Hard disk backboard and server

Abstract

The invention discloses a hard disk backplane and a server, and relates to the technical field of servers, in the hard disk backplane, a first control circuit is arranged between a first card connector and a hard disk manager, and the hard disk manager can respond to a first instruction sent by a hard disk array card to obtain channel configuration of a hard disk; and the channel configuration of the hard disk is sent to the hard disk array card through the first control circuit, so that when data transmission is carried out between the hard disk array card and the hard disk, the hard disk array card can obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk currently connected with the hard disk connector through the hard disk manager, and the number of data transmission channels is adjusted according to the channel configuration. Thus, the number of data transmission channels does not need to be solidified in the hard disk array card, the hard disk backboard can be matched with different types of hard disks for use, and therefore the problem that in some technologies, the types of hard disks supported by the hard disk backboard are single is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of servers, and particularly to a hard disk backplane and a server. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the hard disk backplanes of some servers can usually only be used in combination with fixed types of hard disks and cannot be used in combination with other types of hard disks. For example, they can only be used in combination with X4 hard disks and cannot be used in combination with X2 hard disks. X4 means that data is transmitted between the hard disk and other devices (such as a hard disk array card) through 4 PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) channels, and X2 means that data is transmitted between the hard disk and other devices through 2 PCIe channels. The types of hard disks supported by these hard disk backplanes are relatively single, and users cannot select hard disks according to actual needs, which needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a hard disk backplane and a server to at least solve the problem that the types of hard disks supported by the hard disk backplane in the related art are relatively single.

[0004] This application provides a hard disk backplane, which includes a hard disk connector, a first card connector, a first data transmission line, a first control line, and a hard disk manager, where:

[0005] The hard disk connector is used to connect a hard disk;

[0006] The first card connector is connected to the hard disk connector through the first data transmission line;

[0007] The hard disk manager is connected to the first card connector through the first control line. When the first card connector is connected to a hard disk array card, the hard disk manager is used to respond to a first instruction sent by the hard disk array card, obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector, and send the channel configuration to the hard disk array card through the first control line. When the hard disk array card performs data transmission with the hard disk through the first data transmission line, the number of channels for data transmission is determined based on the channel configuration.

[0008] This application also provides a server, which includes the hard disk backplane as described above.

[0009] In the hard disk backplane of some embodiments of the present application, since a first control circuit is provided between the first card connector and the hard disk manager, the hard disk manager can obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk in response to the first instruction sent by the hard disk array card, and send the channel configuration of the hard disk to the hard disk array card through the first control circuit. Therefore, when data is transmitted between the hard disk array card and the hard disk, the hard disk array card can obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk currently connected to the hard disk connector through the hard disk manager, and adjust the number of data transmission channels according to the channel configuration. In this way, it is not necessary to solidify the number of data transmission channels in the hard disk array card, so that the hard disk backplane can be used in combination with different types of hard disks, thus solving the problem that the types of hard disks supported by the hard disk backplane in some technologies are relatively single. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0011] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a hard disk backplane in some technologies;

[0012] Figure 2 Module schematic diagram of the hard disk backplane provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0013] Figure 3 Partial module schematic diagram of the hard disk backplane provided by some other embodiments of the present application;

[0014] Figure 4 Complete module schematic diagram of the hard disk backplane provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0015] Figure 5 Module schematic diagram of the server provided by some embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0017] It should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present application. The terms "mounted", "connected" and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. The terms "parallel", "perpendicular", "equal" include the described situations and situations similar to the described situations, and the range of the similar situations is within an acceptable deviation range, where the acceptable deviation range is determined by those of ordinary skill in the art considering the measurements being discussed and the errors associated with the measurements of specific quantities (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "parallel" includes absolute parallel and approximate parallel, and the acceptable deviation range of approximate parallel may be, for example, within 5° deviation; "perpendicular" includes absolute perpendicular and approximate perpendicular, and the acceptable deviation range of approximate perpendicular may also be, for example, within 5° deviation. "Equal" includes absolute equality and approximate equality, and the acceptable deviation range of approximate equality may be, for example, that the difference between the two equal ones is less than or equal to 5% of any one of them. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0018] In RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology, multiple levels are provided, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, etc. Each level has its corresponding data distribution method, fault tolerance ability and performance characteristics, and users can select and configure the RAID level according to actual needs. For example, for critical business data, the RAID 5 level with higher data redundancy and fault tolerance ability can be selected. For another example, for applications that require high read / write speeds, the RAID 0 level can be selected. A hard disk array card (also known as a RAID card) can have the following functions:

[0019] 1) Automatically distribute data to different physical hard disks according to the user's selection and configuration, and perform data redundancy and verification according to a specific algorithm, thereby improving the reliability of data storage;

[0020] 2) Optimize read and write strategies, reduce hard disk seek time, and improve data read and write performance;

[0021] 3) Check the hard disk status and trigger the fault recovery mechanism when a hard disk failure is found. Use redundant data to rebuild the data on the failed hard disk to ensure data integrity and reliability.

