WO2008020897A2 - Rack interface pod with intelligent platform control - Google Patents

Abstract

Rack Interface Pods (200) can be augmented with non-KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) functionality that can enable greater analysis of the state of the computer to which the RIP (200) is attached. A RIP (200) can be augmented to include a non-KVM input connection (e.g., an Intelligent Platform/Chassis control protocol input) that is used to communicate between the server (120) and the RIP (200). The RIP (200) can then multiplex the received information with the KVM signals for transmission to a PEM or to an ARI port (240). Video and computer environment-style data can be multiplexed across a communications medium exiting the RIP (200) such that they can be received by a remote computer (190).

Description

Rack Interface Pod with Intelligent Platform Control

CROSS-REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/836,664, filed August 10, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present application is also related to U.S. Application Serial No. 11/123,075 entitled "Computer interface module", filed May 6, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. Application Serial No. 09/951,774 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/279,461. The contents of those applications are also incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present application is directed to a method of utilizing at least one of the Intelligent Platform/Chassis control protocols (e.g., protocols using one of the Intelligent Platform Management Interface, the Intelligent Platform Management Bus, and the Intelligent Chassis Management Bus) between a computer and an intelligent network peripheral (e.g., a keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) switch) via a Rack Interface Pod (REP) or a similar device.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

[0003] As illustrated in Figure 1 , a known Rack Interface Pod (RIP) 100 (e.g., as described in the above-referenced applications) can be provided for receiving video signals from a server computer 120, such as a rack-mounted server, and providing the video signals to a remote user at a remote computer 190 via (among possibly other things) a local area network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) 195. The analog signals received by the RIP 100 from the server 120 are transmitted to Avocent Rack Interconnect (ARI) ports on a Rack Connection Manager (RCM) 160 either directly or via a Pod Extension Module (PEM) 140. The RCM 160 includes video processing logic, a supervisory processor, a KVM switch system, and Ethernet interface circuitry. [0004] The remote user of the remote computer 190 connected to the LANAVAN 195 has the capability of selecting a particular network server (e.g., 120b) among the plurality of network servers (120a..12On) through the PEM 140. The remote user is also capable of selecting a particular network server (e.g., 120o, 12Op or 12Oq) that is directly connected to an ARI-port of the RCM 160. A portion of the circuitry located within the RCM 160 digitizes the KVM signals from a selected network server and forwards the digitized signals to the remote user via the LANAVAN 195 (optionally through an analog Internet Protocol Video (IPV) Module 180). Likewise, the remote users' keyboard strokes and mouse movements are passed via the LANAVAN 195 to the processor of the RCM 160 which in-tum passes the signals to the selected network server via (1) PEM 140 in the event the network server is connected to the PEM 140 or (2) directly via an ARI (e.g., in the case of servers 120o, 12Op and 120q). [0005] In addition to other possible communications capabilities, such as Ethernet-based and serial-based communication, in servers 120, there now exist a series of control and/or status interfaces known as EPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface), such as is detailed in a document entitled "EPMI v2.0 rev 1.0 specification markup for IPMI v2.0/vl.5 errata revision 2." The contents of that document are incorporated herein by reference. The EPMB (Intelligent Platform Management Bus), and ICMB (Intelligent Chassis Management Bus) are also part of the same information. Intel and other manufacturers recently adopted EPMI v2.0 and 1.5, and information about those standards are now publicly available on the Internet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Rack Interface Pods (REPs) or similar devices can be augmented with additional, non-KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) functionality that can enable greater analysis of the state of the computers) to which the RIP is attached. For example, a RIP can be augmented to include a non-KVM input connection (e.g., an Intelligent Platform/Chassis control/management protocol input) that is used to communicate between the server and the RIP. The RIP can then multiplex the received information with the KVM signals for transmission to a PEM or to an ARI port. In one embodiment of the present invention, video and computer-environmental-style data are multiplexed across a communications medium exiting the RIP such that they can be received by a remote computer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The following description, given with respect to the attached drawings, may be better understood with reference to the non-limiting examples of the drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 is a high-level diagram representing a known configuration for using a keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) switch;

