DATA STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

A data storage center comprising a plurality of cabinets configured with one or more racks. The racks are configured for accommodating one or more appliances. At least one of said cabinets is displaceable to facilitate access to the respective racks of said cabinet and to racks of a neighboring cabinet of said cabinets.

Claims

1. A data storage center comprising a plurality of cabinets configured with one or more racks, said racks being configured for accommodating one or more appliances; wherein at least one of said cabinets is displaceable to facilitate access to the respective racks of said cabinet and to racks of a neighboring cabinet of said cabinets.

2. A data storage center according to claim 1, further comprising an enclosure defining a confined space in which said cabinets are disposed.

3. A data storage center according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said cabinets is displaceable within said confined space so that a floating isle gap between each two neighboring cabinets is formed within the confined space.

4. A data storage center according to claim 3, wherein said cabinets are parallel with respect to each other and each having a width W.sub.i, said floating isle gap having a width W′, and wherein an effective width (W.sub.Eff) of the cabinets is: W.sub.Eff=Σ.sub.1.sup.n Wi+W′, where n is a number of said cabinets and i is a number of a particular cabinet and having a value of 1 to n.

5. A data storage center according to claim 4, wherein a width of said confined space is substantially equal to W.sub.Eff.

6. A data storage center according to claim 4, wherein the width W.sub.i is identical in all the cabinets and is substantially equal to width W′.

7. A data storage center according to claim 4, wherein the width W′ is substantially equal to a width of the racks of said cabinets.

8. A data storage center according to claim 1, wherein the displacement at least one of said cabinets is manual or motorized.

9. A data storage center according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cabinet is displaceable over parallely disposed rails.

10. A data storage center to claim 1, further comprising environmental controls associated with at least one of said cabinets for providing environmental control to the appliances thereof.

11. A data storage center according to claim 10, wherein environmental controls comprise at least one of: a temperature controlling system, a humidity control system, and an air filtration system.

12. A data storage center according to claim 10, wherein said association with at least one of said cabinets is provided by a climate controlling fluid flow conduit articulated thereto.

13. A data storage center according to claim 12, wherein the climate controlling fluid flow conduit is a stationary flow port extending from an enclosure defining a confined space in which said cabinets are disposed and configured for engaging with a respective pickup flow port of a respective cabinet of said cabinets.

14. A data storage center according to claim 12, wherein said climate controlling fluid flow conduit is displaceable with its respective cabinet.

15. A data storage center according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of climate controlling sensors associated with an enclosure defining a confined space in which said cabinets are disposed or with one or more of the cabinets, so as to monitor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and purity of air.

16. A data storage center according to claim 1, further comprising data communications associated with said cabinets for providing data communication to the appliances of the cabinet.

17. A data storage center according to claim 16, wherein the data communications is facilitated through fixed wiring articulated with said cabinets or through wireless communication.

18. A data storage center according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the cabinets is segmented and configured for displacing in a side-to-side relation along the length of the cabinet.

19. A data storage center according to claim 1, wherein the cabinets are displaceable over a rail system articulated to a floor or suspended from a ceiling of an enclosure defining a confined space in which said cabinets are disposed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] FIG. 1A is a schematic top view of a data storage center according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of the data storage center of FIG. 1A;

[0052] FIG. 1C is a schematic top view of the storage data center of FIG. 1A, some cabinets of which are displaced;

[0053] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a storage data center according to another example of the present disclosure; and

[0054] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a storage data center according to yet another example of the present disclosure; and

[0055] FIG. 4 is perspective representation of a storage data center according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0056] Attention is directed first to FIGS. 1A to 1C of the drawings, directed to a data storage system generally designated 20, according to a first example of the disclosure.

[0057] The data storage system 20 comprises an enclosure 22 which in the present example is a structure comprising a confined space in the form of a storage hall 24 and a support section 25 articulated thereto. The storage hall 24 is configured with four side walls 26a to 26d, a door 28 formed in side wall 26c, a ceiling 32 (FIG. 1B) and a solid floor 34.

[0058] It is appreciated that the present disclosure is a mere example and that the data storage system can in fact be assembled at any suitable location e.g. a confined space or a space within a larger space.

