Powerline Networking Engine for Server Rack Cable Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of cable routing and management in server racks due to separate power, management, and data network cabling leads to space inefficiencies and increased access challenges.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with a powerline networking engine that converts powerline management communications to dataline management communications, allowing for the transmission of management data through power cabling, thereby eliminating the need for separate management network cabling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate power cabling and management network cabling are provided for each server computing device, then reliable power supply and management connectivity are ensured, but cable routing complexity and rack space consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and management network communication into a single power cable connection. The power supply system includes both a power connector and a data connector that can be integrated or closely coupled, allowing simultaneous transmission of electrical power and management data through what appears to be a single cabling interface, thereby eliminating the need for separate management network cables while maintaining both power supply reliability and management connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The power cable connection is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical power to the server computing device and also carries management network communication signals. The power supply system acts as both a power distribution device and a management communication interface, eliminating the need for dedicated separate cabling for management purposes while ensuring both power and management connectivity functions are fulfilled
2Reliability
If separate power cabling and management network cabling are provided for each server computing device, then dedicated management pathways are established, but rack space utilization decreases due to increased cable clutter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management network communication function into the power cable infrastructure. By integrating the data connector with or near the power connector, and routing management communications through the power cable pathway, the system maintains dedicated management pathways without requiring additional separate cable runs, thereby preserving management reliability while significantly reducing rack space consumption and cable clutter
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate cables are connected to each server computing device, then comprehensive power and data connectivity is achieved, but access and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cable connections into a single integrated power cable assembly that delivers both electrical power and management network connectivity. This integration simplifies server access and maintenance operations by reducing the number of separate connectors and cables that need to be managed, while still providing comprehensive power and data connectivity functions through the unified connection interface
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply powerline networking management system includes a chassis housing a power system coupled to a plurality of components and a management subsystem. A powerline networking engine in the power system receives first powerline management communications along with power via its first power connector, and converts the first powerline management communications to first dataline management communications. The powerline networking engine then transmits the first dataline management communications to the management subsystem via its data connector, and provides the power to the plurality of components via its second power connector. The data connector and the second power connector may be provided by a single, integrated connector structure, or by separate connector structures. The power system may also be configured to convert power, monitor and report the provisioning of power to the plurality of components, and activate a cooling system if the power system exceeds a temperature threshold.