Devices, Systems, and Methods for Distributed Monitoring and Control of Networked Server Computers

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention include network cables that include a number of inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components in the connector heads. The inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components include signal translators and switches for communicating with environmental and electrical sensors, memories, and controllers in the connector heads and the computers or network interface cards to which they are coupled. Such embodiments allow for localized monitoring of environmental and operational data as well as location or server computer specific control of networked-server operations. Such information and control is useful in reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of server farm installation cooling, maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting. Other embodiments include methods for communicating between a switch and a server computer using the network cable assembly by translating a signal from a one communication protocol to another for transmission over a dedicated connection between two connector heads.

主权项

1. A network cable comprising:
a first connector head coupled to a first end of the network cable comprising:
a first signal switch comprising a plurality of ports and having a first port coupled to a first connector terminal configured to establish a first connection external to the network cable;a first bus internal to the first connector head coupled to a second port of the first signal switch; anda second bus internal to the first connector head coupled to a third port of the first signal switch; a second connector head coupled to a second end of the network cable comprising:
a second signal switch comprising a plurality of ports and having a first port coupled to a second connector terminal configured to establish a second connection external to the network cable;a first bus internal to the second connector head coupled to a second port of the second signal switch; anda second bus internal to the second connector head coupled to a third port of the second signal switch and coupled to the second bus internal to the first connector head via the network cable.