Server with security feature

Abstract

A security feature to reduce the incidence of removing a server from its rack location, thereby enhancing the security of the server, is integrated into a bezel of the server. The security feature is a fixed cover attached to the bezel that impairs the ability of someone to access attachment mechanisms that hold the server to the server rack. The fixed covers are permanently mounted to the bezel and are sized and configured to encase the server attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server. The fixed covers form a barrier to the attachment mechanism that is not removable separately from the bezel, which is lockable to the server. In this way, when the bezel is locked onto the server and the server is attached to the server rack, the fixed covers render the attachment mechanisms inaccessible without first unlocking and removing the bezel.

Description

SERVER WITH SECURITY FEATURERELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63 / 556,760, entitled “Server with Security Feature”, filed on February 22, 2024, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of server systems. More particularly, it relates to a security feature for a server.BACKGROUND

[0003] For a traditional rack mounted server, the server slides into a server rack on guides and may be secured to the rack with one or more mounting screws or similar attachment mechanisms. Generally, a bezel or front cover is attached to the server and, in some instances, the server attachment mechanism is covered by a hinged door, thereby allowing access to the attachment mechanism. While this setup is aesthetically pleasing and keeps the attachment mechanisms from being inadvertently dislodged (thus dislodging the server), it does not provide any physical security for the server.

[0004] As server systems tend to house critical infrastructure and applications, large organizations provide secure server rooms with limited access, thus making additional security of the server to the rack largely unnecessary. However, smaller server installations, for example, in small businesses, schools, hospitals, etc., may not have the resources or infrastructure to secure their servers in this way. What is needed is a security feature to reduce the incidence of removing a server from its rack location, thereby enhancing the security of the server.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] A security feature for a server installed within a server rack includes a bezel sized and configured to removably attach to a front of the server and to substantially cover the entirety of the front of the server, wherein the bezel has a first side and a second side that are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the server rack when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is installed within the server rack. The bezel includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the bezel to the front of the server and a first fixed cover and a second fixed cover, wherein the first fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the first side and the second fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the second side,each of the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover having at least a front portion and a side portion.

[0006] Additionally or alternatively, the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover are sized and configured to prevent access, when the bezel is attached to the front of the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to respective attachment mechanisms configured to attach the server to the server rack.

[0007] Additionally or alternatively, the bezel includes a serving-facing portion having an area sized and shaped to cover components that are removably installed in the front of the server and the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover extend beyond the area.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, the server includes a first handle and a second handle and wherein the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover are sized and configured to form, when the bezel is attached to the server, with the first handle and the second handle, respectively, respective enclosures around the attachment mechanisms.

[0009] In another aspect, a security feature for a server installed within a server rack via at least one attachment mechanism securing the server to the server rack includes a bezel sized and configured to removably attach to a front of the server and to substantially cover the entirety of the front of the server. The bezel includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the bezel to the server and a fixed cover, wherein the fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the bezel and is sized and configured to prevent functional access, when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to the at least one attachment mechanism.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, the fixed cover includes a front face sized and located such that the front face covers the at least one attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the fixed cover includes a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, the server includes a handle and wherein the fixed cover is sized and configured to form, with a portion of the handle, an enclosure around the at least one attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, a second fixed cover is fixedly attached to the bezel, wherein the second fixed cover is positioned and sized to prevent functional access, when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to a second attachment mechanism securing the server to the server rack.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, the fixed cover includes a server-facing portion and the bezel includes a server-facing portion, and wherein the server-facing portion of the fixed cover is offset from the server-facing portion of the bezel.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, the fixed cover is sized and configured to prevent, when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack, a screwdriver from accessing the at least one attachment mechanism.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, the server-facing portion of the bezel has an area sized and shaped to cover components that are removably installed in the front of the server and the fixed cover extends beyond the area.

[0017] In another aspect, a bezel sized and configured to removably attach to a front of a server and to substantially cover the entirety of the front of the server when the server is installed within a server rack includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the bezel to the front of the server and a fixed cover, wherein the fixed cover is fixedly mounted to a side of the bezel and includes at least a front portion and a side portion. The fixed cover is sized and configured to prevent access, when the bezel is attached to the front of the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to an attachment mechanism configured to attach the server to the server rack.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, the fixed cover includes a front, a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, the fixed cover includes a front face sized and located such that the front face covers the attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, the fixed cover is sized and configured to form, with a portion of a handle of the server, an enclosure over the attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server.

