HK1053881A - System and method for displaying computer system status information - Google Patents

Description

System and method for displaying computer system state information

Reference to related applications

The present application is related to the U.S. design patent application entitled Computer System Status Display (CSS Display) by Timothy C.Dearborn and Shawn P.Hoss, filed concurrently herewith and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of computer systems, and more particularly to a system and method for displaying status information.

Background

A data center, also referred to as a server plant, typically includes a set of networked servers. The servers of the network are collectively housed in a single location. A data center speeds up computer network processing by combining power from multiple servers and load balances the workload among the servers by distributing the workload. Data centers are being used by many companies and other organizations because these centers are efficient at handling large numbers of storage retrieval and data processing transactions. Depending on the nature and size of the operation, one data center may have thousands of servers. Typically, these servers are rack mounted and housed in cabinets. Each rack may house servers on many racks. These cabinets typically constitute a tube bundle or channel. Thus, a large data center may have rows of racks, each containing servers on several racks. All of these servers within a data center are typically monitored by one or two individuals acting as network monitors via a single console.

Conventional data centers typically use server management software to monitor server components and to alert system monitors in the event of a component failure. For example, if one of the server's hard drives fails, the server management software will send an alert message to the system monitor's console. The network monitor will respond to the alarm message and correct the fault. Because data centers are often implemented in mission critical operations that command continuous and reliable operation, the servers of these data centers must operate continuously with few failures. In case of a server error, the problem must be solved immediately. In such circumstances, any downtime is unacceptable. For example, if the price of a data center of a financial company drops, a one minute drop time can result in thousands of dollars in unexecuted stock exchanges. Typically, an erroneous or failed server component causes a server error. Examples of server components that may be faulty include hard disk drives, fans, and power supplies.

In the event of a system error, the network monitor must dispatch a technician to the data center to discover and replace the failed component. Because data centers are used for a continuous or mission critical function, technicians must replace failed components as quickly as possible. Each server typically includes several components that can be serviced by a user or technician. These components include fans, hard drives, motherboards, PCI cards, memory DIMMs, power supplies, cables, and CPUs, among others. Each of these components may include one or more status lights reporting the operational status of the component. A single component may include several status lights reporting the status of the device. The color of the status light and whether the light is blinking indicate whether the component is operating properly. For example, a green status light typically indicates that the component is operating properly. If the status light is another color than green, or is blinking, the device may fail. Many components use a unique color, flashing light pattern to inform the status of the component if not complex.

As an example, a typical server hard drive contains several status lights. These hard disk status lights may correspond to power, disk activity, and an alarm indicator. Other server components may include more status lights than a typical hard disk drive. Because each server has several components, each server will have many status lights. For example, a typical server may contain eight hard disk drives, each containing three status lights. In addition, the server will typically include a dozen status lights on its front panel. The server will also include components that do not have status lights that are visible on the front panel, e.g., status lights for one fan unit are not visible until the server's chassis is opened. In general, a single server may include more than fifty individual status lights. A rack of a server may include hundreds of individual status lights and an individual aisle within a data center may include thousands of individual status lights.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a system and method for displaying status information from a plurality of devices in a computer system is disclosed that provides a more advanced and efficient method than previously developed systems

A primary status indicator is located on a bezel or faceplate of a server. The master status indicator is server management software communicably coupled to the monitoring server. If the server management software does not detect a failure or an impending failure in any of the server's components, the primary status indicator will be illuminated to reflect a normal operating state. If the server management software detects a fault or an impending fault in a component of the server, the primary status indicator will be illuminated to reflect an alarm condition. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the technician may then remove or open the bezel to reveal the front panel of the server. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the front panel may also include a status display that outputs text or graphics to identify the cause of an alarm condition.

In another embodiment of the disclosed system and method for displaying status information, a primary status indicator may be associated with a group of servers, such as a rack or a row of servers. If a master status indicator is associated with a group of servers, the master status indicator will be illuminated to reflect a normal operating state if the server management software does not detect a failed or faulty component in any of the servers in the group. If any component of any server in the server group is faulty or in danger of being faulty, the master status indicator will reflect an alarm status.

