CN213582161U

CN213582161U - Blade server with multipath display control output

Info

Publication number: CN213582161U
Application number: CN202022877257.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱万永; 马小鹏; 叶懋刚; 周帮平; 张辉; 王聿宏
Original assignee: CETC 52 Research Institute
Current assignee: CETC 52 Research Institute
Priority date: 2020-12-02
Filing date: 2020-12-02
Publication date: 2021-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-02

Abstract

The utility model discloses a blade server of multichannel display control output, blade server of multichannel display control output includes mainboard module, video switching module and USB switching module, the mainboard module is equipped with a plurality ofly, and every the mainboard module include the mainboard and with the first output interface of VGA signal, the first output interface of DVI signal and the first USB interface of mainboard connection. The video switching module and the USB switching module are arranged in the blade server, so that switching output of multiple paths of display control signals is provided, and occasions with higher requirements on display performance and display control channels can be met; moreover, the switching function is integrated in the blade server, an external KVM matrix is not needed to be connected for switching, display and key and mouse cooperative switching can be achieved, and the blade server has better performance in the aspects of integration level and convenience.

Description

Blade server with multipath display control output

Technical Field

The application belongs to the technical field of blade servers, and particularly relates to a blade server with multipath display control output.

Background

The blade server is a low-cost server platform which can realize HAHD (High Availability High Density) and is specially designed for special application industries and High-Density computing environments. Blade servers are like "blades," and each "blade" is actually a system motherboard.

With the development of computer technology, computers are applied to complex systems more and more widely, complex functions can be completed by cooperation of a plurality of computers, and blade servers have the characteristics of low power consumption, small space and the like.

Currently, two more general implementation schemes exist for controlling a blade server: 1. display control is carried out through a self-contained interface of the blade server; 2. the multi-channel display control output is realized by a blade server + KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse), i.e., a group of Keyboard, display and Mouse are used for realizing the control of multiple devices).

For implementation 1:

as shown in fig. 1, a motherboard module inside the server is provided with a dedicated BMC (Baseboard management Controller) module, ethernet transmission of display and USB signals is realized through iKVM (KVM over IP), i.e., IP network-based keyboard, display and mouse control), after the BMC of the server management module receives the network iKVM signals of each motherboard module, one path of display and USB interface is provided for chassis management, switching between each internal module can be realized through iKVM, and management of internal blades is performed.

However, one path of display interface provided by the BMC controller is only used for basic operation and maintenance, has high delay and poor display quality, cannot meet an application scene with high display requirements, can only meet the function of single-path display control output, and cannot simultaneously operate and control multiple blades in the device.

For implementation 2:

the existing KVM matrix is various in types, comprises DVI, VGA and other display interfaces, provides a selectable N-in N-out video matrix output function, is matched with a blade server, and is connected with the display interface of the blade server to the KVM matrix through a commercial cable, and the KVM matrix and the display interface can realize the function of multi-path display output of blades in the server in cooperation.

However, the blade server + KVM matrix in the scheme has the disadvantages of large overall volume, complex connection and difficult maintenance, most of the video matrix and the keyboard and mouse matrix in the current market are independent products, and the problems of difficult integration, incapability of cooperative control and the like exist.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model aims to provide a blade server of multichannel display control output provides multichannel display control signal output, and the integrated level is high, and it is convenient to maintain.

In order to achieve the purpose, the technical scheme adopted by the application is as follows:

a blade server with multi-path display control output comprises a plurality of mainboard modules, a plurality of video switching modules and a plurality of USB switching modules, wherein each mainboard module comprises a mainboard, and a VGA signal first output interface, a DVI signal first output interface and a first USB interface which are connected with the mainboard;

the video switching module is provided with VGA signal second input interfaces and DVI signal second input interfaces, the number of the VGA signal second input interfaces and the DVI signal second input interfaces is equal to that of the mainboard modules, the video switching module is provided with a plurality of paths of VGA signal second output interfaces and DVI signal second output interfaces, the VGA signal first output interface of each mainboard module is connected with one path of VGA signal second input interface of the video switching module, the DVI signal first output interface of each mainboard module is connected with one path of DVI signal second input interface of the video switching module, and the outputs of the plurality of paths of VGA signal second output interfaces and DVI signal second output interfaces of the video switching module are used as a plurality of paths of display signals after the blade server is switched;

the USB switching module is provided with second USB interfaces with the number equal to that of the mainboard modules and a plurality of paths of third USB interfaces for communication after switching, the first USB interface of each mainboard module is connected with one path of second USB interface of the USB switching module, and signals of the plurality of paths of third USB interfaces of the USB switching module are used as a plurality of paths of control signals after the blade server is switched.

