U.S. patent application number 14/492902 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-08 for devices, systems, and methods for distributed monitoring and control of networked server computers.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nebula, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Matthew Gambardella, David Kaplin, Steven White. Invention is credited to Matthew Gambardella, David Kaplin, Steven White.
Application Number | 20150012683 14/492902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50066527 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150012683 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gambardella; Matthew ; et
al. |
January 8, 2015 |
Devices, Systems, and Methods for Distributed Monitoring and
Control of Networked Server Computers
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention include network cables that
include a number of inter-integrated circuit communication
addressable components in the connector heads. The inter-integrated
circuit communication addressable components include signal
translators and switches for communicating with environmental and
electrical sensors, memories, and controllers in the connector
heads and the computers or network interface cards to which they
are coupled. Such embodiments allow for localized monitoring of
environmental and operational data as well as location or server
computer specific control of networked-server operations. Such
information and control is useful in reducing the cost and
increasing the efficiency of server farm installation cooling,
maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting. Other embodiments
include methods for communicating between a switch and a server
computer using the network cable assembly by translating a signal
from a one communication protocol to another for transmission over
a dedicated connection between two connector heads.
Inventors: |
Gambardella; Matthew;
(Redmond, WA) ; White; Steven; (Grafton, WV)
; Kaplin; David; (Fairmont, WV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gambardella; Matthew
White; Steven
Kaplin; David |
Redmond
Grafton
Fairmont |
WA
WV
WV |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nebula, Inc.
Mountain View
CA
|
Family ID: |
50066527 |
Appl. No.: |
14/492902 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13570080 |
Aug 8, 2012 |
8848699 |
|
|
14492902 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
710/316 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 49/40 20130101;
G06F 2213/4004 20130101; H04L 41/24 20130101; H04L 43/08 20130101;
H04L 49/15 20130101; G06F 13/4022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
710/316 |
International
Class: |
G06F 13/40 20060101
G06F013/40 |
Claims
1. A network cable comprising: a first connector head coupled to a
first end of the network cable comprising: a first signal switch
comprising a plurality of ports and having a first port coupled to
a first connector terminal configured to establish a first
connection external to the network cable; a first bus internal to
the first connector head coupled to a second port of the first
signal switch; and a second bus internal to the first connector
head coupled to a third port of the first signal switch; a second
connector head coupled to a second end of the network cable
comprising: a second signal switch comprising a plurality of ports
and having a first port coupled to a second connector terminal
configured to establish a second connection external to the network
cable; a first bus internal to the second connector head coupled to
a second port of the second signal switch; and a second bus
internal to the second connector head coupled to a third port of
the second signal switch and coupled to the second bus internal to
the first connector head via the network cable.
2. The network cable of claim 1 wherein the first connector
terminal is configured to couple to a first bus external to the
network cable and the second connector terminal is configured to
couple to a second bus external to the network cable.
3. The network cable of claim 2 wherein the first bus external to
the network cable is disposed in a network device and the second
bus external to the network cable is disposed in a server
computer.
4. The network cable of claim 1 further comprising a device coupled
to the first bus internal to the first connector head.
5. The network cable of claim 4 wherein the device comprises a
memory.
6. The network cable of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
devices coupled to the second bus internal to the second connector
head.
7. The network cable of claim 6 wherein the plurality of devices
coupled to the second bus internal to the second connector head
comprises a sensor.
8. The network cable of claim 6 wherein the plurality of devices
coupled to the second bus internal to the second connector head
comprises a signal translation module coupled to a dedicated
connection in the network cable and configured to generate a
modified signal in response to a signal received via the second bus
internal to the second connector head and send the modified signal
via the dedicated connection to the second bus internal to the
first connector.
9. A method comprising: receiving, from a first device external to
a network cable, a command signal at a first terminal of a first
connector head coupled to a first end of the network cable; routing
the command signal to a first port of a first switch internal to
the first connector head; and routing the command signal from the
first switch to a first bus internal to the first connector head or
a second bus internal to the first connector head; wherein the
second bus internal to the first connector head is coupled to a bus
internal to a second connector head coupled to a second end of the
network cable.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein routing the command signal
comprises determining an address information from the command
signal.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein routing the command signal
further comprises configuring the first switch internal to the
first connector head to couple the first terminal of the first
connector head to the first bus internal to the first connector
head or the second bus internal to first connector in response to
the address information.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the second bus internal to the
first connector head is coupled to the bus internal to the second
connector head via a translation module.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving, from the first device
external to the network cable, the command signal at the first
terminal of the first connector head, comprises receiving the
command signal from a first bus internal to the first device.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first device comprises a
server computer or a network communication switch.
15. A system comprising: a network cable comprising: a first
connector head coupled to a first end of the network cable
comprising: a first signal switch comprising a plurality of ports
and having a first port coupled to a first connector terminal
configured to establish a first connection external to the network
cable; a first bus internal to the first connector head coupled to
a second port of the first signal switch; and a second bus internal
to the first connector head coupled to a third port of the first
signal switch; a second connector head coupled to a second end of
the network cable comprising: a second signal switch comprising a
plurality of ports and having a first port coupled to a second
connector terminal configured to establish a second connection
external to the network cable; a first bus internal to the second
connector head coupled to a second port of the second signal
switch; and a second bus internal to the second connector head
coupled to a third port of the second signal switch and coupled to
the second bus internal to the first connector head via the network
cable; a first network device coupled to the first connector head;
and a second network device coupled to the second connector
head.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the second bus internal to the
first connector head is coupled to the second bus internal to the
second connector head via the network cable and via a first
translation module internal to the first connecter and a second
translation module internal to the second connector head.
17. The system of claim 15 wherein the network cable comprises a
dedicated communication connection coupled to the second bus
internal to the first connector head and the second bus internal to
the second connector head.
18. The system of claim 15 wherein the second connector head
further comprises a first device coupled to the second bus internal
to the second connector head.
19. The network cable assembly of claim 18 wherein the first device
coupled to the second bus internal to the second connector head
comprises a sensor.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to the installation,
operation, and maintenance of communication and data networks and
networked computers at the circuit/mother board level. In
particular, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to
devices, systems, and methods for distributed monitoring and
control of server computers and other network devices, at the
circuit/mother board level.
[0002] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described
in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application
and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this
section.
[0003] As cloud computing and other online and software services,
software as a service (SaaS), become increasingly more popular and
ever more ubiquitous, computing resource providers are faced with
the challenges associated with ever-increasing size of server
facilities, or so-called "server farms." In addition to the space
and power requirements required for operating hundreds, if not
thousands, of networked computer servers, computing resource
providers must also consider the maintenance, monitoring, and
repair of such large deployments of server computers. To address
the space and power distribution requirements of such large-scale
computer server operations, many computing resource providers use
rack mount server computer configurations 100, such as that shown
in FIG. 1.
