require the replacement of the entire server, or server blade, since modification or alteration of existing servers is often expensive and time consuming.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] The present invention provides a modular server processing card system and method that substantially eliminates or reduces problems and disadvantages associated with previous methods and systems for coupling server processing card components. In particular, a server processing card includes a system board having many components which are common to different types of several processing cards. A modular in-line board includes various optional components that are specific to various applications within the server processing card industry.  
       [0008] In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a server processing card includes a system board having a first printed circuit board operable to couple a central processing unit, a dynamic memory integrated circuit, at least first network interface integrated circuitry, and a first expansion connector. The server processing card may also include an in-line board comprising a second printed circuit board, at least one component, and a second expansion connector complementary to the first expansion connector such that coupling of the first expansion connector with the second expansion connector allows the at least one component to cooperate with the system board to enhance functionality of the server processing card. In a particular embodiment, the second printed circuit board extends along a plane generally parallel with the first printed circuit board.  
       [0009] In various embodiments, the component may comprise one or more of various components which may enhance the functionality of the server processing card. For example, in accordance with at least one embodiment, the component may comprise a disk drive. In accordance with another embodiment, the component may comprise a solid state disk, with or without a battery backup power source. One or more of various other components may be coupled with the in-line board, depending on the specific application of a user of the server processing card.  
       [0010] Technical advantages of particular embodiments of the present invention include a modular server processing card having a fully operational system board with which one or more printed circuit boards having optional components and/or accessories may be removably coupled. The system board accommodates plug-n-play functionality with a server rack; one or more printed circuit boards having optional components and/or accessories accommodate plug-n-play functionality with the system board.  
       [0011] Another technical advantage of particular embodiments of the present invention includes a common, stand alone system board being configured to receive one or more of a plurality of optional boards, and no modifications to the system board are required to receive any of the one or more optional boards. Accordingly, any one of the optional boards may be coupled with the system board to provide specific functionality requested by and/or designed for a particular customer, without making any changes to the system board. As the customers needs change over time, and/or technology provides more advanced solutions, the optional board may be modified, upgraded and/or replaced, without the expense of modifying, upgrading and/or replacing the system board.  
       [0012] Another technical advantage of particular embodiments of the present invention include a modular server processing card having a system board which incorporates core components which are standard across an entire product line or offering. This reduces the expense of design and fabrication, since a single system board will accommodate many optional boards, without modification to the system board. In many prior art systems, any modification to a server processing card required an entire redesign which affected all components of the server processing card. In accordance with the present invention, certain standard components of the system board are unaffected by the addition of optional boards having different or enhanced functionality.  
       [0013] Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
     [0015]FIG. 1A illustrates a system board including many core components of a server processing;  
     [0016]FIG. 1B illustrates an in-line pieced board which may be coupled with the system board to form a modular server processing card, in accordance with the particular embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates the system board of FIG. 1A coupled with the in-line board of FIG. 1B;  
     [0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a modular server processing card having an in-line board which includes two solid state disks, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and  
     [0019]FIG. 4 illustrates a server processing card having an in-line board which includes a disk drive and a real-time audio video encoder board, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0020]FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a modular server processing card  32 , in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention. Server processing card  32  includes a system board  34  coupled with an optional in-line board  36 , using an expansion connector  38 . System board  34  includes many components which are common to many different types of server processing cards. In-line board  36  includes various optional components that are specific to various applications within the server processing card industry. Server processing card  32  is modular; system board  34  is fully operational and functional as a single entity (when coupled with a server rack or other network component) and may be removably coupled with one or more optional in-line boards, to provide additional, or enhanced functionality.  
     [0021] Expansion connectors  38  allow in-line board  36  to be removed and repaired, upgraded and/or replaced with one of various other in-line boards having different components, configurations and/or functionality. Accordingly, system board  34  may remain in service within a server chassis, while in-line board  36  is modified, upgraded, or replaced. This flexible design allows for various different configurations of in-line boards, which are each compatible with system board  34 , without having to modify system board  34 , to accommodate each option. Thus, manufacturing costs are reduced, and customers may be presented with various optional configurations of inline boards, to choose from. Furthermore, existing and/or operational server processing cards may be modified, enhanced, or upgraded without a customer bearing the full cost of a new server processing card.  