Several alternatives are provided below, but not as an additional limitation to the above general solution, but merely as a further addition or preference, each alternative being combinable individually for the above general solution or among several alternatives without technical or logical contradictions.

Preferably, the video switching module comprises a VGA-to-DVI chip, a DVI switching chip and a DVI-to-VGA chip;

VGA changes the input of DVI chip with VGA signal second input interface connects, VGA changes the output of DVI chip with the first input that the DVI switches the chip is connected, DVI signal second input interface with the second input that the DVI switches the chip is connected, DVI switches the chip with the output that the second input corresponds with DVI signal second output interface connects, DVI switches the chip with the output that first input corresponds with the input that DVI changes the VGA chip is connected, DVI changes the output of VGA chip with VGA signal second output interface connects.

Preferably, the USB switching module includes a first USB HUB, a USB switcher, and a second USB HUB;

the multichannel second USB interface with first USB HUB's input is connected, each output of first USB HUB is connected with a USB switch, and the output of each USB switch is connected with a second USB HUB, and the third USB interface of the same kind is connected to each second USB HUB's output.

Preferably, the blade server with the multi-path display control output further comprises a power module, and the power module is connected with the mainboard module, the video switching module and the USB switching module.

Preferably, the motherboard module further includes a network interface, the network interface of each motherboard module is connected to a network switching module, and the network switching module is used as a network communication interface of the blade server.

Preferably, the USB switching module further includes a first main control board, the video switching module further includes a second main control board, the first main control board and the second main control board are connected through a serial port, and the first main control board is connected through a serial port with one or more switching triggers.

Preferably, the switching trigger comprises keys and a sampling circuit, the number of the keys is consistent with that of the mainboard module, the serial numbers of the keys correspond to those of the mainboard module, the sampling circuit identifies the serial numbers of the keys triggered to be switched, and the sampling circuit is connected with the first main control board through a serial port.

According to the blade server with the multi-channel display control output, the video switching module and the USB switching module are arranged in the blade server, switching output of multi-channel display control signals is provided, and the situation that higher requirements are placed on display performance and display control channels can be met; moreover, the switching function is integrated in the blade server, an external KVM matrix is not needed to be connected for switching, display and key and mouse cooperative switching can be achieved, and the blade server has better performance in the aspects of integration level and convenience.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a control diagram of a prior art blade server;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a blade server with multiple display control outputs according to the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a video switching module according to the present application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a USB switch module according to the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a blade server for multi-display control output in embodiment 1 of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a video switch module and a USB switch module in embodiment 1 of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a handover trigger in embodiment 1 of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in the description of the present application herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

The embodiment provides a blade server with multi-channel display control output, which realizes switching output of multi-channel display control signals, and the blade server has high integration level and is convenient to maintain.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, the blade server for multi-channel display control output of the present embodiment includes a motherboard module, a video switching module, and a USB switching module.

The mainboard modules are provided with a plurality of mainboard modules, and each mainboard module comprises a mainboard, and a VGA signal first output interface, a DVI signal first output interface and a first USB interface which are connected with the mainboard.

The video switching module is provided with a VGA signal second input interface and a DVI signal second input interface, the number of which is equal to that of the mainboard modules, the video switching module is provided with a plurality of paths of VGA signal second output interfaces and DVI signal second output interfaces, the VGA signal first output interface of each mainboard module is connected with one path of VGA signal second input interface of the video switching module, the DVI signal first output interface of each mainboard module is connected with one path of DVI signal second input interface of the video switching module, and the output of the plurality of paths of VGA signal second output interfaces and the DVI signal second output interface of the video switching module is used as a plurality of paths of display signals after the blade server is switched.

It is easy to understand that, since the blade server is an integrated device as a whole, the number of the second input interfaces of the VGA signals and the second input interfaces of the DVI signals of the video switching module in this embodiment is equal to the number of the motherboard modules, respectively, and is used for processing the VGA signals and the DVI signals output by the motherboard modules in a one-to-one correspondence manner. In other embodiments, the number of the VGA signal second input interfaces and the DVI signal second input interfaces of the video switching module may be greater than the number of the motherboard modules, so as to reserve available interfaces, which is convenient for expansion and modification.

