JP5881973B2 - Position information management system for rack mounted equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for managing position information of rack-mounted equipment installed in a data center.

  First, in Patent Document 1, “Rack 2 is attached to the rack so as to correspond to the rack information RFID tag 3 in which the rack information is stored, and the equipment mounting portion of the rack. The position information RFID tag 4 (4a to 4f) in which the position information of the corresponding device mounting portion is stored and the individual information RFID in which the individual information of the device is stored by being attached to the device 9 mounted in the rack. The tag 5, the shield means 6 covering the position information RFID tag corresponding to the device mounting portion to which the device is mounted, the rack information RFID tag 3 information is read, and the individual information RFID tag 5 information and exposure Reading means 7 for reading the information of the position information RFID tag 4 in the arrangement order, the information of the rack information RFID tag, and the individual information RF Based on the information of the information and the position information RFID tag D tag, the terminal 8 for acquiring equipment accommodation information of the rack, have been described rack placement equipment management system "comprising.

  This patent document 1 reads the information of each IC tag in each rack by a non-contact method (so-called non-contact type short distance) as close to each rack as a so-called ticket gate of a station. As in the present invention, it is not executed in a so-called transceiver mode (wireless) (the reference is that of Patent Document 1).

  Next, Patent Document 2 states that “in a method of having a plurality of racks and mounting a plurality of devices in each rack and obtaining an identifier for each rack and device, each device mounted in a specific one rack” The provided rack selection information is always set to the selected state, and the management server expects that the first rack for which a response is returned is the specific rack, and the current rack identifier indicates the specific rack. And each device of each rack requests its identifier, and each of the devices responds to the request for the identifier and detects the selected state of the provided rack selection information. To the management server, and the management server registers the network address of the device that has responded, the current rack identifier, and the identifier of the device in a table, and After a predetermined period of time, the server requests the responding equipment to change the rack selection information of each equipment mounted on the rack positioned next to the equipment to the selected state, and from the next rack. Expecting a response, the current rack identifier is updated to indicate the identifier of the next rack, and in response to the rack selection information change request, each of the devices is a rack of each device mounted in an adjacent rack. "A management method of rack-mounted equipment, characterized in that control is performed so that selection information is set to a selected state".

  This patent document 2 describes an address as a logical identifier, for example, identification information such as an NTT protocol, a NEC protocol, a Fujitsu protocol, a Toshiba protocol, etc., and an existing Internet in order to identify each device. 2 and the cables 6, 7 etc. connecting the racks 3, 4 and 5 respectively are required (NTT, Fujitsu and Toshiba are registered trademarks).

  On the other hand, the present invention does not specify a plurality of devices in each rack in a selected state using the existing Internet 2, logic circuit, etc. (reference numerals are those of Patent Document 2).

  Further, Patent Document 3 states that “a device configuration recognition system in which a single component or a plurality of components are mounted, the display unit displaying the configuration information on the components, and the recognition in the housing of the device. And a control unit, wherein the recognition unit recognizes the configuration information from the display unit of the component in a non-contact manner, and the control unit recognizes the component by the configuration information recognized by the recognition unit. Describes a device configuration recognition system characterized by determining whether or not it is normal and outputting the determination information.

  This Patent Document 3 reads “information having each IC tag attached to each device in the housing 8 in a non-contact state. In addition, Patent Document 3 describes (a) First, non-contact. (B) Although there is no specific description in the patent document, the information reading means 12 is moved in the rack 8 along the vertical direction of the rack. (C) Furthermore, the information reading means as the non-contact recognition unit 12 uses a mechanical device or the like, and once the meaning content indicated by numbers, characters, etc. is used. Convert to another form (current, magnetic field lines, light beam, etc.), and convert the converted material to some physical or chemical change (for example, remanence, change in induction with respect to capacitance, change in electrical resistance, light transmittance) How to record by storing as change etc.) In other words, it is interpreted as various a reader) (numerals in Patent Document 3).

JP 2010-205127 A JP 2008-3917 A Japanese Patent No. 4566999

  The intended object of the present invention is to provide excellent immediate effect and to enable the position information of electronic devices of each company to be read on the desk on the management server side. As an additional note, workers have the means to read multiple electronic devices supported by multiple racks installed in a data center with a large floor area, so that each rack is closest to each rack like a so-called ticket gate of a station. Thus, even if the information of each IC tag is not read, it can be read easily and in a wide range by a wireless method. The second object is to automatically read information of each IC tag from a wide range that is distant from a plurality of electronic devices mounted on a rack with a plurality of radios on the management server side. . In addition, the electronic devices of each company can be read, and can be used in a disaster.

