Cell board interconnection architecture

Abstract

According to at least one embodiment, a cell board interconnection architecture comprises an interconnection structure for interconnecting a plurality of cell boards, the interconnection structure configured to allow air to pass therethrough in a direction in which the cell boards couple therewith.

1 . A cell board interconnection architecture comprising: 
 an interconnection structure for interconnecting a plurality of cell boards, said interconnection structure configured to allow air to pass therethrough in the direction in which the cell boards couple therewith.    
   
   
       2 . The architecture of  claim 1  wherein the cell boards couple to the interconnection structure via a front-to-back interface, and wherein air flows through the interconnection structure in the front-to-back direction.  
   
   
       3 . The architecture of  claim 1  wherein the interconnection structure comprises a plurality of interconnect cards, and wherein the plurality of cell boards each couple to multiple ones of the plurality of interconnect cards.  
   
   
       4 . The architecture of  claim 1  wherein the cell boards and the interconnect cards are arranged orthogonal to each other.  
   
   
       5 . The architecture of  claim 1  wherein the interconnection structure comprises a matrix structure.  
   
   
       6 . The architecture of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of switch cards coupled to the interconnection structure, wherein the switch cards are operable to route information between the plurality of cell boards.  
   
   
       7 . A cell board interconnection architecture comprising: 
 a plurality of cell boards;    an interconnection structure to which said plurality of cell boards are coupled; and    a mechanism for generating a flow of air, wherein the interconnection structure is configured such that the generated air flow is permitted to flow through the interconnection structure.    
   
   
       8 . The architecture of  claim 7  wherein each of the plurality of cell boards includes: 
 at least one processor; and    a memory subsystem for storing data.    
   
   
       9 . The architecture of  claim 8  wherein each of the plurality of cell boards includes a plurality of processors.  
   
   
       10 . The architecture of  claim 7  wherein each of the plurality of cell boards includes: 
 a plurality of components; and    logic for routing data between the plurality of components.    
   
   
       11 . The architecture of  claim 7  wherein said interconnection structure comprises a plurality of interconnection boards and wherein each cell board connects to multiple ones of said plurality of interconnection boards.  
   
   
       12 . A system comprising: 
 a plurality of cell boards arranged in a cabinet, wherein the plurality of cell boards are communicatively interconnected via an interconnection structure that permits front-to-back airflow and wherein the plurality of cell boards are accessible via the front of the cabinet.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of cell boards includes: 
 a plurality of components and logic for managing routing of data between the plurality of components.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the interconnection structure includes logic for managing routing of data between the plurality of cell boards.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the interconnection structure includes at least one switch card.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of cell boards includes a plurality of processors and a memory subsystem.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of cell boards couple to the interconnection structure via front-to-back movement of the cell boards relative to the cabinet.  
   
   
       18 . A computer system comprising: 
 a cell board interconnection architecture for communicatively interconnecting a plurality of cell boards, wherein said architecture is configured to minimize resistance to air flow in a direction.    
   
   
       19 . The computer system of  claim 18  wherein the cell board interconnection architecture comprises at least one interconnection card for communicatively interconnecting said plurality of cell boards.  
   
   
       20 . The computer system of  claim 19  wherein each of said at least one interconnection card is arranged to have its smallest surface area facing said direction.  
   
   
       21 . The computer system of  claim 20  wherein each of said plurality of cell boards are arranged to have their smallest surface area facing said direction.  
   
   
       22 . A cell board interconnection architecture comprising: 
 a plurality of cell boards; and    an interconnection structure that communicatively interconnects the plurality of cell boards and allows for air flow in a direction parallel to service access of the plurality of cell boards.    
   
   
       23 . The cell board interconnection architecture of  claim 22  wherein said interconnection structure enables front-to-back access for both air flow and service.  
   
   
       24 . A computer system comprising: 
 a plurality of cell boards; and    a porous interconnection structure for interconnecting the plurality of cell boards such that air can flow through the interconnection structure.    
   
   
       25 . The computer system of  claim 24  wherein the air can flow through the porous interconnection structure in a direction parallel to a direction in which the cell boards couple to the porous interconnection structure.  
   
   
       26 . The computer system of  claim 24  wherein the porous interconnection structure comprises a plurality of interconnect cards, and wherein the plurality of cell boards each couple to multiple ones of the plurality of interconnect cards.  
   
   
       27 . The computer system of  claim 24  further comprising a plurality of switch cards coupled to the porous interconnection structure, wherein the switch cards are operable to route information between the plurality of cell boards.  
   
   
       28 . A multi-processor computer system comprising: 
 a plurality of cell boards that each include at least one processor and logic for managing routing of data between components of the cell board; and    an interconnection structure having a first side coupled to said plurality of cell boards and an opposite side coupled to at least one switch card, wherein at least one of said interconnection structure and said at least one switch card includes logic for managing routing of data between the plurality of cell boards.    
   
   
       29 . The multi-processor computer system of  claim 28  wherein said plurality of cell boards are arranged orthogonal to said interconnection structure.  
   
   
       30 . The multi-processor computer system of  claim 28  wherein said interconnection structure is configured to enable air to flow therethrough.  
   
   
       31 . The multi-processor computer system of  claim 28  wherein the interconnection structure comprises a plurality of interconnect cards, and wherein each of the plurality of cell boards couples to multiple ones of the plurality of interconnect cards.  
   
   
       32 . A computer system comprising: 
 a plurality of cell boards that each include a plurality of components and logic for managing routing of data between the plurality of components; and    an interconnection structure comprising a plurality of interconnect cards, wherein each of the plurality of cell boards connects to multiple ones of the plurality of interconnect cards thereby communicatively interconnecting the plurality of cell boards.    
   
   
       33 . The computer system of  claim 32  wherein said interconnection structure includes logic for managing routing of data between the plurality of cell boards  
   
   
       34 . The computer system of  claim 32  wherein the interconnection structure comprises at least one switch card.  
   
   
       35 . The computer system of  claim 32  wherein the interconnection structure is adapted to allow air to flow therethrough.  
   
   
       36 . A system comprising: 
 a plurality of cell boards;    means for communicatively interconnecting the plurality of cell boards, wherein the interconnecting means comprises a first plane for routing information in at least a first dimension and a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane for routing information in at least a second dimension that is different from said first dimension.    
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36  wherein each of said plurality of cell boards includes at least one processor.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the interconnecting means is configured to allow air to flow therethrough.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the interconnecting means is configured to allow said air to flow therethrough in a direction parallel to a direction in which the plurality of cell boards couple to the interconnecting means.