One technical advantage of the present disclosure is that a single status indicator is initially presented to a technician. The simple display allows a technician to quickly assess the status of several servers without checking the front panel of each server or all of the status lights of each server. If one of the servers has a failed component, the server can be quickly identified. Another advantage of the present disclosure is that it provides an unambiguous indication of the state of a server. Based on the color and/or location of the illumination of the master status indicator, a technician can quickly determine whether a server has malfunctioned. Another advantage of the present disclosure is that it allows for uniform location of status information across all servers in a data center regardless of the structural configuration of the servers, and the manufacturer as each primary status indicator may be uniformly located on a meter bezel or panel. Furthermore, the centralized location of the master status indicator facilitates rapid assessment of server status. Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the primary status indicator can be used on servers with small or narrow front panels because the primary status indicator indicates a single indicator and it can also incorporate a logo or indicia that may function differently to limit space. Moreover, because a corporate logo may be incorporated into the primary status indicator, proper name and trademark identification may be enhanced throughout normal status situations. Furthermore, the present disclosure allows for a unified design over an overall data center regardless of the structure or manufacturer of the server, which also enhances name and trademark identification. Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Embodiments and advantages of the present invention will become more fully understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features, and in which:

FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate a server with a meter front cover partially opened;

FIG. 1c illustrates a server with a closed bezel;

FIG. 2a is a front view of one embodiment of a bezel;

FIG. 2b is a rear view of one embodiment of a bezel;

FIG. 2c is a front view of one embodiment of a bezel;

FIG. 2d is a front view of one embodiment of a bezel;

FIG. 3a is a front view of one embodiment of a bezel;

FIG. 3b is a rear view of one embodiment of a bezel;

FIG. 3c is a front view of one embodiment of a bezel;

FIG. 4a illustrates a server with the bezel removed;

FIG. 4b illustrates a server with a status display installed at the rear;

FIG. 5 illustrates a data center; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the method of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Detailed description of the inventionthe present invention discloses a primary status indicator that is located on a bezel mounted to cover a front panel of a server. The master status indicator receives status information from the server management software of the monitoring server. The entire server management software will illuminate to reflect a normal operating state during those periods in which no fault or an impending fault is detected in any component of the server. If the server management software does detect a failure or an impending failure in a component of the server, the primary status indicator will be illuminated to reflect a high alarm condition.

FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c illustrate one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1a shows a computer system or server 15 in a tower configuration. Shown in fig. 1b is a rack-mounted server 15. The server 15 may have several components and each may have one or more status lights. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the server 15 contains eight hard disk drives 35, each containing three status lights 40. The server 15 also contains four power supplies 45, each containing three status lights 50. Thus, the server 15 has many status lights on a single front panel 55. In addition, the exemplary server 15 also has components that do not have status lights visible on the front panel 55. For example, status lights for one fan unit are not visible until the chassis of the server 15 is opened.

A bezel or faceplate 60 may be installed to cover the server front faceplate 55. The bezel 60 may be mounted on the server front panel 55, or on a cabinet or housing 210 for the server 15, or any other suitable location. The bezel is preferably sized to cover the entire server front panel 55 and substantially match the size of the server front panel 55 in width and height. For example, the width W of the bezel 60_BPreferably substantially equal to the width W of the server 15_S. Likewise, the height H of the bezel_BPreferably substantially equal to the height H of the server 15_S. Bezel 60 is preferably opaque to prevent light transmission of status information from server front panel 55 through bezel 60. The bezel 60 may be vented to allow cooling of the server front panel 55. The bezel may be attached to the server front panel 55 by a hinge 90 so that the bezel 60 may be swung open to expose the server front panel 55. As shown in fig. 1a and 1b, the bezel is not completely closed. FIG. 1c shows the server 15 of FIG. 1b with the bezel 60 closed. The bezel 60 is preferably closed throughout normal server 15 operation. Alternatively, the meter bezel may be mounted on the front of the server via a guide railOn the plate 55 so that the bezel can be slid open to expose the server front panel 55. Alternatively, the bezel 60 may be attached to the server front panel 55 via a socket, such that the bezel 60 may be separated from the server 15 to expose the server front panel 55.

Fig. 2a is a front view of one embodiment of a bezel 60. A primary status indicator 65 is mounted on the front face of the meter front 60. The primary status indicator 65 may be a flag or any other indicator. The primary status indicator 65 is preferably prominently located on the front surface of the bezel 60 for maximum visibility. A prominent position primary status indicator 65 is mounted or positioned at a substantially central location on the front surface of bezel 60. The master status indicator 65 preferably incorporates a company logo, such as that of the manufacturer or distributor of the server 15. Figure 2b shows the back of the bezel of figure 2 a. The primary status indicator 65 includes at least one light source 100 so that the primary status indicator 65 may be illuminated. The light source 100 may be any device that provides a consistent, reliable source of light. For example, the light source 100 may be an LED or LED light pole. The primary status indicator 65 is illuminated in at least one distinct color. If the primary status indicator 65 incorporates a corporate logo, the primary status indicator 65 may be illuminated in a color associated with the corporate logo. In addition, the primary status indicator 65 may also be rotated such that the primary status indicator 65 is horizontal or in a fixed position regardless of the rotation of the server 15. For example, if the primary status indicator 65 incorporates a corporate logo, the logo will be right side up regardless of whether the server 15 is oriented horizontally or vertically.