[0059] The floor 34 is fitted with four parallely extending rails 38a to 38d, fixedly articulated thereto. At the event that the data storage system is configured for bearing heavy loads, the floor has to be reinforced, as known in the art.

[0060] It is further appreciated that whilst in the particular example the cabinets are displaceable over rails, other locomotive configurations can be facilitated, such as wheels, grooves, magnetic rails, suspension rails and the like.

[0061] According to the particularly illustrated example, data storage system 20 comprises seven cabinets designated 40a to 40g, wherein end cabinets 40a and 40g are stationary cabinets and cabinets 40b to 40f are displaceable and are articulated to the rails 38a to 38d and configured for smooth siding there over, in a parallel relationship. However, according to the disclosure all or some of the cabinets are displaceable, wherein displacement of the cabinets can be facilitated manually, i.e. pushing/pulling, or by mechanical gearing e.g. deploying a manipulating system such as chain and gear train with the aid of a rotatable manipulator 39 (FIG. 4), and optionally by an electric motor (not shown).

[0062] Noting the sensitive nature of the gear mounted on the racks, it is noted that the locomotive system can be configured with a shock observing system for dampening and suppressing possible impact of the cabinets against each other upon displacement thereof.

[0063] Each of the cabinets 40a to 40g is configured with a plurality of racks represented in FIG. 1B by dashed lines designated 42 though better appreciated in FIG. 4. Each of the racks 42 is configured for accommodating a variety of data storage and communication appliances, such as computer memory/storage systems, computer units, servers, communication modules, electric power units, schematically illustrated and collectively referred to hereinafter as DSCA and designated 50 (FIG. 4). The racks 42 are configured with a plurality of data ports and power sockets for articulation to the DSACs and preferably, such ports and sockets are quick-release type couplings. The racks 42 can be modular (as far as height, couplings, sockets etc.), i.e. can be easily modified in size so as to accommodate different DSACs.

[0064] The data ports and power sockets of each of the cabinets 40a to 40g extend to a communications port 72 and power port 74, which ports are in communication with a main communications line (dash-doted line 76 in FIG. 1A) and a main power line 78 (dashed line 78 in FIG. 1A), which respectively extend into the support section 25 to a central communication facility 80 and a central power backup 82.

[0065] It is appreciated that data communication to/from the DSACs, and power supply to the DSACs can be facilitated by flexible cabling. Alternatively, data contactors and/or power contactors can be used, so as to facilitate data and power transfer to the cabinets, however without interfering with their mobility within the enclosure and without there occurring any momentarily discontinuities of data communication or power supply.

[0066] Noting the nature of the DSCAs, namely electric components emitting considerable heat and requiring cooling system for maintain their proper operation, the cabinets 40a to 40g are configured with an environmental control system comprising at least a cooling and or heat evacuating system. In the example of FIGS. 1A to 1C, the environmental control system associated with each of the cabinets 40a to 40g is a flexible fluid conduit 60 (e.g. bellows type conduit etc.) branching from supply lines 62 and which extend to a central air cooling unit 66 disposed at the support section 25. The flexible piping 62 renders the displaceable cabinets with controlled climate in spite their displacement. It is noted that the support section 25 can be disposed at any location in the vicinity of the data storage system.

[0067] It is appreciated that according to other configurations (not illustrated) the environmental control system can comprise in addition to cooling units, or instead, heat extractors, heat changers, other types of heat control units such as thermoelectric (peltier) units, etc., and combinations thereof,

[0068] Furthermore, it is appreciated that additional one or more environmental controls can be associated with each of the cabinets, such as temperature and humidity controls, etc. Also, air treating units such as drying units, purifying/filtering units, etc. can be installed. In addition, the enclosure or each cabinet can be fitted with a variety of sensors of sensing and controlling the environmental parameters, and additional parameters such as quake sensors, smoke/fire detectors and suppressors 69a and 69b (FIG. 4).

[0069] In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cabinets are disposed as follows: end cabinets 40a and 40g are stationary and are thus disposed in proximity to the respective side walls 26b and 26d. Cabinets 40b to 40f are all disposed to the left, in close proximity to cabinet 40a and in close proximity to one another, thereby giving rise to a floating isle gap G extending between cabinet 40f and cabinet 40g.

