Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a cluster system, and more particularly to a server system and cluster system using the same for retaining the data in the memory and the operating messages of the motherboard while a power failure occurs suddenly in the cluster system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    With the rapid development of computer system technology, there is the continuous technological advancement of hardware equipment with high computing performance. Currently, cluster system is widely applicable to high performance computing field increasingly. Since the computer processes the data for various application fields by the programs, it is very important to protect the computer data due to unforeseen events. Particularly, it is required to protect the computer data during the power failure, e.g. the power down event of an external alternative current source. Conventional computer data protection is implemented by automatic saving using application programs. In other words, the application program saves the processed computer data at regular intervals. If the application program irregularly shuts down, the prior saved computer data before the application program execution is closed may be restored. However, since not all the application programs serve the functions of automatic saving, the computer data accessed by in the application program without the functions of automatic saving will be lost while the sudden power failure of the system occurs, which results in unnecessary losses of the user. On the other hand, in view of the application program with automatic saving, the protection degree of the computer data is limited to the time intervals of automatic saving. Thus, if the power failure occurs in the next saving interval, a portion of computer data will be lost without the auto-saving in time. The effect of the auto-saving function does not attain an ideal standard. 
         [0003]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , it is a schematic view of a conventional structure feature “2U” or “4U” in the cluster system. The power distribution board (PBD)  12  transforms the power of the power supply unit (PSU)  11  into the voltages for the motherboards  13 . The internal memory module  131  in each of the motherboards  13  stores the data of the computing results and service information of the cluster system. The operation tasks of the application program are also stored in the internal memory module  131 . Since the memory is volatile component, all the memory data of the motherboards and the operation tasks cannot be stored while the power failure of the cluster system occurs. The data loss may cause the cluster system crash. Conventionally, the internal memory modules  131  in each of the motherboards  13  are replaced by Nonvolatile Dual Inline Memory Modules (NVDIMM). Because each motherboard includes a plurality of internal memory modules  131  and only if the cluster system installed with the NVDIMM of internal memory modules  131  saves the memory data and the operation tasks, it is necessary to replace all the internal memory modules  131 . However, the technology of NVDIMM is incomplete and the cost of the NVDIMM is very expensive to significantly exceeding the cost of the cluster system, causing this kind of implement lower. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Since all the memory data of the motherboards and the operation tasks cannot be stored while the power failure (e.g. alternative current power failure) of the server system occurs, one objective of the present invention is provides a server system to backup the memory data and the current operation tasks to the external storage module when the sudden power failure of the server system occurs so that the server system returns the normal status before the server system is powered off abnormally. 
         [0005]    According to the above objective, the present invention sets forth a server system comprising: a power supply module, for providing a first operation power; an energy-storing module, for providing a stored power; a power management module electrically coupled to the power supply module and the energy-storing module, either for receiving the first operation power to provide a second operation power or for receiving the stored power to provide a third operation power; at least one motherboard comprising an internal memory module, for receiving either the second operation power or the third operation power; and an external memory module electrically coupled to the at least one motherboard; wherein when the server system operates normally, the power management module transforms the received first operation power into the second operation power to be provided to the at least one motherboard, when the server system is powered off abnormally, the power management module instantly changes the received first operation power to the stored power to transform the stored power into the third operation power, and the third operation power is provided for a time interval “T”; and wherein during the time interval “T”, a data backup module installed in an operating system is used to backup data of the internal memory module and an operation task to the external memory module while the data backup module interrupts an electrical connection between the energy-storing module and the power management module, and when the server system powers on again, the data backup module restores the data in the external memory module and operation tasks to the internal memory module so that the server system returns a normal status before the server system is powered off abnormally. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the energy-storing module is either supercapacitor or a storage battery set. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the external memory module is a solid state disk (SSD). 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the power management module comprises: a power distribution module, for transforming a power; and a real-time power supply switch module coupled to the energy-storing module, the power supply module and the power distribution module; wherein when the power supply module operates normally, the power supply module is electrically coupled to the power distribution module and the power distribution module provides the second operation power; and wherein when the power supply module is powered off abnormally, the real-time power supply switch module changes an electrical connection of the power distribution module from the power supply module to the energy-storing module so that the energy-storing module utilizes the power distribution module to provide the third operation power. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the power management module further comprises a charge control module coupled to the power supply module and the energy-storing module for protecting a charging process of the power supply module and the energy-storing module. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the charge control module comprises: an over-current protection unit coupled to the power supply module; a voltage-detecting unit coupled to the power supply module; a third switch unit coupled to the over-current protection unit and the energy-storing module; and a power control chip electrically coupled to the over-current protection unit, the voltage-detecting unit, third switch unit and the energy-storing module, wherein based on at least one of a detected current magnitude of the over-current protection unit, an over-voltage status and a under-voltage status of the voltage-detecting unit, and feedback information of the energy-storing module, the third switch unit is controlled to be activated or inactivated so that the power supply module enables or disables a charging procedure of the energy-storing module. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the charge control module further comprises a management information unit electrically coupled to the power control chip for sending status information of the power control chip and controlling the power control chip based on received information. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the charge control module further comprises an enabling signal unit electrically coupled to the power control chip for controlling the power control chip to be activated or activated. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the real-time power supply switch module comprises: a first switch unit electrically coupled to the power supply module and the power distribution module, wherein when the power supply module operates normally to provides the power, the power supply module outputs a first signal to activate the first switch unit so that the power supply module controls the power distribution module to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard, and when the power supply module is powered off abnormally, the power supply module outputs a second signal to inactivate the first switch unit; an inverse phase unit electrically coupled to the power supply module, wherein when the power supply module normally provides the power, the inverse phase unit inverses the first signal from the power supply module to generate an inversed first signal, and when the power supply module is powered off abnormally, the inverse phase unit inverses the second signal from the power supply module to generate an inversed second signal; and a second switch unit electrically coupled to the energy-storing module, the inverse phase unit and the power distribution module, wherein when the power supply module normally provides the power, the inverse phase unit employs the inversed first signal to inactivate the second switch unit, and when the power supply module is powered off abnormally, the inverse phase unit employs the inversed second signal to activate the second switch unit so that the energy-storing module controls the power distribution module to provide the third operation power to the at least one motherboard. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the real-time power supply switch module further comprises a voltage division unit coupled to the power supply module for dividing an output signal of the power supply module into either the first signal or the second signal to be provided to the first switch unit and the inverse phase unit. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the energy-storing module provides the power to the inverse phase unit. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the real-time power supply switch module comprises: an inverse phase unit electrically coupled to the power supply module, wherein when the power supply module normally provides the power, the inverse phase unit inverses the first signal from the power supply module to generate an inversed first signal, and when the power supply module is powered off abnormally, the inverse phase unit inverses the second signal from the power supply module to generate an inversed second signal; a first switch unit electrically coupled to the inverse phase unit, the power supply module and the power distribution module respectively, wherein when the power supply module normally provides the power, the inverse phase unit employs the inversed first signal to activate the first switch unit so that the power supply module controls the power distribution module to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard, and when the power supply module is powered off abnormally, the power supply module outputs the inversed second signal of the inverse phase unit for inactivating the first switch unit; and a second switch unit electrically coupled to the energy-storing module, the power supply module and the power distribution module, wherein when the power supply module normally provides the power, the power supply module outputs the first signal to inactivate the second switch unit, and when the power supply module is powered off abnormally, the power supply module outputs the second signal to activate the second switch unit so that the energy-storing module controls the power distribution module to provide the third operation power to the at least one motherboard. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the real-time power supply switch module further comprises a voltage division unit electrically coupled to the power supply module for dividing an output signal of the power supply module into either the first signal or the second signal to be provided to the inverse phase unit and the second switch unit. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the energy-storing module provides the power to the inverse phase unit. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, since all the memory data of the motherboards and the operation tasks cannot be stored while the power failure (e.g. alternative current power failure) of the cluster system occurs, one objective of the present invention is provides a server system to backup the memory data and the current operation tasks to the external storage module when the sudden power failure of the server system occurs so that the cluster system returns the normal status before the cluster system is powered off abnormally. In the server system and the cluster system of the present invention, the backup server instantly takes over the data and operation tasks of the malfunction server and need not load the application program again so that the application program executed in the cluster system is taken over seamlessly. 