[0009] Figure 2a is a connection-level diagram representing various connections of a

Rack Interface Pod (RIP) and an Intelligent Network Peripheral (INP) according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2b is a connection-level diagram representing various connections of a

Rack Interface Pod (RIP) and an Intelligent Network Peripheral (ESfP) according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3 is a block-diagram representing internals of a RJP according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 4 is a block-diagram representing internals of a RIP according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 5a is a block diagram of an Intelligent Network Peripheral according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 5b is a block diagram of an Intelligent Network Peripheral according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a computer monitor showing a set of reduced video images received from a plurality of servers;

[0016] Figure 7 is a block-diagram representing internals of a RIP according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 8 is a connection-level diagram representing various connections of a RIP having a wireless connector when used with a RIP that does not include an information connector;

[0018] Figure 9 is a connection-level diagram representing various connections of a RIP having a wireless connector and plural wired connectors such as may be used in conjunction with

RIPs that do not themselves have information connectors therein; [0019] Figure 10a is an illustrative representation of a screen showing status information about a remote server superimposed on video from that server;

[0020] Figure 10b is an illustrative representation of a screen showing status information

(represented textually and graphically) about a remote server superimposed on video from that server; and

[0021] Figure 11 is an illustrative representation of a screen showing status information about a first remote server superimposed on video from a second remote server.

DISCUSSION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Turning to Figure 2a, a new Rack Interface Pod (RIP) 200 (acting as a video processor) is interposed between a server 120 (either rack-based or stand-alone) and an Intelligent Network Peripheral (INP) 210. The INP 210 may be a separate device or its functionality may be added to in a number of known components, such as a Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM) switch, a Rack Connection Manager (RCM), a Pod Extension Module (PEM) or an Internet Protocol Video (EPV) Module. The RIP 200 includes a housing with at least one user interface connector 220 (represented as a circle) and at least one information connector 230 (represented as a triangle) for receiving video and other information, respectively, from a server 120. The user interface connector 220 preferably includes a connector for directly receiving the output of a video adapter which may be analog (e.g., VGA, XGA, SVGA, RGB) or digital. Alternatively, the output of a video adapter may be pre-processed before being received at the user interface connector 220. The connectors can be any one or a combination of connectors for receiving HDMI cables, VGA-style cables, S-video cables, RCA connections and coaxial cables.

[0023] The information connector 230 preferably includes a connector for transmitting and/or receiving informational signals (e.g., status or configuration information from a processor (e.g., a baseboard management controller or a satellite management controller)) in a server 120 other than the main processor or CPU. (The IPMI standards and any other protocol designed to transmit internal sensor information (e.g., temperature), motherboard status information or chassis/case status information about a computer or set of computers to an exterior of the computer or set of computers will be referred to hereinafter collectively as "Intelligent Standard Interfaces" or ISIs.) The information connector 230 can be a connector for receiving informational signals supported by any of the Intelligent Standard Interfaces, either natively or wrapped and/or layered within one or more higher level protocols (either standard or proprietary). Such connections include, but are not limited to, serial (e.g., RS-232), I²C, LAN, PCI, sideband, system board, fiber-optic and wireless (e.g., RF or infrared connectors). The information connectors may also be other peripheral-style connectors such as serial (e.g., USB, Serial ATA) connectors, parallel connectors, MIDI connectors, FireWire connectors and any connectors included on a plug-in, add-in or daughter card. The connectors may receive any physical medium including but not limited to, Ethernet-style cable (e.g., CAT-5, CAT-5e, CAT- 6) or coaxial cable.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2a, the INP 210 includes communications ports 240 (represented as squares) for receiving signals from plural RIPs 200. Connected to the communications ports 240 may be any physical medium including but not limited to, Ethernet-style cable (e.g., CAT-5, CAT-5e, CAT-6) or coaxial cable. [0025] In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2b, the INP 210 includes only a single communications port 240 connected to a router 290 which routes signals to the INP 210 from plural RIPs 200. In the embodiment of Figure 2b, the RIPs 200 provide sufficient routing information along with the other signals to enable the RIPs 200 to identify an INP 210 and vice versa. Such routing may be based on reliable or unreliable datagrams and includes, but is not limited to, IP-based routing, ATM-based routing, TCP/IP-based routing and UDP-based communications.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the RIP 200 includes a KVM processor 310 which processes any one or a combination of keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) signals corresponding to a server 120. Video signals of the KVM signals are received by a KVM processor 310 over at least one user interface connector 220, as described above. The KVM processor 310 then determines what portion of those signals are to be transmitted to an INP 210 across a communications port 240. The KVM signals to be transmitted are then passed to the communications controller 330 which determines when the KVM signals can be transmitted. [0027] As also shown in Figure 3, an ISI processor 320 receives ISI information from the server 120. This information may include any information that can be transmitted, queried or set using the IPMI v2.0 rev 1.0 specification or similar protocols. The ISI processor 320 then determines what portion of the ISI signals are to be transmitted to an INP 210 across a communications port 240. The ISI signals to be transmitted are then passed to the communications controller 330 which determines when the ISI signals can be transmitted. [0028] Given that the communications controller 330 may be receiving information to be transmitted from both the KVM processor 310 and ISI processor 320 simultaneously, the