[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, rack mount form factor server computers
130 can be installed in a server rack 105. The use of server racks
105 to house and organize rack mount form factor server computers
130 addresses two initial challenges that face operators of large
scale server farms. Firstly, by arranging the computer servers
vertically, as shown in FIG. 1, the rack mount form factor server
computers 130 installed in a rack 105 can reduce the physical
footprint required for each server computer, thereby increasing the
server computer density per square foot in a server farm facility.
Secondly, many server computer racks 105 also include backplane
power distribution sockets which allow for rack mount form factor
server computers 130 to be physically inserted into the rack 105
and be electrically connected to a power supply simultaneously.
Each server computer in the rack can then be connected to one
another, and/or to other server computers external to the rack, to
form a network of computers.
[0005] To create the necessary network connections, each server
computer 130 is individually coupled via one or more networking
cables to an appropriate network communications device, such as
switch, bridge, or router 110, as shown in FIG. 1. Such high
density rack mounted configurations 100, some of which can include
multiple racks of rack mount form factor computers 130 in a single
room, tend to generate large amounts of excess heat that must be
managed appropriately to prevent overheating which, if left
unchecked, can damage or destroy the server installation.
[0006] To manage the excess heat, various systems exist for cooling
or otherwise extracting the heat from the server room in which the
server racks of server computers are installed. For example, many
server farms are equipped with powerful air conditioner systems to
flood the server room with cooled and humidity controlled air 115.
While effective, such systems usually do not have server-position
based feedback to tell the cooling system where more cooling is
required and where the cooling can be reduced. As such,
conventional server farm cooling systems often run at temperatures
lower than required at great expense to the server farm operator.
The effectiveness and efficiency of such cooling systems are
further reduced by the fact that most cooling system configurations
direct the cold air 115 from the bottom end of the server rack 105.
This results in an undesirable temperature gradient 120, with
cooler temperatures achieved at the bottom 125 of the rack 105 and
higher temperatures, due to the waste heat from the server
computers 130, at the top 127.
[0007] In attempts to reduce the overall operating cost of the
server room, some operators may choose to operate the cooling
systems at higher temperatures at the risk of potentially
overheating some or all of the server computers of the top 127 of
rack 105, or another rack which may be operating at higher
temperatures than rack 105 due to higher computing activity.
Accordingly, a server farm operator using conventional cooling
systems must balance the cost savings associated with running the
cooling system at higher temperatures with the risk of possibly
overheating one or more of the server computers 130 in one or more
server racks.
[0008] Furthermore, the as the density of server computers 130 in a
given server farm installation increases, the task of maintaining,
troubling shooting, repairing, and auditing the installation of
server computers grows increasingly arduous. Since the motivation
to reduce costs typically deters server farm operators from hiring
additional technicians, most server farm operators seek to increase
the level of automation with which they can efficiently and
effectively operate. The ability to detect, locate, diagnosis,
troubleshoot, as well as indicate to technicians, server computers
that are experiencing unfavorable environmental conditions, such as
overheating, or have suffered a software, firmware, or hardware
malfunction, can greatly increase the efficiency and effectiveness
of each technician tasked with the operating the server farm.
Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of each technician can
translate into not only cost savings for the server farm operator,
but also increased performance and revenue. While some systems
exist for accomplishing such monitoring and maintenance, existing
solutions include dedicated computing devices and additional
monitoring structures which increase the cost of acquisition and
installation, thus negating much of the cost savings that a server
farm operator might achieve in the resulting reduced operational
costs.
[0009] Thus, there is a need for improved systems, devices, and
methods for distributed monitoring and control of networked server
computers. The present invention solves these and other problems by
providing network cables with distributed sensors that can deliver
information and control signals amongst a distributed installation
of existing server computers and switches using existing
communication channels and protocols.
SUMMARY
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention improve monitoring,
programming, and control of networked computers and other network
devices at the circuit/mother board level. One embodiment includes
a network cable having a first connector head coupled to a first
end of a network cable. The first connector head can include a
first signal switch having multiple ports. One of the ports can be
coupled to a first connector terminal configured to establish a
first connection external to the network cable. The first connector
head can also include a first bus internal to the first connector
head that can be coupled to a second port of the first signal
switch.
[0011] The first connector head can also include second bus
internal to the first connector head coupled to a third port of the
first signal switch.
[0012] In related embodiments, the network cable can also include a
second connector head coupled to a second end of the network cable.
The second connector head can include a second signal switch
comprising multiple ports. One of the ports of the second signal
switch can coupled to a second connector terminal configured to
establish a second connection external to the network cable. The
second connector head can also include a first bus internal to the
second connector head coupled to a second port of the second signal
switch. The second connector head can further a second bus internal
to the second connector head coupled to a third port of the second
signal switch and coupled to the second bus internal to the first
connector head via the network cable.
[0013] In some embodiments, the first connector head can include a
connector terminal configured to couple to a first bus external to
the network cable and the second connector terminal head can
include a connector terminal that can be configured to couple to a
second bus external to the network cable. The first bus external to
the network cable can be disposed in a network device and the
second bus external to the network cable can be disposed in a
server computer.
[0014] In related embodiments, the network cable can include a
device coupled to the first bus internal to the first connector
head. The device can include various elements, components, or
functions, such as, a memory or sensor. The network cable can also
include multiple devices coupled to the second bus internal to the
second connector head. The multiple devices coupled to the second
bus internal to the second connector head can include elements,
components, or functions, such as memories and sensors.
[0015] In other embodiments, the plurality of devices coupled to
the second bus internal to the second connector head can include a
signal translation module coupled to a dedicated connection in the
network cable and configured to generate a modified signal in
response to a signal received via the second bus internal of the
second connector head and send the modified signal via the
dedicated connection to the second bus internal to the first
connector.
[0016] Another embodiments is directed to a method that can include
receiving, from a first device external to a network cable, a
command signal at a first terminal of a first connector head
coupled to a first end of the network cable and routing the command
signal to a first port of a first switch internal to the first
connector head, The method also includes routing the command signal
from the first switch to a first bus internal to the first
connector head or a second bus internal to the first connector
head. The second bus internal to the first connector head can be
coupled to a bus internal to a second connector head coupled to a
second end of the network cable. In such embodiments, routing the
command signal can include determining an address information from
the command signal and configuring the first switch internal to the
first connector head to couple the first terminal of the first
connector head to the first bus internal to the first connector
head or the second bus internal to first connector in response to
the address information. In some embodiments, the second bus
internal to the first connector head is coupled to the bus internal
to the second connector head via a translation module.
