Abstract:
The invention is to provide a centralized computer system, i.e., the so-called blade PC system. The centralized computer system according to the invention includes a plurality of centralized and bladed hosts. In particularly, the centralized computer system according to the invention enables two sets of I/O peripherals to operate the same host in a hardware-driven way.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This present invention relates to a centralized computer system, i.e., the so-called blade PC system and, more particularly, to a centralized computer system where two sets of I/O peripherals are enabled to operate the same host simultaneously in a hardware-driven way. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Many commercial businesses and enterprises make extensive use of personal computers (PCs) in their daily operations. In a typical manner, each user of a PC in the enterprise has a networked PC at his/her desk or in the working area. As the number of networked computer systems utilized in an enterprise increases, the management of resources in the network may become increasingly complex and expensive. Therefore, some of the manageable issues involved in maintaining a large number of networked computer systems are required to be taken into consideration, including the ease of installation and deployment, the topology and physical logistics of the network, asset management, scalability (the cost and effort involved in increasing the number of units), troubleshooting network or unit problems, support costs, software tracking and management, the issue of physical space such as space of the floor space or room on the desk, as well as security issues regarding physical assets, information protection, software control, and computer viruses. 
         [0005]    To overcome the mentioned-above problems, many IT companies have developed the centralized computer systems. Please refer to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an infrastructure of a typical centralized computer system  1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the centralized computer system  1  includes a plurality of hosts  12 , where each host  12  is equipped with and operated by a set of peripherals  14  including at least one peripheral device. The hosts  12  in the centralized computer system  1  are bladed, i.e., each of the hosts  12  is implemented into a “card”. In other words, each host  12  comprised on a circuit card includes the components of the standard computer system. The centralized computer system  1  also includes a network  16  to provide the hosts  12  to communicate with the remote peripheral devices. As shown in  FIG. 1 , each set of peripherals  14  may include a display  142 , a keyboard  144 , a mouse  146 , and/or other peripheral devices for human interface. The centralized computer system  1  communicates with one set of peripherals  14  coupled to the host  12  by sending and receiving encoded I/O signals transmitted over the network  16 . In general, a host switch (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), connecting with the I/O interface of a host  12  in the centralized computer system  1 . Relatively, each set of I/O peripherals  14  is equipped with a peripheral switch  148  coupled to all of the peripheral devices of the set of I/O peripherals  14 . And, the I/O signals transmitted between one host  12  and the assigned set of I/O peripherals  14  are encoded and decoded by the corresponding host switch and the corresponding peripheral switch  148 , transmitted over the network  16 . The network  16  may be a Local Area Network (LAN), such as an intranet, or a Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet, though other networks are taken into account. 
         [0006]    On summary, the distinct features and advantages of the typical centralized computer system are as follows:
   (a) the centralized computer system can include at least ten hosts in a chassis;   (b) because the hosts are bladed to reduce the volume, more hosts can be configured by a designer in the same space.   (c) because the centralized computer system is a highly integrated system, providing a management host to control and search the whole system is necessary;   (d) the hosts are centralized in the computer room to prevent man-made destruction and information stealing;   (e) by means of the setting of certain software, the user can read and retreat data but copy;   (f) because the hosts are centralized in the computer room, the user won&#39;t hear the noise generated by fans;   (g) with the centralized computer system, there are only a keyboard, a mouse, a display and a network connector on the user&#39;s desk, i.e., the user has more spatial usability;   (h) with the centralized computer system, two set of I/O peripherals are enabled to operate the same host;   (i) with the centralized computer system, the manager can seamlessly monitor other hosts without being found out by other users; and   (j) with the centralized computer system, seamlessly broadcasting to all users is much easier.   