The primary status indicator 65 may be positioned elsewhere on the bezel. For example, as shown in FIG. 2c, the primary status indicator 65 is positioned in the upper right corner of the bezel 60. As described above, each primary status indicator 65 is preferably substantially located at the same position on the bezel 60 for each server 15 in the data center. The primary status indicator 65 may be of any shape. For example, the primary status indicator 65 may be a square indicator, as shown in FIG. 2 d. Since a uniform profile will facilitate the visual location of a particular primary status indicator 65, each primary status indicator 65 is preferably substantially the same size and shape for each server 15 in the data center. If the computer system does not have a bezel 60, a master status indicator 65 may be mounted on the front panel 55.

Fig. 3a is a front view of another embodiment of a bezel 60. In this embodiment, the master status indicator 65 has two options: a normal status portion 70 and an alarm status portion 75. To quickly identify the status of the server 15, the normal status section 70 is preferably located above the alert status section 75. The two portions 70 and 75 need not be the same size. Fig. 3b shows the back of the bezel 60 shown in fig. 3 a. In this embodiment, the primary status indicator 65 includes two light sources 110 and 115 for illuminating the primary status indicator 65. As described above, light sources 110 and 115 may be any suitable light source, such as an LED or LED light pole. The light source 110 illuminates the normal condition portion 70. The light source 110 may illuminate the normal state portion 70 in any color or manner. The light source 110 preferably illuminates the normal state portion 70, typically in one color associated with normal operating conditions or a corporate logo or trademark of the manufacturer or distributor of the server 15. For example, the light source 110 may illuminate the normal state portion 70 with a blue or green color. The light source 115 illuminates the alert status portion 75. The light source 115 may illuminate the alert status portion 75 in any color or manner. The light source 115 generally illuminates the alarm condition portion 75 preferably in a color associated with an alarm condition or a fault. For example, the light source 115 may illuminate the alert status portion 75 in an amber color or a red color. Alternatively, the two light sources 110 and 115, or a single light source, may produce only white light, and the normal and alarm condition portions 70 and 75 may be made of a transparent material of an appropriate color. The particular colors described above are merely exemplary-the normal status portion 70 and the alert status portion 75 may be illuminated in any desired color or manner.

The master status indicator 65 may have more than one or two portions as shown in fig. 2a-d and 3 a-b. The master status indicator may inform additional status information for the server 15 with more parts. Furthermore, if two or more sections are utilized by the primary status indicator 65, these sections need not appear as a single unit as in FIGS. 3 a-b. For example, the primary status indicator 65 may be a cluster of status indicators or lights. In fig. 3c, the normal status portion 70 and the alarm status portion 75 of the main status indicator 65 appear as a cluster of lights, rather than as a single or merged unit as shown in fig. 3 a.

As shown in fig. 5, one data center 140 may implement the server management software 120. The master status indicator 65 may receive status information from the server management software 120. The master status indicator 65 is communicatively coupled to the server management software 120 via a hardwired connection, such as a fiber optic connection, a wireless connection, such as a transmission using RF or IR, or any other suitable communication connection. The server management software 120 allows a system administrator to monitor the status of network elements including the server 15. In general, the server management software 120 evaluates the health or operational status of the systems on the network and the components in those systems, monitors network performance, preempts network outages, and identifies areas for network growth and rearrangement. For example, the server management software 120 may provide instrumentation system administrators with collection of status information such as temperature, fan speed, voltage and disk errors, as well as other data indicative of the health of the server 15. Thus, the server management software 120 detects a failed or erroneous network element and informs of this status information. Upon detection of a failed or faulty network element, the server management software 120 may illuminate the appropriate status lights associated with the failed or faulty equipment and communicate an alarm message or notice to the appropriate terminal or console. For example, in the event that the server management software 120 detects a failed hard drive in the network, the appropriate hard drive alarm status light will be illuminated and an attention will be communicated to the monitoring console 155. Because the master status indicator 65 is communicatively coupled to the server management software 120, the master status indicator 65 displays the status of the server 15. If the server management software 120 does not detect a failed or erroneous component in the server 15, the state of the server 15 may be considered a normal operating state. If the server management software 120 detects any failed or faulty components in the server 15, the status of the server 15 may be considered an alarm status. Depending on the state, the primary status indicator 65 will be appropriately illuminated to reflect the state. In addition, the master status indicator 65 also receives status information directly from the server component or sensors associated with the server component.