     [0022] In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, server processing card  32  is a single board computer upon which all of the requisite components and devices are mounted to enable processing card  32  to function and operate as a server hosting a wide array of applications, including Internet-based applications. In one embodiment, server processing card  32  includes a powerful computer connected to the Internet and operable to store audio, video, data graphics and/or text files in order to display to a user, via protocols including, without limitation, hypertext transfer protocol (http). Server processing card  32  includes a printed circuit board  40 , coupled with a central processing unit (CPU)  42 , a dynamic memory integrated circuit  44 , and network interface integrated circuitry  46 - 48 .  
     [0023] Central processing unit  42  performs the logic, computational and decision making functions of processing card  32 . Many types of central processing units with various specifications may be used within the teachings of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, CPU  42  includes a Crusoe TM 5800, with speeds in the range of 667 MHz to 1.2 GHz, as manufactured by Transmeta. Other CPUs, including the Crusoe TM 3200 with speeds in the range of 300-400 MHz, or TM 5400 with speeds in the range of 500-700 MHz, may also be used. In fact, many central processing units with comparable processing power, including the Pentium IV, as manufactured by Intel, may be used within the teachings of the present invention.  
     [0024] Server processing card  32  also includes dynamic memory integrated circuits, or memory  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, memory  44  comprises two double data rate (DDR), 226 MHz, dual in-line memory module (“DIMM”) as manufactured by Kingston, to provide the appropriate speed and bandwidth for network communication. A one hundred and sixty-eight pin connector couples memory  44  with printed circuit board  40 . In another embodiment, printed circuit board  40  may include one or more dual in-line memory modular slots, to accommodate DIMMs. The storage capacity of each DIMM  44  may be approximately 1 GB RAM, or greater.  
     [0025] In the illustrated embodiment, DIMM connectors comprise multiple pin connectors. The size and configuration of DIMM connector may be significantly altered, within the teaching of the present invention. DIMM connectors facilitate the installation of dual in-line memory modules DIMMs  44 . Accordingly, web server processing card  32  can accommodate significantly more bandwidth than traditional systems which incorporate a single in-line memory module (SIMM).  
     [0026] Three interface integrated circuit chip sets  46 - 48  are coupled with printed circuit board  40 . Chip set  46  may be referred to as public network interface integrated circuit since it corresponds with the operation of a public network, such as the Internet. Similarly, chip set  47  may be referred to as a private network interface integrated circuit and chip set  48  may be referred to as a management network interface integrated circuit since they correspond to private network and management network operations, respectively. Collectively, chip sets  46 ,  47  and  48  provide three 10/100/1000 megabits per second Ethernet network interfaces. Additional chip sets may be included with web server processing card  32  in order to support more than three independent networks. Alternatively, more or fewer than three chip sets may be used within the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
     [0027] Chip sets  46 ,  47 , and  48  include “auto sensing” capability from ten megabytes and higher, such that they may operate anywhere within the range of 10/100 Ethernet to gigabit Ethernet. Accordingly, each web server processing card  32  may come equipped with three, 10/100 BaseT network interfaces, one to support the public network, one to support the private network, and one to support the management network.  
     [0028] A high density, eighty pin SCA connector  50  is used to couple web server processing card  32  with a server chassis. Connector  50  may also include a built-in serial connector for managing network traffic. In other words, connector  50  is appropriately sized and configured to accommodate a serial connection independent of the above Ethernet connections and any other power/communications ports incorporated into connector  50 .  
     [0029] Server processing card  32  also includes a custom Basic Input/Output System (“BIOS”) which contains the appropriate instructions for sending information from a program to the appropriate hardware device within network  30 . The BIOS of the illustrated embodiment is capable of supporting at least three independent networks corresponding to network interface integrated circuitry  46 - 48 . Many of the other components of server processing card  32  are similar in structure and function to a typical computer motherboard (e.g., capacitors  52 , integrated circuits, embedded circuitry, etc.), although support for video, keyboard and a mouse may be removed. Server processing card  32  may include two megabytes of flash read-only-memory (ROM) for BIOS storage.  
