US 5,913,034 AGranted

Administrator station for a computer system

AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation

InventorTom R. Malcolm

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An administrator station for administering and maintaining a plurality of computer network and/or communications servers. A low profile clam-shell display and keyboard apparatus, as utilized in a portable notebook computer, is used to replace a rack mounted cathode ray tube video monitor, keyboard and cursor control devices, and an electromechanical switcher. An interface apparatus translates the video output, keyboard and mouse signals of a plurality of computer servers to a format that may be communicated to the administrator station either through a physical connection or by means of wireless communications such as infrared, cellular or spread spectrum radio. When not in use, the administrator station may be stored in a low profile rack panel located in a rack cabinet having a plurality of computer servers mounted therein. Alternatively, the administrator station may be moved from one rack cabinet of computer servers to another. The administrator station may also be comprised of a standard computer, either portable or desk top, and use a wireless or wired communication means adapted to communicate with a plurality of computer servers in different locations.

Claims57

Dependent claims

An apparatus for administering and maintaining a plurality of computer servers, each of the plurality of computer servers having a video output, keyboard input and cursor control input, said apparatus comprising:

interface circuits having a plurality of first video inputs, a plurality of first cursor control outputs, and a plurality of first keyboard outputs, the plurality of first video inputs, first cursor control outputs and first keyboard outputs adapted for connection to a plurality of computer server video outputs, cursor control inputs and keyboard inputs, respectively;
a plurality of multiplexers connected to said interface circuits, said plurality of multiplexers comprising;
a plurality of first switches connected to the plurality of first video inputs of said interface circuits and to a first video output, wherein a switch control signal selects which one of the plurality of first video inputs is connected to the first video output;
a plurality of second switches connected to the plurality of first cursor control outputs of said interface circuits and to a first cursor control input, wherein the switch control signal selects which one of the plurality of first cursor control outputs is connected to the first cursor control input;
a plurality of third switches connected to the plurality of first keyboard outputs of said interface circuits and to a first keyboard input, wherein the switch control signal selects which one of the plurality of first keyboard outputs is connected to the first keyboard input;
a computer interface having a second video input connected to the first video output, a second cursor control output connected to the first cursor control input, a second keyboard output connected to the first keyboard input, a switch control output connected to the plurality of first, second and third switches and generating the switch control signal, and a means for communication with a computer,
said computer interface translating signal information between the second video input, second cursor control output, second keyboard output, the switch control output, and the computer communication means;
a computer having a video display, a keyboard, a cursor control device and a means for communication with said computer interface;
said computer video display displaying video information received on the first video output;
said computer keyboard generating keyboard signals on the first keyboard input;
said computer cursor control device generating cursor control signals on the first cursor control input;
and
said computer generating the switch control signal for selecting which ones of the plurality of computer server video outputs, cursor control inputs and keyboard inputs, connected through said interface circuits and said plurality of multiplexers, are to be connected to said computer interface which is in communication with said computer.

10 more elements

A system for administering and maintaining a plurality of computer servers, said system comprising:

a plurality of computer servers mounted in a rack cabinet, each of the plurality of computer servers having a video output, and keyboard and cursor control inputs;
an administrator unit, said administrator unit having a flat panel video display, keyboard, means for cursor control, and a first communications interface, wherein the video display and keyboard are hinged at a common edge and fold together when not in use;
an interface unit, said interface unit having a plurality of video inputs, a plurality of keyboard outputs, a plurality of cursor control outputs, and a second communications interface;
wherein each of the plurality of computer servers has its video output, keyboard input and cursor control input connected to a respective one of the plurality of video inputs, the plurality of keyboard outputs and the plurality of cursor control outputs of said interface unit, whereby said interface unit selects any one of the plurality of computer servers and translates the video output, keyboard input and cursor control input of the selected one of the plurality of computer servers into a data format to be used with said administrator unit over the first and second communications interfaces;
a movable holder attached to the rack cabinet and said administrator unit, wherein said movable holder supports said administrator unit in front of the rack cabinet when in an extended first position and stores said administrator unit in the rack cabinet when in a retracted second position;
and
a communications circuit for connecting the first and second communications interfaces together.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.