[0017] In other embodiments, receiving, from the first device
external to the network cable, the command signal at the first
terminal of the first connector head, includes receiving the
command signal from a first bus internal to the first device. In
such embodiments, the first device comprises a server computer,
network communication switch, other network device.
[0018] Other embodiments are directed toward systems that include a
network cable having a first connector head coupled to a first end
of a network cable. The first connector head can include a first
signal switch having multiple port. One of the ports can be coupled
to a first connector terminal configured to establish a first
connection external to the network cable. The first connector head
can also include a first bus internal to the first connector head
coupled to a second port of the first signal switch. The first
connector head can also include a second bus internal to the first
connector head coupled to a third port of the first signal switch.
The network cable can also include a second connector head coupled
to a second end of the network cable having a second signal switch
having multiple ports. One of the ports can be coupled to a second
connector terminal configured to establish a second connection
external to the network cable. The second connector head can also
include a first bus internal to the second connector head coupled
to a second port of the second signal switch. The second connector
head can also include a second bus internal to the second connector
head coupled to a third port of the second signal switch and
coupled to the second bus internal to the first connector head via
the network cable, a first network device coupled to the first
connector head, and a second network device coupled to the second
connector head.
[0019] In related embodiments, the second bus internal to the first
connector head can be coupled to the second bus internal to the
second connector head via the network cable and via a first
translation module internal to the first connecter and a second
translation module internal to the second connector head.
[0020] In other embodiments, the system includes a network cable
having a dedicated communication connection coupled to the second
bus internal to the first connector head and the second bus
internal to the second connector head. The second connector head
can further include a first device coupled to the second bus
internal to the second connector head. The first device coupled to
the second bus internal to the second connector head can include a
sensor, such an environmental or electrical sensor.
[0021] Some other embodiments are directed toward methods that
include receiving, at a first connector terminal of a first
connector head of a network cable, a command signal in a first
communication protocol from an external device, the first connector
head includes a first internal switch coupled to each of the first
connector terminal, a first bus internal to the first connector
head, and a second connector head of the network cable. The switch,
or other logic, can selectively route the command signal in the
first communication protocol from the first connector terminal to
one of the first bus internal to the first connector head or the
second connector head. Routing the command signal to the second
connector head can include routing the command signal to a second
bus internal to the first connector head coupled to a third bus
internal to the second connector head via a dedicated connection in
the network cable.
[0022] In other embodiments, routing the command signal to the
third bus internal to the second connector head can further include
routing the command signal to a first device coupled to the third
bus internal to the second connector head. The internal device
coupled to the third bus internal to the second connector head can
include a sensor. Such a sensor can include a temperature,
humidity, or other environmental sensor.
[0023] In related method embodiments, routing the command signal to
the third bus internal to the second connector head can include
converting the command signal from the first communication protocol
to a second communication protocol, sending the command signal in
the second communication protocol to the second connector head via
the dedicated connection, receiving the command signal in the
second communication protocol at the second connector head,
converting the command signal from second communication protocol to
the first communication protocol, and routing the command signal in
the first communication protocol to a device coupled to the third
bus internal to the second connector head.
[0024] In yet other embodiments, such methods can also include
routing, in response to the command signal, a response signal from
a device coupled to the third bus internal to the second connector
head to the first connector head via the dedicated connection in
the network cable. The device coupled to the third bus internal to
the second connector head can include an environmental sensor and
the response signal can include environmental data from the
environmental sensor.
[0025] In other embodiments, routing the response signal to the
first connector head can further include converting the response
signal from the first communication protocol to the second
communication protocol, sending the response signal in the second
communication protocol to the first connector head via the
dedicated connection, receiving the response signal in the second
communication protocol at the first connector head, converting the
response signal from the second communication protocol to the first
communication protocol, and routing the response signal in the
first communication protocol to the external device via the first
internal switch in the first connector head.
[0026] The following detailed description and accompanying drawings
provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the
present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a rack of rack mount form factor server
computers that can be improved by various embodiments of the
present.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a network cable assembly according to
various embodiments of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a computer coupled to a network switch
via network cable according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a network cable assembly according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a server computer installation that
includes a network cable assembly according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another method according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic of a network computer that
can be improved by and be used to implement various embodiments of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Described herein are techniques for devices, systems, and
methods for distributed monitoring and control of server computers
and other network devices at the circuit/mother board level. In the
following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous
examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be
evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
invention as defined by the claims may include some or all of the
features in these examples alone or in combination with other
features described below, and may further include modifications and
equivalents of the features and concepts described herein.
[0036] Various embodiments of the present invention are directed
towards enhanced computer networking communication cable assemblies
with distributed sensors, memories, and controllers for remotely
monitoring and controlling existing networked server computers.
According to such embodiments, each enhanced computer networking
communication cable assembly can include connector heads that
include the terminals and connectors for enabling communication
between a switch or router and a networked server computer, as well
as I2C, SMBus, or other low-voltage or short distance
inter-integrated circuit communication protocol enabled devices
capable of addressing sensors, memories, and control modules on a
dedicated bus. Such enhanced computer networking communication
cables in conjunction with appropriately upgraded or programmed
switches and/or routers, can communicate with sensors, memories,
and controllers in the connector heads as well as sensors,
memories, and controllers attached to an inter-integrated circuit
communication protocol communication network or bus internal or
local to each server computer or network device. In such
embodiments, the low-voltage or short distance inter-integrated
circuit communication protocol bus local to or internal to each
connector head can also be configured to couple to or route signals
to and from a connector terminal in the connector head to establish
connections with one or more buses external to the connector
head.
[0037] Such cable and system architectures deployed in server farm
environments increase the capabilities of the server farm operator
or computing resource provider for monitoring various environmental
conditions, such as temperature and humidity, as well as providing
for enhanced or new capabilities with regard to maintenance and
operation of the server computers, such as fan control,
power/reboot control, and other motherboard level operations
previously only available to each server computer or a devices that
are directly connected to the server computers' inter-integrated
circuit communication or programming interface.
[0038] Embodiments of the present invention include network cable
assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2. As shown, the network cable assembly
200 can include a first connector head 220A and a second connector
head 220B. Connector heads 220A and 220B can be connected to one
another via a network cable bundle 210. In deployment, the first
connector head 220A can be coupled to a network communication
switch and connector head 220B can be coupled to a server computer,
thus coupling the switch to the server computer.
