KR102268458B1 - Automatic Rack Space Management System using varialbe length Magnetic Asset Tag and Reed Sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the automatic management of rack space, which is one of the main resources of a data center, in which a rack can be installed. In particular, a variable-length magnetic asset tag and a rack unit that are fixedly attached to rack equipment. (Rack Unit, can be reduced to RU or U, 1.75"=4.445Cm) A method and system for managing the utilization of a space where a rack can be automatically installed using a reed sensor installed in units will be.

Description

Automatic Rack Space Management System using variable length Magnetic Asset Tag and Reed Sensor

The present invention relates to the automatic management of rack space, which is one of the main resources of a data center, in which a rack can be installed. In particular, a variable-length magnetic asset tag and a rack unit that are fixedly attached to rack equipment. (Rack Unit, can be reduced to RU or U, 1.75"=4.445Cm) A method and system for managing the utilization of a space where a rack can be automatically installed using a reed sensor installed in units will be.

In general, in a data center, space (a space to install a rack) along with power and network bandwidth are the most important resources, and it is essential to manage how much of these resources are used and how much they are available.

Among these resources, the usage of power and network bandwidth is general and there are conventional automated measurement methods and systems, but it is not the case for space management. The total space is managed by the number of racks that can be installed (or installed) in the entire data center space and the number of racks in which a server is installed and used among the installed racks. It can be installed up to 42RU (Rack Unit).

That is, the rack requires not only the installation area but also the management of the server or various devices installed in the height direction of each rack.

That is, each rack is configured to be installed as much as 42RU in the height direction, which means that 42 1RU devices can be stacked and installed in one rack in the height direction.

However, the conventional space management method was manually managed using Excel or the like, or a rack unit management system (that is, height direction was not managed). However, for more precise and resource efficient management, the rack unit management is required. need.

Therefore, in the rack unit management system, even if only 1RU is used in a 42RU rack, the entire rack is managed as being in use, so there is a problem that the rack cannot be used properly.

In addition, the conventional space management system registers and manages asset tags (barcodes, RFID, etc.) and rack information attached to the server through manual operations such as scanning/inputting. There have been many problems in maintaining data accuracy as it is often not reflected in the system.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication Registration No. 10-0929180 Republic of Korea Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-0385503 Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-0707129 Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2015-0124863

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a first object of the present invention is to increase the precision of space management by providing a method for more precisely managing space management in a rack unit unit, which was conventionally mainly managed in a rack unit. This is to increase the efficiency of resource use.

The second object of the present invention is to automatically and periodically collect/manage the use/non-use information of the rack space using sensor technology, and notify the operator when there is a change, thereby data resulting from only the conventional manual system registration operation. This is to solve the problem of inaccuracy.

However, the object of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned object, and another object not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method and system for automatic rack space management using a magnetic variable length asset tag and a lead sensor, one end is fixed to the server and the other end is attached with an identification tag such as a barcode or RFID and the server is installed An asset tag detachable using a magnetic field is provided in the corresponding unit of the rack.

In addition, both ends of the asset tag are connected with a variable-length line such as a spring cord or a retractable reel cord, so that it can be attached to non-standard equipment other than a 19-inch standard size server.

In addition, the rack is provided with a reed sensor that recognizes a magnetic for each rack unit so as to automatically recognize whether the rack unit space is used, and an I/O expansion module for reading the sensor value, MCU, and communication A reed sensor tap (RST, Reed Sensor Tap) including an interface is provided and mounted vertically. The lead sensor tab may be integrally built with the column of the rack.

The method and system for automatic rack space management using a magnetic variable length asset tag and a lead sensor of the present invention includes a lead sensor tab equipped with a lead sensor as many as a rack unit, and a magnetic asset tag of variable length fixed to a server, and a lead sensor a management system that periodically reads sensor information from the tab and automatically manages it; The management system consists of a sensor information collection unit, a user interface, a scheduler, a rack space management unit, a change notification unit, a data storage, and an interlocking unit.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Prior to this, the terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed in a conventional and dictionary meaning, and the inventor may properly define the concept of the term to describe his invention in the best way. Based on the principle that there is, it should be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, space management, which is one of the most important resources of a data center, is further subdivided and managed from a conventional rack unit to a rack unit unit, thereby giving the first effect of increasing the efficiency of resource management.

The present invention provides a second effect of improving the accuracy of asset and resource information that is not missing or current due to conventional manual management by automatically sensing whether a server is installed or not based on a sensor and notifying change information.