The position information management system for rack mounted equipment according to the present invention includes a management server (1 ) having a database relating to position information of a plurality of racks (7) arranged in a data center (X) and electronic equipment (8) of each manufacturer. a), and the LAN connected with either the management server and wired or wireless, is connected to the LAN, and has a predetermined distance with respect to said plurality of electronic devices mounted on the plurality of racks And a plurality of transmission / reception means (6) arranged respectively, and a plurality of electronic device ID tags (9) attached to the electronic device and having a transmission / reception antenna and capable of transmitting ID information. And
The antenna (11) of the transmission / reception means (6) is composed of a plurality of unit antennas (11a, 11b, 11c... 11n) respectively corresponding to the plurality of electronic device ID tags (9) , and is provided in the rack. columnar support bar (19) is fitted in the vertical direction becomes one antenna and said management server, ID request wireless signal transmitted from said transmitting and receiving means, and response radio signal from the electronic device ID tag, In addition, based on the information determined by the transmission / reception authentication unit (6A) that grasps the identification information that identifies the unit antenna , and the information stored in the database, the unit antenna is mounted on each rack. characterized by outputting the content information can be reduced positional information and the electronic apparatus of the electronic devices for identifying the type and the respective manufacturer who is To.

In the above-described configuration, the management server has a plurality of radios, and automatically converts each IC tag from a wide distance away from a plurality of electronic devices mounted on a rack by a transceiver method. It is characterized by reading information .

In other words, the management server executes a response of information between the radio on the management server side and each IC tag by a so-called transceiver method, and positions related to the electronic devices and the like in the rack acquired via the radio It is characterized by outputting (for example, displaying) content information such as information, company name, format, serial number, purchase date, installation date, etc. of the electronic device .

(A) Since the operation is performed by the so-called transceiver method, an operator having a reading means is not required. If it adds, it is excellent in immediate effect, and the position information of the electronic device of each company can be read on the desk of the management server side.
(B) Depending on the radio capacity, the management server has a plurality of radios, and each IC is automatically connected to a plurality of electronic devices mounted on the rack by a transceiver method from a wide distance. It is possible to read tag information. At that time, it is possible to read the position information of the electronic devices of companies (A company, B company, C company... N company) having different contents of the product.
(C) Since a plurality of electronic devices are not identified using an Internet IP address or the like, there is versatility.
(D) The point is disaster. Since the existing Internet is not used, there is no problem when the Internet connection line is disconnected, for example.
(E) A plurality of unit antennas (11a, 11b, 11c... 11n) whose transmitting / receiving means respectively correspond to a plurality of electronic device ID tags are vertically inserted into columnar support bars (19) arranged in each rack. Since this is a single antenna, adjacent radio waves (response) do not interfere. Further, similarly to the scanning means, a plurality of electronic device ID tags arranged in the vertical direction can be reliably read in a non-contact state. Further, it is possible to reliably identify the electronic device several.

1 to 7 are explanatory views showing embodiments of the present invention.
The whole block diagram of a 1st embodiment. The block diagram of the transmission / reception means by the side of a management server. The block diagram of the ID tag of an electronic device or / and a rack. The conceptual diagram of the data memorize | stored in the database (DB). The format figure of the request signal with respect to a tag from a transmission / reception means. Flow chart of response. The schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the transmission means 6 of an implementation level, and the rack 7 mounted with an electric equipment.

(1) Invention of the present application: Transceiver system The present invention relates to a management server disposed in a predetermined location or a data center having a large floor area, the management server disposed in the data center, and the management A wireless controller connected to the server via a cable (for example, a LAN cable), a wireless on the management server side connected to the controller, a plurality of electronic devices, and a plurality of racks for storing these electronic devices in the vertical direction And at least each IC tag affixed to the electronic device, the management server executes a response of information between the management server side radio and the IC tag in a so-called transceiver mode, Position information and electronic device content information (company name, format, serial number, year of purchase) in the rack obtained via wireless (Month, date, installation date, etc.) is output (for example, displayed).

  Here, the “predetermined location” refers to an area inside and outside the data center building where LAN is possible. Therefore, it may be outside the data center as long as it can be connected by a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. The management server can be connected to a communication network using a telephone line (not shown).

(2) Basic Configuration of First Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 7 are explanatory views showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a position information management system for rack-mounted equipment. First, referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a management server having a database (DB) 3. The management server 1 includes a main control unit for processing information, an input / output unit (not shown), and an authentication information determination unit. Etc., and connected to a power source 2 for commercial use or self-power generation. As described above, the management server 1 is installed in the data center X having the wide floor F, or in another building built with respect to the data center X through the joint.

