Switch Card Simplifies Wiring Configuration for Server Hard Drive Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional servers require multiple switch cards and complex cable configurations to accommodate different numbers of hard drives, leading to increased design and manufacturing costs due to the need for specific wiring configurations for each hard drive array.

Innovation Solution

A switch card with a storage device and processing circuit that reads configuration tables to determine optimal cable connections between the riser card, hard drive array, and motherboard, allowing for simplified wiring configurations and reduced cable lengths across various hard drive arrays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple switch cards are used to accommodate different hard drive array sizes, then compatibility with various hard drive configurations is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different hard drive array sizesVSAvoidnumber of switch cards required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switch card is designed with a storage device that stores multiple configuration tables corresponding to different hard drive array sizes (e.g., 2U/12-drive, 2U/24-drive, 4U/36-drive configurations). The processing circuit automatically selects and applies the appropriate configuration table based on the detected hard drive array type, enabling a single switch card to universally support multiple hard drive array configurations without requiring separate specialized switch cards for each size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If cable wiring is configured according to default hard drive numbers and DSP numbers, then connection reliability is improved, but cable length and manufacturing cost increase due to complex wiring requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidcable length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The switch card employs dynamic configuration where the processing circuit detects the actual hard drive array configuration and dynamically adjusts the cable wiring mapping between hard drive numbers and DSP numbers. Instead of using fixed default wiring, the system adaptively reconfigures the connection mapping to optimize cable routing, reducing cable length while maintaining reliable connections. The configuration tables stored in the switch card provide pre-optimized wiring schemes for different array sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10445277B1Switch card capable of simplifying wiring configuration and server with the switch card

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

A switch card and a server are provided. The switch card is adapted to couple a riser card and a hard drive array, and includes a storage device, a processing circuit, a first connection portion, and a plurality of first sub-connection portions. When the first connection portion is coupled to the riser card, the processing circuit receives a setting signal of the riser card via the first connection portion. The processing circuit reads a configuration table stored in the storage device according to the setting signal. When the first sub-connection portions are coupled to a plurality of second sub-connection portions of the hard drive array, the second sub-connection portions are coupled to a plurality of hard drives of the hard drive array via a plurality of first cables. The processing circuit determines a configuration setting between the first cables and the hard drives according to the configuration table.