Multi-Rack Rack Controller Using Separate Patching Equipment Buses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AIM systems are limited to managing patching equipment within a single rack, and rack controllers lack the capability to communicate with and manage equipment across multiple racks, requiring patching equipment bus extenders that still assume all equipment is within the same rack.
Innovation Solution
A multi-rack rack controller system that uses separate patching equipment buses to communicate with and manage patching equipment across multiple racks, incorporating a display unit that can be detached for easier user interaction, and utilizing a daisy-chain network with automatic connectivity determination to manage and track connections across zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-rack controller is used with patching equipment bus extenders, then the controller can connect to equipment in adjacent racks, but the controller cannot natively manage multiple racks and the software assumes all equipment is in the same rack
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides multi-rack management into separate manageable units by introducing rack identifier logic that segments the network topology. Each rack is treated as a distinct logical unit with its own identifier, allowing the controller to manage multiple racks while maintaining software simplicity through modular organization of rack-specific configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack controller is designed with universal functionality to manage multiple racks through a single interface. The controller can identify and manage patching equipment across different racks using rack identifiers, eliminating the need for separate controllers in each rack while maintaining the simplicity of single-rack software designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If patching equipment bus extenders are used to connect equipment in adjacent racks, then connectivity is extended, but the system still assumes all equipment is within the same rack
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where rack identifiers are communicated back to the controller along with connection information. This allows the controller to know which rack each piece of equipment belongs to, preventing loss of rack location information while maintaining extended connectivity across multiple racks through the daisy-chained bus architecture.
3Ease of operation
If display units are required at each rack controller for user interaction, then user interface functionality is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit is designed as a universal shared resource that can serve multiple rack controllers. Instead of requiring dedicated display units at each rack controller, a single display unit can be shared across multiple racks through the networked controller architecture, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining user interface capabilities for all racks.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a multi-rack rack controller for an automated infrastructure management (AIM) system comprising a plurality of independent patching equipment bus interfaces. Another embodiment is directed to a rack controller comprising at least one rack controller interface configured to connect the rack controller to another rack controller. Each rack controller interface comprises a respective termination circuit. The rack controller is configured to determine whether each rack controller interface is connected to another rack controller as a function of a respective sense signal developed by the termination circuit associated with said rack controller interface. Another embodiment is directed to a rack controller comprising a base unit having a locate button disposed on the front of the base unit. Other embodiments are disclosed.