     [0030] Server processing card  32  includes the appropriate hardware and software to facilitate plug-n-play capability for web server processing cards  32 . All of the components necessary for the operation of a web server processing card  32  are mounted upon one or more printed circuit boards. Accordingly, an unsophisticated user or operator of network  30  may install, remove and/or replace a server processing card, or portions thereof, to/from a server chassis in a single step.  
     [0031] System board  34  may be programmed to function as a single board computer or network server. Accordingly, system board  34  may be coupled with one or more networks to accommodate computer and/or server functionality. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, system board  34  is equipped with all of the necessary components to independently accomplish such functionality.  
     [0032] However, in an alternative embodiment, one or more additional “in-line” board may be coupled with the system board  34 , to enhance the functionality of server processing card  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, inline board  36  is coupled with system board  34 , using expansion connector  38 , a high density PCI expansion connector.  
     [0033] In-line board  36  includes dual two and one half inch disk drives  54 . Disk drive  54  includes electronics, motors, and other devices operable to store (write) and retrieve (read) data on a disk. In the illustrated embodiment, each disk drive  54  includes a two and one-half half inch IBM 9.5 mm notebook hard drive. In an alternative embodiment, only a single disk drive  54  is included with in-line board  36 . The use of two disk drives  54  is optional, and increases the capacity and functionality of web server processing card  32 .  
     [0034] In various embodiments, at least two, 6 to 25 gigabyte—two and one-half inch hard drives may be provided with in-line board  36 , in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Alternatively, one or more 10 to 75 gigabyte, three and one-half inch hard drive may be installed upon in-line board  36 , in lieu of two and one-half inch drives  54 . Many other hard drives are suitable for use within the teachings of the present invention. In fact, many hard drives having operating temperatures of approximately 125 degrees Fahrenheit and a continuous power output of 2.5 watts may be substituted for disk drives  54  of the present invention. Accordingly, a plurality of configurations for web server processing cards  32  are envisioned within the teachings of the present invention.  
     [0035] Three and one-half inch disk drives offer greater spindle speed and product life. Two and one-half inch disk drives provide greater density and lower power requirements. In a particular embodiment, for efficiency purposes, each web server processing card may be based upon the same motherboard design, regardless of the number and size of the associated disk drives provided with the web server processing card.  
     [0036] As described above, web server processing card  32  may include a three and one-half inch disk drive, in lieu of disk drives  54 . Accordingly, printed circuit board  41  includes the appropriate hardware to accommodate the three and one-half inch drive. For example, a plurality of connectors may be provided to accommodate a three and one-half inch disk drive.  
     [0037] Status and operation module  102  provides a user interface for determining the status and configuring web server processing cards  32 . A plurality of LED indicator lights  104 - 108  are included with status and operation module  102 . LED  104  indicates pass/fail, LED  105  indicates hard disk activity and LEDs  106 - 108  each indicate activity regarding an associated LAN. Server reset button  112  is also coupled with status and operation module  102 , and may be used to accomplish a “hard” local reset of the associated processing card  32 . A password reset button may also be provided upon status and operation module  102  and may be used to locally reset the administrative password. In other words, the password reset button may be used to erase the existing administrative password such that an operator of a network including server processing card  32  may redefine the administrative password.  
     [0038]FIG. 2 illustrates system board  34  coupled with in-line PCI board  36  to form a modular server processing card. As discussed above, system board  34  may be coupled with a server chassis to perform the functionality of a computer or server. In-line board  36  enhances the functionality of server processing card  32  in cooperation with system board  34 . System board  34  accommodates plug and play functionality with a server rack. In-line board  36  accommodates plug and play functionality within system board  34 . In other words, in-line board  36  may be removed from system board  34  and system board  34  may remain functioning within the server rack. This allows a user to change the configuration or components of in-line board  36  as well as repair and/or upgrade components thereof. Furthermore, system board  34  may be “hotswapped” from a server chassis, and in-line board  36  may be “hot-swapped” from system board  34 . In-line board  36  can then be coupled with system board  34  using connectors  38 .  