[0022] When using RAID technology in a server, the hard disk array card is usually installed on the motherboard, and the hard disk is usually installed on the hard disk backplane. The hard disk array card is connected to the hard disk on the hard disk backplane through a connector. Figure 1 , which is a schematic diagram of a hard disk backplane 100 in some technologies. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the hard disk backplane 100 exemplarily includes two first card connectors 11, four second card connectors 13 and four hard disk connectors 12. The first card connector 11 and the second card connector 13 are used to connect to the hard disk array card 14 on the mainboard, and the hard disk connector 12 is used to connect to the hard disk 15. The hard disk connector 12 is connected to the first card connector 11 through the first communication line 111 and the second communication line 112. The hard disk connector 12 is connected to the second card connector 13 through the third communication line 131 and the fourth communication line 132.

[0023] When the hard disk 15 connected to the hard disk connector 12 is a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk, the hard disk array card 14 can be connected to the second card connector 13 and perform the following operations:

[0024] 1) Based on the SGPIO (Serial General Purpose Input / Output) protocol, data is transmitted between the hard disk 15 through the second card connector 13, the third communication line 131 and the hard disk connector 12, such as writing data to the hard disk 15 and reading data from the hard disk 15;

[0025] 2) Based on the SGPIO (Serial General Purpose Input / Output) protocol, control signals are transmitted between the hard disk 15 through the second card connector 13, the fourth communication line 132 and the hard disk connector 12, such as sending a reset signal to the hard disk 15 to perform a reset operation on the hard disk 15, read the hard disk type of the hard disk 15, etc.

[0026] When the hard disk 15 connected to the hard disk connector 12 is a solid state drive (SSD), the hard disk array card 14 can be connected to the first card connector 11 and perform the following operations:

[0027] 1) Based on the PCIe protocol, data transmission is carried out between the hard disk 15 through the first card connector 11, the first communication line 111 and the hard disk connector 12, such as writing data to the hard disk 15, reading data from the hard disk 15, etc.;

[0028] 2) Based on the PCIe protocol, sideband signal transmission is carried out between the hard disk 15 through the first card connector 11, the second communication line 112 and the hard disk connector 12. The sideband signals mainly can include the differential clock signal, the lighting signal, the Perst signal provided by the hard disk array card 14 for the hard disk 15, and the BP_TYPE signal and the Controller_Type signal read by the hard disk array card 14 from the hard disk 15. Among them, the differential clock signal is used to synchronize the data transmission between the hard disk array card 14 and the hard disk 15 to ensure the accuracy of data transmission; the lighting signal is used to indicate that the hard disk 15 has received the required power voltage (i.e., the hard disk 15 can operate normally); the Perst signal is used to control the hard disk 15 to perform a reset operation; the BP_TYPE signal is used to represent the hard disk type of the hard disk 15 connected by the hard disk connector 12, such as a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment hard disk or a solid state drive; the Controller_Type signal is used to represent the hard disk state of the hard disk 15 connected by the hard disk connector 12, and the hard disk state can include but is not limited to whether the hard disk is in place and whether the hard disk is powered on, etc.

[0029] Figure 1 In the technology shown, the number of PCIe channels supported by the first card connector 11 is 8. When the hard disk array card 14 is connected to the first card connector 11, the hard disk connector 12 can be used to connect an X4 hard disk. Program code can be pre-burned in the hard disk array card 14. When the program code runs, the hard disk array card 14 can carry out data transmission with the hard disk 15 through 4 PCIe channels. Since the program code in the hard disk array card 14 is fixed to use 4 PCIe channels for data transmission with the hard disk, therefore, the hard disk backplane 100 can only be used in combination with an X4 hard disk and cannot be used in combination with other types of hard disks (such as an X2 hard disk).

[0030] In some other technologies, for Figure 1The following improvements have been made to the hard disk backplane 100 shown: The hard disk connector 12 is used to connect the X2 hard disk, and the program code in the hard disk array card 14 is modified so that when the program code runs, data can be transmitted between the hard disk 15 through 2 PCIe channels. After such improvement, although the hard disk backplane 100 can be used in combination with the X2 hard disk when the hard disk array card 14 is connected to the first card connector 11, it can no longer be used in combination with the X4 hard disk (because the program code in the hard disk array card 14 has been modified), and the types of hard disks supported by the hard disk backplane 100 are still relatively single. In addition, when the number of PCIe channels supported by the first card connector 11 is 8, theoretically, each first card connector 11 can connect 4 X2 hard disks. However, due to the small number of hard disk connectors 12 in the hard disk backplane 100, each first card connector 11 can only connect 2 X2 hard disks and cannot connect 4 X2 hard disks. Therefore, the resources on the hard disk backplane 100 cannot be fully utilized.

