US 2015/0189786 A1 · RACKLESS COMPUTING EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

A self-supporting server chassis accepts blade server computing devices, and other like computing devices and associated infrastructure hardware, and also provides structural support for vertical stacking of such self-supporting server chassis, thereby eliminating the need for conventional racks. Internal support structures, such as rails, holes and standoffs, accept and provide physical support for the computing devices and other infrastructure hardware. Vertical stacking support structures provide physical stability and rigidity for stacking multiple self-supporting server chassis in a vertical direction, and allow interconnection among self-supporting server chassis. Stacks of self-supporting server chassis can comprise a base member with casters or other like transportation hardware, as well as a top member that provides further structural stability and rigidity, as well as providing cooling and airflow benefits, such as airflow containment. Ranking hardware in the self-supporting server chassis accommodates computing devices and infrastructure hardware that were designed for installation into a traditional rack.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A self-supporting server chassis comprising:

a base;
a first side adjacent the base;
a second side adjacent the base and opposite the first side;
a back adjacent the base and the first and second sides;
a first internal support structure configured to support a backplane into which two or more server computing devices are plugged;
a second internal support structure configured to support the two or more server computing devices;
and
at least three vertical stacking support structures positioned, in aggregate, on at least one of:
the base, the first side, the second side and the back.

6 more elements

A system comprising:

a first self-supporting server chassis, the first self-supporting chassis comprising:
a first internal support structure configured to support a backplane into which two or more server computing devices are plugged;
a second internal support structure configured to support the two or more server computing devices;
and
at least three vertical stacking support structures positioned, in aggregate, on at least one of:
the base, the first side, the second side and the back;
a second self-supporting server chassis comprising at least three other vertical stacking support structures;
and
connectors between each of the at least three vertical stacking support structures of the first self-supporting server chassis and corresponding ones of the at least three other vertical stacking support structures of the second self-supporting server chassis.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rackless computing equipment construction

Life of this patent

Rackless computing equipment construction

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20