     [0039] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, in-line board  36  includes dual two and one half inch disk drives. The disk drives are configured to provide a hardware redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID). In-line board  36  also includes pass-through LED&#39;s, serial console and reset buttons. In-line board  36  may also include hardware accelerated iSCSI over gigabit NIC. As discussed above, in-line board  36  could be reconfigured to include one or more three and one half inch disk drives, or any other size and configuration of disk drive suitable for any particular application of a user of server processing card  32 .  
     [0040]FIG. 3 illustrates a server processing card in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, system board  34  remains basically unchanged from the embodiment of FIG. 2. In-line board  136  of FIG. 3 includes many of the components of in-line board  36  of FIG. 2. However, in lieu of disk drives  54 , in-line board  136  includes two solid state disks  144 . Solid state disks  144  may include dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) similar to DIMMs  44  of FIG. 1A. The DIMMs of FIG. 3 may be provided with two or four gigabit storage options. Solid state storage may be appropriate for input/output (I/O) intensive applications such as BioInformatics or EDA. In general, the solid state disk option of FIG. 3 is faster than the disk drive option of FIG. 2.  
     [0041]FIG. 4 illustrates a modular server processing card, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. In-line board  236  of FIG. 4 includes a two and one half inch disk drive  154  which may be configured similarly to one of disk drives  54  of FIG. 2. In-line board  236  also includes a real-time audio/video encoder board portion  238 . Left and right audio input/output components  240  and  242  allow the coupling of server processing card  32  with an exterior audio source. Similarly, a video input component  244  allows server processing card  32  to be coupled with an external video source. An encoder chip  246  accomplishes audio/video processing functionality of in-line board  236 . In-line board  236  may also include other components similar to in-line board  36  of FIG. 1B.  
     [0042] In-line boards having one or more of the components illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 4 may be configured for any application desired by a particular user of server processing card  32 . Other components are also available. For example, a Fiberchannel host channel adapter may be provided upon the in-line board. This would allow the server processing card to be coupled with a Fiberchannel storage area network (SAN). In-line boards may also be provided with hardware accelerated iSCSI over gigabit NIC (a storage protocol that may be run over Ethernet). As another example, an in-line board may be provided with a second central processing unit, to increase the overall processing capacity of server processing card  32 . The respective central processing units of the in-line board, and the system board may be configured for parallel, or in-line processing.  
     [0043] The modular server processing card of the present invention may be configured to accommodate existing chassis infrastructure. For example, the modular server processing card  32  illustrated herein may be used interchangeably with several server processing cards disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/620,105 and 09/848,807, which are hereby incorporated by reference. In fact, modular server processing card  32  may include any of the components and functionality disclosed within U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/620,105 and 09/848,807, and may be used in any manner disclosed in that application.  
     [0044] The flexible design disclosed herein allows for various modifications and endless possibilities without having to modify the system board for each option. Instead, the in-line board may be modified and coupled with any particular system board. For example, this design allows for flexible interchangeability and use of INTEL® or TRASMETA® central processing units. The modularity allows for upgrading components separately. Since modifications do not require complete redesigns, the risk regarding new designs is thereby reduced. Manufacturing costs are also reduced since a single, standard system board may be manufactured to be used with various different in-line boards, to accommodate practically any configuration desired by any particular user.  
     [0045] The modular server processing part of the present invention may be more than two component boards. For example, any particular system board may be coupled with one, or any number of in-line boards simultaneously, to provide enhanced functionality. Although the illustrated includes a system board and in-line board sharing a single plane to form a continuous server processing card, other designs may include multiple parts which “piggy back” one another.  
     [0046] Although the present invention has been described in several embodiments, a myriad of changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the present appended claims.