^• communications controller 330 may also include multiplexing logic/programming and/or priority determination logic/programming for deciding which source of information takes priority in transmission. The communications controller 330 may also include priority logic/programming that determines priority based on the type of information being sent. For example, video information may take priority over ISI temperature information when the temperature information is in a "normal" range. However, ISI temperature information may take priority over video information when the ISI information indicates that a temperature is sufficiently out of the "normal" range to be problematic.

[0029] The KVM processor 310 and the ISI processor 320 may also include filtering logic/programming that enables those processors to decide the conditions under which information received should be sent to the INP 210 and when it may be discarded. For example, an ISI processor 320 may receive ISI information once a second but may be programmed or configured to transmit that information to the communications controller 330 only once a minute. However, the ISI processor 320 may be programmed or configured to transmit information indicating above normal temperatures to the communications controller 330 without any filtering.

[0030] In addition to transmitting information signals to the INP 210, the communications controller 330 may also receive signals from the INP 210. Such signals may include user interface signals such as keyboard and mouse signals that are to be passed on to the KVM processor 310. In the event that the user interface signals are incompatible with the server 120, the KVM processor 310 may also include translation circuitry or programming to convert the user interface signals from a first format to a second, compatible format. [0031] The signals received from the ENP 210 may also include ISI signals, e.g., signals for setting parameters within the server 120, signals for authenticating an ISI connection, signals for querying information known to an ISI on-board processor, etc.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, in addition to the components of Figure 3, a RIP 200 may further be configured with a peripheral processor 410 for connecting to a server 120 using a peripheral connector 420 (represented as a cross) such as a USB connector. By including a peripheral connector 420, additional external devices remote from server 120 can be connected to the server 120. Such devices include, but are not limited to, user input devices, mass storage devices, and audio devices. The information exchanged between the server 120 and the remote device is passed to the communications controller 330, where it is multiplexed with the signals from the KVM processor 310 and the ISI processor 320 according to the priorities, if any, established by the configuration of the RIP 200. The multiplexed signals are then transferred on to the INP 210.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5a, an Intelligent Network Peripheral (INP) 210 includes a housing having therein plural communications ports 240, such as connectors for receiving Ethernet-style cables. The communications ports 240 shown in Figure 5a need not all be the same, and the signals transferred across the communications ports 240 need not all be the same either. For example, some communications ports 240 may be for transmitting digital signals including digitized video and other communications ports 240 may be for transmitting analog signals.