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, the portion of the handle extends over a top portion of the fixed cover.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the portion of the handle extends over a bottom portion of the fixed cover.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, a second fixed cover is fixedly mounted to a second side of the bezel, wherein the second fixed cover is positioned and sized to prevent functional access, when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to a second attachment mechanism securing the server to the server rack.

[0024] Additionally or alternatively, the fixed cover includes a server-facing portion and the bezel includes a server-facing portion, and wherein the server-facing portion of the fixed cover is offset away from the server-facing portion of the bezel.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the fixed cover is sized and configured to prevent, when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack, a screwdriver from accessing the attachment mechanism.

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, the server-facing portion of the bezel has an area sized and shaped to cover components that are removably installed in the server and the fixed cover extends beyond the area.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the second fixed cover extends beyond the area.

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the bezel includes a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, wherein the fixed cover extends away from the first side and the second fixed cover extends away from the second side.

[0029] In another aspect, a server having a security feature for limiting unauthorized removal of the server when the server is installed within a server rack and includes a front face having a front face area, the front face configured to allow access to remove server components within the front face area, a first handle on a first side of the server positioned beyond the front face area, a second handle on a second side of the server opposite the first side positioned beyond the front face area, a bezel sized and configured to removably attach to the front face of the server and to substantially cover the entirety of the front face area, wherein the bezel has a first side and a second side. Thebezel includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the bezel to the server and a first fixed cover and a second fixed cover, wherein the first fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the first side of the bezel and the second fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the second side of the bezel, each of the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover having at least a front portion and a side portion.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover are sized and configured to prevent access, when the bezel is attached to the front face of the server and the server is attached to a server rack, to respective attachment mechanisms configured to attach the server to the server rack.

[0031] Additionally or alternatively, the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover extend beyond the front face of the server.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover are sized and configured to form, with the first handle and the second handle, respective enclosures around the attachment mechanisms when the bezel is attached to the server, a respective enclosure.

[0033] In another aspect, a method of securing a server to a server rack includes attaching the server to the server rack via at least one attachment mechanism, attaching a bezel over a front of the server, wherein the bezel includes a fixed cover fixedly mounted to a side of the bezel and includes at least a front portion and a side portion, and wherein the fixed cover is sized and configured to prevent access, when the bezel is attached to the front of the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to the at least one attachment mechanism, and locking the bezel to the server with a locking mechanism.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a server on a portion of a rack, in which the server front can be covered with a bezel having a fixed cover for securing an attachment mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bezel with a fixed cover portion and locking mechanism;FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the bezel of FIG. 2 positioned adjacent a handle of a server to which the bezel attaches; andFIG. 4 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 3 showing the fixed cover articulating with the handle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Embodiments of the presently disclosed security feature for a server and installation methods will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.

[0036] A security feature to reduce the incidence of removing a server from its rack location, thereby enhancing the security of the server, is integrated into a bezel for the server. The security feature is a fixed piece attached to or integrated with the bezel that impairs the ability of someone to access attachment mechanisms that hold the server to the server rack. The fixed piece may be a cover that is permanently mounted to the bezel and are sized and configured to encase or otherwise prevent access to the server attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server. The fixed cover forms a barrier to the attachment mechanism that is not removable separately from the bezel, which is lockable to the front of the server. In this way, when the bezel is locked onto the server and the server is attached to the server rack, the fixed cover renders the attachment mechanism inaccessible without first unlocking and removing the bezel.

[0037] The fixed cover may be any shape or size designed to prevent access to the attachment mechanism when the server is attached to the rack and the bezel is locked to the server. The fixed cover may be molded as a part of the bezel, or be affixed by any other suitable mechanism that is permanent. As used herein, permanent or fixedly mounted or attached means the cover is unremovable from the bezel during ordinary use and without damaging the bezel and / or fixed cover. Further, the fixed cover is not pivotable or otherwise movable (e.g., include a hinged or slidable panel) in a manner that would allow functional access to the covered attachment mechanism attaching the server to the server rack. The fixed cover may be made of any suitable material, including metal or hard plastic, and is preferably opaque.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a server 100 installed within a server rack 104 (for clarity, server rack 104 is only partially shown). Server 100 includes a pair of handles 108, handles 108a and 108b. Handles 108 are used to install server 100 into server rack 104 via guides 106 and for the removal of server 100 from server rack 104 when desired. In this embodiment, in a bottom portion of each of handles108 is a mounting aperture 112 (partially shown under handle 108a) that allows for an attachment mechanism, e.g., screw 116, to removably secure server 100 to a support member 118 of server rack 104.

