Offset Network Cards on Cold Plates for Space-Constrained HPC Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-cooled HPC computers face challenges in efficiently connecting and cooling network cards due to space constraints and complex manual insertion processes, making traditional card-to-card connections unsatisfactory.
Innovation Solution
A computing blade design with network cards mounted on the cold plate and connected to the motherboard via a cable and connector system, allowing remote electrical connection and independent placement relative to the motherboard, with flexible cables and metal supports for easy installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If network cards are mounted directly on the motherboard in liquid-cooled HPC computers, then cooling efficiency is improved, but space availability and ease of installation deteriorate due to lack of space around the motherboard
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the network card mounting location from the motherboard by introducing an extension cable connection. The network card is mounted on the cold plate (separated from the motherboard), and electrical connection is achieved through segmentation of the card-to-card connection into card-to-cable-to-motherboard segments, enabling spatial separation while maintaining functional connection
Solution Approach 2:
An extension cable acts as an intermediary element between the network card mounted on the cold plate and the motherboard. This intermediary enables electrical connection without requiring direct physical contact between the network card and motherboard, resolving the space constraint issue
2Reliability
If traditional card-to-card connection is used, then electrical connection is achieved, but installation complexity increases due to manual insertion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical insertion process is replaced by a cable connection system. Instead of manually inserting network cards into motherboard slots, the system uses cable connectors that can be easily attached and detached, substituting the complex mechanical card-to-card insertion with a simpler cable connection mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from a fixed rigid card-to-card connection to a flexible dynamic cable connection. The cable allows for movement and adjustment, enabling easier installation and maintenance while maintaining reliable electrical connection
3Speed
If network cards are placed close to the motherboard, then connection speed is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases due to limited accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network card from the motherboard by mounting it on the cold plate and using cable connection. This segmentation allows the network card to be positioned in a location that optimizes both data communication performance and maintenance accessibility, independent of the motherboard position
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Optimizes space utilization and simplifies network card installation and maintenance by enabling remote connection and cooling, facilitating the use of standard cards and maintaining compactness while ensuring efficient heat exchange.
Implementation Method 1
a cold plate, sized to cover the support of the processors and comprising a plurality of heat sinks, a cooling circuit comprising channels inside which circulates a so-called "cold" heat transfer fluid, intended to supply the heat sinks, and an evacuation circuit comprising channels inside which circulates a so-called "hot" heat transfer fluid having heated up through the heat sinks, each heat sink being mounted in line with a processor in order to cool it by heat exchange
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Computing blade (10) for liquid-cooled supercomputer (1), comprising as many network cards (130) as processors, each network card (130) being associated with a processor, each network card (130) comprising a plug-in end (132) configured to receive a connector (142), each network card (130) being configured to allow data communication between said processor and another processor, each network card (130) is mounted on the cold plate (120) by being connected to the motherboard (110) via a connection system (140) comprising a first connector (142), connected to the plug-in end (132) of the network card (130), and a second connector (144), connected on one side to the first connector (142) via a cable (146) and on the other side to the motherboard (110).