[0034] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5b, an INP 210 may instead include a housing with a single communications port 240, such as a connector for receiving an Ethernet-style cable, that is connected to a router, such as router 290 shown in Figure 2b. Over at least one communications port 240 multiplexed signals are received at the INP 210 from at least one RIP 200. The multiplexed signals can include user interface signals, computer-environment signals and any other signals that are to be transmitted between the RIP 200 and the EVP 210. [0035] In a configuration (such as in Figures 2a and 2b) where a remote computer 190 is monitoring the activities or health of at least one of the servers 120, at least a portion of the signals received by the INP 210 are forwarded on to the remote computer 190 via a communications controller 520 (e.g., an Ethernet controller). Alternatively, in a configuration (such as in Figures 2a and 2b) where a local computer interface (e.g., a computer monitor and at least one peripheral device such as a keyboard or mouse) is monitoring the activities or health of at least one of the servers 120, at least a portion of the signals received by the INP 210 are forwarded on to the local computer interface, e.g., for display on a computer monitor, via a KVM interface connector 250. [0036] In addition to acting as a conduit through which signals can be transmitted between RIPs 200 and a user, the INP 210 can also act as a switch. For example, in the case of a user using the local KVM interface connector 250, signals may be sent from a peripheral device (e.g., a keyboard or mouse) across the KVM interface connector 250 to the INP 210 to indicate which one of the servers 120 is to have its video transmitted to the user over the KVM interface connector 250. Thus, the ARI processor 510 is designed to receive switching commands for controlling which server 120 is considered the "active" server with respect to the KVM interface connector 250. In at least one embodiment, the ARI processor 510 is also capable of selecting which server 120 is considered the "active" server with respect to the remote computer 190. In one embodiment of the present invention, a selection of the "active" server via the KVM interface connector 250 or from the remote computer 190 changes the "active" server for both the KVM interface connector 250 and the remote computer 190. In this way the images seen by two geographically separated users stay synchronized. In an alternate embodiment, a selection of the "active" server via the KVM interface connector 250 or from the remote computer 190 does not change the "active" server for the other interface. [0037] The INP 210 also may be programmed or otherwise configured to act as a filter such that it can filter or prioritize which information is being passed on from the RIPs 200 and servers 120. In the event that the INP 210 detects that the status information from the RIPs 200 is normal, the INP 210 may include circuitry or programming for removing the normal status information from the multiplexed signals, thereby conserving bandwidth, e.g., between the INP 210 and the remote computer 190.

[0038] The INP 210 may also be programmed or otherwise configured to control the amount of video information being sent to the remote computer 190 or the local computer interface. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the INP 210 may be configured, using a selection made by a peripheral device at a remote computer 190 or across a KVM interface connector 250, to send a subset (e.g., every second or fourth pixel) of the video produced at plural of the servers 120 such that a set of lower resolution images can be displayed simultaneously on a single computer monitor. In the event of a particular server needing additional attention (e.g., as determined by an ISI message or status, or as determined by a user reviewing the video of one of the lower resolution images), the user can select (e.g., using a peripheral device) which of the servers is to have its video shown at a higher resolution (e.g., full-screen). [0039] The INP 210 may also be programmed or otherwise configured to control the access to the ISI interfaces of the servers 120. For example, the INP 210 may be configured to store (e.g., in a database or configuration file) authentication information (e.g., passwords) for accessing the ISI processors. The INP 210 may be configured to store (e.g., in a database or configuration file) authentication information for users who wish to access the ISI processors or configuration information in the remote servers 120. A user then could authenticate itself to the INP 210 (e.g., by providing a user password matching a password in a database or configuration file in the INP 210) and ask the INP 210 to send the corresponding server-specific authentication information (stored in the same or in a different database or configuration file of the INP 210) on to the corresponding server 120. Alternatively, the authentication information sent by a user may be transferred to the server without an intermediate translation of authentication information by the HVP 210.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information passed between the

INP 210 and the remote computer 190 is encrypted but the information passed between the INP 210 and the RIP 200 is not. Alternatively, the information passed between the INP 210 and the remote computer 190 is encrypted, as is the information passed between the INP 210 and the RIP 200, but the information passed between the RIP 200 and the server 120 is unencrypted. Alternatively, the information passed between the remote computer and the server is encrypted along the entire path between them. By using encryption along a subset of the path, a complexity of the devices closer to the servers may be reduced because they do not have to be able to perform encryption or decryption. The information security on the unencrypted links (e.g., between the RIP 200 and the server 120) is instead based on physical security preventing access to those media.