         [0020]    The cluster system comprises: a plurality of server nodes, each of the server nodes comprising: a power supply module, for providing a first operation power; an energy-storing module, for providing a stored power; a power management module electrically coupled to the power supply module and the energy-storing module, either for receiving the first operation power to provide a second operation power or for receiving the stored power to provide a third operation power; at least one motherboard comprising an internal memory module, for receiving either the second operation power or the third operation power; and 
         [0021]    at least one storage server electrically coupled to the server nodes; wherein when the server node operates normally, the power management module transforms the received first operation power into the second operation power to be provided to the at least one motherboard, when the server system is powered off abnormally, the power management module instantly changes the received first operation power to the stored power and transforms the stored power into the third operation power, and the third operation power is provided for a time interval “T”; and 
         [0022]    wherein during the time interval “T”, a data backup module installed in an operating system (OS) is used to backup data of the internal memory module and an operation task to the storage server while the data backup module interrupts an electrical connection between the energy-storing module and the power management module, a data restoring module in the OS of another server node receives and loads backup data in the internal memory module of the storage server and the operation task, and the another server node continuously operates at a status when the server node is powered off abnormal so that an application program executed in the cluster system is taken over seamlessly. 
         [0023]    The advantages of the present invention comprises: backuping the memory data and the current operation tasks to the external storage module when the sudden power failure of the server system occurs so that the server system returns the normal status before the server system is powered off abnormally, which the server system involves fewer changes, a simplified structure and decreases the cost; and backuping the memory data and the current operation tasks to the external storage module when the sudden power failure of the server system occurs so that the cluster system returns the normal status before the cluster system is powered off abnormally, and in the server system and the cluster system of the present invention, the backup server instantly takes over the data and operation tasks of the malfunction server and need not load the application program again so that the application program executed in the cluster system is taken over seamlessly, which the cluster system involves fewer changes, a simplified structure and decreases the cost. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional cluster system; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a server system according to first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a server system according to second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a server system according to third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a server system according to fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a cluster system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    The following detailed descriptions of server system and cluster system using the same are mentioned below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a server system according to first embodiment of the present invention. The server system includes a power supply module  21 , an energy-storing module  22 , a power management module  23 , at least one motherboard  24  and an external memory module  25 . The power supply module  21  provides a first operation power and the energy-storing module  22  provides a stored power. The power management module  23  electrically coupled to power supply module  21  and energy-storing module  22  receives first operation power and provides a second operation power, or receives the stored power and provides a third operation power. The at least one motherboard  24  including the internal memory module  241  receives second operation power or third operation power. The internal memory module  241  stores the memory data. The external memory module  25  is electrically coupled to the at least one motherboard  24 . 
         [0033]    When the server system operates normally, the power management module  23  transforms the received first operation power into the second operation power to be provided to the at least one motherboard  24 . When the server system is powered off abnormally, e.g. a power down event of an external alternative current source, the power management module  23  instantly changes the received first operation power to the stored power and transforms the stored power into third operation power. A data backup module  261  installed in the operating system (OS) is used to backup the data of internal memory module  241  and the operation tasks to the external memory module  25 . Meanwhile, the data backup module  261  interrupts the electrical connection between the energy-storing module  22  and the power management module  23 . When the server system powers on again, the data backup module  261  restores the data in the external memory module  25  and operation tasks to the internal memory module  241  so that the server system returns the normal status before the server system is powered off abnormally. In this embodiment, the data backup module  261  is implemented by software program to backup the data and operation tasks. 