The database 3 includes the rack number, the rack position number, the rack, the ID of each tag attached to each electronic device mounted on the rack shelf in the vertical direction , and the antenna provided in the rack. Each unit antenna identification number, asset company, manufacturer, company electronic device format / model, serial number, purchase date, installation date, maintenance date, etc. are stored in row / column format. (See, for example, FIG. 4). In addition, the antenna provided in the rack is composed of a plurality of unit antennas (11a, 11b, 11c... 11n) respectively corresponding to the plurality of electronic device ID tags (9) and provided in the rack. The antenna is inserted into the columnar support bar (19) in the vertical direction to form one antenna.

  Next, 4 is a wired or wireless LAN (wired LAN, wireless LAN) connected to the management server 1, 5 is a LAN hub, 6 is connected to the hub 5, and includes a plurality of transmission authentication units 6A described later. Transmitting and receiving means, 7 is a number of racks arranged on the floor F in the data center X with a required interval, left and right, front and rear, 8 is a plurality of electronic devices mounted on each rack vertically, and , 9 (9a, 9b, 9c,... 9n) are electronic devices for device position information that are affixed to the front surface, the left and right side surfaces, the back surface, etc. of the electronic device 8 (8a, 8b, 8c,... 8n). In addition to the ID tag, reference numeral 10 denotes a rack ID tag for rack position information affixed to an appropriate position of the rack (this is not necessarily a specific matter of the invention).

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the transmission / reception means 6 on the management server side. For example, if there are a total of 42 rack position numbers in the data center X, the transmission / reception means 6 and the racks 7 are arranged on the floor F within a range of addresses (addresses) 1 to 42. Can do. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 2 shows one transmission / reception means 6 and rack 7.

  The transmission / reception means 6 is electrically connected to the hub 5 as described above, including one or a plurality of antennas 11, a wireless transmission / reception unit 12, a wireless control unit (wireless controller) 13, an authentication information storage unit 14, In the case where the authentication information determination unit 15, the input / output unit 16, the power supply unit 17, and the antenna 11 includes a large number of unit antennas, a unit antenna number detection unit (not shown) is provided.

  The power supply unit 17 uses electricity for commercial or self-power generation. The transmission / reception means 6 includes a plurality of vertical unit antennas 11a... 11n arranged in the rack 7 so as to correspond to the plurality of electronic device ID tags 9a, 9b, 9c,. . The antenna 11 takes into account the vertical spacing of each shelf plate 7a, 7b, 7c,... 7n constituting the rack 7, the number of shelf plates, the size of the electronic device, the attachment position of the electronic device ID tag, etc. The number and position of unit antennas are determined, and identification information is provided for each unit antenna or antenna 11 (see FIG. 7).

  The antenna 11 is erected directly or indirectly on the side surface of the rack 7 with a required distance interval. Desirably, the antenna 11 is separated from one of the left and right side surfaces of the rack 7 so as to prevent adjacent radio waves (resonance) from interfering with each other and to easily put in and out the electronic device 8, and A plurality of electronic device ID tags 9a, 9b, 9c,... 9n or / and a rack ID tag 10 are provided in a straight line (for example, columnar or tape-shaped) in the direction and in a non-contact manner (the required distance of a non-contact type). (In this case, each electronic device ID tag is attached to either the left side wall or the right side wall of each electronic device ID).

  By the way, each cross-sectional shape of the unit antennas 11a, 11b, 11c,... 11n constituting the antenna 11 is polygonal or circular, and is about 5 cm in length, and as shown in FIG. The unit antenna is inserted into one columnar support bar 19 in the vertical direction to form “one antenna 11”.

  Of course, depending on the frequency (the strength of radio waves), a single antenna 11 may be provided for one rack 7. Regarding the radio waves at the implementation level, for example, the frequency for the electronic device ID tag 9 is “13.56 MHz”, and thus a plurality of unit antennas are combined in the vertical direction.

  In the first embodiment, one antenna 11 is connected to the rack ID tag 10 of one rack 7 and / or the electronic devices 8a, 8b, 8n on the racks 7a, 7b, 7c,. 8c,..., 8n are transmitted with format information on a weak ID request radio signal (ID request).

  On the other hand, the antenna 11 receives weak response wireless signals from the electronic device ID tags 9a, 9b, 9c,... 9n or / and the rack ID tag 10 provided in the rack 7 (response).

  The wireless transmitting / receiving unit 12 is a part that transmits and receives the ID request wireless signal and the response wireless signal. The radio control unit (radio controller) 13 is a part that processes the ID request radio signal and the response radio signal based on the information stored in the authentication information storage unit 14. In the embodiment, the authentication information storage unit 14 is a part for storing the shelf number of the rack, the antenna number, and ID tag information (individual information) transmitted from the antenna.