The present invention gives a third effect of economical automated rack space management by presenting a method for automatically managing rack space in units of rack units using a low-cost magnetic tag and lead sensor.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a rack space automatic management system using a magnetic variable-length asset tag and a lead sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a read sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a logical structure of a read sensor tab according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view showing a physical embodiment of the lead sensor tab according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing a specific embodiment of a server asset tag and a specific embodiment of the server, asset tag and lead sensor tap connection according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating an example of actual rack mounting according to an embodiment of the present invention and an example of storage of management data on a management system according thereto.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method in which the management system reads sensor information of the lead sensor tab and manages data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the thickness of the lines or the size of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation.

In addition, the terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

In addition, the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely exemplary of the elements presented in the claims of the present invention, and are included in the technical spirit throughout the specification of the present invention and constitute the scope of the claims Embodiments including substitutable elements as equivalents in elements may be included in the scope of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1 or less, the configuration of the present invention is in the automatic rack space management system, the rack equipment 400; and the lead sensor tab 110 for detecting whether the rack space is used in the rack equipment 400 and the rack equipment 400) And, a management system 100 that periodically reads sensor information from the lead sensor tab 110 and automatically manages whether a rack space is used; and a server mounted in the rack space while interworking with the management system 100 (300) ID, manufacturer, model name, characterized in that it comprises an external asset management system 190 in which height information is stored.

In addition, the lead sensor tab 110 includes a sensor unit 110a provided with a plurality of lead sensors 115 that can automatically recognize whether the rack space of the rack equipment 400 is used, and the sensor unit 110a. ), characterized in that it is composed of a control unit (110b) that connects and manages the sensors.

In addition, the lead sensor tab 110, the tab 113 is installed so as to correspond to the height direction on one side of the rack equipment 400, the tab 113, the unit of the rack space of the rack equipment 400 A rack unit unit divided into a rack unit (RU) unit is provided to correspond to a height (RU, unit), and the lead sensor 115 and an identification table for each rack unit corresponding to the rack unit are stored in each rack unit unit. It is characterized in that the first barcode 117 is mounted.

In addition, the lead sensor 115 is characterized in that it is operated in an ON/OFF state depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic.

In addition, each of the servers 300 is equipped with a magnetic asset tag 200 of a variable length, and the asset tag 200 includes a server attachment unit 220 having one end fixedly attached to the server 300; The other end is made of a tab attachment part 210, and the tab attachment part 210 is attached to the rack unit part corresponding to the rack space in which the server 300 is inserted.

In addition, the asset tag 200 includes a variable-length connection part 230 connecting the server attachment part 220 and the tab attachment part 210, and the variable-length connection part 230 is a spring cord or a variable It is characterized in that it consists of a code.

In addition, a second barcode 211 storing the ID information of the server 300 to which the server attaching unit 220 is fixed is attached to the surface of the tab attaching unit 210, and the tab attaching unit 210 is magnetic. As it has, it is detachably attached to the rack unit part of the tab 113 by a magnetic (M), and at this time, the lead sensor 115 installed in the rack unit part of the tab 113 is magnetic (M) of the tab attachment part. ) by detecting and operating (ON), it is characterized in that the use of the rack space unit corresponding to the rack unit is managed.

In addition, the control unit 110b, the communication interface 110b-1 for external communication, the MCU 110b-2 for reading ON/OFF information of the read sensor 115, and the read sensors 115 It is characterized in that it comprises an I/O expansion module (110b-3) for connection.

In addition, the management system 100 includes a user interface 120 providing an interface to a user, a sensor information collecting unit 130 that reads sensor information from the lead sensor tab 110 , and the sensor information collecting unit ( 130), a scheduler 140 for managing the sensor information collection cycle, a rack space management unit 150 for managing a space based on the sensor information read from the sensor information collection unit 130, and the sensor information collection unit ( 130), when the use/non-use state of the rack space is changed based on the sensor information read from the change notification unit 160 that notifies the user of the change information, and the sensor information read from the sensor information collection unit 130 It is characterized in that it comprises a data storage 170 for storing, and an interlocking unit 180 for interworking with external data by interworking with the external asset management system (190).

In addition, the external asset management system 190 includes the ID, manufacturer, model name, and height information 195 of the server 300 , and the management system 100 is connected to the server through the linkage unit 180 . (300) ID, manufacturer, model name, characterized in that it acquires the height information (197).

In addition, the management system 100 further includes a barcode reader, wherein the barcode reader includes a second barcode 211 attached to the surface of the tab attachment part 210 on the rack unit part, and a second barcode reader attached to the rack unit part. As the information of one barcode 117 is simultaneously read and transmitted to the management system 100, the information of the server mounted in the space of the corresponding rack unit is stored in the data storage 170.