 
         [0017]    However, the solutions for enabling two sets of I/O peripherals to operate the same host nowadays are all required to utilize software. That is, the host computer and the guest computer all need to install the same application software before the operation of two sets of I/O peripherals for the same host. And, all processes should be operated under the operating system (OS). In addition, the control function can be operated only when application software supporting the control function is driven. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, one scope of the invention is to provide a centralized computer system and a controlling method in a centralized computer system where two sets of I/O peripherals are enabled to operate the same host in a hardware-driven way rather than a software-driven way. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The invention is to provide a controlling method used in a centralized computer system. The centralized computer system includes a network, a first host, a first host switch which connects with the I/O interface of the first host, a first peripheral switch, a first set of I/O peripherals, a second peripheral switch, and a second set of I/O peripherals. The second peripheral switch includes a display and is electrically connected to the N I/O devices; N is a natural number. The first host switch has a plurality of I/O ports. The first set of I/O peripherals are assigned to operate the first host such that I/O signals transmitted between the first host and the first set of I/O peripherals are encoded and decoded by the first host switch and the first peripheral switch, transmitted over the network. The controlling method is to enable the second set of I/O peripherals to operate the first host. The method according to the present invention first encodes a video output signal of the I/O signals, and then redirects the encoded video signal not only to the first peripheral switch but also to the second peripheral switch over the network. The second peripheral switch receives the encoded video signal, decodes the encoded video signal into the video signal, and outputs the video signal to the display. Subsequently, designate each of N I/O ports among the plurality of I/O ports of the first host switch to one of the N I/O devices of the second set of I/O peripherals. Finally, according to the physical addresses of the designated I/O ports, encode and/or decode the I/O signals transmitted between the first host and the second set of I/O peripherals by the first host switch and the second peripheral switch, and transmitted the encoded I/O signals over the network. 
         [0020]    Besides, the invention is to provide a centralized computer system. The centralized computer system includes a network, a first host, a first host switch, a first peripheral switch, a first set of I/O peripherals, a second peripheral switch and a second set of I/O peripherals. The first host switch, connected with the I/O interface of the first host and linked to the network, has a plurality of I/O ports. The first peripheral switch is links to the network. The first set of I/O peripherals have at least one first display, electrically connected to the first peripheral switch, and M first I/O devices electrically connected to the first peripheral switch, wherein M is a natural number. The second peripheral switch is links to the network. The second set of I/O peripherals have at least one second display, electrically connected to the second peripheral switch, and N second I/O devices is electrically connected to the second peripheral switch, wherein N is a natural number. The first host switch encodes a video output signal of the I/O signals, and redirects the encoded video signal not only to the first peripheral switch but also to the second peripheral switch over the network. The first peripheral switch receives the encoded video signal, decodes the encoded video signal into the video signal, and outputs the video signal to the first display. The second peripheral switch receives the encoded video signal, decodes the encoded video signal into the video signal, and outputs the video signal to the second display. Each of M first I/O ports among the plurality of I/O ports of the first host switch is designated to one of the M first I/O devices of the first set of peripherals. The first host switch and the first peripheral switch encode and/or decodes, according to the physical addresses of the designated first I/O ports and the I/O signals transmitted between the first host and the first set of I/O peripherals, and the encoded I/O signals are transmitted over the network. Each of N second I/O ports among the plurality of I/O ports of the first host switch is designated to one of the N second I/O devices of the second set of peripherals. The first host switch and the second peripheral switch encode and/or decodes, according to the physical addresses of the designated second I/O ports and the I/O signals transmitted between the first host and the second set of I/O peripherals, and the encoded I/O signals are transmitted over the network. In this way, the first set of I/O peripherals and the second set of I/O peripherals are enabled to operate the first host. 