For the embodiment shown in fig. 2a, the primary status indicator 65 may be illuminated in one color, such as green, typically associated with normal operation. Preferably, the primary status indicator 65 may be illuminated in a color associated with a company trademark, such as blue for a normal operating condition. In the event that a failed or faulty device is detected in the server 15, the primary status indicator 65 for the server 15 may be illuminated, typically in a color associated with a failure, such as red or amber. Alternatively, the primary status indicator 65 may dim or dim the illumination for normal status illumination or alarm status illumination. For example, the illumination status of the primary status indicator 65 may be a dimmed or extinguished state when a faulty or erroneous device is detected. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a, the normal state portion 70 of the primary status indicator 65 may remain illuminated for a long period of time as long as the server management software 120 does not detect a failed or faulty device in the server 15 associated with the primary status indicator 65. As described above, the normal state portion 70 is preferably illuminated in a color corresponding to a company trademark or a color corresponding to a normal operation state in general. In the event that the server management software 120 detects a failed or faulty component in the server 15, then the normal status portion 70 dims the illumination and the alarm status portion 75 is illuminated. As described above, the alarm status portion 75 is preferably illuminated in a color similar to a normal one that is malfunctioning, such as red or amber.

The status display 85 is preferably located on the front panel 55 of the server 15. Fig. 4a shows an embodiment of the status display 85 in which the bezel 65 is not shown. Additionally, status display 85 may also be communicatively coupled to server management software 120. Status display 85 may be any device capable of displaying text or graphics. For example, status display 85 may be an LCD display. Status display 85 displays status information communicated from server management software 120. The status information may include normal operation, such as a boot hard drive or information about a failed or faulty component. The status information may be displayed in text or numerical codes used by the server management software 120 to report problems, or both. For example, in the event that a second fan for one of the servers 15 fails, the status display 85 may display the text "fan 2-failed". Status display 85 may display an error code corresponding to an error in the second fan. In the event that the server management software 120 does not report any information about the server 15, then the status display 85 displays only the name or address of the server 15.

The status display 85 may be illuminated in one or more colors. For example, the status display may be illuminated in a selected color associated with one of the normal operating states, such as green or blue, throughout the normal operating state. Alternatively, the status display 85 may not be illuminated at all during the entire normal operating state. In the case of a faulty or erroneous component, the status display 85 may be illuminated in a selected color, such as red or amber, associated with an alarm condition.

The status display 85 may also be self-activating. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the bezel 60 may contain a connector 125 that couples with the docking head 80 on the front panel of the server 15. When the bezel 60 is closed, the connector 125 is coupled to the docking head 80. With connector 125 coupled to docking head 80, status display 85 is not illuminated. The status display 85 may be illuminated when the bezel 60 is opened and the connector 125 is disengaged from the docking head 80. Thus, the status display 85 may be illuminated only if the bezel 60 is open, and thus conserve energy and a minimal amount of light passing through the bezel 65.

As described above, servers may be grouped in cabinets and several cabinets may be placed in a combinatorial library. If the failed component requiring service is not accessible from the front of the server 15, the technician must go to the back of the combinatorial library to open the server 15 and replace the failed component. If a status display 85 is located only on the front panel 55 of the server 15, the technician may not be able to read the information displayed on the status display 85 if he is behind the combinatorial library. Thus, a status display 85 may also be located on the back panel 130 of the server 15, as shown in FIG. 4 b. Because both status displays 85 receive status information from the same source, e.g., from the server management software 120, inconsistent status information may be avoided.

FIG. 5 illustrates a data center 140 implementing one embodiment of the present disclosure. Several servers 15 are mounted in the cabinet 145. These servers 15 are communicatively coupled to form one or more computer networks, represented generally at 215. Several cabinets 145 are arranged in a combinatorial library 150. A system administrator monitors the data center 140 by having the server management software 120 a console 155. In the event that the server management software 120 registers an erroneous or failed component, a technician may be dispatched to the data center 140. Instead of requiring control of multiple server front panels 55 with many status lights, the technician is presented with an array of unified bezel 60 with primary status indicators 65.