Furthermore, in the method of using the rack space automatic management system, the step of reading the sensor value of the lead sensor 115 (S700) and the step of determining whether the sensor value of the lead sensor 115 is ON/OFF (S710) ), and when the sensor value of the lead sensor 115 is ON, the step of comparing with a previous state value (S720), and when different from the previous state value, in the external asset management system 190, the server ( Step (S740) of linking the id, manufacturer, model name, and height information 195 of 300), and setting the id, manufacturer, model name, and height information 195 of the server 300 (S750), and the It is characterized by including the step (S760) of checking if the height of the server 300 is 2U or more.

In addition, after the step S760, it is characterized in that the additional space information is updated in the data storage 170 as much as the height of the server (300).

In addition, when the sensor value of the read sensor 115 is OFF, comparing with the previous state value (S730), and when different from the previous state value, updating the corresponding space information to the data storage 170, A notification message is transmitted to the user through the change notification unit 160 .

[Example]

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1, the rack space automatic management method and system according to the present invention is a lead sensor tab 110, a management system 100 that reads and manages sensor information from them, and an external for interlocking additional information such as height information of a server It is characterized in that it is provided as an asset management system (190).

The lead sensor tab 110 is provided with as many lead sensors 115 as the number of rack units, and is connected to the bar-type tab 113 to be vertically separately mounted on the rack, or mounted in a column of the rack and mounted integrally.

Referring to FIG. 2, the operation of the reed sensor 115, which is a main component of the reed sensor tab 110 according to the present invention, is described. In the case where there is no magnetic 115a, the switch is in an open state, and the magnetic When the server is mounted using the principle that the switch is closed if it exists (115b), the magnetic (M) identification tag mounted on one end of the asset tag 200 is automatically recognized.

Referring to FIG. 3, a sensor unit 110a composed of a lead sensor 115 as many as the number of rack units up to 42 as to explain a specific embodiment of the logical structure of the lead sensor tab 110 according to the present invention and a control unit 110b that connects and manages the sensor.

The control unit 110b includes an I/O expansion module 110b-3 for connecting a plurality of lead sensors, an MCU 110b-2 for reading sensor information, and a communication interface 110b-1 for external communication. characterized in that

In a specific embodiment, the I/O expansion module 110b-3 may be implemented using a shift register, MUX, or the like, and the communication interface 110b-1 may be provided in RS485 or TCP/IP standard.

4, as a physical embodiment of the lead sensor tab 110 according to the present invention, a lead sensor 115 is mounted for each rack unit unit (1RU), and a unique rack unit space identification tag is a barcode 117. is mounted

In addition, modules corresponding to the control unit 110b of FIG. 3 are mounted at the end 113a of the lead sensor tab 100 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , a specific embodiment of the server asset tag according to the present invention and a specific embodiment of the server 300 , the asset tag 200 and the lead sensor tab 110 are connected.

In a specific embodiment of the server 300 and the asset tag 200, a method (case1) using a variable-length spring code (230a) and a method (case2) using a variable-length retractable reel code (230b) are possible. .

And one end 220 of the asset tag 200 is fixed to the server 300, the other end 210 includes a magnetic (M) material, and the unique id information of the server 300 to the barcode 211 ) or RFID, it is characterized in that it is attached to the corresponding rack unit of the lead sensor tab 110 .

When describing a specific embodiment of the connection of the server 300, the asset tag 200 and the lead sensor tab 110, the servers 210a and 210b are connected to the lead sensor tab 110 using the asset tags 300a and 300b. connected, and at this time, the lead sensor 115 of the lead sensor tab 110 detects the magnetic (M) of the asset tag 200 and manages whether the corresponding unit is used. Even in the case of a small non-standard server 300b, it is characterized in that connection is possible using the properties of the connection parts 230a and 230b of the asset tag.

Referring to FIG. 6 , various types of servers are mounted on a specific rack 400 as an example of actual rack mounting according to the present invention and an example of storage of management data on the management system according thereto, and the management data ( D) is an example.

The servers 300c and 300d whose height exceeds 1RU each have only one asset tag, but the corresponding rack on the management data using the server height information (server03=2RU, server12=3RU) obtained through interworking with the external asset management system. In addition to the space, server information and usage information are set (S1, S2).

Referring to FIG. 7 , it is an embodiment of a method in which the management system according to the present invention reads sensor information of a lead sensor tab and manages data. If the lead sensor value RSi[t] is read (S700) and the value is ON, it means that the rack unit has a server, otherwise, there is no server. If ON (if there is a server), compare with the previous state value (S720) and if it is different (that is, there is no existing server but is newly installed), Server_id, Height information, etc. are read from the external asset information system ( S740), setting (S750) and checking the case where the server height is 2RU or more (S760) updates the space information additionally by the server height.