[0039] Cable bundle 210 can include multiple communication wires,
such as network communication wires 213, and inter-integrated
circuit communication wires 212. The network communication wires
213 can include various types of conventional communication wires,
such as CATS twisted pairs and coaxial cable, for communication
over Ethernet or other similar networking protocols. The cable
bundle 210 can also include fiber-optic bundles for communication
over various optical network communication protocols. The
inter-integrated circuit communication wires 213 can include one or
more twisted pairs of metal wires for low bandwidth communication
over various types of inter-integrated circuit communication
protocols, such as I2C and SMBus. While FIG. 2 only shows exemplary
numbers of network communication wires 213 and inter-integrated
circuit communication wires 212, various embodiments the present
invention also include larger numbers of such wires.
[0040] Network communication cable assembly 200 can include
connector heads 220A and 220B having components that are coupled to
the corresponding communication wires within the cable bundle 210.
In some embodiments of the present invention, network communication
wires 213 can connect and/or couple the network communication
modules or integrated circuits 229A and 229B. The communication
modules or integrated circuits 229A and 229B can include filters,
signal conditioners, signal boosters, and other components for
increasing the speed or the reliability of network communications.
The connector heads 220A and 220B can also include network
terminals or connections 227A and 227B for coupling to the
networked devices, such as switches, routers, and computers.
[0041] The inter-integrated circuit communication wires 212 can
each include or be a part of a twisted pair of metal wires for
communication between and/or connecting signal translation modules
224A and 224B. In some embodiments, inter-integrated circuit
communication wires 212 can use any type of twisted pair or other
types of conductors that can be used as open-drain lines. For
example, inter-integrated circuit communication wires 212 can be a
set of unused twisted pairs often available in existing CATS
cables. Alternatively, the cable bundle 210 can be specially
fabricated to include one or more dedicated inter-integrated
circuit communication wires 212 specifically for use in I2C or
other inter-integrated circuit communication.
[0042] Typical voltages used in I2C and other similar
inter-integrated circuit communication signals are in the +3.3V to
+5V range and are typically intended for use in relatively short
distance communications, such as between various boards and
integrated circuits coupled to a single common circuit board. Since
such relatively low voltage signals can be corrupted by noise or
other interference experienced in longer distance communication
attempted along the lengths typical of most networking
communication cables, various embodiments of the present invention
include signal translation modules 224A and 224B in the connector
heads 220A and 220B. Signal translation modules 224A and 224B can
perform a two-way translation between the relatively low voltage
native inter-integrated circuit communication signal, i.e. voltages
in the +3.3 V to +5 V range, to a higher signal voltage, i.e.
voltages in +10 V to +15 V range, to improve the reliability of the
transmitted inter-integrated circuit communication signal. In
related embodiments, signal translation modules 224A and 224B can
also up-convert and down-convert the current at which the
inter-integrated circuit communication signals are sent between
connector heads 220A and 220B. In some other embodiments, the
signal translation modules 224A and 224B can be or be included in
an integrated circuit.
[0043] When inter-integrated circuit communication signals are
received in either of signal translation modules 224A or 224B in an
increased-voltage or increased-current signal format, the signal
translation module can convert the received signal into a native
inter-integrated circuit communication protocol or signal voltage
or current level. Such inter-integrated circuit communication
protocols can include I2C or SMbus protocols. As used herein, the
terms inter-integrated circuit communication protocol, I2C or SMbus
protocols can be used interchangeably to refer to any short to mid
distance or low to medium bandwidth communication protocol used to
read from, write to, or otherwise interact with or alter
electrically coupled electronic components, such as sensors,
memories, and integrated circuits on an inter-integrated circuit
communication protocol bus.
[0044] The down-converted or translated inter-integrated circuit
communication signal can then be routed to an inter-integrated
circuit communication switch, such as switch 223A or 223B over
communication lines 226A and 226B in the connector heads 220A and
220B. The communications lines 226A and 226B can include wires or
traces on a printed circuit board (PCB).
[0045] In various embodiments, the inter-integrated circuit
communication switches can be controlled in a number of ways to
route received signals to the intended device. In one embodiment,
inter-integrated circuit communication switches 223A and 223B can
access or otherwise interpret the address bits of the
inter-integrated circuit communication signal to route the signal
to the appropriate component in the connector head or in server
computer or network interface card to which the connector head is
coupled. In some embodiments, the inter-integrated circuit
communication switches 223A and 223B can interpret the address bit
in the received and translated signals from both directions. The
address bits of the inter-integrated circuit communication signal
can include manufacturer specific address bits, device specific
address bits, as well location specific address bits, such that the
inter-integrated circuit communication switches 223A or 223B can
route inter-integrated circuit communication signal to the
appropriate bus or device in either one of the connector heads 220A
or 220B as well as any inter-integrated circuit communication
capable device with a valid inter-integrated circuit communication
address in any device coupled to connections 225A or 225B and/or
switches 223A or 223B.
[0046] In other embodiments, the inter-integrated circuit
communication switches 223A and 223B can accept control or routing
commands from only one direction. For example, in some embodiments,
the inter-integrated circuit communication switches can accept
control signals from the connector head terminal side only, i.e.
from 228A or 228B and not from 226A and 226B. In such embodiments,
the network communication switch or server computer to which the
connector head is coupled must send a control signal to the
inter-integrated circuit communication switch to configure the
switch to be coupled to the local bus in the connector head, i.e.
230A and 230B, or to bus 225A or 225B. In other embodiments, the
inter-integrated circuit communication switches can accept control
signal from the cable or translation module side only, i.e. from
226A and 226B and not from 228A or 228B.
[0047] In yet other embodiments, inter-integrated circuit
communication switch 223A can accept control signals from either
the cable side, i.e. 226A, or the connector side, i.e. 228A, and
inter-integrated circuit communication switch 223B can accept
control signals in a reverse configuration. In such embodiments,
inter-integrated circuit communication switch 223B can receive
control signals from the cable side connection, i.e. 226B, when the
inter-integrated circuit communication switch 223A can receive
control signal from the connector side connection, i.e. 228A, and
inter-integrated circuit communication switch 223B can accept
control signal from the connector side connection, i.e. 228B, when
the inter-integrated circuit communication switch 223A is
configured to accept control signal from the cable side connection,
i.e. 226A. In such configurations, it is advantageous to include a
second inter-integrated circuit communication switch configured in
either connector head configured in the opposite control signal
acceptance configuration so that control signals can be routed to
the accepting side of the inter-integrated circuit communication
switches from a device coupled to the opposite side of the network
cable assembly.
