Abstract: A system and method for selecting a hardware master from a plurality of computing devices and controlling the communication of a master control signal(s) to one or more of the plurality of computing devices includes monitoring first and second connectors coupled with a midplane to detect the presence of first and second computing devices, respectively. Master control signals may be transmitted to the second computing device if the first computing device is not coupled with the first connector. Transmission of the master control signals to the second computing devices may be prevented if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, master control signals may be transmitted to the first computing device if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a plurality of server processing cards of a server chassis includes selecting at least one hardware master from among a plurality of server processing cards. A hardware master control signal may be transmitted to the hardware master. A master control module coupled with the hardware master may be activated in response to the master control signal. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the hardware master may be operable to at least partially monitor operating information regarding at least a subset of the plurality of server processing cards. The operating information may include health and/or configuration data associated with the subset of the plurality of server processing cards.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling server chassis cooling fans includes monitoring operating temperatures associated with each of a plurality of temperature sensors. The temperature sensors may be coupled with a plurality of respective server processing cards. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the operating speed of each of a plurality of server chassis cooling fans coupled with a server chassis is increased, in response to an operating temperature exceeding a predetermined maximum operating temperature measured at any one of the plurality of temperature sensors. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the operating speed of each of the plurality of server chassis cooling fans is decreased in response to an operating temperature below a predetermined minimum operating temperature measured at each of the plurality of temperature sensors.

Abstract: A network interface card including a first printed circuit board is provided. First and second connectors may be coupled with the first printed circuit board, and a plurality of ethernet communications links may form at least a portion of a coupling between the first and second connectors. The first connector may be configured to receive a third connector associated with a midplane. A chip may be coupled with the first printed circuit board wherein the plurality of ethernet communications links couple the first connector with the chip. A second communication link may also be provided which couples the chip and the second connector. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the chip consolidates data received through the first connector for distribution of the data to the second connector. A single board computer may be coupled with the first printed circuit board, and a third communication link may couple the chip with the single board computer.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a hardware master from a plurality of computing devices and controlling the communication of a master control signal(s) to one or more of the plurality of computing devices includes monitoring first and second connectors coupled with a midplane to detect the presence of first and second computing devices, respectively. Master control signals may be transmitted to the second computing device if the first computing device is not coupled with the first connector. Transmission of the master control signals to the second computing devices may be prevented if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, master control signals may be transmitted to the first computing device if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector.

Abstract: A midplane printed circuit board having a plurality of first connectors operable to receive a plurality of web server processing cards is provided. A plurality of second connectors operable to receive a plurality of network interface cards may also be provided. Printed circuitry associated with the midplane printed circuit board may operable to couple each first connector with an associate of the plurality of second connectors. A third connector may also be provided operable to receive a first power supply. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuitry is operable to distribute power from the first power supply to the plurality of first and second connectors.

Abstract: A clock is provided for simultaneously displaying twenty-five (25) simulated time synchronized with twenty-four (24) real-time. Preferably, the clock comprises a digital processor for controlling the operation of the clock, a first display connected to the digital processor for displaying twenty-four (24) hour real-time representations and a second display located proximate to the first display and connected to the digital processor for displaying twenty-five (25) simulated time representations. A look-up table encoding technique is used to convert each twenty-four (24) hour real-time representation to a corresponding twenty-five (25) hour simulated time representation. In operation, a program display program is run by the digital processor to display the twenty-four (24) real-time representation on the first display and the twenty-five (25) hour simulated time representation on the second display.