[0031] In view of this, the present application provides a hard disk backplane, which can solve the problem that the types of hard disks supported by the hard disk backplane are relatively single, and at the same time, can also make full use of the hardware resources on the hard disk backplane.

[0032] Refer to in combination Figure 2 , which is a module schematic diagram of the hard disk backplane 200 provided by some embodiments of the present application. Figure 2 In, the hard disk backplane 200 includes a hard disk connector 22, a first card connector 21, a first data transmission line 211, a first control line 212, and a hard disk manager 23. Among them, the hard disk connector 22 is used to connect the hard disk, the first card connector 21 is connected to the hard disk connector 22 through the first data transmission line 211, and the hard disk manager 23 is connected to the first card connector 21 through the first control line 212. When the first card connector 21 is connected to the hard disk array card 29, the hard disk manager 23 is used to respond to the first instruction sent by the hard disk array card 29, obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 22, and send the channel configuration to the hard disk array card 29 through the first control line 212. When the hard disk array card 29 performs data transmission with the hard disk through the first data transmission line 211, the number of channels for data transmission is determined based on the channel configuration.

[0033] Specifically, when the first card connector 21 is connected to the hard disk array card 29, the hard disk connector 22 can be used to connect to a solid-state drive. In the first data transmission line 211, the hard disk array card 29 can perform data transmission with the hard disk based on the PCIe protocol, such as writing data to the hard disk and reading data from the hard disk. In the first control line 212, the hard disk array card 29 can communicate with the hard disk manager 23 based on the IIC (Inter-Integrated Circuit) protocol to obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector 22. Among them, the channel configuration is used to represent the number of PCIe channels supported by the hard disk, such as X2, X4, etc.

[0034] In this embodiment, the channel configuration of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector 22 can be pre-burned in the hard disk manager 23. For example, after the user connects an X4 hard disk to the hard disk connector 22, X4 can be burned in the hard disk manager 23 as the channel configuration. After the user replaces the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector 22 from an X4 hard disk to an X2 hard disk, the burned channel configuration can be replaced from X4 to X2 in the hard disk manager 23. After the hard disk manager 23 receives the first instruction sent by the hard disk array card 29, the hard disk manager 23 can return the burned channel configuration to the hard disk array card 29.

[0035] In some other embodiments, the hard disk manager 23 can be connected to the hard disk connector 22. After the hard disk manager 23 receives the first instruction sent by the hard disk array card 29, it can read the hard disk configuration from the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector 22 and determine the channel configuration of the hard disk according to the hard disk configuration.

[0036] Before each data transmission with the hard disk, the hard disk array card 29 can first obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk through the first control line 212 and determine the number of channels for data transmission according to the obtained channel configuration. Of course, the hard disk array card 29 can also issue the first instruction to the hard disk manager 23 when starting to run. After the hard disk manager 23 sends the channel configuration of the hard disk to the hard disk array card 29 based on the first instruction, it can continuously detect whether the channel configuration of the hard disk has changed. If the channel configuration of the hard disk changes, the hard disk manager 23 can actively send the changed channel configuration to the hard disk array card 29. In this way, before each data transmission with the hard disk, the hard disk array card 29 can avoid obtaining the channel configuration, thereby improving the data transmission efficiency.

[0037] Multiple segments of program code can be pre-burned in the hard disk array card 29, and different segments of program code correspond to different channel configurations. For example, program code A corresponds to channel configuration X2, and program code B corresponds to channel configuration X4. Based on the received channel configuration, the hard disk array card 29 can run the program code corresponding to the channel configuration, so as to select the number of channels adapted to the channel configuration for data transmission. For example, when the hard disk array card 29 receives the channel configuration X2, it can run the program code A corresponding to the channel configuration X2 and perform data transmission with the hard disk through 2 PCIe channels; when the hard disk array card 29 receives the channel configuration X4, it can run the program code B corresponding to the channel configuration X4 and perform data transmission with the hard disk through 4 PCIe channels.

[0038] Since the hard disk array card 29 can flexibly adjust the number of PCIe channels for data transmission with the hard disk according to the channel configuration of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 22, when the user uses the hard disk backplane 200, different types of hard disks can also be selected or replaced according to actual needs, that is, the hard disk backplane 200 can be used in combination with different types of hard disks.

