Adapter-aligned enclosure for placement in server cabinet

Abstract

An enclosure aligned with an adapter placed in the server cabinet has an aperture in at least one of a top or a bottom of the enclosure. A plurality of fiber optic connectors are distributed on the front face of the enclosure such that the connectors are arranged in groups vertically arranged according to at least one of rack units or equipment port intervals of the cabinet.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 564,583, filed March 13, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to enclosures for fiber optic connections, and more specifically to enclosures having fiber optic connections grouped at intervals associated with rack units, device port spacing, or some other particular alignment of the cabinet. Background Technology

[0004] Data centers consist of white space. This is usable floor space where humidity, temperature, and dust are highly regulated and controlled. Racks provide the shelves where servers, switches, and other equipment are placed to enable the data center to operate. The space within these racks is called a rack unit (RU). Horizontally, 1 RU is 1.75 inches x 19 inches. Figure 1 ).

[0005] Data center free space is a valuable commodity. Data center operators utilize every available RU (Real Unit) of space to maximize the use of data center space. When the RUs in a rack are exhausted, the data center operator must either install another rack or revert to alternative methods of mounting equipment, such as installing extra space above the rack for non-cooled items like cable management panels, which is generally not a suitable solution for most applications.

[0006] Future data centers not only need to optimize unused space but also require high-bandwidth, energy-efficient networks to connect servers, accommodating highly distributed computing, machine learning (ML) virtualization, and data replication. Data center network architecture design is crucial for ensuring the achievement of target deployment costs and performance. The network architecture should allow for flexible and scalable networks. Common network designs include top-of-rack (ToR), middle-of-row (MoR), and end-of-row (EoR) configurations. In ToR, switches within the rack connect to servers using passive or active direct-connect (DAC) cables at data rates of 100Gbps or higher. Using fiber optics over these short distances becomes unnecessary. To this day, the ToR architecture, with switches located at the top of the server rack, remains cost-effective and is therefore more popular than EoR or MoR.

[0007] However, recent advancements in Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) used in switches have significantly increased the number of high-speed ports, such as 256 50G ports. At the same data rate, those high-cardinality switches in MoR or EoR can serve all servers in a row, consuming significantly less power per port than smaller ToR switches. Therefore, today's EoR / MoR architecture is becoming more efficient than ToR. This trend is likely to continue as switching technology continues to evolve.

[0008] To utilize these energy-saving technologies, high-radius switches filled with transceivers capable of operating in interrupt mode can be used. Figure 2 This illustrates a scenario where a high-base-weight switch with 400G BASE-SR4 modules located at MoR uses a wiring panel located at the top of the rack to connect to all the servers in a row.

[0009] However, using traditional cabling panels, as shown in the diagram, occupies valuable unused space in the data center, thus reducing the space available for revenue-generating servers or storage. Furthermore, as shown, the varying connection lengths between the cabling panels and servers can affect the cleanliness and maintenance of cabling installations. As data centers grow in size, it is anticipated that failures of components such as optical transceivers will require easily identifiable optical interconnects for rapid replacement.

[0010] To optimize the use of free space, it is best to minimize the use of free space when deploying high-bandwidth, energy-efficient optical network architectures. Figure 2 The wiring panel shown uses the RU space and provides a simple connection path that is easy to visualize and maintain. Utility Model Content

[0011] The adapter-aligned enclosure, placed in a server rack, has a hole in at least one of its top or bottom. Multiple fiber optic connectors are distributed on the front face of the enclosure, such that these connectors are arranged in multiple groups, vertically aligned in a specific manner associated with at least one of the rack units or device port spacings of the rack. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This shows a rack unit (RU) space within the cabinet.

[0013] Figure 2 A middle-of-the-row (MoR) architecture with high cardinality switches is shown.

[0014] Figure 3 Partial oblique axonometric view of this utility model is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 A front view of the present invention is shown.

[0016] Figure 5A A grommets that can be used in this invention to connect larger multi-fiber whips are shown.

[0017] Figure 5B A set of fiber optic adapters that can be used in this invention are shown.

[0018] Figure 6 A front view of a server rack using this invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 7 A rear oblique axonometric view of the present invention is shown, highlighting its attachment structure.

[0020] Figure 8 An oblique axonometric view of the present invention attached to a PDU is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The concept is a generally rectangular enclosure 10 made of metal or plastic, featuring: a fiber optic adapter 20 positioned across the front panel; holes 30 on the top (or bottom) panel for receiving a modular plate 40 that houses fiber optic cables or adapters; and mounting features 50 across the rear and side panels for securing the enclosure to a surface. Figure 3 Fiber optic adapters 20 (or groups of fiber optic adapters) are spaced apart in a purpose-specific alignment. These purpose-specific adapter alignments include, but are not limited to, 1RU spacing, device port alignment spacing, or any specific spacing required by the application.