In addition, the master status indicator 65 may be associated with a group of servers 15 or a computer system rather than a single server 15. For example, in addition to being implemented on the meter bezel 60 for the server 15, a primary status indicator 65 may be implemented on the cabinet housing 145 as a cabinet status indicator 160. An enclosure status indicator 160 is a master status indicator associated with an entire enclosure 145 rather than a single server 15. Thus, the cabinet status indicator 160 has substantially the same functionality and operates in the same manner as the primary status indicator 65 described above. When the server management software detects an erroneous or failed component in one of the servers 15, the enclosure status indicators 160 associated with the enclosures 145 containing the affected server 15 will be appropriately illuminated to reflect the alarm condition. Thus, if any server 15 located in the enclosure 145 requires traffic, the enclosure status indicator 160 will reflect an alarm condition. If the server management software 120 reports that the status of all servers 15 installed on the enclosure 145 is normal, the enclosure status indicator 160 will reflect the normal operating status. The primary status indicator 65 and the cabinet status indicator 160 will enable the technician to respond to a service call more quickly.

In addition to being implemented on a bezel 60 and cabinet enclosure 145, a master status indicator may also be implemented such that a combinatorial library status indicator 165 for an entire combinatorial library 150 is a master status indicator associated with an entire combinatorial library 150 rather than a single server 15. Thus, the combined library status indicator 165 has substantially the same functionality and operates in the same manner as the master status indicator 65 described above. The combinatorial library status indicator 165 may be mounted on a selected cabinet housing 145, such as a cabinet 145 at the end of the combinatorial library 150. When the server management software detects an erroneous or failed component in one of the servers 15, the combinatorial library status indicator 165 associated with the combinatorial library 150 containing the affected server 15 will be appropriately illuminated to reflect the alarm condition. Thus, if any server 15 located in the combinatorial library 150 requires service, the combinatorial library status indicator 165 will reflect an alarm condition. If the server management software 120 reports that the status of all servers 15 located in the combinatorial library 150 is normal, the combinatorial library status indicator 165 will be reflected in the normal operating status. The combination of the primary status indicator 65, the cabinet status indicator 160, and the combinatorial library status indicator 165 allows a technician to more quickly locate and replace or repair the failed component.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a process for responding to a failed or faulty server 15 using the present disclosure. At step 170, the server management software 120 detects an error or failed component. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the failed component may be one hard disk drive for the server 205 located in the enclosure 145c of the combinatorial library 150 c. Next, at step 175, an alarm message is communicated to the monitoring console 155. The alarm status lights for a failed hard drive are appropriately illuminated. The primary status indicator 65 associated with the server 205 is also appropriately illuminated to reflect an alarm condition. If the combinatorial library status indicator 165 is implemented in the data center 140, the combinatorial library status indicator 165c is appropriately illuminated to reflect the alarm state because the server 205 is located in the combinatorial library 150 c. If the enclosure status indicator 160 is implemented in the data center 140, the enclosure status indicator 160c is appropriately illuminated to reflect the alarm state because the server 205 is located in the enclosure 145 c.

At step 180, a technician is assigned to the data center 140. The technician then locates 185 the combinatorial library 150 and enclosure 145 containing the server of the wrong or failed hard drive. As he passes each combinatorial library 150, the technician through the survey master status indicator 65 can quickly locate the combinatorial library 150 and enclosures 145 for the server 205. Because the primary status indicator 65 for the server 205 will be illuminated to reflect the alarm state while each of the other primary status indicators 65 are illuminated to reflect a normal operating state, the technician will be able to quickly discover the server 205. In addition, the technician may also quickly and easily locate the right combinatorial library 150 by first reconnaissance of the combinatorial status indicators 165 and discover the combinatorial library status indicator 165 c. Because the combinatorial library indicator 165c is appropriately illuminated to reflect the alarm condition, the technician will be able to readily recognize the indicator. Next, the technician may quickly and easily locate the right enclosure 145 by first surveying the enclosure status indicator 160 and find the combined status 160 c. Because the cabinet status indicator 160c is appropriately illuminated to reflect the alarm condition, the technician will be able to readily recognize the indicator.