         [0021]    The advantage and spirit of the invention may be understood by the following recitations together with the appended drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an infrastructure of a typical centralized computer system; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an infrastructure of a centralized computer system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The present invention is to provide a centralized computer system and a controlling method in a centralized computer system where two sets of I/O peripherals are enabled to operate the same host in a hardware-driven way rather than a software-driven way. The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below, so as to fully describe the features, the spirits, the advantages, and the easiness of the practice 
         [0025]    Please refer to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an infrastructure of a centralized computer system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the centralized computer system  2  includes a network  28 , a first host  22 , a first host switch  222 , a first peripheral switch  248 , and a second set of I/O peripherals  26 . The first host switch  222  is connected with the first host  22  and linked to the network  28 . The first host switch  222  has a plurality of I/O ports  2224 , such as I/O port  2224   a ,  2224   b ,  2224   c  and  2224   d  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a first set of I/O peripherals  24  includes a first display  242  and M first I/O devices, such as a keyboard  244 , a mouse  246 , etc., wherein M is a natural number. The first display  242  and M first I/O devices are respectively electrically connected to the first peripheral switch  248 . And the first peripheral switch  248  is linked to the network  28 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a second set of I/O peripherals  26  includes a second display  262  and N second I/O devices, such as a keyboard  264 , a mouse  266 , etc., wherein N is a natural number. The second display  262  and N second I/O devices are respectively electrically connected to the second peripheral switch  268 . And the second peripheral switch  268  is linked to the network  28 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first host switch  222  encodes a video output signal P 2  of the I/O signals  2482 , and redirects the encoded video signal P 2 ′ to the first peripheral switch  248  and to the second peripheral switch  268  over the network  28 . The first peripheral switch  248  receives the encoded video signal P 2 ′, decodes the encoded video signal P 2 ′ into the video signal P 2 ′ and outputs the video signal P 2 ′ to the first display  242 . Similarly, the second peripheral switch  268  receives the encoded video signal P 2 ′, decodes the encoded video signal P 2 ′ into the video signal P 2 ′ and outputs the video signal P 2 ′ to the second display  262 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first host switch  222  is capable of designating each of M first I/O ports among the plurality of I/O ports  2224  to one of the M first I/O devices of the first set of I/O peripherals  24 . The first host switch  222  and the first peripheral switch  248  encode and/or decode, according to the physical addresses of the designated first I/O ports  2224  and I/O signals transmitted between the first host  22  and the first set of I/O peripherals  24 , and the encoded I/O signals are transmitted over the network  28 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the I/O signals which have not been encoded or have decoded are marked as P 1 , and the I/O signals which have been encoded are marked as P 1 ′. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first host switch  222  is capable of designating each of N second I/O ports among the plurality of I/O ports  2224  to one of the N second I/O devices of the second set of I/O peripherals  26 . The first host switch  222  and the second peripheral switch  268  encode and/or decode, according to the physical addresses of the designated second I/O ports  2224  and the I/O signals transmitted between the first host  22  and the second set of I/O peripherals  26 , and the encoded I/O signals are transmitted over the network  28 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the I/O signals which have not been encoded or have decoded are marked as P 1 , and the I/O signals which have been encoded are marked as P 1 ′. In this way, the first set of I/O peripherals  24  and the second set of I/O peripherals  26  are enabled to operate the first host  22 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the first host  22  has a USB controller and a video controller  226 . The first host switch  222  includes a USB hub device  2222 . The USB hub device  2222  is electrically connected to the USB controller for providing and managing the I/O ports  2224 . And the video controller  226  is for controlling the video signal P 2 . 
         [0032]    The following will explain a controlling method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is used in the centralized computer system  2  shown in  FIG. 2 . The infrastructure of the centralized computer system  2  can be referred in  FIG. 2 . It is notable that the first set of I/O peripherals  24  is assigned to operate the first host  22  such that I/O signals transmitted between the first host  22  and the first set of I/O peripherals  24  are encoded and decoded by the first host switch  222  and the first peripheral switch  248 , and is also transmitted over the network  28 . Furthermore, according to the controlling method of the invention is to enable the second set of I/O peripherals  26  to operate the first host  22 . 
         [0033]    First, according to the controlling method of the present invention to encode a video output signal P 2 ′ of the I/O signals  2482  and redirect the encoded video signal P 2 ′ not only to the first peripheral switch  248  but also to the second peripheral switch  268  over the network  28 . Next, the second peripheral switch  268  receives the encoded video signal P 2 ′, decodes the encoded video signal P 2 ′ into the video signal P 2  and outputs the video signal P 2 ′ to the display  262 . 
         [0034]    Then, according to the controlling method of the present invention, designate each of N I/O ports among the plurality of I/O ports  2224  of the first host switch  222  to one of the N I/O devices of the second set of I/O peripherals  26 . 
         [0035]    Finally, according to the physical addresses of the designated I/O ports  2224 , encode and/or decode the I/O signals transmitted between the first host  22  and the second set of I/O peripherals  26  by the first host switch  222  and the second peripheral switch  268 , transmitted the encoded I/O signals over the network  28 . In this way, the first set of I/O peripherals  24  and the second set of I/O peripherals  26  both are able to operate the first host  22 . 
         [0036]    With the example and explanations above, it is obviously that according to the centralized computer system and the controlling method in a centralized computer system, two sets of I/O peripherals are enabled to operate the same host in a hardware-driven way, and the inconvenience caused by using software to achieve the same purpose is prevented. 
         [0037]    With the example and explanations above, the features and spirits of the invention will be hopefully well described. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device may be made while retaining the teaching of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.