[0041] Instead of a RIP 200 including an information connector 230 for a wired connection, in an alternate embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, a RIP 700 instead includes a connector (e.g., a connection point) for connecting to a wireless interface (e.g., an antenna) for receiving wireless electromagnetic radiation 710 (e.g., radio-wave-based or infrared-based signals). In such a case, the ISI-based processor may not require a separate connection or cable and can instead simply transmit wirelessly to a RIP 700. In such a wireless configuration, the RIP 700 can serve as an information multiplexer for a single server 120 or can multiplex information from plural ISI-based processors and video from one server 120. In such a configuration, there may only need to be one RIP 700 per rack or per several servers 120, as shown in Figure 8. However, in such a configuration, the INP 210 may need to be configured to know the correspondence between the received video signals and the ISI-based processors. [0042] Instead of a RIP 200 including a dedicated information connector 230 per server, in an alternate embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, a RIP 900 instead includes plural information connectors 230 and optionally a wireless interface for receiving wireless electromagnetic radiation 710 (e.g., radio-wave-based or infrared-based signals). In such a configuration, the RIP 900 can multiplex video from one server 120 and information from plural ISI-based processors (over connectors 230 and/or using electromagnetic radiation 710). In such a configuration, there may only need to be one RIP 700 per rack or per several servers 120, as shown in Figure 9. However, in such a configuration, the INP 210 may need to be configured to know the correspondence between the received video signals and the ISI-based processors.

[0043] Similarly, while the above descriptions have been made with reference to a RIP receiving video signals from only a single server, it is also possible to utilize a RIP that receives video signals from plural servers and information messages from one or more ISI-processors. For example, a "two-by" RIP may include two user interface connectors 220 and two information connectors 230 in a single housing. As would be understood, "n-by"s, where "n" is greater than or equal to three are also possible.

[0044] The INP 210 and the ISI processor of a server may utilize either polling or "push" technology- That is, the INP 210 can be configured or programmed to periodically poll each of the servers 120 to which it is connected (or their corresponding RIPs) to determine and store the status of those servers, or the ISI processors of the servers may periodically push to the INP 210 (or the RIP associated with the server) status messages indicating their health. The INP 210 may also use a combination of polling and push technology in the case that some servers 120 are configured differently than others.

[0045] The INP 210 can poll for status information periodically, at a user request, or both. For example, as shown in Figure 10a, while looking at a screen of server "x", the user (at remote computer 190 or at a local computer interface connected via a KVM interface connector 250) may perform an action (e.g., select a hot-key or utilize a special mouse click or mouse position) to signify that the user wishes to see status information. If "current" status information is available for that server, then the remote computer 190 or the INP 210 displays the status information on a computer monitor at either the remote computer or the local computer interface. The display of this information can be in any form compatible with the user's monitor or display, such as in the form of a window or a window overlay for the remote computer and in the form of a partial- or full-screen overlay in the case of a local computer interface, (hi the case of a local computer interface, the same on-screen display circuit that is used for selecting which server is to be the "active" server can also be used for generating the status information. Alternatively, a separate on-screen display circuit can be used for status information if desired.) [0046] hi the embodiment shown in Figure 10a, the information is displayed as text, hi the embodiment shown in Figure 10b, the information is displayed as a combination of text and graphics (which may be in color to represent various conditions such as blue for cool, red for over-heating or an error, etc.). If the status information for the selected server is not "current" or if the status information has not previously been requested or received, the INP 210 requests the status information from the server 120 and displays it upon receipt. (As should be appreciated, the age of status information which can still be considered "current" may be user-configurable.) While the status information is being displayed, the INP may request and/or receive additional status information so that a user sees a continuously updated set of status information. [0047] As shown in Figure 11 , in the event that a portion of the signals received by the