[0039] Completing the installation of server 100 into server rack 104 is the attachment of a bezel 120. Bezel 120 is sized and configured to minimize access to the components that are removably installed in a front panel of server 100. In an embodiment, bezel 120 attaches via mounting points (not shown) and can be secured to the front of the server 100 using screws or other fasteners. Bezel 120 includes a locking mechanism 124, which, when activated, locks the bezel to the server. Locking mechanism 124 may be any suitable locking mechanism for locking a bezel to a server, such as a panel key lock having a cylinder lock that engages with a portion of server 100. Locking mechanism 124 may be configured to retain bezel 120 on the front face of server 100 by, for example, interfacing with any part of the chassis of server 100.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in FIG 1, bezel 120 includes a security feature that impairs the ability for someone to access screw 116 on a first side and a second screw (not shown) attaching server 100 to server rack 104 on a second side in the form of a pair of fixed covers 128, fixed covers 128a and 128b. Fixed covers 128 are permanently mounted to bezel 120 and are sized and configured to encase (or otherwise limit access to) the server attachment mechanism (e.g., screw 116) when bezel 120 is attached to server 100. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, fixed covers 128 form, in combination with each of handles 108, a fully enclosed body around the server attachment mechanisms.

[0041] In this way, when bezel 120 is locked onto server 100, fixed covers 128 render the attachment mechanisms inaccessible without unlocking and removing the bezel. In certain embodiments, the fixed covers may not include top sides and / or bottom sides, since access to the screw or similar by a screwdriver or fingers would be very limited, if not impossible, when covered at least by a front face of the fixed cover, especially if the depth between the attachment mechanism and the front face of the fixed cover when the bezel is attached to the server is minimized, e.g., less than 0.6 cm.

[0042] As is known in the art, servers come in different heights, typically denoted as “U”, so a server could be ’AU, 1U, 2U, etc. Thus, fixed cover 128 may be sized and configured to work with any server height and it is not necessary that the server include a handle shaped as shown in FIG. 1.For example, fixed cover 128 can be sized and configured to have a height that is coextensive with the height of bezel 120, rather than just a portion of the height of bezel 120 as shown in FIG. 1. More generally, fixed cover 128 will be sized and configured to impede access to the server attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached and locked to the server rack such that the attachment mechanism is not releasable unless the bezel is first removed.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows bezel 120 with locking mechanism 124 and fixed cover 128a. In this embodiment, fixed cover 128a includes a front 130 and an outer side 134, as well as a bottom (not shown in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, a side of bezel 120 forms another side of fixed cover 128a. In addition, optionally, a portion of handle 108a may articulate with fixed cover 128a, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, such that when bezel 120 is placed over the front of server 100, the portion of handle 108a, outer side 134, front 130, the bottom, and the side of bezel 120 form an enclosure around the attachment mechanism securing server 100 to the server rack, which includes screw 116 in the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. (The fixed cover is shown transparent in FIG. 4 for clarity.)

[0044] While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:1 . A security feature for a server installed within a server rack, the security feature comprising: a bezel sized and configured to removably attach to a front of the server and to substantially cover the entirety of the front of the server, wherein the bezel has a first side and a second side that are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the server rack when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is installed within the server rack, and wherein the bezel includes: a locking mechanism configured to lock the bezel to the front of the server; and a first fixed cover and a second fixed cover, wherein the first fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the first side and the second fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the second side, each of the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover having at least a front portion and a side portion.

2. The security feature of claim 1, wherein the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover are sized and configured to prevent access, when the bezel is attached to the front of the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to respective attachment mechanisms configured to attach the server to the server rack.

3. The security feature of claim 2, wherein the bezel includes a serving-facing portion having an area sized and shaped to cover components that are removably installed in the front of the server and the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover extend beyond the area.

4. The security feature of claim 2, wherein the server includes a first handle and a second handle and wherein the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover are sized and configured to form, when the bezel is attached to the server, with the first handle and the second handle, respectively, respective enclosures around the attachment mechanisms.

5. A security feature for a server installed within a server rack via at least one attachment mechanism securing the server to the server rack, the security feature comprising: a bezel sized and configured to removably attach to a front of the server and to substantially cover the entirety of the front of the server, wherein the bezel includes: a locking mechanism configured to lock the bezel to the server; and a fixed cover, wherein the fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the bezel and is sized and configured to prevent functional access, when the bezel is attached to the serverand the server is attached to the server rack, to the at least one attachment mechanism.

6. The security feature of claim 5, wherein the fixed cover includes a front face sized and located such that the front face covers the at least one attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack.

7. The security feature of claim 6, wherein the fixed cover includes a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side.

