Electronic Location Tags for Server Farm Component Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In server farms, locating a specific server or component among numerous identical or similar units, especially when it is nonfunctional, is challenging due to security restrictions and the need for remote access, as conventional methods like blinking lights or noise require power and are inefficient for identifying nonfunctional servers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing electronic location tags (ELTs) with both human-readable and machine-readable location values that can be assigned and associated with each network component, allowing for easy identification and location determination, even when the server is not functioning, by using a combination of human-readable and machine-readable forms that can be easily read by service technicians and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods like blinking lights or noise are used to locate a server, then the server can be identified when functional, but the method fails when the server is nonfunctional and requires power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning location values to physical locations in the server farm before servers are installed. Electronic location tags are placed in rack positions, and location values are recorded in association with those positions. When a server is installed, its serial number is associated with the pre-assigned location value. This allows location identification without requiring the server to be powered on or functional, as the location information exists independently in the system.
2Reliability
If manual location using serial numbers and possible location information is used, then nonfunctional servers can be located, but the process takes significant time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of locating servers with electronic automation. Instead of manually searching through serial numbers and possible locations, the system uses electronic databases to store and retrieve location information. The remote system automatically queries the database using the server's serial number and instantly retrieves the precise physical location, eliminating the time-consuming manual search process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electronic copy of the physical server farm layout and location information in a database. This virtual representation allows rapid querying and retrieval of location data without physically searching the server farm. The electronic copy maintains the spatial relationships and location assignments, enabling fast information retrieval while the physical servers remain in their actual positions.
3Productivity
If servers are located at remote server farms to save space and maintenance costs, then security restrictions prevent users from personally servicing servers, but this increases the difficulty of locating and servicing specific units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote system and electronic location tag system as intermediaries between users and the physical servers. Users can remotely query the system using a server's serial number, and the system returns the precise physical location. This intermediary mechanism allows users to easily locate and request service for specific servers without needing physical access to the remote server farm, bridging the gap between remote management capabilities and physical servicing needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a physical location of a network component includes placing the network component in the physical location, determining a location value corresponding to the physical location of the network component using a location scheme, associating an electronic location tag (ELT) having the location value with the physical location, and obtaining the location value corresponding to the physical location of the network component.