[0039] In summary, in the hard disk backplane 200 of some embodiments of the present application, since the first control line 212 is provided between the first card connector 21 and the hard disk manager 23, the hard disk manager 23 can respond to the first instruction sent by the hard disk array card 29, obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk, and send the channel configuration of the hard disk to the hard disk array card 29 through the first control line 212. Therefore, when data is transmitted between the hard disk array card 29 and the hard disk, the hard disk array card 29 can obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk currently connected by the hard disk connector 22 through the hard disk manager 23 and adjust the number of channels for data transmission according to the channel configuration. In this way, it is not necessary to solidify the number of channels for data transmission in the hard disk array card 29, so that the hard disk backplane 200 can be used in combination with different types of hard disks, thus solving the problem that the types of hard disks supported by the hard disk backplane in some technologies are relatively single.

[0040] Referring to Figure 3 , a partial module schematic diagram of the hard disk backplane 300 provided in some other embodiments of the present application. Figure 3 In it, the hard disk backplane 300 may include a plurality of hard disk connectors 32 and a plurality of first data transmission lines 311, and the number of hard disk connectors 32 and the number of first data transmission lines 311 may be the same. The first card connector 31 may include a plurality of first communication ends 313. The first communication ends 313 may be connected to the first data transmission lines 311 in one-to-one correspondence, and the first data transmission lines 311 may be connected to the hard disk connectors 32 in one-to-one correspondence. In this way, the hard disk array card 39 can be connected to a plurality of hard disks through one of the first card connectors 31.

[0041] The quantities of the first data transmission lines 311 and the hard disk connectors 32 can be designed to be appropriate quantities so that the resources on the hard disk backplane 300 can be fully utilized. Specifically, based on the various types of hard disks that the hard disk backplane 300 needs to support, among the quantities of PCIe channels supported by the various types of hard disks, the minimum quantity of PCIe channels can be used as the first channel quantity. At the same time, the quantity of PCIe channels supported by the first card connector 31 is used as the second channel quantity. Substituting the first channel quantity and the second channel quantity into the expression (1), the quantity of the first data transmission lines 311 or the hard disk connectors 32 that a single first card connector 31 needs to connect can be determined.

[0042]

[0043] Among them, R is the quantity of the first data transmission lines 311 or the hard disk connectors 32 that a single first card connector 31 needs to connect. For ease of understanding, the following is illustrated by examples.

[0044] For example, assume that the hard disk backplane 300 needs to support X2 hard disks and X4 hard disks. The quantity of PCIe channels supported by the X2 hard disk is 2, and the quantity of PCIe channels supported by the X4 hard disk is 4. Then, 2 can be used as the first channel quantity. Assume further that the quantity of PCIe channels supported by the first card connector 31 is 8. Then, 8 can be used as the second channel quantity. Based on the above expression (1), it can be known that the quantity of the first data transmission lines 311 or the hard disk connectors 32 that a single first card connector 31 needs to connect is 4.

[0045] Based on the quantities of the first data transmission lines 311 and the hard disk connectors 32 determined by the expression (1), the full utilization of resources can be ensured. The following is elaborated by comparison in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 3 For example, assume that the first card connectors in Figure 1 and Figure 3 both support 8 PCle channels. Since a single first card connector 11 in Figure 1 only connects 2 hard disk connectors 12, when the X2 hard disk is connected to the hard disk connector 12, only 4 PCIe channels can be used by the two X2 hard disks connected by the first card connector 11, and the 8 PCle channels supported by the first card connector 11 cannot be fully utilized, thus causing the problem of insufficient resource utilization. However, in Figure 3 , since a single first card connector 31 connects 4 hard disk connectors 32, when the X2 hard disk is connected to the hard disk connector 32, the four X2 hard disks connected by the first card connector 31 can fully use the 8 PCle channels supported by the first card connector 31, thus enabling the full utilization of resources.

[0046] Further, after determining the number of the first data transmission lines 311 and the hard disk connectors 32 according to the number of the first channels and the number of the second channels, when connecting various types of hard disks to the hard disk connectors 32, the number of the hard disk connectors 32 to be used can be determined based on the number of PCIe channels supported by the hard disks. Specifically, when the channel configuration of the hard disks connected to the hard disk connectors 32 is the first channel configuration, multiple hard disk connectors 32 can be connected to the hard disks in a one-to-one correspondence; when the channel configuration of the hard disks connected to the hard disk connectors 32 is the second channel configuration, some of the multiple hard disk connectors 32 can be connected to the hard disks; wherein, the number of the first channels determined based on the first channel configuration is less than the number of the second channels determined based on the second channel configuration. For example, still taking the X2 hard disk and the X4 hard disk as an example. If the X4 hard disks are connected to the hard disk connectors 32 in a one-to-one correspondence, then the number of PCIe channels required for 4 X4 hard disks is 16, which will exceed the number of PCIe channels supported by the first card connector 11. Obviously, this is not allowed. Therefore, in Figure 3 among the 4 hard disk connectors 32 shown, the X2 hard disks can be connected to the hard disk connectors 32 in a one-to-one correspondence, and the X4 hard disks can be connected to only two of the hard disk connectors 32. In this way, on the premise of making full use of the number of PCIe channels, the problem that the number of PCIe channels supported by the first card connector 11 is insufficient can be avoided.