Similarly, the number of the second USB interfaces reserved by the USB switching module may be greater than or equal to the number of the motherboard modules. It is easy to understand that the switching of the signals is premised on being able to locate the serial number of each input signal, so in this embodiment, when the first output interface of the VGA signals is connected to the second input interface of the VGA signals, the first output interface of the DVI signals is correspondingly connected to the second input interface of the DVI signals according to the corresponding serial number or the known serial number, and similarly, the first USB interface is correspondingly connected to the second USB interface.

In this embodiment, the display signal of the N-way motherboard module is switched and output through the video switching module, and the USB signal of the N-way motherboard module is switched through the USB switching module, so as to switch the display and USB signals. In consideration of the fact that the display and the USB are generally used corresponding to one motherboard module in practical applications, the display signal and the USB signal after switching in the embodiment are corresponding to each other.

The video switching module and the USB switching module in the embodiment can be directly realized based on the existing VGA signal switching chip, DVI signal switching chip or USB signal switching chip; and the method can also be realized based on the existing video switching module and USB switching module which are disclosed.

The embodiment directly arranges the video switching module and the USB switching module in the blade server, provides switching output of a plurality of display control signals, and can meet the occasions with higher requirements on display performance and display control channels; in addition, the switching function is integrated in the blade server, an external KVM matrix is not needed for switching, and the blade server has better performance in the aspects of compatibility, integration level and convenience.

In order to ensure the normal work of each module, the blade server also comprises a power supply module inside, and the power supply module is connected with the mainboard module, the video switching module and the USB switching module. The power supply module in the embodiment provides power supply outputs of 12V, 5V and 3.3V so as to supply power to any circuit.

In another embodiment, in order to make the motherboard module have a network output, the motherboard module further includes a network interface, the network interface of each motherboard module is connected to a network switching module (e.g., a network switch), and the network switching module is used as a network communication interface of the blade server (e.g., providing two-way gigabit electrical port and four-way gigabit optical port) so as to access any motherboard module inside the server through an external network interface.

In order to make the blade server of the present application have a better integration level and further reduce the volume of the blade server, in one embodiment, the video switching module and the USB switching module are provided as follows:

as shown in fig. 3, the video switching module includes a VGA-to-DVI chip, a DVI switching chip, and a DVI-to-VGA chip.

VGA changes the input of DVI chip with VGA signal second input interface connects, VGA changes the output of DVI chip with the first input that the DVI switches the chip is connected, DVI signal second input interface with the second input that the DVI switches the chip is connected, DVI switches the chip with the output that the second input corresponds with DVI signal second output interface connects, DVI switch the chip with the output that first input corresponds with the input that DVI changes the VGA chip is connected, DVI changes the output of VGA chip with VGA signal second output interface connects.

In the embodiment, the VGA signal is converted into the DVI signal and then the video is uniformly switched, so that the problem of reduced display image quality caused by mutual influence in the switching process of multiple VGA signals can be avoided, the anti-interference performance is improved, and the signal transmission distance is increased; the switching speed can be increased, the VGA signal and the DVI signal are independently switched and combined into the unified DVI signal for switching, and the switching speed is effectively increased.

As shown in FIG. 4, the USB switch module includes a first USB HUB, a USB switch and a second USB HUB.

Multichannel second USB interface with first USB HUB's input is connected, each output of first USB HUB is connected with a USB switch, and the output of each USB switch is connected with a second USB HUB, and the third USB interface of the same kind is connected to the output of each second USB HUB.

This embodiment realizes through the USB HUB of two positions around arbitrary USB output all the way and all can switch to the USB output of an arbitrary mainboard module, and it is high to switch the flexibility to every USB output of the way all contains a plurality of USB interfaces, so that keyboard and mouse and other peripheral hardware are connected with mainboard module.

For each group of display control signals output by the blade server, the DVI signal, the VGA signal and the USB signal included in the group of display control signals are necessarily signals output by the same motherboard module, and therefore, the DVI signal, the VGA signal and the USB signal need to be cooperatively switched.

When the cooperative switching of the signals is realized, the DVI switching chip and the USB switcher can be simultaneously connected through the switching control interface, and the switching control interface receives a switching control signal issued by the upper computer to cooperatively switch the DVI signals, the VGA signals and the USB signals.

The USB switching module can also comprise a first main control board, the video switching module further comprises a second main control board, the first main control board and the second main control board are connected through a serial port, the first main control board is connected with the USB switcher, the second main control board is connected with the DVI switching chip, and the first main control board is connected with one or more switching triggers through a serial port.

