Abstract: A modular computer system includes at least one information processing module removably received at a first face of a housing, at least one computer support module removably received at a second face of the housing, at least one power supply module removably received at the second face of the housing, and a connections member. The connections member includes at least one connector at a first face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one information processing module. The connections member further includes at least one connector at a second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one computer support module. The connections member also includes at least one connector at the second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one power supply module.

Abstract: A computing system comprises two or more processing sets, for example for fault tolerant operation. The multiple processing sets have a connection to at least one device, typically many devices. The ownership of each device is allocated to one of the two or more processing sets. When an interrupt is generated within a device, this is transmitted from the device to the processing set to which ownership of the device has been allocated, but not to the remaining processing sets. In addition, a command for a device may be generated by a processing set. However, receipt of this command by the device is disabled if the processing set that generated the command has not been allocated ownership of the device.

Abstract: A computer system 10 with one or more processors 12 can be configured to operate in any one of a number of thermal environments. A setting system 14 sets operating parameters of the computer system such as processor operating voltage and frequency. A selecting system 16 selects values of operating parameters for use in setting by responding to an input of configuring data 20 to select a set of parameter values from a parameter value storage memory 18. The configuring data 20 may be input by the insertion of a smart card 58. Such configuring is useful in adapting computer systems during manufacture for compliance with desired specifications without hardware modification.

Abstract: A server blade is provided which comprises a processor. The server blade additionally comprises an enclosure which encloses the processor. The server blade is configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, and is configured as an oversized unit to span more than one standard information processing module receiving location in the carrier.

Abstract: A server blade is provided with an enclosure. The server blade can be provided with a plurality of processors in the enclosure. The server blade can be configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, for example a high density blade server system. The enclosure for such a multiprocessor server blade can be larger that a standard enclosure for a single processor server blade. The carrier can be configured to receive such an oversized server blade enclosure as well as a standard enclosure.

Abstract: An information processing module forms a blade for a high density computer system. A processor is operable to perform information processing and an information signal interface is connected between the processor(s) and a module information signal connection. A service controller is operable to perform system management functions and is connected to a module management connection. Redundant sets of information and management signal connections can be provided. The information signal interface and the service controller provide a buffer between the processor of the information processing module and the remainder of the modular computer system enabling flexibility in the choice of processor and internal structure for the information processing module.

Abstract: A modular computer system may be provided. The modular computer system may comprise a carrier operable removably to receive a plurality of computer system modules therein. A plurality of information processing modules can be removably received in the carrier, each module may have a communications port operable to connect to a communications network internal to the carrier. The modular computer system may also comprise a switch operable to connect to the internal communications network to distribute information messages between the modules and to connect to an external communications network. An information distribution module may be provided removably received in the carrier operable connect to the internal communications network to receive an information message, to perform processing on the message to determine a destination, and to forward the message toward the determined destination via the internal communications network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed that allow boot code within the apparatus to be updated using a system controller. The apparatus includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a programmable memory that contains boot code at a predetermined location for use in booting the CPU. The apparatus further includes a bus and a bus master for the bus. The CPU accesses the boot code via the bus and the bus master. The apparatus further includes a system controller. This is operable to write boot code into the programmable memory over the bus. In one embodiment, the above components form a single subsystem within an array of such subsystems. A single control point for the array can transmit updated boot code to the system controller for loading into the programmable memory. This then provides a single interface for simultaneously updating the boot code in all subsystems.

Abstract: A rack mountable shelf is configured to support a plurality of field replaceable units in the form of server cartridges that each include at least one server processor. The rack mountable shelf is configured to provide communal services for said server cartridges, including at least one of supplying DC operating power to the server cartridges, distributing information signals between the server cartridges and processing system management signals for the server cartridges. Each of the server cartridges can be slideably received in a respective one of a series of server cartridge receiving locations arrayed side by side along the front of the shelf. The server cartridges can be configured as thin blades to provide a high server density. For example, 16 server cartridge receiving locations can be provided across the front of the shelf. The supply of DC operating power to the server cartridges can be provided by one or more field replaceable power supply units (e.g.