If the read lead sensor value RSi[t] is OFF, compare it with the previous state value (S730), and if it is different (that is, when there is a server in the past), the space information is updated, and a notification message is sent to the operator. transmission to induce the currentization of the external asset management system.

Although the present invention has been described in detail through specific examples, this is intended to describe the present invention in detail, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and by those of ordinary skill in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention. It is clear that the modification or improvement is possible.

All simple modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention, and the specific protection scope of the present invention will be clarified by the appended claims.

100: management system 110: lead sensor tap (RST)
113: tab 115: lead sensor
117: dog tag barcode 120: user interface
130: sensor information collection unit 140: scheduler
150: rack space management unit 160: change notification unit
170: data storage 180: linkage
190: external asset management system 200: asset tag
210: tab attachment 211: barcode
220: server attachment part 230: variable length connection part
300: server 400: rack equipment

Claims (11)

In the rack space automatic management system,
rack equipment 400; and
And a lead sensor tab 110 for detecting whether the rack space is used in the rack equipment 400,
A management system 100 that periodically reads sensor information from the lead sensor tab 110 and automatically manages whether the rack space is used or not;
It includes an external asset management system 190 that stores ID, manufacturer, model name, and height information of the server 300 mounted in the rack space while interworking with the management system 100 ,
The lead sensor tab 110,
And a sensor unit 110a provided with a plurality of lead sensors 115 that can automatically recognize whether the rack space of the rack equipment 400 is used;
It consists of a control unit 110b that connects and manages the sensors of the sensor unit 110a, and
The lead sensor tab 110,
A tab 113 is installed on one side of the rack equipment 400 to correspond to the height direction,
In the tab 113,
A rack unit portion divided into rack units (RU) is provided to correspond to a unit height (RU, unit) of the rack space of the rack equipment 400,
The lead sensor 115 and the first barcode 117 in which an identification tag for each rack unit corresponding to the rack unit is stored is mounted on each of the rack unit parts,
Each of the servers 300 is equipped with a magnetic asset tag 200 of a variable length, the asset tag 200,
A server attachment part 220 having one end fixedly attached to the server 300 and a tab attachment part 210 on the other end are formed, and the tab attachment part 210 is a rack space in which the server 300 is fitted. is attached to the rack unit corresponding to
The management system 100 includes a user interface 120 that provides an interface to a user, a sensor information collection unit 130 that reads sensor information from the lead sensor tab 110 , and the sensor information collection unit 130 . ), a scheduler 140 for managing the sensor information collection cycle, a rack space management unit 150 for managing a space based on the sensor information read from the sensor information collection unit 130, and the sensor information collection unit 130 ) based on the sensor information read from the change notification unit 160 that notifies the user of the change information when the use/non-use state of the rack space is changed, and the sensor information read from the sensor information collection unit 130 It includes a data storage 170 to store, and an interlocking unit 180 for interworking with external data by interworking with the external asset management system 190,
The external asset management system 190 includes the ID, manufacturer, model name, and height information 195 of the server 300, and the management system 100 connects the server 300 through the linkage unit 180. 300) of ID, manufacturer, model name, height information (197) and
The management system 100 further includes a barcode reader, wherein the barcode reader includes a second barcode 211 attached to the surface of the tab attachment part 210 on the rack unit part, and a first barcode reader attached to the rack unit part. As the information of the barcode 117 is simultaneously read and transmitted to the management system 100, the information of the server mounted in the space of the corresponding rack unit is stored in the data storage 170. Rack space automatic management system. delete delete According to claim 1,
The lead sensor 115 is an automatic rack space management system, characterized in that it is operated in an ON/OFF state by the presence or absence of a magnetic. delete According to claim 1, wherein the asset tag 200,
Doedoe including a variable length connection part 230 for connecting the server attachment part 220 and the tab attachment part 210,
The variable length connecting portion 230 is an automatic rack space management system, characterized in that made of a spring cord or a variable cord. 7. The method of claim 6,
A second barcode 211 in which ID information of the server 300 to which the server attachment part 220 is fixed is stored is attached to the surface of the tab attachment part 210,
The tab attachment part 210 is detachably attached to the rack unit part of the tab 113 by a magnetic (M) as it has magnetism,
At this time, the lead sensor 115 installed in the rack unit part of the tab 113 detects the magnetic (M) of the tab attachment part and operates (ON), thereby managing whether the rack space unit corresponding to the rack unit part is used. Rack space automatic management system, characterized in that. 8. The method of claim 7,
The controller 110b connects the communication interface 110b-1 for external communication, the MCU 110b-2 for reading ON/OFF information of the read sensor 115, and the read sensors 115. Rack space automatic management system, characterized in that it comprises an I / O expansion module (110b-3) for.










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