Server cluster and control mechanism thereof
AssigneeQuanta Computer Inc.
InventorsLe-Sheng Chou, Sz-Chin Shih
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A server cluster including a network switch and multiple server nodes is provided. The network switch is connected to an external network. Each server node includes a network port, a network chip and a control unit. The network port is connected to the network switch via a cable. The network chip detects the cable to obtain a connection state with the external network at the server node after the network switch is started, and accordingly outputs a connection state signal. The control unit turns on or shuts down the server node according to the connection state signal and an on/off state of the server node.
Claims16
A method of controlling a server cluster, the method comprising:
- determining a connection state of a server node using a network chip operable to communicate with an external network;
- generating, using the network chip, a connection state signal based at least in part on the connection state of the server node;
- determining, using a power management unit of a control unit, a voltage level of the connection state signal;
- determining, using the voltage level of the connection state signal, a connection state of the server node with regard to the external network;
- and
- generating, using a south bridge chip of the control unit, an operational signal corresponding to the connection state of the server node.
The method of claim of 6, wherein if the voltage level is determined to be the second voltage level, the server node is on but not connected to the external network.
A method of controlling a server cluster, the method comprising:
- determining a connection state of a server node using a network chip operable to communicate with an external network;
- generating, using the network chip, a connection state signal based at least in part on the connection state of the server node;
- determining, using a power management unit of a control unit, a voltage level of the connection state signal;
- determining, using the voltage level of the connection state signal, the server node is disconnected with the external network;
- and
- generating, using a south bridge chip of the control unit, a shutdown signal operable to shut down the server node.
The method of claim of 10, wherein the voltage level is determined to be the second voltage level indicating the server node is on but not connected to the external network.
A method of controlling a server cluster, the method comprising:
- determining a connection state of a server node using a network chip operable to communicate with an external network;
- generating, using the network chip, a connection state signal based at least in part on the connection state of the server node;
- determining, using a power management unit of a control unit, a voltage level of the connection state signal;
- determining, using the voltage level of the connection state signal, the server node is connected with the external network and powered off;
- and
- generating, using a south bridge chip of the control unit, a power on signal operable to power on the server node.
The method of claim of 14, wherein the second voltage level indicates the server node is on but not connected to the external network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.