[0048] In various embodiments, connector head 220A and 220B can
include modules 222A and 222B coupled to switches 223A or 223B via
bus 225A or 225B, as shown in FIG. 2. Modules 222A and 222B can
include any number and variety of environmental, location, or
electrical sensors, controllers, and memories. For example modules
222A and 222B can include temperature sensors, such as
thermocouples, humidity sensors, EEPROMs, GPS sensors, proximity
sensors, volt meters, resistance meters, current meters. All of
such sensors can be included in a single integrated circuit, or be
connected to a common PCB located in either one or both connector
heads 220A or 220B. In some embodiments, more or fewer sensors can
be included in one or the other of connector heads 220A or
220B.
[0049] For example, connector head 220B can be the end of the
network cable assembly 200 that is connected to a server computer.
In such configurations, is advantageous for connector head 220B to
include an EEPROM having information regarding the location of
connector head 220B within the server rack or any information
regarding the server computer to which it is coupled, such as a MAC
address or rack location. With information regarding the rack
location or address stored on a memory in the server-side connector
head, various functions, such as business and regulation related
audits, can be performed much more quickly and accurately. In such
scenarios, an audit of the physical server computer can be
performed with reference to a physical rack location stored on the
server-side connector head memory. Additionally, with connector
head 220B connected to a server computer, in some embodiments it is
advantageous for module 222B to include a thermocouple and/or
humidity sensor, such that a user who has access to administrative
or other functionality of the networking switch to which connector
head 220A is connected can retrieve temperature, humidity, and/or
other environmental data from the sensors within connector head
220B regarding the vicinity of connector head 220B and/or the
server to which it is coupled.
[0050] Sensors in connector head 220B can provide localized
environmental information that a networking switch, control
computer, administrator, or other user can reference for fine
tuning environmental controls for the room or rack in which a
server computer is located. For example, a sensor in connector head
220B can be accessed periodically to provide real-time, or near
real-time, environmental data that can be used to fine tune and/or
redirect heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to
maintain optimal operating temperatures, thus increasing the
effectiveness and reducing costs associated with running the HVAC
system. Specifically, if a temperature and/or humidity sensor in
module 222B senses that the temperature at connector head 220B or
the server to which it is coupled is at or below a threshold
temperature or humidity which a server farm operator or computing
resources provider has determined is optimal, such information can
be sent to an HVAC control module to either reduce the level of
cooling, reduce the flow of the cooled air, or increase the
humidity at that specific location associated with connector head
220B or the server to which it is coupled. In such embodiments, the
cost of running the HVAC system can be reduced by analyzing the
sensor data to determine if the level of cooling, air speed, or
humidity levels, or other operating conditions can be reduced,
altered or otherwise optimized.
[0051] Additionally, the effectiveness of the HVAC system can be
increased by analyzing the sensor data to determine where the
cooled and/or humidified air is most needed, thus providing a
computing resource provider or server farm operator the data
necessary to alter the operation of the HVAC system to direct lower
temperature air and/or increase air flow.
[0052] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary deployment of the network cable
assembly 200 for connecting a network switch 310 with server 320.
As shown, switch 310 can include network connections or sockets
configured to be connected to or coupled with the network cable
assembly 200. The end of the network cable assembly 200 having the
connector head coupled to the switch 310, is referred to herein as
the switch-end connector head. Similarly the connector head at the
end of the network cable assembly 200 which is attached to or
coupled with server computer 320, is referred to herein as the
server-end connector head. As shown, the switch-end connector head
of network cable assembly 200 can be coupled to port 1 of switch
310 while the server-end connector head can be coupled to the
network interface card (NIC) 321 of server 320. In such
configurations, switch 310 can include a non-transitory or
non-volatile memory 315 for storing configuration information and
settings for switch 310 to address inter-integrated circuit
communication addressable components in the switch-end connector
head. The configuration information and settings data stored in the
memory 315 can be in the form of computer readable code or
instructions, such as executable code, software, or firmware.
[0053] The data stored in memory 315 can also include configuration
information and settings to enable switch 310 to address
inter-integrated circuit communication enabled or addressable
components in the server via the inter-integrated circuit
communication switches and signal translation modules in the
switch-end and server-end connector heads that are connected by the
inter-integrated circuit communication wires. Through the network
cable assembly 200, a user or a remote computer can send command or
instruction signals to the switch 310 by a number of networking
communication protocols to instruct the switch 310 to send
instructions and/or issue requests or command signals to various
inter-integrated circuit communication components within server 320
or in the server-end connector head.
[0054] For example, switch 310 can issue a read command signal to
any one of inter-integrated circuit communication enabled or
addressable modules 323, 324, 325, or 326 by inter-integrated
circuit communication wires 322 coupled to the network interface
card 321. In such a configuration, the remote user or a remote
computer can receive environmental information from sensors inside
server 320. Similarly switch 310 can also issue commands in
response to information received from the modules 323, 324, 225, or
326 to alter the functionality of server 320. For example, switch
310 can issue an on/off command or speed control command using
inter-integrated circuit communication protocols sent via network
cable assembly 200 to fan 327 in response to the analysis of
information received from one or more the sensors inside server 320
or another neighboring computer server. In other embodiments,
switch 310 can issue an on/off command to the power supply or power
supply control module within server 320 to either shut-down,
start-up, or re-boot the server 320. In related embodiments, a
server or a network interface card in a server computer can include
a control and access module that can include security, translation,
and information or functionality for providing or facilitating
access to and control of various components connected to the
control and access module on a bus internal to the server computer.
Such capability can greatly increase the effectiveness of a
computing resource provider or server farm technician in the
day-to-day operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of a
particular server deployed in a server farm environment by reducing
the number of physical visits the technician would need to make to
one or more malfunctioning server computers.
[0055] In related embodiments, multiple network cable assemblies
200 can be assembled into a composite cable assembly 400 that
includes multiple connector heads 220A and 220B coupled via
multiple cable bundles similar to cable bundle 210. A simplified
schematic of one such embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. As shown,
multiple network cable assemblies, including N connector heads 425
and N connector heads 420 connected together in pairs by multiple
cable bundles 411, 412, 413, 414, 415 to cable bundle M that can be
combined into a single composite cable bundle 410. In such
embodiments, N and M are natural numbers that may or may not be
equal to one another.