  The authentication information determination unit 15 is a part that authenticates the processing contents when the radio control unit 13 processes the ID request radio signal and the response radio signal for reasons such as maintainability and confirmability. The input / output unit 16 is a part that exchanges an ID request from the management server 1 and a determination result of the authentication information determination unit 15.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an electronic device or / and rack ID tag. Here, the configuration of the electronic device ID tag 9 will be described, and the specific configuration of the rack ID tag 10 will be referred to.

  21 is a substrate, 22 is an interdigital transducer (IDT) provided on one end, 23 is a reflector provided on the other end, 24 is an input pulse antenna, and 25 is an output pulse. It is an antenna.

  When the electronic device ID doug 9 having the interdigital transducer 21 and the reflector 23 (and the rack ID tag 10) receives the input pulse signal (ID request) a by the input pulse antenna 24, the received signal is The signal is converted by the interdigital transducer 22, and the converted signal travels to the right side in the drawing and is reflected by the reflector 23. And if it reflects with the reflector 23, it will return to the interdigital conversion part 22 again, and will go out from the antenna 25 for output pulses as an output signal. The output signal at this time is unique information (ID) of each electronic device ID tag 9a, 9b, 9c,.

In the embodiment, the transmission / reception authentication unit 6A such as the wireless control unit (wireless controller) 13, the authentication information storage unit 14, the authentication information determination unit 15 and the like provided on the transmission / reception means 6 side authenticates the unique information (ID). After that, the authentication information is sent to the management server 1 by the LAN system including the hub 5.

(3) Database, Flowchart, etc. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of data stored in the database (DB) 3. A program is stored in the database 3 as an example of a storage unit, and a standard signal processing procedure is defined so that the program can be used in, for example, a plurality of data centers X.

As is well known, the storage unit is storage means such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, or an optical disk. In this embodiment, a large number of racks 7 arranged on the floor F of one data center X, these racks. ID numbers are assigned to a large number of electronic devices 8 ( 8a, 8b, 8c... 8n) mounted on the shelves 7a, 7b, 7c. Necessary information such as unit antenna identification information, date and time information regarding installation, usage period information, accounting information, etc. corresponding to the rack number and electronic equipment information assigned to the rack, including the data table (FIG. 4). Stored.

  Thus, the data table 31 is, for example, a matrix-type database table, and a plurality of fields in each row (record) includes a rack number field 31a, a rack address (location) field 31b, an electronic equipment ID field 31c, and an asset company field 31d. And the maker field 11e. Each of these fields corresponds to (associates with) each information (for example, each company) stored in the customer information as the factor code. A new record is added each time the device 8 is mounted, and information such as a specific identification code for the electronic device 8 is stored in the fields 31a to 31n of the record.

FIG. 5 is a format diagram of a request signal from the transmission / reception means 6 to the tags 9 and 10. The format 41 is an example, and the format 41 is not limited to the format 41.
Thus, the format 41 includes a signal type unit 42, an authentication information unit 43, a data unit, an error correction unit 45, and the like. The signal type section 42 is a part that stores specific information indicating that the signal is an identification of the rack address. The authentication information unit 43 is a part that stores individual identification information from the management server 1. In addition, the data portion is a portion that stores discrimination information for discriminating the unit antenna when the antenna 11 includes a plurality of unit antennas (11a, 11b, 11c, and 11n).

  FIG. 6 is a simplified flowchart of the response. Step S 1 is an ID request from the management server 1. This ID request is made in a wireless manner as described above. Step S2 is reception on the duck side. The ID request is made instantaneously with respect to the electronic device ID ducts 9a, 9b, 9c,... 9n of all the electronic devices 8 mounted in the rack 7, and depending on the embodiment, the rack ID. When a response signal (ID) is output from these ID ducts (9, 10), the transmission / reception authentication unit 6A of the authentication information unit 43 on the antenna 11 side first sets "ID = 1?" The determination is made by the determination unit 15. And if it is "No" as shown by step S3, it will return to reception of step S2. Next, step S4 and subsequent steps are the same as step S3. Such authentication is repeated, and finally the process proceeds to step Sn. When “ID = n”, the process is completed.