The switching signal is generated through the switching trigger, the first main control board receives the switching signal and controls the USB switcher to switch after analysis, meanwhile, the switching signal is transmitted to the second main control board through the serial port, and the second control board controls the DVI switching chip to realize switching according to the switching signal.

The switching trigger in the embodiment comprises keys and a sampling circuit, the number of the keys is consistent with that of the mainboard modules, the serial numbers of the keys correspond to that of the mainboard modules, the sampling circuit identifies the serial numbers of the keys triggered to be switched, and the sampling circuit is connected with the first main control board through a serial port.

The button corresponds with the sequence number of mainboard module, after sampling circuit discerned that a certain button is pressed, obtain the mainboard module that needs switch the demonstration, sampling circuit sends the information that needs switch the mainboard module that shows for first mainboard through the serial ports, and first main control board switches according to switching information control USB switch, and the while is with switching information transmission to second main control board, and second main control board switches the chip according to switching information control DVI.

It should be noted that the sampling circuit, the principle of the first main control board controlling the switching of the USB switch, and the principle of the second main control board controlling the switching of the DVI switching chip adopted in this embodiment are conventional technologies in the field of circuit design, and are not described herein again

To facilitate an understanding of the blade server of the present application that controls the output of the multi-display, a specific example is provided further below.

Example 1

As shown in fig. 5, the blade server with multi-display control output provided by this embodiment includes 12 motherboard modules, 1 video switch module, and 1 USB switch module. The system supports 6 groups of double-display output, supports 1080P display resolution, meets the requirement of simultaneously operating the blade module by multiple users, and meets the occasion with higher performance requirement on the graphical display of the blade server.

The blade server comprises a conventional power supply module, a mainboard module and a network switching module, and is additionally provided with a video switching module and a USB switching module for meeting the function of multi-path display control output, wherein the video switching module is used for switching and outputting display signals of the mainboard module, and the USB switching module is used for switching and outputting USB control signals. Wherein blade server is inside including 12 mainboard modules, through video switch module and USB switch module, externally provide 6 group display and control signal altogether, every group includes DVI signal of the same kind all the way, VGA signal of the same kind, four ways USB signal, wherein every two sets of seats as, user's accessible switch button realizes that blade server switches in unison, the switching instruction passes through the serial ports and transmits to USB switch module, video switch module and USB switch module receive and resolve the switching instruction, realize showing and the switching function in coordination of USB signal.

Every mainboard module output DVI (digital signal) and VGA (analog signal) of the same kind show the signal transmission to the video switch board after the signal passes through the passive bottom plate of VPX in the blade server, 12 way DVI and 12 way VGA input video switch modules are provided altogether, for satisfying unified switching, the VGA signal conversion of video switch board input is behind the digital DVI signal, realize the DVI signal switching function through special chip, the signal of output provides 6 way DVI and 6 way VGA respectively and shows the output, switching control passes through the singlechip and realizes.

The USB switching module receives USB signals from 12 mainboard modules, wherein 1 path of each mainboard comprises 12 paths, the USB signals are expanded through the USB hub after being input into the USB switching module, then the switching of the USB is realized through the USB switching chip, and each path of USB signals is expanded into 4 paths of output through the USB hub. The switching control of the USB is controlled by the singlechip.

As shown in fig. 6, in the video switching module, the VGA-to-DVI chip adopts MS9288A to support 1080P @60Hz, and the DVI-to-VGA chip adopts LT8511A to support 1080P @60 Hz. The DVI switching adopts ADN4605, a single chip provides a switching matrix function of 40 pairs of differential signals and 40 pairs of differential signals, and the functions of 24-channel DVI signal input and 12-channel DVI output are met through four ADN4605 (each channel of DVI signal contains 4 pairs of differential signals). The second main control board adopts a megaly-innovative singlechip GD32, and realizes channel switching of the ADN4605 through I2C according to switching information, so that a switching function is realized.

Wherein, each VGA signal is correspondingly connected with an MS9288A chip; because 24 DVI signals need to be switched, one ADN4605 cannot complete the switching, and four ADN4605 can be adopted for switching, wherein two ADN4605 are used for switching the 12 DVI signals directly acquired, and the other ADN4605 are used for switching the 12 DVI signals after conversion; in order to keep the input and output format in accordance with the original display format of the mainboard module, each of the 6 output DVI signals which are originally VGA signals is converted into VGA signals again by a chip LT8511A for output.