[0056] The cable bundles 411, 412, 413, 414, 415 all the way to
cable bundle M can all be configured just as or similarly to cable
bundle 210 shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, each cable bundle 411,
412, 413, 414, 415, to cable bundle M can each include a network
communication protocol wire or connection as well as
inter-integrated circuit communication wires or connections, as
previously discussed. The length of each cable bundle 411, 412,
413, 414, 415 to cable bundle M within composite cable bundle 410
can be dimensioned such that when the composite cable assembly 400
is attached to a network communication switch in one location in a
server rack, such as at the top of the rack, each of the
constituent cable assemblies will reach a specific server location
or slot in the server rack.
[0057] For example, FIG. 5 shows that when the switch-end connector
head of the first constituent cable assembly within the composite
cable assembly is coupled to the network communication switch 510
at port 1, that constituent cable bundle will run to a specific
location in the server stack 510, such that the server-end
connecter head can only reach or be coupled to the server 511. In
this particular case, the first constituent cable assembly can be
dimensioned such that it will only run from port 1 of the network
communication switch 510 to server slot or server computer 511.
Similarly, the constituent cable assembly coupled to port 2 of
network communication switch 510 will reach server slot or server
computer 512. The cable bundle assembly 400 can include as many
connector heads on the switch-end as the network communication
switch 510 has ports. In the example shown in FIG. 5, network
communication switch 510 includes at least 42 ports to service a
typical 42 unit high server rack that can accommodate server
computers 511 to 542.
[0058] In such embodiments, the switch-end connector heads can be
assembled into a single connector that will match with the number
and spacing of the port connections on network communication switch
510. Each one of the connector heads on the switch-end of the
composite cable bundle assembly 400 can include a memory, such as
an EEPROM, that can be read from and or written to in order to
identify the port number on the network communication switch 510 to
which the connector head is coupled. Similarly, the server-end
connector heads, can be coupled to backplane connectors of the
server rack or to the server computers 511 to 542, and can each
include a memory, such as an EEPROM, that includes location
information that can be written to or read from to determine the
location of that particular connector head, and/or the server
computer to which it coupled, in the server rack.
[0059] For example the cable bundle assembly coupled to the server
slot or server computer at 511 can include information indicating
that cable bundle assembly is routed to the topmost slot in the
server rack. In such embodiments, a computing resource provider or
server farm operator can issue commands over a network to network
communication switch 510 to send and I2C communication protocol
command and request signals through each one of the constituent
cable bundle assemblies to read, write, or activate various
operations in the connector head or server computer at a specific
slot location. Specifically, data from environmental sensors, such
as temperature and humidity sensors, can be read at a specific
server slot location or from within the server computer at that
server slot location using I2C communication protocols and
addressing. Such location specific environmental information can be
used to optimize or fine tune the HVAC and humidity control systems
in the server farm environment.
[0060] The predetermined layout of the system 500 shown in FIG. 5
can also preclude technician error when connecting the composite
cable bundle assembly 400 to the network communication switch and
the ordered server slots in the server rack 505. Each switch-end
connector head of the constituent cable bundle assemblies can be
configured within the composite cable bundle assembly 400 such that
it can only be coupled to the corresponding ordered port in network
communication switch 510. The length of the constituent cable
bundles coupled to the order switch-end connector heads will
dictate the location within the server rack 505 to which the
server-end connector heads can be coupled.
[0061] For a network communication switch to issue command signals
and receive response signal an inter-integrated circuit
communication enabled device in a connector head or in a server
computer to which the cable bundle assembly is coupled, the
components of the connector heads can be configured to provide the
switch with access to each inter-integrated circuit communication
enabled device on either end of the cable bundle assembly as if it
were directly connected to the inter-integrated circuit
communication enabled device bus in the switch. FIG. 6 is a
flowchart of a method 600 according to various embodiments the
present invention for communicating with inter-integrated circuit
communication enabled devices using various embodiments of the
present invention.
[0062] The method 600 can be used with a cable bundle assembly,
such as composite cable bundle assembly 400 and others discussed
herein, that can be configured such that a first connector head of
the composite cable bundle assembly is coupled to a network
communication switch, hub, bridge or other network communication
device, while a second connector head of the composite cable bundle
assembly is coupled to a server computer or other computing device.
For the sake of clarity, the first connector head of the composite
cable bundle assembly will be referred to as the switch-end
connector head, while the second connector head of the composite
cable bundle assembly will be referred to as the server-end
connector head.
[0063] Once the composite cable bundle assembly is configured with
the switch-end connector head coupled to a switch or other device
and the server-end connector head is coupled to a server computer
via an internal or external network interface card (NIC), the
switch-end connector head can receive a signal in a first
communication standard from a network switch in action 605. Such
signals can include digital control signals in a short distance,
low voltage inter-integrated circuit communication protocol, such
as I2C, that can be received on one or more of the terminals of the
connector head. In such embodiments, the signal can include various
I2C protocols and data structures, as well as I2C variants, for
encoding addresses, commands, data, responses and other flags and
indicators.
[0064] Using an electrical connection, such as a wire or a printed
circuit board trace, the received inter-integrated circuit
communication protocol signal can be routed from the terminal of
the switch-end connector head to a first communication standard
switch of the switch-end connector head, such as an I2C switch
circuit or integrated circuit in action 610. At this point the
signal is still in its native short distance or low voltage
communication protocol, such as I2C, in which the signal was
originally received from the network communication switch. In such
embodiments, the network communication switch can be configured to
send and receive inter-integrated circuit communication protocol
signals on one or more terminals of the switch-end connector
head.
[0065] At action 615, the switch-end connector head, using the
first communication standard switch or other internal logic, can
determine whether or not the signal is intended for a local memory,
such as an EEPROM, or other device in the first connector head. If
the signal is intended for the local memory in the switch-end
connector head, then the first communication standard switch in the
switch-end connector head can change or retain its configuration
such that it couples a local communication bus within the
switch-end connector head to the terminal which received the
signal, in action 620. With the first communication standard switch
in the switch-end connector head configured to couple the pin or
terminal of the connector head that received the inter-integrated
circuit communication signal, the first communication standard
switch can then route, or in some cases repeat, the
inter-integrated circuit communication signal to the local memory
or other device in the switch-end connector head according to the
address bits of the received signal, in step 625.
[0066] In some embodiments, a signal from the network communication
switch can include a request for identification information or
identifier from the local memory in the switch-end connector head.
In such embodiments, the inter-integrated circuit communication
switch or other internal logic in the switch-end connector head can
receive a response from the local memory in action 630. In this
way, the network communication switch can receive information from
the local memory in the switch-end connector head to determine
information associated with a specific cable bundle assembly.
Information stored in the switch-end connector head memory can
include information regarding manufacturer identity, composite
cable bundle assembly type and identifiers, i.e. serial number,
available controls and commands, the availability of switch-end
connector head sensors, communication devices, logic circuits, and
other switch-end connector head capabilities.
