Abstract: The invention relates to a computer rack, frame or system having a direct current power supply positioned at the upper portion of the rack. In one variation, the DC power supply is placed in the highest shelf in the computer rack. In another variation, the DC power supply is placed on top of the computer rack. In yet another variation, a dual column computer rack with a back-to-back configuration is implemented with DC power supplies placed in a top shelf of the one of the computer columns. The DC power supply may comprise of one or more direct current power supply modules configured to provide fail over protection. In another aspect of the invention, the power supply modules are placed in a separate rack and provide direct current to support computers in one or more computer racks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer rack, frame or system having a direct current power supply positioned at the upper portion of the rack. In one variation, the DC power supply is placed in the highest shelf in the computer rack. In another variation, the DC power supply is placed on top of the computer rack. In yet another variation, a dual column computer rack with a back-to-back configuration is implemented with DC power supplies placed in a top shelf of the one of the computer columns. The DC power supply may comprise of one or more direct current power supply modules configured to provide fail over protection. In another aspect of the invention, the power supply modules are placed in a separate rack and provide direct current to support computers in one or more computer racks.

Abstract: A monitoring system for providing status information about a computer system is provided. The monitoring system includes: a system interface configured to couple with a corresponding interface on a motherboard of the computer system; a display to visually indicate a status of the computer system; a nonvolatile memory; a network interface for connection with a data communications network; and a programmable controller configured to communicate with a management system via the network interface, to cause the display to indicate a status of the computer system, and to store the status of the computer system in the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods of operating a computer system are described. The computer system can include a computer rack; a first stack and a second stack provided in the computer rack, each stack comprising one or more computers; a first cooling plenum configured such that cooling air can flow between the computers in the first stack and the first cooling plenum; and a second cooling plenum configured such that cooling air can flow between the computers in the second stack and the second cooling plenum.

Abstract: A computer system comprising an interface assembly configured to support one or more I/O connections. In one variation, the computer system comprises a main board housed within a chassis, a chassis connector coupled to the chassis, and one or more I/O cables coupled to the chassis connector. In another variation, the computer assembly comprises a computer rack with a plurality of connector interfaces, each of which is adapted for engaging a computer through a chassis connector with a plurality of I/O ports.

Abstract: A computer system having a fan assembly is provided. In one example, the computer system includes a computer chassis for mounting with a computer rack, the computer chassis comprising a front portion and a rear portion and including a main board. The computer system further includes a fan assembly positioned adjacent to a rear portion of the computer chassis, the fan assembly configured to draw air through the computer toward the rear portion of the computer chassis along a first direction and to expel the air in a second airflow direction non-parallel with the first direction.

Abstract: A cluster module for holding multiple computers. In one variation, a computer rack is configured to receive a plurality of cluster modules, and each of the cluster modules holds a plurality of computers. In one implementation, the computers are secured within the each of the cluster modules in a vertical orientation. In another implementation, the computers are secured within each of the cluster modules in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A computer system is provided, including: a computer chassis configured to retain a motherboard having a plurality of I/O (input/output) connectors mounted thereon; and an electrically conductive door movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein when said door is in the open position, the I/O connectors are exposed, and when said door is in the closed position, the I/O connectors are covered. A method of operating a computer including a motherboard having a plurality of I/O (input/output) connectors mounted thereon is provided. The method includes operating the computer to generate electromagnetic signals, and blocking the electromagnetic signals with an electrically conductive door movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein when said door is in the open position, the I/O connectors are exposed, and when said door is in the closed position, the I/O connectors are covered.

Abstract: A rack mounted computer system. In one variation the computer rack is configured for side-by-side placement of computers. In another variation, the computer rack includes flanges for supporting the placement of computer units within the rack. In another variation the computer rack is configured with retaining clips. In yet another variation, the computer rack is configured to receive computers with chassis that are adapted for side-by-side placement.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods of operating a computer system are described. The computer system can include a computer rack; a first stack and a second stack provided in the computer rack, each stack comprising one or more computers; a first cooling plenum configured such that cooling air can flow between the computers in the first stack and the first cooling plenum; and a second cooling plenum configured such that cooling air can flow between the computers in the second stack and the second cooling plenum.

Abstract: A computer system includes a computer rack configured to support a plurality of computer chassis in a computer stack region of the computer rack; a cooling plenum configured to draw air from a back side of a computer chassis supported in the computer rack and exhaust the air through an outlet port; and an airflow control member positioned between the cooling plenum and the computer stack region and providing an impedance to airflow between the computer stack region and the cooling plenum, said airflow control member providing a greater airflow impedance to a first portion of the computer stack region than to a second portion of the computer stack region.

Abstract: A computer is provided having a main board with I/O connectors mounted thereon, and a chassis including a front panel providing access to the I/O connectors and to all components requiring intermittent access provided for the computer.

Abstract: A system including a computer rack and a plurality of computers provided in the computer rack is provided. Each computer includes a computer chassis containing at least a processor and a data storage device and a plenum extending from the computer rack for channeling cooling air from the plurality of computers provided in the computer rack to a location exterior to a site where the computer rack is located. The computer rack and the plurality of computers are configured to channel cooling air through each of the plurality of the computers and out of the computer rack through the plenum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer rack, frame or system having a direct current power supply positioned at the upper portion of the rack. In one variation, the DC power supply is placed in the highest shelf in the computer rack. In another variation, the DC power supply is placed on top of the computer rack. In yet another variation, a dual column computer rack with a back-to-back configuration is implemented with DC power supplies placed in a top shelf of the one of the computer columns. The DC power supply may comprise of one or more direct current power supply modules configured to provide fail over protection. In another aspect of the invention, the power supply modules are placed in a separate rack and provide direct current to support computers in one or more computer racks.

Abstract: A computer chassis is provided having a front section, a rear section having a port positioned to align with a port in an auxiliary chassis, and mounting portions configured to interface with opposable portions across a rack.

Abstract: This relates to the manner in which computers are configured in a given area in order to conserve space and to deal with cooling issues associated with the close housing of a large number of computers. Efficient arrangements for efficiently increasing the density of computer configurations are shown, particularly when used in a network server or host environment.

Abstract: A system including a computer rack and a plurality of computers provided in the computer rack is provided. Each computer includes a computer chassis containing at least a processor and a data storage device and a plenum extending from the computer rack for channeling cooling air from the plurality of computers provided in the computer rack to a location exterior to a site where the computer rack is located. The computer rack and the plurality of computers are configured to channel cooling air through each of the plurality of the computers and out of the computer rack through the plenum.

Abstract: This invention involves the efficient placement of a pair of main boards within a given computer chassis. The available density of CPUs and main boards that may be provided for a given chassis height is advantageously increased through the use of a dual opposing main board configuration. With this configuration, two main boards are mounted opposing each other within a chassis. They are placed such that their I/O connectors are on the same side of the main board to improve usability. They are also mounted within the chassis so the components on the main boards (such as the cards, CPU fans, CPU heat sinks, etc.) do not physically interfere with each other. This configuration improves CPU density and cooling, especially when stacked with like chassis.