         [0034]    The energy-storing module  22  is supercapacitor, i.e. electrochemical capacitors or storage battery set. The external memory module  25  is implemented by solid state disk (SSD), which is a disk composed of a plurality of electronic storage chips. Since the bandwidth of the SSD is wider, the storing speed is faster to backup the data in the internal memory module  241  and the operation tasks within a relatively short time. Further, the internal memory module  241  only needs a SSD disk, which is easily implemented and causes the cost reductions. The time interval “T” is determined by the reliable power supply time of the energy-storing module  22 , the backup storing speed and the data content for ten or more seconds to perform the backup operation. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the power management module  23  includes a power distribution module  231  for transforming the power and a real-time power supply switch module  232  coupled to the energy-storing module  22 , power supply module  21  and the power distribution module  231 . When the power supply module  21  operates normally, the power supply module  21  is electrically coupled to the power distribution module  231  and the power distribution module  231  provides the second operation power. When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the real-time power supply switch module  232  changes the electrical connection of the power distribution module  231  from the power supply module  21  to the energy-storing module  22  so that the energy-storing module  22  utilizes the power distribution module  231  to provide the third operation power. 
         [0036]    The energy-storing module  22  is supercapacitor, i.e. electrochemical capacitors or storage battery. When the power supply module  21  operates normally, the power supply module  21  charges the energy-storing module  22 . For the purpose of controlling the charge process to prevent from inverse current, over-current, over-voltage and to protect the charging process of the power supply module  21  and the energy-storing module  22 , the power management module  23  further preferably includes a charge control module  233  coupled to the power supply module  21  and the energy-storing module  22  for protecting the charging process of the power supply module  21  and the energy-storing module  22 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a server system according to second embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates the power supply module  21 , energy-storing module  22 , the power distribution module  231  and the real-time power supply switch module  232  of the power management module  23 , and the connection relationship therebetween. Other components and connection relationship of the server system are shown in  FIG. 2 . The real-time power supply switch module  232  includes a first switch unit  32 , inverse phase unit  34  and second switch unit  36 . When the power supply module  21  operates normally, the first signal is outputted and when the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the second signal is outputted. The first and second signals are used to control the on/off statuses of the first switch unit  32  and the second switch unit  36 . In one embodiment, the first signal and the second signal are inversed signals or high/low level signals respectively, but not limited. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, the real-time power supply switch module  232  in the server system of  FIG. 3  further includes a voltage division unit  31 , the dashed line representing the optional component, coupled to the power supply module  21  for dividing the output signal of the power supply module  21  into either the first signal or the second signal to be provided to the first switch unit  32  and the inverse phase unit  34 . In one case, when the outputting characteristic of the power supply module  21  is matched with the inputting characteristics of the first switch unit  32  and the inverse phase unit  34 , there is no need to divide the outputting signal of the power supply module  21 . 
         [0039]    The first switch unit  32  is electrically coupled to the voltage division unit  31  and the power distribution module  231  respectively and the first switch unit  32  is directly coupled to the power supply module  21  if the voltage division unit  31  is removed. When the power supply module  21  operates normally to provides the power, the power supply module  21  outputs the first signal to activate the first switch unit  32  so that the power supply module  21  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . In one embodiment, the first switch unit  32  may be metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) to be turned on/off based on the output signal of the power supply module  21 . For example, MOSFET turns on by a triggering signal with a high level. When the power supply module  21  normally provides the power and outputs the high level signal (i.e. first signal), the first switch unit  32  is activated so that the power supply module  21  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally and outputs the low level signal (i.e. second signal), the first switch unit  32  is inactivated so that the power supply module  21  controls the power distribution module  231  to stop to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . 
         [0040]    The inverse phase unit  34  is electrically coupled to the voltage division unit  31  for inversing the output signal of the power supply module  21 , and the inverse phase unit  34  is directly coupled to the power supply module  21  if the voltage division unit  31  is removed. When the power supply module  21  normally provides the power, the inverse phase unit  34  inverses the first signal from the power supply module  21  to generate an inversed first signal. When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the inverse phase unit  34  inverses the second signal from the power supply module  21  to generate an inversed second signal. 
