Integrated Power Cycler and Terminal Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power cyclers and terminal servers occupy multiple housings and require separate lines for power and communications, leading to inefficient use of space and increased cable management complexity.
Innovation Solution
An integrated assembly that combines power cycling and terminal server functions in a single housing, using a single set of power cords for both power delivery and communications, with a controller that manages power and communications over a network, enabling remote power cycling and serial console access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate power cycler and terminal server housings are used, then each device can perform its dedicated function reliably, but space efficiency deteriorates and cable management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power cycler and terminal server into a single integrated housing that occupies only one rack unit of space. The controller includes both power cycling capabilities and terminal server functionality, allowing both power delivery control and serial console communications to be managed from one device rather than requiring separate housings for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers power to devices, controls power cycling, provides terminal server access through serial console ports, and enables remote communications. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated devices while maintaining all required capabilities.
2Reliability
If separate power cords and serial cables are used for each device, then power and communications can be delivered reliably through dedicated lines, but cable management complexity and the number of lines increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power delivery and serial communications into a single power cord connection. The controller uses the existing power cord infrastructure to deliver both electrical power and serial console communications to devices, eliminating the need for separate serial cables while maintaining reliable delivery of both functions through the unified connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple housings are deployed for power cycling and terminal server functions, then each function has dedicated hardware resources, but the overall system footprint and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple hardware functions including power delivery control, power cycling relays, terminal server interface, and serial communications capabilities into a single housing. This consolidation reduces installation complexity by requiring only one device installation rather than multiple separate housings, while still providing dedicated hardware resources for each function within the integrated controller.
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved assembly (20) (e.g., an integrated power cycler and terminal server) controls power and communications to a set of devices (24n). The assembly includes a network port (32) configured to connect to a network (48), a set of device ports (34n) configured to connect to the set of devices (24n) through a set of power cords (26n), and a controller (36) coupled to the network port (32) and to the set of device ports (34n). The controller (Ju) is configured to (i) control delivery of power from a power source (44) t the set of devices (24n) through the set of device ports (34n) and the set of power cords (26n), and (ii) direct conveyance of communications from the network (48) to the set of devices (34n) through the set of device ports (34n) and the set of power cords (26 while power is delivered to the set of devices (24n) through the set of device ports (34n) and the set of power cords (26n).