Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Carl L Meert

Victor E Jochiong

Raymond Kai Ho

Kaamel M Kermaani

Timothy W Olesiewicz

Thomas E Stewart

Clifford B Willis

Michael White

Vince P Hileman

Denise R Silverman

Timothy E Mautz

Richard R Creason

David M Arstein

Adiymar Bigio

Steve M Wilson

A hot swappable electronic component or module is provided that has non-staggered connectors (i.e., of equal length or depth), but which is configured to ensure that power, signal or other connectors are electrically coupled in a desired order. The electronic component includes a switch (e.g., a field effect transistor) having a gate coupled to a ground line that is configured for coupling to a ground reference of the interface with which the component is mated. A source of the switch is coupled to a voltage input (e.g., power, Vcc) and a drain is coupled to an internal component load or circuit. Until the gate is coupled to ground, the switch remains open, thereby preventing spurious signals or feedback of damaging current to the interface. When the gate is coupled to ground, the switch is closed and the internal load or circuit is energized.

Hot swappable electronic module with non-staggered connectors

A control board controls operation of a plurality of ventilation fans and generates a fault signal upon occurrence of a predetermined fault condition. The control board includes a control circuit in a circuit board, an interface connector connected to the control circuit and mounted to the circuit board, and control connectors connected to the circuit and mounted to the circuit board. The control connectors are configured to connect the control circuit to ventilation fans or other components to be controlled. The control connectors are connected to a fault detection device of the control circuit operable to generate a fault signal upon occurrence of a predetermined fault condition at the control connectors. The control circuit is configured to disable the fault detection device with respect to the fault condition from any control connector that is not connected to a ventilation fan or other component to be controlled, depending on a predetermined input state determinable by a signaling device that is connectable with a ventilation fan to one of the control connectors.

Interchangeable fan control board with fault detection

A computer system comprising a chassis and housing removable servers supported in subchassis, each chassis having optional front or read cable access. Power and signal connectivity to the servers may be made from the front or rear of the system. The subchassis may be half the width of the chassis or a quarter of a width of the chassis. The subchassis further include an upper bay and a lower bay as well as a plurality of field replaceable units, which all may be access through the front of the chassis. One or more of the field replaceable units connect to the system through a midplane, located within the subchassis.

Computer system having front and rear cable access

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Carl L Meert