INP 210 indicates that one of the servers 120 requires attention or is malfunctioning (e.g., because ISI status information indicates an overheating processor or there is an intrusion alert such as an opened case or a number of incorrect attempts to access baseboard or chassis components), a message can displayed on the computer monitor of the corresponding user, without requiring user intervention. For example, in the case of a remote computer 190, the program monitoring the output of the INP 210 may cause a window to pop-up or a message on an existing window to be displayed. In the case of a local computer interface, the INP 210 may cause a message to be displayed on the local video monitor (e.g., using on-screen programming to overwrite a portion of the video image being output by the INP 210). By using a local computer interface on the INP 210, a separate computer (e.g., remote computer 190) is not needed, only a connection to an analog or digital monitor and a connection to the controlling peripheral device. [0048] Using a remote computer 190 or a local computer interface, other text or icons can be periodically or continuously displayed on a portion of the screen in order to give the user a summary of the status of various servers. For example, an icon of a computer with a number or name inside it can be displayed for each server monitored by the INP 210 and color-coded to identify whether the server is operating normally or malfunctioning. Alternatively, a ticker tape- style display can scroll along a portion of the display (either horizontally or vertically) and display updating information about the servers at a selected rate.

[0049] The INP 210 can also be configured or programmed to contact a user (e.g., a system administrator) using alternate connection technology. For example, the INP 210 can generate and send one or more emails to selected or configured addresses notifying the recipient(s) of the problem and identifying the server experiencing the problem. Similarly, recipients can be contacted using one-way or two-way paging messages, Instant Messaging-style messages, SNMP alerts or messages or even a voice call using pre-recorded messages. [0050] Because an INP 210 receives both video and informational messages (e.g., ISI- based messages), the INP 210 can coordinate the video and informational messages such that a remote user can better understand what was happening or what happened when the error occurred. In one embodiment of an INP 210 or a RIP 200, circuitry or programming is included which captures and/or logs the current video image when an informational message is received that indicates an error condition. For example, if an ISI-based message is received that indicates that a processor is overheating and being shut-down, the video circuitry in an INP 210 or a RIP 200 can save the image on the screen in case the image may provide some additional insight into why there was a problem. In an operating system environment that supports providing a list of running tasks, a remote user may be able to determine some additional information if that list of running tasks is captured in the video image when the error message is received. In the case of a core dump or a "blue screen" that occurs along with an informational message, the remote user may be able to see that information instead.

[0051] In addition to the status information that can be read from a server being monitored, the video processing system described herein can further remotely perform administrative functions on the server. For example, the user (either directly or via the INP) can instruct a selected server to be "rebooted" or to have its power "cycled" such that it re-starts, e.g., when the server has "crashed" or is "hung." [0052] Commands received by the INP 210 and/or the RIPs (200, 700, 900, etc.) are processed in order to determine if the commands are to be processed locally or are to be passed on. For example, a command from a user to switch active servers is processed by the device capable of handling the switch command (e.g., the INP) and not passed on to the server because the server would not understand it. Similarly, a command to set the frequency that information is to be transmitted by a RIP or INP is processed by those devices respectively and not passed further on. Also, a command to set an error threshold (e.g., a temperature above which an error should be automatically reported) is processed at a corresponding filtering device and not passed further on. The code (or hardware configuration in the case of FPGA-like devices) of the INPs and RIPs may also be updated remotely, e.g., by uploading a file to the device and "rebooting" the device or by instructing the device to download a particular file and "reboot." [0053] While the above description has been given in terms of various processors inside the RIP 200 and the INP 210, it should be understood that the functionality of more than one logical processor can be combined into a single processor. For example, the KVM processor 310 and the ISI processor 320 may simply be different programs running on the same physical processor or different routines within the same program. Also, while the above description has been given in terms of circuitry, programming, logic and hardware, it should be understood that the amount of circuitry, programming and logic can be changed, depending on how the devices, such as those described herein, are to be built. For example, more circuitry and less programming can be used as the amount of integration increases in integrated circuit design. Alternatively, a minimum amount of circuitry (e.g., just A/D and D/A converters and communications hardware) can be used along with a greater amount of programming if the internal design of the system (e.g., the types of messages and the protocols for handling them) is expected to change over the lifetime of the device(s). Other exemplary hardware includes a processor running code loaded from a non-volatile (and potentially reprogrammable) memory, a custom ASIC, and a one-time programmable or a reprogrammable logic device, such as a GAL, FPGA or the like.

[0054] While the above has described various connectors for use in various devices, it should be understood that embodiments of some such connectors may require additional circuitry to pre-process or post-process the signals received from or sent to the communications media to which they are connected. Such circuitry may include, but is not limited to, drivers, wave shapers, filters, packetizers, de-packetizers and optical converters.