[0047] Further, in the case where the number of the hard disk connectors 32 is large, the ports provided by the first card connector 31 may not meet the actual requirements. For example, in Figure 1 , the number of the hard disk connectors 12 is small, and there can be a separate communication line between each hard disk connector 12 and the first card connector 11 for transmitting sideband signals. However, in Figure 3 , the number of the hard disk connectors 32 is large, and the first card connector 31 may not be able to provide enough ports to enable a separate communication line between each hard disk connector 32 and the first card connector 31 for transmitting sideband signals. In view of this, in the hard disk backplane 300 of the present application, the transmission line of the sideband signal is correspondingly improved, and the differential clock signal, the lighting signal, the Perst signal, the BP_TYPE signal and the Controller_Type signal in the sideband signal are divided into different lines for transmission, which will be elaborated in detail below.

[0048] Referring to Figure 3. In some embodiments, the first card connector 31 further includes at least one clock output terminal 341, the hard disk backplane 300 further includes a clock extension circuit 34 corresponding one-to-one to the clock output terminal 341, each clock output terminal 341 is connected to at least two hard disk connectors 32 through the corresponding clock extension circuit 34, and the hard disk array card 39 is configured to provide a clock signal for the hard disks connected by the hard disk connectors 32 through the clock output terminal 341.

[0049] Specifically, the clock signal output through the clock output terminal 341 is the differential clock signal in the sideband signal. The clock extension circuit 34 may include a clock buffer. As Figure 3 shown, based on the clock extension circuit 34, the relationship between the clock output terminal 341 and the hard disk connectors 32 can be one-to-many, that is, at least two hard disk connectors 32 can share one clock output terminal 341, and there is no need to establish an independent clock signal transmission line between each hard disk connector 32 and the first card connector 31. In this way, the purpose of reducing the port usage is achieved.

[0050] In some embodiments, the hard disk backplane 300 may include a plurality of first control lines 312, the first card connector 31 includes first control terminals 314 corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of first control lines 312, the first control terminals 314 are connected to the hard disk manager 33 through the corresponding first control lines 312, the hard disk manager 33 is connected to each hard disk connector 32, each first control line 312 corresponds to at least two hard disk connectors 32, and the hard disk connectors 32 corresponding to different first control lines 312 are different. For example Figure 3 shown, there are exemplarily two first control lines 312. One of the first control lines 312 may correspond to hard disk connectors A and B, and the other first control line 312 may correspond to hard disk connectors C and D.

[0051] For any hard disk connector 32, the hard disk manager 33 is configured to send the channel configuration of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 32 to the hard disk array card 39 through the first control line 312 corresponding to the hard disk connector 32, and receive the control signal sent by the hard disk array card 39 through the first control line 312 corresponding to the hard disk connector 32. After parsing the control signal, the hard disk manager 33 controls the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 32. Among them, the control signal may include a lighting signal and a Perst signal in the sideband signal. For example, assume that the first control line M corresponds to the hard disk connectors A and B, and the first control line N corresponds to the hard disk connectors C and D. The hard disk array card 39 can send a control signal to the hard disk manager 33 through the first control line M. After the hard disk manager 33 parses the control signal, it can control the hard disks connected by the hard disk connectors A and B. Similarly, the hard disk manager 33 can send the channel configuration of the hard disks connected by the hard disk connectors A and B to the hard disk array card 39 through the first control line M.

[0052] In a specific application, since each first control line 312 corresponds to multiple hard disk connectors 32, in order to distinguish the multiple hard disk connectors 32, the control signal sent by the hard disk array card 39 to the hard disk manager 33 and the channel configuration sent by the hard disk manager 33 to the hard disk array card 39 may have a connector identifier. In this way, the hard disk manager 33 and the hard disk array card 39 can distinguish specific connectors based on the connector identifier. For example, assume that the first control line M corresponds to the hard disk connectors A and B. If the control signal sent by the hard disk array card 39 to the hard disk manager 33 through the first control line M has the connector identifier of the hard disk connector A, then after the hard disk manager 33 parses the control signal, it can control the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector A.

[0053] In the above embodiment, by corresponding each first control line 312 to multiple hard disk connectors 32, it is not necessary to separately establish a first control line 312 between each hard disk connector 32 and the first card connector 31. In this way, the port overhead of the first card connector 31 can be reduced.

