Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – With mating connector which receives panel circuit edge
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-20
2001-12-04
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
With mating connector which receives panel circuit edge
C361S788000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325636
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of network servers and, more particularly to a passive midplane system and method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A critical component of both private intranets and the publicly accessible internet is what is commonly referred to as a web server. A web server is typically a computer which is capable of receiving requests for information and returning data or performing specialized processing upon the receipt of a network request for such processing. Conventional network architectures envision servers as large scale computing platforms. For example, large commercial entities may include very large systems acting as web servers fielding requests for processing. Alternatively, these entities might employ large parallel server operations where a multitude of individual server computers all service requests for information and processing in parallel.
In today's network architectures, smaller users such as individuals or small businesses that require server systems will typically be forced to share part of the processing capability of one of these large scale systems. In many cases this sharing of resources does not provide adequate processing capability for the individual or small business user. Further, the sharing of a large processing system means that all parties utilizing that server processing capability are vulnerable to the failure of that system. These large processing platforms are also more difficult to customize if one small user needs specific features or components that other small users do not need. Further, as Internet and intranet traffic have grown, it has become apparent that even the largest processing platforms reach a limit to their processing capability especially in light of the increased traffic in large multimedia content and the necessity for real time processing of transactions.
Another difficulty in providing server technology to individual or small business users is associated with the difficulties in maintaining provisioning and administrating the server technology. Conventional server systems are typically very complex to administer. Software development efforts have not focused on providing simple user interfaces because the typical personnel that are tasked with maintaining servers are typically very sophisticated network technicians.
Large scale servers that are shared by multiple small users present difficulties in monitoring and metering traffic for individual users. For example, if a server provider desired to bill a user of a large scale system according to the processing time or the transaction count that occurred relative to that particular user, it is very difficult to arrive at an accurate assessment of that activity when the server hardware is shared by that user and many other users.
In the past, it has been difficult to provide server capability close to the end user. This is in large part because the typical larger server architectures require special environmental conditions and special hardware environments to supply power and large bandwidth communication links. The environment of a telephone company's central office is typically very close to the end user, however, the space power and environmental constraints within these facilities make it completely impractical to co-locate large server platforms within these facilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a passive midplane system and method that substantially eliminates or reduces the problems and disadvantages associated with previous methods and systems. In particular, a midplane printed circuit board is provided, operable to couple a plurality of web server processing cards, and/or provide power thereto.
In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a midplane printed circuit board including a plurality of first connectors operable to receive a plurality of web server processing cards, is provided. A plurality of second connectors operable to receive a plurality of network interface parts may also be provided. The midplane printed circuit board may include printed circuitry operable to couple each first connector with an associated of the plurality of second connectors. A third connector may also be provided operable to receive a first power supply. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuitry may be operable to distribute power from the first power supply to the plurality of first and second connectors.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a fourth connector may be provided, the fourth connector operable to receive a second power supply and wherein the printed circuitry is operable to distribute power from the second power supply to the plurality of first and second connectors.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuitry may be operable to route data communications between the plurality of first connectors and the second connector.
Technical advantages of the present invention include providing a midplane printed circuit board operable to couple a plurality of web server processing cards with at least one network interface card.
Another technical advantage of the present invention includes providing a midplane printed circuit board operable to distribute data communications between the plurality of web server processing cards and the network interface card.
Yet another technical advantage of the present invention includes providing a midplane printed circuit board which distributes power to the web server processing cards and/or the network interface card.
Still another technical advantage of the present invention includes providing a midplane printed circuit board operable to couple a plurality of network interface cards.
Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, description, and claims.
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patent: 6046912 (2000-04-01), Leman
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Hipp Christopher G.
Irving Guy B.
Kirkeby David M.
Otto Walter R.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Hyeon Hae Moon
RLX Technologies, Inc.
Sircus Brian
LandOfFree
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