         [0041]    The second switch unit  36  is electrically coupled to the energy-storing module  22 , the inverse phase unit  34  and the power distribution module  231 . When the power supply module  21  normally provides the power, the inverse phase unit  34  employs the inversed first signal to inactivate the second switch unit  36 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the inverse phase unit  34  employs the inversed second signal to activate the second switch unit  36  so that the energy-storing module  22  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the third operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . In one embodiment, the first switch unit  32  may be metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) to be turned on/off based on the inversed output signal by inversing the output signal of the power supply module  21  via the inverse phase unit  34 . For example, MOSFET turns on by a triggering signal with a high level. When the power supply module  21  normally provides the power and outputs the high level signal (i.e. first signal), the inverse phase unit  34  inverses the high level signal and outputs the low level signal to the second switch unit  36  for inactivating the second switch unit  36 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally and outputs the low level signal (i.e. second signal), the inverse phase unit  34  inverses the high level signal and outputs the high level signal to the second switch unit  36  for activating the second switch unit  36  so that the energy-storing module  22  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the third operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the inverse phase unit  34  is further coupled to the energy-storing module  22 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the energy-storing module  22  provides the power to the inverse phase unit  34 . The inverse phase unit  34  inverses the low level signal into high level signal for controlling the second switch unit  36  to be activated wherein the output signal is divided into the low level signal because the power failure of the power supply module  21  occurs. In another embodiment, the inverse phase unit  34  may be adopts different power supplying modes. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, when the power supply module  21  normally provides the power, the first switch unit  32  is activated and the second switch unit  36  is inactivated so that the power supply module  21  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the first switch unit  32  is inactivated and the inverse phase unit  34  inverses the low level signal to activate the second switch unit  36  so that the energy-storing module  22  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the third operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a server system according to third embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  illustrates the power supply module  21 , energy-storing module  22 , the power distribution module  231  and the real-time power supply switch module  232  of the power management module  23 , and the connection relationship therebetween. Other components and connection relationship of the server system are shown in  FIG. 2 . The real-time power supply switch module  232  includes a first switch unit  42 , inverse phase unit  44  and second switch unit  46 . When the power supply module  21  operates normally, the first signal is outputted and when the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the second signal is outputted. The first and second signals are used to control the on/off statuses of the first switch unit  42  and the second switch unit  46 . In one embodiment, the first signal and the second signal are inversed signals or high/low level signals respectively, but not limited. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment, the real-time power supply switch module  232  in the server system of  FIG. 4  further includes a voltage division unit  41  (the dashed line representing the optional component) coupled to the power supply module  21  for dividing the output signal of the power supply module  21  into the first signal and the second signal to be provided to the inverse phase unit  44  and the second switch unit  46 . In one case, when the outputting characteristic of the power supply module  21  is matched with the inputting characteristics of the inverse phase unit  44  and the second switch unit  46 , there is no need to divide the outputting signal of the power supply module  21 . 
         [0046]    The inverse phase unit  44  is electrically coupled to the voltage division unit  41  and the power distribution module  231  respectively and the inverse phase unit  44  is directly coupled to the power supply module  21  if the voltage division unit  41  is removed. When the power supply module  21  normally provides the power, the inverse phase unit  44  inverses the first signal from the power supply module  21  to generate an inversed first signal. When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the inverse phase unit  44  inverses the second signal from the power supply module  21  to generate an inversed second signal. 
         [0047]    The first switch unit  42  is electrically coupled to the inverse phase unit  44  and the power distribution module  231  respectively. When the power supply module  21  normally provides the power, the inverse phase unit  44  employs the inversed first signal to activate the first switch unit  42  so that the power supply module  21  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . In one embodiment, the first switch unit  42  may be metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) to be turned on/off based on the output signal of the inverse phase unit  44 . For example, MOSFET turns on by a low level signal. When the power supply module  21  normally provides the power and outputs the high level signal (i.e. first signal), the inverse phase unit  44  inverses the high level signal into a low level signal which is provided to the first switch unit  42  for activating the first switch unit  42  so that the power supply module  21  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally and outputs the low level signal (i.e. second signal), the inverse phase unit  44  inverses the low level signal into a high level signal which is provided to the first switch unit  42  for inactivating the first switch unit  42  so that the power supply module  21  controls the power distribution module  231  to stop to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . 