[0070] Turning now to FIG. 1C, the cabinets 40d to 40f are displaced all the way to the left, in close proximity to cabinet 40g and in close proximity to one another, thereby giving rise to a floating isle gap G, now extending between cabinet 40c and cabinet 40d.

[0071] The arrangement is such that the utilization of a given floor space within the given enclosure 22 is substantially increased by avoiding redundant isle space between each two neighboring cabinets, and instead a floating isle gap G is configured. Accordingly, where the length L (FIG. 1C) and width W.sub.i of each cabinet 40a to 40g are given, the parameter that can be altered is the redundant isle space between the cabinets, now eliminated and replaced by the floating isle gap G which is exposed between any two neighboring cabinets, or between an end cabinet and a neighboring side wall, to facilitate access and service to the DSCAs mounted on the racks 42 of the side of the duty cabinet facing the floating isle gap.

[0072] Thus, where an enclosure 22 is fitted with a plurality of parallel disposed cabinets, each of particular height, width and length, the effective width (W.sub.Eff) of the cabinets is:

W.sub.Eff=Σ.sub.2.sup.n Wi+W′

[0073] Where:

[0074] W.sub.i denotes the width of cabinet i;

[0075] W′ denotes the width of a floating isle gap, namely a maximal gap between two neighboring cabinets;

[0076] n denotes the number of parallel disposed cabinets within the enclosure.

[0077] The width of the enclosure 22 is substantially equal to the effective width W.sub.Eff.

[0078] It is appreciated that according to the present example five isles have been eliminated (assuming the tow end cabinets 40a and 40g are stationary and are accessible from their inside face), and however designating a single floating isle gap G. It should be noted that in large facilities it may be required that additional floating isle gap be allocated, so as to enable two or more simultaneously operative gaps between cabinets within an enclosure.

[0079] Turning now to FIG. 2 of the drawing, there is schematically illustrated a data storage system generally designated 120, according to a second example of the disclosure.

[0080] The enclosure 122 accommodates n cabinets (four in the schematic example; designated 140a to 140d) slidable over support rails (not shown). It is appreciated that the principal of a floating isle gap G is maintained, whereby the servicing isle now extending between cabinets 140c and 140d can extend between any of the cabinets or between one of the end cabinets (140a or 140d) and a respective side wall.

[0081] However, in the present example the cabinets are displaceable over a ‘floating floor’ 134 and wherein a controlled air duct 162 is disposed under said floor 134, extending from a central air treating and cooling unit 166 towards a plurality of ports 163a to 163e, each extending in register with a potential address (location) of a cabinet. The arrangement is such that each port is configured with a selectively sealable gate 165. In the illustrated position ports 163a to 163c and port 163e extend opposite and in register with corresponding inlet openings of the respective cabinets 140a to 140c and 140d, whilst gate 165 of unoccupied port 163d is shut, namely at the location of the floating isle gap G, it is appreciated that according to another configuration, the unoccupied port 163d can remain open and thus contribute to controlling temperature within the enclosure.

[0082] In addition to the above, all communications between the central communication facility 180 and the cabinets 163a to 163e (namely with the DSCAs mounted over the racks in the cabinets), as well as connectivity with the central power and backup unit 182 takes place by contactors 193 engaged with communication and power lines schematically represented by line 195.

[0083] The schematic representation of FIG. 3 illustrates yet another example of a data storage system generally designated 220 wherein an enclosure 222 is configured with six cabinets 240a to 240f, of which endmost cabinets 240a and 240f are stationary and extend in proximity to side walls of the enclosure. Cabinets 240b to 240e are displaceable along parallel rails 238 following the principal disclosed hereinabove, namely floating isle gap G is maintained, whereby the servicing isle now extending between cabinets 240d and 240e, though it can extend between any two cabinets or between one of the end cabinets and a respective side wall.

[0084] However, in the present example, cabinets 240c and 240d are segmented, namely each composed of two sub compartments A and B and are each positioned, at the currently illustrated position, over transverse paired rails 237a to 237d. This arrangement renders displacing segments A or B of a respective cabinet along the transverse rails 237a to 237d, thus facilitating servicing access to intermediate portions of the respective cabinets 240c and 240d. Apart from that it is appreciated that each of the cabinets is configured with the same features as discussed hereinabove, namely temperature and environmental control, communications coupling and power supply, etc.