[0067] If, however, at action 615, the switch-end connector head,
using the first communication standard switch or other internal
logic, determines that the signal is not intended for a memory or
other device in the switch-end connector head, then in action 635,
the first communication standard switch in the switch-end connector
head can be configured so it is coupled to a long distance
communication bus that includes a signal translation module. Such a
long-distance communication bus can include one or more dedicated
wires, as shown in the network cable assembly 200. The received
signal can then be routed via the first communication standard
switch in the switch-end connector head to a translation module in
the switch-end connector head in action 640.
[0068] In action 645, the translation module in the switch-end
connector head can then translate or boost the received signal into
a second communication standard. In some embodiments, transmitting,
or boosting the received signal into a second communication
standard can include increasing the voltage and/or electrical
current levels of a digital or analog received signal. Increasing
the voltage and or current levels of the received signal for
transmission over one or more dedicated wires in the cable bundle
assembly advantageously assists in transmitting the content of the
received signals over the length of the cable bundle assembly while
avoiding signal degradation or interference from noise emanating
from other wires within the cable bundle assembly and the
surrounding environment in which it is deployed. For example, the
voltage of the received signal can be increased from 1.5 V to 3.5 V
to approximately 10 V to 15 V.
[0069] Once the received signal is translated and/or boosted, the
translated or boosted signal can be transmitted or routed over the
dedicated transmission wires in the cable bundle assembly in action
650. Transmitting the boosted signal over dedicated set of wires in
the cable bundle assembly advantageously provides for secure
communication between the network communication switch that sent
the received signals and the inter-integrated circuit communication
addressable components in the connector heads and the server
computer to which the server-end connector head of the cable bundle
assembly is coupled.
[0070] In action 655, the translated and/or boosted signal from the
translation module in the switch-end connector head can then be
received by translation module in the server-end connector head via
the dedicated communication wires in the cable bundle assembly
coupled to each connector head. The translation module in the
server-end connector head can then translate the received boosted
signal from the second communication standard back into the first
communication standard in which the signal was originally received
from the network communication switch, in action 660.
[0071] The translated received signal can then be routed to the
intended device over the inter-integrated circuit communication
standard bus local to the server-end connector head. Routing the
translated received signal to the intended device can include
decoding the address bits from an I2C signal by the first
communication standard switch in the server-end connector head or
by each of the I2C enabled devices on the bus. The ability to route
the transmitted signal to the intended device over the local bus at
the server-end connector head can include configuring the first
communication standard switch in the server-end connector head to
be in a default state such that the signal translation module in
the server-end connector head is coupled to the bus.
[0072] Implementing method 600 using embodiments of cable bundle
assemblies and composite cable bundle assemblies described herein
can include upgrading the firmware or otherwise reprogramming the
operational software used to run existing network communication
switches that implements SMbus type connector heads or other
similar connector heads that include one or more terminals or pins
for communicating with and inter-integrated circuit communication
standard, such as I2C.
[0073] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method 700 according to one
embodiment of the present invention for sending and receiving
inter-integrated circuit communication signals from a server
computer to which a cable bundle assembly, such as cable bundle
assembly 200, is coupled. Method 700 can start at step "B," which
can commence after the final action of method 600 of FIG. 6. In
such embodiments, the server-end connector head can be used in
conjunction with any properly configured network communication
switch, the switch-end connector head, and the cable bundle
assembly to communicate with inter-integrated circuit communication
enabled components and devices on a communication bus local to the
server-end connector head.
[0074] For example, in action 705, the server-end connector head
can receive a signal at one or more terminals in a first
communication standard from a device on the inter-integrated
circuit communication bus. The first communication standard can
include a short distance inter-integrated circuit communication
protocol. The signal received by the server-end connector head can
be received from a device, such as a memory or sensor, in the
server-end connector head or in a server computer to which it is
coupled.
[0075] In action 710 the received signal can then be routed via one
or more connections, wires, or printed circuit board traces, to the
server-end first communication standard switch. In some
embodiments, the server-end first communication standard switch can
include an I2C switch integrated circuit within the server-end
connector head. As discussed herein, the server-end first
communication standard switch can be configured to be in a default
state, such that the communication bus internal and/or local to the
server-end connector head is coupled to the signal translation
module in the server-end connector head. In such embodiments, the
server computer to which the server-end connector head is coupled
can be programmed to send a signal to the first communication
standard switch in the server-end connector head to connect the
local bus that connects the server computer and the server-end
connector head to an internal memory, such as an EEPROM, in the
server-end connector head during startup, reboot, initialization,
or other set up procedures. Once such startup, reboot,
initialization, or other set up procedures are completed, the
server computer to which the server-end connector head is coupled
can be programmed to send a control signal to the first
communication standard switch in the server-end connector head to
set the first communication standard switch to a default state in
which the first communication standard bus of the server computer
is coupled to the translation module in the server-end connector
head.
[0076] In action 715, the first communication standard switch, or
other internal logic of the server-end connector head, can
determine whether not a received signal from the server computer is
intended for a device, such as a memory or sensor in the server-end
connector head. Since it is possible for a memory, such as an
EEPROM, in the switch-end connector head to be identical to a
memory, such as another EEPROM, in the server-end connector head,
configuring the first communication standard switch in the
server-end connector head to be in a default state in which the
memory in the server-end connector head is disconnected from the
signal translation module in the server-end connector head avoids
redundant device type specific or other manufacturer assigned
addresses from being on the first communication standard bus at the
same time. Such embodiments avoid data collisions and or other
scenarios in which the system or network might get hung up or
otherwise crash.
[0077] If in action 715, the first communication standard switch,
or other logic, in the server-end connector head determines that
the received signal is intended for a device in the server-end
connector head, then the first communication standard switch in the
server-end connector head can be configured to couple to the
communication bus in the server-end connector head in action 720.
In action 725, once the first communication standard switch in the
server-end connector head is configured to couple the terminal on
which the received signal was received with the internal bus to
which devices, such as memories and sensors, inside the server-end
connector head are connected, the received signal can be
transmitted, forwarded, and/or repeated to one or more devices on
the local communication bus within the server-end connector head in
action 725. In the event that the received signal included a
request for information from one of the devices, such as an EEPROM
or environmental sensor, in the server-end connector head, the
first communication standard switch in the server-end connector
head can receive a response from local device in action 730. In
such embodiments, the server computer to which the server-end
connector head is coupled can request information from components
and devices in the server-end connector head using an
inter-integrated circuit communication protocol, such as I2C and
its variants.
