Enclosure Manager Compatibility Check Before Device Boot

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Incompatible electronic devices connected in electronic equipment cabinets, such as server racks, risk damage when powered on due to electrical incompatibility, as existing technologies do not effectively assess and prevent communication between mismatched devices before power-up.

Innovation Solution

Electronic devices are tested for compatibility by storing their electrical characteristics in non-volatile memory, and if found incompatible, communication is disabled before powering on to prevent damage, using an enclosure manager with processing logic and storage to compare characteristics and manage connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If devices are allowed to communicate without prior compatibility testing, then device deployment speed is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to potential damage from electrical incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice deployment speedVSAvoiddevice safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing compatibility testing between coupled devices before allowing them to communicate. The enclosure manager reads electrical characteristics from non-volatile memory of each device, compares compatibility, and only permits communication if devices are compatible. This pre-check prevents damage while enabling safe deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If compatibility testing is performed before device power-on, then device reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional testing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having each device store its own electrical characteristics in non-volatile memory (such as EEPROM) that can be read without external testing equipment. The enclosure manager simply reads these pre-stored characteristics and performs comparison logic, eliminating the need for complex external testing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If electrical characteristics are stored in non-volatile memory, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional memory components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical characteristic accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by utilizing non-volatile memory (such as EEPROM) that serves multiple functions: storing device identification information, electrical characteristics, and other configuration data. This existing memory component is leveraged for compatibility testing purposes without requiring separate dedicated storage hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7783876B2Comparing characteristics prior to booting devices

Publication Date: 2010.08.24 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

A system that comprises a first electronic device comprising a non-volatile memory. The system also comprises another electronic device in communication with the first electronic device and comprising a second non-volatile memory. The system further comprises a control logic coupled to the first and second electronic devices. Each of the non-volatile memories stores electrical characteristics associated with a corresponding electronic device. Prior to booting up the first or second electronic device, the control logic obtains and compares at least some of the electrical characteristics and disables the communication as a result of the comparison.