8. The security feature of claim 5, wherein the server includes a handle and wherein the fixed cover is sized and configured to form, with a portion of the handle, an enclosure around the at least one attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server.

9. The security feature of claim 5, further including a second fixed cover fixedly mounted to the bezel, wherein the second fixed cover is positioned and sized to prevent functional access, when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to a second attachment mechanism securing the server to the server rack.

10. The security feature of claim 5, wherein the fixed cover includes a server-facing portion and the bezel includes a server-facing portion, and wherein the server-facing portion of the fixed cover is offset from the server-facing portion of the bezel.

11. The security feature of claim 5, wherein the fixed cover is sized and configured to prevent, when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack, a screwdriver from accessing the at least one attachment mechanism.

12. The security feature of claim 10, wherein the server-facing portion of the bezel has an area sized and shaped to cover components that are removably installed in the front of the server and the fixed cover extends beyond the area.

13. A bezel sized and configured to removably attach to a front of a server and to substantially cover the entirety of the front of the server when the server is installed within a server rack, the bezel comprising: a locking mechanism configured to lock the bezel to the front of the server; and a fixed cover, wherein the fixed cover is fixedly mounted to a side of the bezel and includes at least a front portion and a side portion,wherein the fixed cover is sized and configured to prevent access, when the bezel is attached to the front of the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to an attachment mechanism configured to attach the server to the server rack.

14. The bezel of claim 13, wherein the fixed cover includes a front, a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side.

15. The bezel of claim 13, wherein the fixed cover includes a front face sized and located such that the front face covers the attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack.

16. The bezel of claim 13, wherein the fixed cover is sized and configured to form, with a portion of a handle of the server, an enclosure over the attachment mechanism when the bezel is attached to the server.

17. The bezel of claim 16, wherein the portion of the handle extends over a top portion of the fixed cover.

18. The bezel of claim 16, wherein the portion of the handle extends over a bottom portion of the fixed cover.

19. The bezel of claim 13, further including a second fixed cover fixedly mounted to a second side of the bezel, wherein the second fixed cover is positioned and sized to prevent functional access, when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to a second attachment mechanism securing the server to the server rack.

20. The bezel of claim 19, wherein the fixed cover includes a server-facing portion and the bezel includes a server-facing portion, and wherein the server-facing portion of the fixed cover is offset away from the server-facing portion of the bezel.

21. The bezel of claim 13, wherein the fixed cover is sized and configured to prevent, when the bezel is attached to the server and the server is attached to the server rack, a screwdriver from accessing the attachment mechanism.

22. The bezel of claim 20, wherein the server-facing portion of the bezel has an area sized and shaped to cover components that are removably installed in the server and the fixed cover extends beyond the area.

23. The bezel of claim 22, wherein the second fixed cover extends beyond the area.

24. The bezel of claim 23, wherein the bezel includes a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, wherein the fixed cover extends away from the first side and the second fixed cover extends away from the second side.

25. A server having a security feature for limiting unauthorized removal of the server when the server is installed within a server rack, the server comprising: a front face having a front face area, the front face configured to allow access to remove server components within the front face area; a first handle on a first side of the server positioned beyond the front face area; a second handle on a second side of the server opposite the first side positioned beyond the front face area; a bezel sized and configured to removably attach to the front face of the server and to substantially cover the entirety of the front face area, wherein the bezel has a first side and a second side, wherein the bezel includes: a locking mechanism configured to lock the bezel to the server; and a first fixed cover and a second fixed cover, wherein the first fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the first side of the bezel and the second fixed cover is fixedly mounted to the second side of the bezel, each of the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover having at least a front portion and a side portion.

26. The server of claim 25, wherein the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover are sized and configured to prevent access, when the bezel is attached to the front face of the server and the server is attached to a server rack, to respective attachment mechanisms configured to attach the server to the server rack.

27. The server of claim 26, wherein the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover extend beyond the front face of the server.

28. The server of claim 27, wherein the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover are sized and configured to form, with the first handle and the second handle, respective enclosures around the attachment mechanisms when the bezel is attached to the server, a respective enclosure.

29. A method of securing a server to a server rack comprising: attaching the server to the server rack via at least one attachment mechanism; attaching a bezel over a front of the server, wherein the bezel includes a fixed cover fixedly mounted to a side of the bezel and includes at least a front portion and a side portion, andwherein the fixed cover is sized and configured to prevent access, when the bezel is attached to the front of the server and the server is attached to the server rack, to the at least one attachment mechanism; and locking the bezel to the server with a locking mechanism.

Images