(4) Specific Items of the First Embodiment Accordingly, the specific items of the present invention are the management server 1 having the database 3 regarding the position information of the plurality of racks 7 and electronic devices 8 arranged in the data center X, and the management A LAN 4 connected to the server 1 either by wire or wirelessly and a plurality of electronic devices 8 connected to the LAN 4 and mounted on the racks 7 with a predetermined distance. A plurality of transmission / reception means 6 and a plurality of electronic device ID tags 9 which are attached to the electronic device 8 and have a transmission / reception antenna and which can transmit ID information and the rack 7 are provided. The management server 1 includes an ID request radio signal transmitted from the transmission / reception means 6, the electronic device ID tag 9, and the label ID. The position information of each electronic device 8 in each rack 7 (here, the number of each electronic device is reduced) through a response wireless signal from the rack ID tag 10 provided in the rack and based on the information in the database 3 Also, the information that can specify each manufacturer and its model) and the contents information of the electronic device can be output and immediately viewed on the display unit of the management server 1.

  In FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, each electronic device ID tag 9 (9a, 9b, 9c... N) is attached to the right side of the front surface of each electronic device 8, and “one antenna 11” is correspondingly attached. Although standing upright on the right front surface of the rack 7, at the implementation level, the electronic device ID tag 9 is attached to either the left side wall or the right side wall of each electronic device ID 8 in consideration of taking in and out of the electronic device 8. Correspondingly, the antenna 11 is spaced apart from either of the left and right side surfaces of the rack 7 and is linear in the vertical direction so that adjacent radio waves (response) do not interfere with each other. Arranged.

  By the way, in the embodiment of the present invention, the format 41 of the request signal from the transmission / reception means 6 to the tags 9 and 10 includes the rack position information, and accordingly, the rack position information is displayed on the electronic equipment ID tag. It can also be included.

  Therefore, the embodiment (second embodiment) designed in this way includes a management server 1 having a database 3 relating to positional information of a plurality of racks 7 and electronic devices 8 arranged in the data center X, and the management server 1 A plurality of LANs 4 connected by wire or wireless, and a plurality of electronic devices 8 connected to the LANs and disposed at a predetermined distance from the plurality of electronic devices 8 mounted on the plurality of racks. Transmission / reception means 6 and a plurality of electronic device ID tags 9 each attached to the electronic device and having a transmission / reception antenna and capable of transmitting ID information. Via an ID request radio signal transmitted from a transmission / reception means and a response radio signal from the electronic device ID tag including position information of the rack, and the data Based on the information of over scan, and outputs the said content information of the position information and the electronic device of each electronic apparatus of the rack.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission / reception means 6 preferably includes vertical antennas 11 respectively disposed in the racks 7 so as to correspond to the plurality of electronic device ID tags 9, respectively, and the management The server 1 recognizes the ID request radio signal transmitted from the transmission / reception means 6, the response radio signal from the electronic device ID tag, and the location information of the antenna (preferably a plurality of unit antennas constituting the antenna). Through the section 6A and based on the information in the database, the position information of each electronic device 8 in each rack and the content information such as the model and manufacturer are output when the electronic device is installed. The transmission authentication unit 6A authenticates the number of unit antennas that are directly or indirectly arranged in the rack. This makes it possible to reliably identify each electronic device.

  The present invention is used in data centers.

X ... data center, 1 ... management server, 2 ... power supply, 3 ... database, 4 ... LAN, 5 ... hub, 6 ... transmission / reception means, 7 ... rack, 8 ... electronic device, 9 ... electronic device ID tag, 10 ... rack ID tag.

Claims (2)

A management server (1) having a database relating to position information of a plurality of racks (7) and electronic devices (8) of each manufacturer arranged in the data center (X) , and this management server and either wired or wireless a wired LAN in, is connected to the LAN, and a plurality of receiving means disposed respectively with a required distance with respect to said plurality of electronic devices mounted on the plurality of racks (6) And a plurality of electronic device ID tags (9) each attached to the electronic device and having a transmission / reception antenna and capable of transmitting ID information,
The antenna (11) of the transmission / reception means (6) is composed of a plurality of unit antennas (11a, 11b, 11c... 11n) respectively corresponding to the plurality of electronic device ID tags (9) , and is provided in the rack. The columnar support bar (19) is vertically inserted into one antenna ,
The management server also, ID request wireless signal transmitted from said transmitting and receiving means, and response radio signal from the electronic device ID tag, and to grasp the identification information of the unit antennas to identify whether the ordinal number of those Based on the information determined by the transmission / reception authentication unit (6A) and the information stored in the database, the position information of each electronic device mounted in each rack and at least each manufacturer A position information management system for rack mounted equipment that outputs content information that can identify the model .
2. The IC tag according to claim 1, wherein the management server has a plurality of radios, and automatically sets each IC tag from a wide range that is distant from a plurality of electronic devices mounted on a rack by a radio system. positional information management system for rack mounting device, wherein the reading of the information.

Images