         [0048]    The second switch unit  46  is electrically coupled to the voltage division unit  41 , energy-storing module  22  and the power distribution module  231  and the second switch unit  46  is directly coupled to the power supply module  21  if the voltage division unit  41  is removed. When the power supply module  21  normally provides the power, the power supply module  21  outputs the first signal to inactivate the second switch unit  46 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the power supply module  21  outputs the second signal to activate the second switch unit  46  so that the energy-storing module  22  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the third operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . In one embodiment, the second switch unit  46  may be metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) to be turned on/off based on the output signal of the power supply module  21 . For example, MOSFET turns on by a low level signal. When the power supply module  21  normally provides the power and outputs the high level signal (i.e. first signal), the inverse phase unit  34  inverses the high level signal and outputs the low level signal to the second switch unit  36  for inactivating the second switch unit  36 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally and outputs the low level signal (i.e. second signal), the second switch unit  46  is activated so that the energy-storing module  22  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the third operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the inverse phase unit  44  is further coupled to the energy-storing module  22 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the energy-storing module  22  provides the power to the inverse phase unit  44 . The inverse phase unit  44  inverses the low level signal into high level signal for controlling the first switch unit  42  to be inactivated wherein the output signal is divided into the low level signal because the power failure of the power supply module  21  occurs. In another embodiment, the inverse phase unit  44  may be adopts different power supplying modes. 
         [0050]    In one embodiment, when the power supply module  21  normally provides the power, the inverse phase unit  44  inverses the high level signal into low level signal to activate the first switch unit  42  and the second switch unit  46  is inactivated so that the power supply module  21  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the second operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . When the power supply module  21  is powered off abnormally, the first switch unit  42  is inactivated and the second switch unit  46  is activated so that the energy-storing module  22  controls the power distribution module  231  to provide the third operation power to the at least one motherboard  24 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a server system according to fourth embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  illustrates the power supply module  21 , energy-storing module  22 , charge control module  233 , and the connection relationship therebetween. Other components and connection relationship of the server system are shown in  FIG. 2 . The charge control module  233  is electrically coupled to the power supply module  21  and the energy-storing module  22  for controlling the charging procedure. In this case, the charge control module  233  includes an over-current protection unit  52 , a voltage-detecting unit  54 , a third switch unit  56  and a power control chip  58 . 
         [0052]    The over-current protection unit  52  is electrically coupled to the power supply module  21  for detecting the current magnitude transmitted from the power supply module  21  and for sending the detecting result to the power control chip  58  which is one of control parameters for turning on the third switch unit  56 . The voltage-detecting unit  54  is electrically coupled to the power supply module  21  for detecting the over-voltage (OV) and the under-voltage (UV) statuses of the power supply module  21  and for sending the detecting result to the power control chip  58  which is one of control parameters for turning on the third switch unit  56 . The third switch unit  56  is electrically coupled to the over-current protection unit  52  and the energy-storing module  22 . The power control chip  58  is electrically coupled to the over-current protection unit  52 , voltage-detecting unit  54 , third switch unit  56  and the energy-storing module  22 . Based on at least one of the detected current magnitude of over-current protection unit  52 , the over-voltage and the under-voltage statuses of the voltage-detecting unit  54  and feedback information of the energy-storing module  22 , the third switch unit  56  is controlled to be activated or inactivated so that the power supply module  21  enables or disables the charging procedure of the energy-storing module  22 . 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, the third switch unit  56  is composed of transistors. The power control chip  58  controls the third switch unit  56  to be activated or inactivated for turning on/off the charging power transmitted from the power supply module  21  to the energy-storing module  22 . 