[0054] Continue to refer to Figure 3. In some embodiments, the hard disk backplane 300 further includes a plurality of second control lines 316. The first card connector 31 includes second control ends 315 corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of second control lines 316. The second control ends 315 are connected to the hard disk manager 33 through the corresponding second control lines 316. Each second control line 316 corresponds to at least two hard disk connectors 32, and the hard disk connectors 32 corresponding to different second control lines 316 are different. The hard disk manager 33 can detect the hard disk status of the hard disks connected to the hard disk connectors 32, and send the hard disk status to the hard disk array card 39 through the second control lines 316 corresponding to the hard disk connectors 32. Among them, the principle of the second control line 316 is similar to that of the first control line 312, which will not be elaborated here.

[0055] In this embodiment, the hard disk status may include whether the hard disk is in place, whether the hard disk is powered on, the hard disk type, etc. Whether the hard disk is in place and whether the hard disk is powered on correspond to the Controller_Type signal in the sideband signal, and the hard disk type corresponds to the BP_TYPE signal in the sideband signal. Thus, based on the above clock expansion circuit 34, the first control line 312 and the second control line 316, the transmission of the sideband signal is realized, and the purpose of reducing the port overhead is achieved at the same time.

[0056] Further, in Figure 3 the embodiment shown, the second control line 316 can be divided into a first group of sub-control lines 3161 and a second group of sub-control lines 3162. At the same time, the second control ends 315 can be divided into a first group of sub-control ends 3151 and a second group of sub-control ends 3152. The first group of sub-control lines 3161 is connected to the first group of sub-control ends 3151 in a one-to-one correspondence, and the second group of sub-control lines 3162 is connected to the second group of sub-control ends 3152 in a one-to-one correspondence. The first group of sub-control lines 3161 can be used to transmit the Controller_Type signal in the sideband signal (i.e., the signal indicating whether the hard disk is in place and whether the hard disk is powered on), and the second group of sub-control lines 3162 can be used to transmit the BP_TYPE signal in the sideband signal (i.e., the signal indicating the hard disk type). Thus, the mutual interference between the BP_TYPE signal and the Controller_Type signal can be avoided, and the reliability of signal transmission can be improved.

[0057] Specifically, in the first group of sub-control lines 3161, each sub-control line 3161 can correspond to at least two hard disk connectors 32, and the hard disk connectors 32 corresponding to different sub-control lines 3161 are different. The hard disk manager 33 can send the Controller_Type signal to the hard disk array card 39 through the sub-control line 3161 corresponding to the hard disk connector 32.

[0058] Similarly, in the second set of sub-control circuits 3162, each sub-control circuit 3162 can correspond to at least two hard disk connectors 32, and the hard disk connectors 32 corresponding to different sub-control circuits 3162 are different. The hard disk manager 33 can send the BP_TYPE signal to the hard disk array card 39 through the sub-control circuit 3162 corresponding to the hard disk connector 32.

[0059] The principles of the first set of sub-control circuits 3161 and the second set of sub-control circuits 3162 are similar to those of the first control circuit 312, and will not be elaborated here.

[0060] In some embodiments, the hard disk manager 33 sends the hard disk status to the hard disk array card 39 by controlling the level signal output by the second control circuit 316. Among them, when the hard disk status of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 32 is the first hard disk status, the hard disk manager 33 controls the second control circuit 316 corresponding to the hard disk connector 32 to output a high level. When the hard disk status of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 32 is the second hard disk status, the hard disk manager 33 controls the second control circuit 316 corresponding to the hard disk connector 32 to output a low level. For example, assume that the sub-control circuits 3161 in the second control circuit 316 include sub-control circuit A1 and sub-control circuit A2, and sub-control circuit A1 corresponds to hard disk connectors A and B, and sub-control circuit A2 corresponds to hard disk connectors C and D. Taking hard disk connectors A and B as an example. If any hard disk connected by hard disk connectors A and B changes from the present state to the absent state, the hard disk manager 33 can control sub-control circuit A1 to output a high level. Conversely, if any hard disk connected by hard disk connectors A and B changes from the absent state to the present state, the hard disk manager 33 can control sub-control circuit A1 to output a low level. In this way, based on the level signal output by sub-control circuit A1, the hard disk array card 39 can determine whether the hard disks connected by hard disk connectors A and B have changed their states.

[0061] Furthermore, since each second control circuit 316 corresponds to multiple hard disk connectors 32, based on the level signal output by the second control circuit 316, the hard disk array card 39 can only determine the range of hard disks whose states have changed, but cannot determine the specific hard disk whose state has changed. For example, taking the above sub-control circuit A1 and the hard disk connectors A and B corresponding to sub-control circuit A1 as an example. When sub-control circuit A1 outputs a high level, the hard disk array card 39 can only determine that at least one of the hard disks connected by hard disk connectors A and B has changed its state from the present state to the absent state, but cannot determine the specific hard disk whose state has changed.