The USB hub adopts UPD720114GA to support USB2.0, the function of expanding and outputting 6 paths of USB signals by each blade (mainboard module) is realized through the USB hub, the 6 paths of USB signals are respectively used as output signals of 6 USB channels, 12 paths of USB signals of 12 mainboards of each channel are switched and output through a USB switcher PI3USB14, PI3USB14 provides 4 paths of USB input and 1 path of USB output, and the function of 12 paths of input and 1 path of output is realized through 4 pieces of PI3USB14 by each channel. The single board provides 6 channels, and the functions of 12-path mainboard USB signal input and any 6-path mainboard USB signal output are integrally realized.

When 12 paths of USB input are expanded, each path of USB input can be expanded into 6 paths through 12 UPD720114GA chips, and combination transformation can be carried out by increasing or decreasing UPD720114GA chips; when the USB switcher is used for designing functions of 12-in and 1-out, the functions are realized by using 4 pieces of PI3USB14, wherein three pieces of PI3USB14 respectively accept 4 paths of 12 paths of USB signals, the other piece of PI3USB14 realizes the control of selecting 1 from 3 for the first three pieces of PI3USB14, the first main control board adopts a megaly innovative single chip microcomputer GD32, the channel switching of all PI3USB14 is realized through I2C according to switching information, the switching function is realized, and the function of selecting 6 paths from 12 paths is finally realized.

It should be noted that the principle of using the single chip to control the operation of the PI3USB14 chip or the operation of the ADN4605 chip can be implemented according to the technical manuals of the PI3USB14 chip and the ADN4605 chip, and the improvement of the chip control program is not involved in this embodiment.

As shown in fig. 7, the switching trigger in this embodiment includes 12 keys whose serial numbers correspond to the serial numbers of the motherboard module, the keys are connected to the single chip microcomputer, and the keys of each serial number are connected to known pins of the single chip microcomputer. The single chip microcomputer monitors level changes of the 12 keys, generates switching information according to the serial numbers of the keys generating the level changes after recognizing the level changes, and sends the switching information to the first main control board through the serial port, so that display and USB cooperative switching output are achieved. The singlechip in the switching trigger is also supplied with power by a power supply module (supplying +5V power). Furthermore, an indicating lamp can be additionally arranged at the corresponding position of each key, and the current output signal of the main board module is directly indicated by the indicating lamp, so that the switching can be performed visually and rapidly.

In this application, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implying any particular order or number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc., unless specifically limited otherwise.

The technical features of the embodiments described above may be arbitrarily combined, and for the sake of brevity, all possible combinations of the technical features in the embodiments described above are not described, but should be considered as being within the scope of the present specification as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of the technical features.

The above-mentioned embodiments only express several embodiments of the present application, and the description thereof is more specific and detailed, but not construed as limiting the scope of the utility model. It should be noted that, for a person skilled in the art, several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, which falls within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A blade server with multi-path display control output is characterized by comprising a plurality of mainboard modules, a plurality of video switching modules and a plurality of USB switching modules, wherein each mainboard module comprises a mainboard, and a VGA signal first output interface, a DVI signal first output interface and a first USB interface which are connected with the mainboard;

2. The multi-display control output blade server of claim 1, wherein the video switching module comprises a VGA-to-DVI chip, a DVI switching chip, and a DVI-to-VGA chip;

3. The multi-display control-output blade server of claim 1, wherein the USB switching module comprises a first USB HUB, a USB switcher, and a second USB HUB;

4. The multi-display control output blade server according to claim 1, wherein the multi-display control output blade server further comprises a power module, and the power module is connected with the motherboard module, the video switching module and the USB switching module.

5. The multi-display control output blade server of claim 1, wherein the motherboard modules further comprise network interfaces, the network interface of each motherboard module is connected to a network switching module, and the network switching module is used as a network communication interface of the blade server.

6. The multi-channel display control output blade server according to claim 1, wherein the USB switching module further comprises a first main control board, the video switching module further comprises a second main control board, the first main control board and the second main control board are connected through a serial port, and the first main control board is connected through a serial port with one or more switching triggers.

7. The multi-channel display control output blade server according to claim 6, wherein the switch trigger comprises keys and a sampling circuit, the number of the keys is the same as that of the main board module, the serial numbers of the keys correspond to those of the main board module, the sampling circuit identifies the serial number of the key triggering the switch, and the sampling circuit is connected with the first main control board through a serial port.