Abstract: An information processing module in the form of a blade server can communicate information signals with other modules of a modular computer system such as a high density server system under a selectable information protocol (for example Ethernet or Infiniband). The information processing module can include one or more information connections for communicating information signals. One ore more serializer/deserializers can be connected between the module processor(s) and the information connection(s). A selectable information protocol interface can be interconnected between the processors and the serializer/deserializer. A plurality of different information protocols can be used and be selectively connectable between the module processor(s) and the serializer/deserializer(s) using one or more multiplexer/demultiplexers.

Abstract: A server blade may comprise a processor. The server blade may additionally comprise a removable media interface device. The server blade can be configured as a field replaceable unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing for latent faults in the isolation devices of a system including redundant power supplies which supply power to one or more system units. A system controller is operable to perform a test cycle to perform the fault checks, which may including checks for short circuits and/or open circuits. The checks may be performed within a test cycle in which each of the isolation devices in the system is tested. The test cycle may be performed at regular intervals, the interval between each cycle being determinable by user input. In the event that a fault in one of the isolation devices is detected, the system controller may be operable to report the fault to an alarm system.

Abstract: Latent faults are detected by a testing system in a redundant DC power supply system having at least two power supplies connected to a common load via respective isolation devices. The testing system selects as a subject for a test procedure one isolation device and its corresponding power supply. The power supplies are controlled during the test procedure to marginally vary the output voltage of at least one power supply such that a differential voltage is applied between the output of the selected power supply and the outputs of the remaining power supplies for selectively changing the conductive state of at least one isolation device to a non conductive state by reducing its forward voltage to less than its respective forward bias voltage value.

Abstract: A server blade may comprise a processor and a network interface. The network interface can be configured be connected to a network remote the server blade. The server blade may be configured detect a property of an entity connected to the network. The server blade may be further configured as a field replaceable unit. Optionally, the server blade may further comprise an enclosure which encloses the processor.

Abstract: A housing is provided for a modular computer system. The housing comprises a face through which a first removable computer system module is receivable at a module receiving location. The housing also comprises a barrier movable between a first position wherein the barrier is operable to obstruct a flow of air through the module receiving location and a second position in which the computer system module is received in the module receiving location.

Abstract: In a modular computer system comprising at least one information processing module removably received at a first face of a housing, at least one computer support module removably received at a second face of the housing, and at least one power supply module removably received at the second face of the housing, a connections member is provided. The connections member comprises at least one connector at a first face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one information processing module. The connections member further comprises at least one connector at a second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one computer support module. The connections member also comprises at least one connector at the second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one power supply module.

Abstract: A portable programmable data carrier comprises a processor, a program memory for storing operating commands for the processor and a data memory for storing configuration data for a programmable processing apparatus. The data carrier is powered by an integral power supply. Configuration data for storage in the data memory is manually input via a manual input means, and stored configuration data is displayed on a display. Configuration data stored in the data memory may be transferred to a programmable processing apparatus via matched interface means of the data carrier and the programmable processing apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a cooling fan drive circuit for driving a pair of cooling fans. The circuit comprises a first power supply line for providing a power connection to each of the fans from a first power source. The circuit further comprises a second power supply line for providing a power connection to the first fan; and a third power supply line for providing a power connection to the second fan. The second and third power supply lines are arranged, in use, to provide separate connections between the respective fans and a power source other than the first power source.

Abstract: In a modular computer system comprising at least one information processing module removably received at a first face of a housing, at least one computer support module removably received at a second face of the housing, and at least one power supply module removably received at the second face of the housing, a connections member is provided. The connections member comprises at least one connector at a first face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one information processing module. The connections member further comprises at least one connector at a second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one computer support module. The connections member also comprises at least one connector at the second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one power supply module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resonant frequency testing of free standing turbine blades made of a material, such as titanium, that is not responsive to a magnetic field is disclosed. A lightweight shim 12 made of a magnetically responsive material such as steel, weighing on the order of 0.5 grams, is attached to the convex side of the blade 10. The shim 12 is excited by an oscillating magnetic field and moves the blade 10 accordingly. The maximum amplitude of blade 10 movement is recorded and used to determine the resonant frequency as the excitation frequency of the magnetic field is swept through a frequency window range. The low weight of the shim 12 does not materially change the resonant frequencies of the blade 10.