[0062] In view of this, in some embodiments, after the hard disk manager 33 sends the hard disk status of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 32 to the hard disk array card 39, it can also respond to the second instruction sent by the hard disk array card 39 through the first control line 312 and send the hard disk identifier of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 32 to the hard disk array card 39. Specifically, the hard disk identifier sent by the hard disk manager 33 is the hard disk identifier corresponding to the hard disk whose hard disk status has changed. For example, taking the above-mentioned sub-control line A1 and the corresponding hard disk connectors A and B as an example. If the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector A changes its status and the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector B does not change its status, the hard disk manager 33 can send the hard disk identifier of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector A to the hard disk array card 39. In this way, precise positioning of the hard disk can be achieved.

[0063] Continue to refer to Figure 3 . In some embodiments, the hard disk backplane 300 may further include a second card connector 35, a second data transmission line 351, and a third control line 352. The second card connector 35 is connected to the hard disk connector 32 through the second data transmission line 351 and is connected to the hard disk manager 33 through the third control line 352, where:

[0064] When the first card connector 31 is connected to the hard disk array card 39, the hard disk connector 32 can be used to connect a first type of hard disk, and the first type of hard disk has different channel configurations;

[0065] When the second card connector 35 is connected to the hard disk array card 39, the hard disk connector 32 can be used to connect a second type of hard disk. The hard disk array card 39 manages the second type of hard disk through the third control line 352 and the hard disk manager 33, and performs data transmission with the second type of hard disk through the second data transmission line 351.

[0066] Specifically, the first type of hard disk may be a solid state drive, and the second type of hard disk may be a serial advanced technology attachment hard disk. The related principle is similar to Figure 1 and will not be elaborated here. However, compared with Figure 1 , in the hard disk backplane 300 of the present application, since the number of hard disk connectors 32 can be relatively large, more second type of hard disks can be connected, thereby meeting the large-capacity storage requirements.

[0067] In some embodiments, when the first card connector 31 or the second card connector 35 is connected to the hard disk array card 39, the hard disk manager 33 is further configured to send the hard disk type of the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 32 to the hard disk array card 39. Based on the hard disk type, the hard disk array card 39 can determine whether the connector connected to the hard disk array card 39 is compatible with the hard disk type. For example, assuming that based on the received hard disk type, the hard disk array card 39 determines that the hard disk connected by the hard disk connector 32 is a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment hard disk, but the hard disk array card 39 is actually connected to the first card connector 31. In this case, the hard disk array card 39 can determine that the connected connector is not compatible with the hard disk type. When the connector connected to the hard disk array card 39 is not compatible with the hard disk type, the hard disk array card 39 can give an alarm prompt; when the connector connected to the hard disk array card 39 is compatible with the hard disk type, the hard disk array card 39 can perform data transmission with the hard disk according to the communication method corresponding to the hard disk type.

[0068] Referring to Figure 4 , a complete module schematic diagram of the hard disk backplane 300 provided by some embodiments of the present application. Figure 4 In, the hard disk backplane 300 includes two first card connectors 31, and each first card connector 31 can be connected to four hard disk connectors 32, that is, a total of 8 hard disk connectors 32 can be deployed on the hard disk backplane 300. Relative to Figure 1 in the hard disk backplane 100 only deploys 4 hard disk connectors 12, the hard disk backplane 300 of the present application can connect more X2 hard disks, so as to meet the large-capacity storage requirements.

[0069] As Figure 4 shown, in some embodiments, the hard disk backplane 300 may further include a sensor 37 connected to the hard disk manager 33. The sensor 37 may include, but is not limited to, a temperature sensor. Based on the data collected by the sensor 37, the hard disk manager 33 can perform corresponding management and control. For example, based on the data collected by the temperature sensor, the hard disk manager 33 can determine whether the temperature of the environment where the hard disk backplane 300 is located exceeds a threshold. If it exceeds the threshold, it can control the fan in the server to rotate to cool the environment where the hard disk backplane 300 is located.

[0070] Referring to Figure 5 , a module schematic diagram of the server 500 provided by some embodiments of the present application. Figure 5 In, the server 500 includes a hard disk backplane 51. The hard disk backplane 51 can be one of the above-mentioned hard disk backplanes 200 and 300.

[0071] Since the server 500 includes the above-mentioned hard disk backplane 200 or hard disk backplane 300, it has the same beneficial effects as the hard disk backplane 200 or hard disk backplane 300, which will not be elaborated here.

