Configurable Width Blade Server Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blade servers, particularly those of 1 B width, face limitations in memory capacity and cooling/power requirements due to high processor frequencies and increased memory demands, forcing users to upgrade to wider servers for performance, resulting in inefficient use of rack space and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A configurable width blade server that can be adjusted to 1 B, 1½ B, or greater, allowing for increased memory capacity and processor upgrades without replacing the entire server, by using movable connectors and adjustable heat sinks, enabling flexible expansion within existing slots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If blade server width is increased to accommodate higher memory capacity and processor performance, then performance and memory capacity are improved, but rack space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade server employs adjustable connectors that can be repositioned along the blade width to accommodate different memory configurations. This dynamic adjustment allows the same physical blade to adapt between 1U and 1.5U effective widths, enabling high memory capacity configurations without permanently occupying additional rack space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the effective width parameter of the blade server by utilizing adjustable connectors that can be positioned at different locations. This allows the blade to effectively change its width parameter from 1U to 1.5U based on memory configuration needs, resolving the contradiction between memory capacity and rack space utilization.
2Productivity
If blade server width is increased to support higher processor frequencies and cooling requirements, then processing performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable connector system provides dynamic reconfiguration capability, allowing the blade server to adapt its width configuration based on processor and memory requirements. This eliminates the need for multiple fixed-width blade designs, reducing overall device complexity while supporting high-performance processors.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade server design achieves multi-functionality by using a single adjustable connector system that supports both 1U and 1.5U configurations. This universal design allows the same hardware platform to serve different performance levels, reducing complexity compared to maintaining separate fixed-width blade designs.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-width blade servers are used, then manufacturing and deployment are simplified, but adaptability to different performance requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable connectors can be repositioned to create different effective blade widths (1U or 1.5U), providing dynamic adaptability for different memory and processor configurations. This maintains ease of manufacture using standard 1U blade form factors while achieving the versatility of multiple width configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the effective width parameter through adjustable connector positioning rather than manufacturing different fixed-width blades. This allows the same manufactured blade to adapt to different performance requirements, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving configuration flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable width blade assembly for use in a blade server chassis.