[0022] The disclosed device is a purpose-specific adapter-aligned enclosure that allows for easy mapping of optical ports from EOR or MOR switches to server ports using shorter, uniform-size patch cables. This simplifies network deployment and maintenance, allowing for easy port identification and optical transceiver replacement when needed. The cleaner cabling within the rack enables faster network mapping and documentation using QR codes or barcodes placed on the top or bottom of the adapter side.

[0023] In one embodiment, the enclosure can be placed at the rear of the server rack to provide support from either an end-of-row (EoR) or middle-of-row (MoR) architecture. Figure 2 The enclosure provides a fiber optic branch network connection from the remote switch to the server. Alternatively, it can be attached to a rear rail, cable management finger slot, PDU, or another attachment slot in the rear of the rack. The enclosure can travel almost the entire height of the rack to provide connectivity to all RUs within the rack.

[0024] In one embodiment, the enclosure 10 may have a plurality of multi-fiber backbone cables 70 or backbone connections entering from the top or bottom of the enclosure, which are assigned to a plurality of duplex fiber optic connectors at different heights on the front of the enclosure aligned with a purpose-specific adapter. Figure 4 Multi-fiber trunk and fiber backbone cables 70 can be connected to application-specific adapter-aligned housings via standard fiber optic connectors, or spliced ​​in the field to ribbon fiber pigtails via cable loops. Figure 5A Application-specific adapter-aligned housings may include, but are not limited to, MPO / MTP, SN-MT, and MMC type connectors. Figure 5B ).

[0025] Terminal device 90, installed in the 100 RU space of an equipment rack, can be connected to a purpose-specific adapter-aligned enclosure 10 via fiber optic cable 80 using a standard full-duplex fiber optic connector. The rack's full-duplex fiber optic connectors can be aligned with the rack's RU numbering, allowing all devices to use the same length of full-duplex fiber optic cable. Figure 6 Standard duplex fiber optic connectors and adapters, which are positioned at a height along the front of the housing aligned with the adapter for a specific purpose, may include, but are not limited to, SC, ST, LC, CS, SN, and MDC types.

[0026] The duplex fiber optic connections on the front of the application-specific adapter-aligned enclosure can be arranged in various configurations and groupings. One non-limiting example of an application-specific adapter-aligned enclosure may use a single horizontally oriented LC duplex fiber optic connector for each RU space. Another non-limiting example of an application-specific adapter-aligned enclosure may use two or more vertically oriented LC duplex fiber optic connectors for each RU space.

[0027] When more fiber optic connections are needed for high-bandwidth connections, multi-fiber connectors can be used instead of full-duplex fiber connectors along the face of the application-specific adapter-aligned enclosure. In a non-limiting example, a high-fiber-count backbone fiber can be spliced ​​to the top or bottom of the application-specific adapter-aligned enclosure and distributed or “split” into multiple multi-fiber connectors located at the front of the application-specific adapter-aligned enclosure and aligned with the RU number of the network cabinet.

[0028] The enclosure can be attached to other structures using the attachment device 110 on the enclosure. Figure 7 This allows the casing to be attached to the PDU 120 (). Figure 8 ), cable management finger holes or other connection devices or support brackets.

[0029] In one embodiment, the enclosure may include a QR code or barcode on the bottom, top, or side of the optical port adapter, thereby enabling easy mapping and recording of the interconnect using manual methods, a mobile phone or scanner, or automated detection (such as a camera in a rack door).

[0030] While exemplary embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the present invention. Rather, the language used in this specification is descriptive rather than restrictive, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, features of various implementations may be combined to form further embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adapter-aligned enclosure for placement in a server rack, the enclosure comprising an opening in at least one of its top or bottom and a plurality of fiber optic connectors distributed on the front surface of the enclosure, wherein, The connectors are arranged in multiple groups, and the groups are vertically arranged according to at least one of the rack units or device port spacings of the cabinet.

2. The adapter-aligned enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The enclosure is attached to at least one of a track, cable management finger slot, or PDU in the server rack.

3. The adapter-aligned enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The enclosure spans almost the entire height of the server rack.

4. The adapter-aligned enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a multi-fiber backbone cable or backbone connection portion that enters at least one of the top or bottom of the enclosure and is assigned to the plurality of fiber optic connectors.

5. The adapter-aligned enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vertically arranged group of fiber optic connectors includes at least one vertically oriented LC duplex fiber optic connector.

6. The adapter-aligned enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vertically arranged group of fiber optic connectors includes at least one horizontally oriented LC duplex fiber optic connector.

7. The adapter-aligned enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes attachment devices.

8. The adapter-aligned enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes at least one of a QR code or barcode for mapping and recording interconnections.

Images