[0078] If, however, in action 715, the first communication standard
switch, or other logic, in the server-end connector head determines
that the received signal is intended for device not in the
server-end connector head, then the first communication standard
switch can be configured to couple the terminal or connection on
which the signal was received to the long-distance communication
bus that includes a signal translation module in the server-end
connector head, in action 735.
[0079] In action 740, the received signal can be routed from the
terminal or connection on which the signal was received via the
first communication standard switch in the server-end connector
head and any intervening connections, wires or traces, to the
signal translation module in the server-end connector head.
[0080] In action 745, the signal translation module can translate
and/or boost the received signal from the first communication
standard into a second communication standard. In some instances,
as discussed herein, translating the received signal from the short
distance, low voltage, or low current communication standard
signal, such as I2C, can include boosting the voltage or current of
the signal and/or translating the received signal into entirely new
communication protocol to avoid or reduce the amount of signal
degradation or interference. Translating the first communication
protocol into a second or boosted communication protocol can help
increase the signal-to-noise ratio, thus reducing the chance for
interference or the possibility of incorrectly interpreting a
control signal.
[0081] In action 750, the translated and/or boosted signal can be
routed or transmitted over one or more dedicated transmission wires
in the cable bundle assembly. As previously discussed, using a
dedicated local communication wires increases the security and
robustness of the extended I2C communication bus and communication
system between devices coupled to the switch-end connector head and
the server-end connector head.
[0082] In action 755 the translated and/or boosted signal can be
received at the signal translation module in the switch-end
connector head. The translation module in the switch-end connector
head can then translate the received boosted signal from the second
communication standard back into the first communication standard,
in action 760. For example, the received translated and/or boosted
signal can include a boosted version of an I2C communication
signal, such that translating the received boosted version of the
I2C communication signal at the translation module in the
switch-end connector head can include decreasing the voltage of the
received signal back to a signal having voltages compatible with a
native I2C communication signal.
[0083] In action 765, the now translated, or the down converted,
received signal can be routed to the first communication protocol
switch in the switch-end connector head. The signal can then be
transmitted or repeated to the network communication switch coupled
to the switch-end connector head via the dedicated communication
wires in the cable bundle assembly. The method 700 described above
can be used to receive responses from devices, such as
environmental sensors, memories, and fans, coupled to the
inter-integrated circuit communication bus within the server
computer to which the server-end connector head is coupled. In some
embodiments, the server computer or internal inter-integrated
circuit communication enabled devices within the server computer
can be configured or programed to unilaterally initiate alert
signals over the long distance inter-integrated circuit
communication bus according to method 700 when a malfunction or
exception is detected in the server computer.
[0084] Exemplary computer system 810, switch 840, and local network
820 that can be used to implement and be improved by various
embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIG. 8.
Computer system 810 includes a bus 805 or other communication
mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 801
coupled with bus 805 for processing information.
[0085] Computer system 810 also includes a memory 802 coupled to
bus 805 for storing information and instructions to be executed by
processor 801, including information and instructions for
performing the techniques described above, for example. This memory
may also be used for storing variables or other intermediate
information during execution of instructions to be executed by
processor 801. Possible implementations of this memory may be, but
are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory
(ROM), or both. In one exemplary embodiment, memory 802 can be
loaded with to include instructions for initiation process that
instructs CPU 801 to set an internal inter-integrated circuit
communication protocol switch included in the connector head of
composite network cable 200 to couple to and read from an EEPROM or
other memory in the connector head during startup or
initialization. Once the start-up or initialization procedure is
completed by computer system 810, instructions loaded into memory
802 can further include instructions to set the internal
inter-integrated circuit communication protocol switch to a default
configuration such that the inter-integrated circuit communication
wires within the composite network cable 200 are coupled to sensor
813 and EEPROM 814 within computer system 810 via the bus 227B
connected to a terminal in the connector head. Such instructions
can be stored in nonvolatile memory of storage device 803 can be
loaded into memory 802 for execution by CPU 801 upon startup,
reboot or other initialization procedures.
[0086] A storage device 803 can also be provided for storing other
information and instructions. Common forms of storage devices
include, for example, a hard drive, a magnetic disk, an optical
disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a flash memory, a USB memory card, or any
other medium from which a computer can read.
[0087] Storage device 803 may include source code, binary code, or
software files for performing the techniques above, for example.
Storage device and memory are both examples of computer readable
media.
[0088] Computer system 810 may be coupled via bus 805 to a display
812, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display
(LCD), for displaying information to a computer user. An input
device 811 such as an in-vehicle touch screen, is coupled to bus
805 for communicating information and command selections from the
user to processor 801. The combination of these components allows
the user to communicate with the system. In some systems, bus 805
may be divided into multiple specialized buses.
[0089] Computer system 810 also includes a network interface 804
coupled with bus 805. Network interface 804 may provide two-way
data communication between computer system 810 the local network
820 via composite network cable 200 and switch 840. In some
implementations, the network interface 804 may be for Broadband
Wireless Access (BWA) technologies, while in other implementations
network interface 840 can include network interface identification
information or identifiers, such as a MAC address, that can be
accessed by switch 840 using various embodiments the present
invention over an inter-integrated circuit communication protocol.
Similarly, switch 840 can also access bus 227B to communicate with,
control, operates, read from, or otherwise interact with sensor 813
and EEPROM 814 of computer system 810. In any such implementation,
network interface 804 sends and receives electrical,
electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams
representing various types of information.
[0090] Computer system 810 can send and receive information,
including messages or other interface actions, through the network
interface 804 across a local network 820, an Intranet, or Internet
830, or the inter-integrated circuit communication protocol. For a
local network, computer system 810 may communicate with a plurality
of other computer machines, such as server 815, which may or may
not be directly coupled to switch 840 in a rack type configuration.
Accordingly, computer system 810 and server computer systems
represented by server 815 may form a cloud computing network, which
may be programmed with processes described herein.
[0091] In an example involving the Internet, software components or
services may reside on multiple different computer systems 810 or
servers 831-835 across the network. The processes described above
may be implemented on one or more servers, for example. A server
831 may transmit actions or messages from one component, through
Internet 830, local network 820, and network interface 804 to a
component on computer system 810. The software components and
processes described above may be implemented on any computer system
and send and/or receive information across a network, for
example.
[0092] The above description illustrates various embodiments of the
present invention along with examples of how aspects of the present
invention may be implemented. The above examples and embodiments
should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented
to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present
invention as defined by the following claims. Based on the above
disclosure and the following claims, other arrangements,
embodiments, implementations and equivalents will be evident to
those skilled in the art and may be employed without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
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