Patent Application
20190239376
Card modules provide additional functionality and resources to computer systems. System administrators, for example, use card modules to update servers that operate on an enterprise network. In such cases, card modules can provide, for example, added functionality to a connected server.
Examples provide for a card module, such as a network interface controller (NIC) module, that is capable of mating with multiple types of system connectors (e.g., motherboard connectors). As described, an example card module includes multiple connector interfaces, which enables the card module to mate with system connectors (e.g., motherboard connectors) of different types. The use of multiple connector interfaces enables the card module to accommodate computer systems (e.g., servers) of different form-factors, as the type of system connector a computer system employs is often based on the computer system's form factor.
In an example, a card module includes multiple connector interfaces, with each connector interface being matable with a system connector of a respective type. The card module includes a detection mechanism that detects when either of the multiple connector interfaces are mated with a system connector of the respective type. The card module can also include a switching component that implements a switch state, where the switch state is determined by the connector interface that is used to mate with the system connector. The switching component implements the switch state to connect a transceiver of the card module to the mated system connector.
In variations, the card module corresponds to a network interface card module, having, for example, a first connector interface for mating with a mezzanine type connector of a first type of computer system, and a second connector interface for mating with a vertical type connector of a second type of computer system. In such examples, the first and second types of computer systems may vary by form factor, as well as by the type of system connectors provided with each of the respective types of computer systems.
An example of
With further reference to an example of
The switching component 120 implements a switch state that connects one of the connector interfaces 140, 142 that is mated with a corresponding system connector to the transceiver 110. With each switch state, the switching component 120 can, for example, map the line definition of a corresponding connector interface 140, 142 to a common signal line definition used with signal lines that extend to the transceiver 110. Depending on implementation, the switching component 120 can be implemented as a multiplexer that can implement two or more switch states. In an example of
In some examples, the switch state that the switching component 120 implements is determined by a value of an input signal provided by the detection mechanism 130. The detection mechanism 130 can be implemented as a circuit element which generates a signal variation as a result of a specific type of connection being made with a particular system connector. For example, the detection mechanism 130 can correspond to a circuit element (e.g., voltage divider) that can detect when the card module 100 is physically connected to a housing or environment of a motherboard that uses a type of system connector that mates with one of the connector interfaces 140, 142.
In examples in which the card module 100 provides for two connector interfaces, the input signal for the switching component 120 can be binary (e.g., high/low), and the detection mechanism 130 can be implemented as a circuit element that generates a signal variation that changes the default value of the input signal when a connection is detected with a system connector for one of the two types of connector interfaces 140, 142. Thus, when a physical connection is made to a system connector or environment (e.g., motherboard package) that triggers the detection mechanism 130 to alter the value of the input signal, the switching component 120 responds by implementing a switch state that connects the connector interface 140, 142 for the detected type of system connector to the transceiver 110. Otherwise, the switching component 120 can implement the default switch state, which connects the other connector interface 140, 142 to the transceiver 110.
In variations in which three or more types of connector interfaces 140, 142 are provided with the card module 100, the switching component 120 and the detection mechanism 130 can be configured to detect and respond to a physical connection or environment for each respective type of system connector. In this way, the detection mechanism 130 can be implemented as a hardware mechanism. In other variations, the switching component 120 and/or detection mechanism 130 can use electrical input from a mated system connector to detect which of the connector interfaces 140, 142 are connected to a corresponding type of system connector.
In an example, the card module 100 can detect any one of multiple connector interfaces provided on the card module, as being used with a system connector of a respective type (210). For example, the detection mechanism 130 can detect when the card module 100 is physically connected to the housing or package of a motherboard or computer system that utilizes a particular type of connector interface. In variations, the detection mechanism 130 can detect when one of the connector interfaces 140, 142 is mated with a corresponding type of system connector. For example, the detection mechanism 130 can detect a signal pattern or characteristic of when a system connector of a particular type is mated with a respective one of the connector interfaces 140, 142.
In examples, the card module 100 can implement a switch state based on a respective type of the connector interface that is connected to the system connector (220). The switching component 120 can implement a switch state that is specific to the connector interface 140, 142 that is mated or otherwise to be connected to a corresponding system connector. The determination of the switch state can be based on an input signal provided by a detection mechanism, as a response to a mechanical and/or electrical connection of the card module 100 to a computer system, environment or system connector of a particular type.
The card module 100 can connect the detection mechanism 130 to the system connector of the respective type that is detected as being mated with one of the multiple connector interfaces (230). In examples, the switching component 120 can implement a switch state that maps signal lines of the mated connector interface 140, 142 to signal lines that extend to the detection mechanism 130.
In an example, the multiplexer 320 uses the detection circuit 330 to set the switch state. Depending on the switch state, the multiplexer 320 maps or otherwise connects the signal lines extending from one of the connector interfaces 340, 342 to signal lines 322 that extend to the detection circuit 330. In a default switching state, the multiplexer 320 connects the signal lines of one of the connector interfaces to the transceiver 310. The switch state of the multiplexer 320 can be determined by the signal line value (e.g., high or low) provided by the detection circuit 330. In some examples, the detection circuit 330 can be connected to a mechanical fastening feature 332, which can cause a signal variation (e.g., from high to low, or low to high). By way of example, the mechanical fastening feature 332 can correspond to an aperture provided on the base of the housing 302. The mechanical fastening feature 332 can receive, for example, an insertive mechanical fastener, such as a screw. In this way, the mechanical fastening feature 332 can be used to mechanically couple the NIC module 300 to a motherboard with connectors of a type that mate with the first connector interface. The detection circuit 330 can be connected to the mechanical fastening feature 332 to generate the signal variation, coinciding with, for example, the aperture receiving the insertive fastener when the NIC module 300 is coupled to a server which utilizes a motherboard with mezzanine connectors. Absent the variation which may be generated by the mechanical fastening feature 332, the multiplexer 320 can implement a default or alternative switch state that connects the signal lines of the other connector interface to the transceiver 310.
In an example, the NIC module 300 can be supported planarly (or flat) on the base of the housing 302 to mate with a first type of system connector (e.g., mezzanine type connector). Additionally, the NIC module 300 can be supported vertically, or edge wise, in order to connect to a second type of connector. Still further, in some variations, the housing 302 may include a key feature 306 that enables the NIC module 300 to be supported in alternative positions, while connected to a computer system using one of the connector interfaces 340, 342.
It is contemplated for embodiments described herein to extend to individual elements and concepts described herein, independently of other concepts, ideas or system, as well as for embodiments to include combinations of elements recited anywhere in this application. Although embodiments are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mentioned of the particular feature. Thus, the absence of describing combinations should not preclude the inventor from claiming rights to such combinations.