[0055] While certain configurations of structures have been illustrated for the purposes of presenting the basic structures of the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other variations are possible which would still fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A video processor, comprising: a housing, the housing including: at least one video connector for receiving video signals from a computer; a first information connector for receiving informational signals representing status or configuration information from a processor other than a main processor of the computer; and a communications controller for transmitting via a communications port first signals representing at least a portion of the video signals received from the computer across the at least one video connector and second signals representing at least a portion of the informational signals received from the computer across the first information connector.

2. The video processor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the informational signals comprise EPMI-based messages.

3. The video processor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one video connector comprises an analog video connector.

4. The video processor as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising at least one peripheral connector for transmitting to the computer signals from a peripheral device remote from the computer.

5. The video processor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first information connector comprises a connector for receiving a cable.

6. The video processor as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a second wired information connector for receiving signals representing status or configuration information from a processor other than a main processor of a second computer.

7. The video processor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first information connector comprises a connector for connecting to a wireless interface.

8. The video processor as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wireless interface further receives signals representing status or configuration information from a processor other than a main processor of a second computer.

9. A video processing system, comprising:

(a) plural video processors, each video processor including a housing, with each respective housing including:

(al) at least one video connector for receiving video signals from a corresponding computer,

(a2) a first information connector for receiving informational signals representing status or configuration information from a processor other than a main processor of the corresponding computer, and

(a3) a communications controller for transmitting across a communications port . first signals representing at least a portion of the video signals received from the corresponding computer across the at least one video connector and second signals representing at least a portion of the informational signals received from the corresponding computer across the first information connector; and (b) an intelligent network peripheral connected to the communications ports of the plural video processors, the intelligent network peripheral including: (bl) a switch for selectively switching signals representing video signals of one of the corresponding computers to a computer monitor connected to the intelligent network peripheral, and

(b2) a display controller for causing at least a portion of the second signals representing at least a portion of the informational signals received from the corresponding computer across the first information connector to be displayed on the computer monitor.

10. The video processing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the informational signals comprise IPMI-based messages.

11. The video processing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one video connector comprises an analog video connector.

12. The video processing system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising at least one peripheral connector for transmitting to one of the corresponding computers signals from a peripheral device remote from the one of the corresponding computers.

13. The video processing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first information connector comprises a connector for receiving a cable.

14. The video processing system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a second wired information connector for receiving signals representing status or configuration information from a processor other than a main processor of a second computer connected to one of the plural video processors.

15. The video processing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first information connector comprises a connector for connecting to a wireless interface.

16. The video processing system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wireless connection further receives informational signals representing status or configuration information from a processor other than a main processor of a second computer connected to one of the plural video processors.

17. The video processing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the computer monitor comprises a monitor connected via a KVM interface connector.

18. The video processing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the intelligent network peripheral comprises a network connection for sending video signals to the computer monitor which is remote from the intelligent network peripheral.

19. The video processing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the intelligent network peripheral is connected to the communications ports of the plural video processors through a router.

20. A video processing system, comprising:

(a) a first video processor including a first housing, the first housing including at least one video connector for receiving video signals from a corresponding first computer,

(b) a second video processor including a second housing different than the first housing, the second housing including:

(bl) at least one video connector for receiving video signals from a corresponding second computer,

(b2) at least one information connector for receiving informational signals representing status or configuration information from a processor other than a main processor of each of the corresponding first and second computers, and (a3) a Communications controller for transmitting across a communications port first signals representing at least a portion of the video signals received from the corresponding second computer across the at least one video connector of the second housing and second signals representing at least a portion of the informational signals received from the corresponding first and second computers across the at least one information connector; and

(c) an intelligent network peripheral connected to the communications ports of the plural video processors, the intelligent network peripheral including:

(cl) a switch for selectively switching signals representing video signals of one of the corresponding computers to a computer monitor connected to the intelligent network peripheral, and

(c2) a display controller for causing at least a portion of the second signals representing at least a portion of the informational signals received from the corresponding first and second computers across the at least one information connector to be displayed on the computer monitor.