[0072] The above has introduced in detail a hard disk backplane and a server provided by the present application. Specific examples are used in this article to elaborate on the principle and implementation manner of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principle of the present application, several improvements and modifications can be made to the present application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A hard disk backplane, characterized in that: The hard disk backplane includes a hard disk connector, a first card connector, a first data transmission line, a first control line and a hard disk manager, wherein: The hard disk connector is used to connect a hard disk; The first card connector is connected to the hard disk connector via the first data transmission line; The hard disk manager is connected to the first card connector via the first control line. When the first card connector is connected to the hard disk array card, the hard disk manager is used to respond to a first instruction sent by the hard disk array card, obtain the channel configuration of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector, and send the channel configuration to the hard disk array card via the first control line. When the hard disk array card performs data transmission with the hard disk via the first data transmission line, the number of channels for data transmission is determined based on the channel configuration.

2. The hard disk backplane according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hard disk backplane includes a plurality of hard disk connectors and a plurality of first data transmission lines, the first card connector includes a plurality of first communication terminals, the first communication terminals are connected to the first data transmission lines in a one-to-one correspondence, and the first data transmission lines are connected to the hard disk connectors in a one-to-one correspondence; When the channel configuration of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector is the first channel configuration, the multiple hard disk connectors are used to be connected to the hard disks in a one-to-one correspondence; When the channel configuration of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector is the second channel configuration, some of the hard disk connectors among the multiple hard disk connectors are used to connect to the hard disk; The first channel quantity determined based on the first channel configuration is less than the second channel quantity determined based on the second channel configuration.

3. The hard disk backplane according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first card connector also includes at least one clock output terminal, and the hard disk backplane also includes clock expansion circuits corresponding to the clock output terminals one by one. Each of the clock output terminals is connected to at least two of the hard disk connectors through the corresponding clock expansion circuit. The hard disk array card is used to provide a clock signal for the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector through the clock output terminal.

4. The hard disk backplane according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hard disk backplane includes a plurality of first control circuits, the first card connector includes first control terminals corresponding to the plurality of first control circuits one by one, the first control terminals are connected to the hard disk manager through the corresponding first control circuits, the hard disk manager is connected to each of the hard disk connectors, each of the first control circuits corresponds to at least two of the hard disk connectors, and different first control circuits correspond to different hard disk connectors; For any of the hard disk connectors, the hard disk manager is used to send the channel configuration of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector to the hard disk array card through the first control circuit corresponding to the hard disk connector, and to receive the control signal sent by the hard disk array card through the first control circuit corresponding to the hard disk connector, and after parsing the control signal, control the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector.

5. The hard disk backplane according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hard disk backplane further includes a plurality of second control circuits, the first card connector includes second control terminals corresponding to the plurality of second control circuits one by one, the second control terminals are connected to the hard disk manager via the corresponding second control circuits, each second control circuit corresponds to at least two hard disk connectors, and different second control circuits correspond to different hard disk connectors; The hard disk manager is used to detect the hard disk status of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector, and send the hard disk status to the hard disk array card through the second control circuit corresponding to the hard disk connector.

6. The hard disk backplane according to claim 5, characterized in that: The hard disk manager sends the hard disk status to the hard disk array card by controlling the level signal output by the second control circuit, wherein when the hard disk status of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector is the first hard disk status, the hard disk manager controls the second control circuit corresponding to the hard disk connector to output a high level, and when the hard disk status of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector is the second hard disk status, the hard disk manager controls the second control circuit corresponding to the hard disk connector to output a low level.

7. The hard disk backplane according to claim 6, characterized in that: After the hard disk manager sends the hard disk status of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector to the hard disk array card, the hard disk manager is also used to send the hard disk identifier of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector to the hard disk array card in response to a second instruction sent by the hard disk array card through the first control line.

8. The hard disk backplane according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hard disk backplane further includes a second card connector, a second data transmission line and a third control line, wherein the second card connector is connected to the hard disk connector via the second data transmission line and is connected to the hard disk manager via the third control line, wherein: When the first card connector is connected to the hard disk array card, the hard disk connector is used to connect a first type of hard disk, and the first type of hard disk has different channel configurations; When the second card connector is connected to the hard disk array card, the hard disk connector is used to connect a second type of hard disk, and the hard disk array card manages the second type of hard disk through the third control line and the hard disk manager, and transmits data with the second type of hard disk through the second data transmission line.

9. The hard disk backplane according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the first card connector or the second card connector is connected to the hard disk array card, the hard disk manager is further used to send the hard disk type of the hard disk connected to the hard disk connector to the hard disk array card, so that the hard disk array card performs at least one of the following operations based on the hard disk type: Determine whether the connector connected to the hard disk array card is compatible with the hard disk type; Data is transmitted with the hard disk in accordance with a communication method corresponding to the hard disk type.

10. A server, characterized in that: The server comprises a hard disk backplane as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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