Riser Card Horizontal Orientation for 1U NAS Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rack-mounted network attached storage (NAS) devices face limitations in space and power redundancy due to their standardized form factor, particularly in 1U configurations, which restricts the number of adapter cards and power interfaces available.
Innovation Solution
A PCIe riser card is integrated into the motherboard, providing additional SATA connectors and power interfaces, including redundant power management through a sharing circuit that connects to both internal and external power supplies, enabling horizontal orientation of adapter cards and multiple power sources for enhanced redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a 1U rack-mounted form factor is used, then space efficiency and standardization are improved, but the number of available adapter cards and power interfaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The riser card enables horizontal orientation of adapter cards instead of the standard vertical position, utilizing the horizontal dimension within the 1U enclosure to accommodate additional SATA interface cards and power interfaces without increasing the vertical height
Solution Approach 2:
The riser card serves multiple functions: providing additional SATA interface connectors for storage devices, accommodating adapter cards in horizontal orientation, and supporting redundant power interfaces. This multi-functionality increases versatility within the constrained 1U form factor
2Reliability
If additional power interfaces are added for redundancy, then power reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sharing circuit acts as an intermediary between multiple power sources (external and internal power supplies) and the system components. It automatically manages power distribution and redundancy without requiring complex manual configuration, thereby improving power reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a new design for an extensible architecture for a rack-mounted network attached storage. In one embodiment, the design employs a riser card for a rack-mounted network attached storage. The riser card provides multiple, e.g., four, eight, etc., SATA connections from a PCIe bus on the motherboard. In addition, the riser card may provide power connections and a fan controller. In addition, the riser card supports dual-power inputs from multiple power supply sources. In one embodiment, the riser card can share power from AC power from the rack and a DC input to receive power from an external power supply.