         [0054]    In one embodiment, the charge control module  233  further includes a management information unit  57  where the dashed line represents the optional component. The management information unit  57  is electrically coupled to the power control chip  58  for sending the status information and controlling the power control chip  58  based on the received information. For example, the management information unit  57  employs the I 2 C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) protocol including serial clock line (SCL) and serial data line (SDA) and System Management Bus (SMBus) protocol for sending the status information and controlling the power control chip  58  based on the received information. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, the charge control module  233  further includes an enabling signal unit  59  where the dashed line represents the optional component. The enabling signal unit  59  is electrically coupled to the power control chip  58  for controlling the power control chip  58  to be activated or activated wherein the enabling signal unit  59  is controlled by external signal. In first embodiment, the resistor is pulled up to the high level signal or pulled down to low level signal to activate the power control chip  58 . In second embodiment, the enabling signal unit  59  controls the power supply of the power control chip  58  to be activated or inactivated. In third embodiment, the power control chip  58  controls itself power supply based on state information. In one case, when the enabling signal unit  59  activates the power control chip  58 , the power control chip  58  controls the third switch unit  56  to be activated so that the power supply module  21  charges the energy-storing module  22  if the over-current protection unit  52  detects no current magnitude, the voltage-detecting unit  54  detects no over-voltage and under-voltage statuses, and the energy-storing module  22  detects no feedback information of over-charging status. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a cluster system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cluster system includes a plurality of server nodes  62  and at least one storage server  64 . The at least one storage server  64  is electrically coupled to the server nodes  62 . Each server node  62  includes a power supply module  621 , an energy-storing module  622 , a power management module  623  and at least one motherboard  624 . The power supply module  621  provides a first operation power and the energy-storing module  622  provides a stored power. The power management module  623  electrically coupled to power supply module  621  and energy-storing module  622  receives first operation power and provides a second operation power, or receives the stored power and provides a third operation power. The at least one motherboard  624  includes at least one internal memory module  625  for storing memory data. The at least one motherboard  624  receives the second operation power or third operation power wherein the energy-storing module  622  may be supercapacitor, i.e. electrochemical capacitors or storage battery set. 
         [0057]    When the server node  62  operates normally, the power management module  623  transforms the received first operation power into the second operation power to be provided to the at least one motherboard  624 . When the server node is powered off abnormally, the power management module  623  instantly changes the received first operation power to the stored power and transforms the stored power into third operation power. The third operation power is provided for a time interval “T”. During the time interval “T”, a data backup module  627  installed in the operating system (OS)  626  is used to backup the data of internal memory module  625  and the operation tasks to the storage server  64 . Meanwhile, the data backup module  627  interrupts the electrical connection between the energy-storing module  622  and the power management module  623 . A data restoring module  628  in the OS  626  of another server node  62  receives and loads the backup data in the internal memory module  625  of the storage server  64  and the operation tasks. The another server node  62  continuously operates at the status when the server node  62  is powered off abnormal so that the application program executed in the cluster system is taken over seamlessly. The data backup module  627  is implemented by software program to backup the data and operation tasks. The data restoring module  628  is implemented by software program to take over and load the backup data. 
         [0058]    In the present invention, when the application program executed in one server of the cluster system malfunctions due to power failure, another application program in another server is capable of taking over the data in relative storage of the one server so that the function of application program in the one server works normally. Conventionally, the taking over procedure includes three steps of detecting and confirming the application program malfunction, restarting the application program by the backup server, and taking over the data in the relative storage region. In this case, it takes a long time to re-execute the another application program, which depends on the execution scale of the application program. In the server system and the cluster system of the present invention, the backup server instantly takes over the data and operation tasks of the malfunction server and it is not required to load the application program again so that the application program executed in the cluster system is taken over seamlessly. 
         [0059]    As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrative rather than limiting of the present invention. It is intended that they cover various modifications and similar arrangements be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structure.

Technology Category: 4