Once the technician has located the correct combinatorial library 150c and cabinet 145c, it can easily locate the server 205, at step 190, by looking for the primary status indicator 65 that is illuminated to reflect an alarm condition. Next, at step 200, the technician removes or opens the bezel 60 for the server 205 to view the front panel 55 of the server 205. The technician may now view the status display for the server 205 and read the status message corresponding to the server 205. If a hard drive for the server 205 is installed on the front, the technician may also view status lights 40 for all hard drives 35 to locate a hard drive that has failed or is making a mistake. The technician can now replace the failed hard drive 35.

Because the primary status indicator 65 initially presents only one status indicator, the technician can quickly access the status of several servers 15 without checking the front panel of each server 15. In this way, a server 15 with a failed component can be quickly identified from a large set of servers 15. Based on the color and/or location of the primary status indicator 65 illumination, a technician can quickly determine whether a server component has malfunctioned. Implementing the master status indicator 65 allows status information to be uniformly located across all servers 15 in one data center 140 regardless of the server's structure and manufacturer. Because only one primary status indicator 65 needs to be positioned on one bezel 60, the primary status indicators 65 can be positioned uniformly across all bezels 60. The consistent location of the primary status indicator 65 also facilitates rapid assessment of server status. The primary status indicator 65 may be used on a server 15 having a small or narrow front panel 55 because the primary status indicator 65 has only a single indicator and it may also incorporate a logo or indicia that may not function as a space-limiting function. Moreover, because a corporate logo may be incorporated into the primary status indicator, the proper brand identification may be enhanced throughout normal status situations. In addition, the master status indicator 65 also allows for a uniform design across the entire data center regardless of the structure or manufacturer of the server, which also enhances name and trademark identification.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (96)

1. A computer system, comprising:

a housing;

an instrument bezel; and

a primary status indicator disposed on an outer surface of the bezel.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system,

further comprising a front panel; and

wherein the instrument front cover is mounted to substantially cover the front panel.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system,

wherein the computer system is operably coupled to one or more computer components; and

wherein the primary status indicator is operatively communicatively coupled to a server management software operative to monitor one or more computer components and determine if a component is malfunctioning or has failed.

4. The computer system of claim 3, wherein,

wherein the master status indicator is operable to be illuminated in a first state if no component is in error or has been in error; and

wherein the primary status indicator is operable to be illuminated in the second state if one of the components is malfunctioning or has failed.

5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the master status indicator is illuminated in a first status blue color.

6. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the master status indicator is illuminated in one of the first states in an extinguished state.

7. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the master status indicator is illuminated in an off state for the second state.

8. The computer system of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to,

wherein the primary status indicator comprises at least one of,

a normal state portion; and

an alarm status section.

9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the normal state portion and the alarm state portion appear as one component.

10. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the computer system,

wherein the normal state portion is operable to be illuminated if none of the components are faulty or have failed; and

the alarm status indicator is operable to be illuminated if a component is faulty or has failed.

11. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the normal state portion is operable to be illuminated in blue.

12. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the normal status section displays a company logo.

13. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the primary status indicator is prominently located on the bezel.

14. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the master status indicator is operable to rotate to remain horizontal.

15. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising a status display.

16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the computer system,

wherein the computer system is operably coupled to one or more computer components; and

wherein the status display is communicatively coupled to a server management software operable to monitor one or more computer components and determine if a component is or has been corrupted.

17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the status display is operable to display status information communicated from the server management software.

18. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the computer system,

wherein the status display is operable to be illuminated in a first state if no component is in error or has been in error; and

the status display is operable to be illuminated in the second state if a component is faulty or has been faulty.

19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein the status display is operable to be illuminated in blue if no component is in error or has been in error.

20. The computer system of claim 18, wherein the status display is operable to be illuminated for an extinguished condition of the first state.

21. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the computer system,

further comprising a front panel; and

wherein the status display is located on the front panel.

22. The computer system of claim 21, wherein the status display is activated when the bezel is opened.

23. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the computer system,

further comprising a back panel; and

wherein the status display is located on the back panel.

24. An enclosure operable to contain a plurality of computer systems, comprising

An outer surface; and

a primary status indicator on the outer surface.

25. The enclosure of claim 24

Wherein the computer system is operably coupled to one or more computer components; and

wherein the primary status indicator is operatively communicatively coupled to a server management software operative to monitor one or more computer components and determine if a component is malfunctioning or has failed.

26. The cabinet as defined in claim 25, wherein,

wherein the master status indicator is operable to be illuminated in a first state if no component is in error or has been in error; and

wherein the primary status indicator is operable to be illuminated in the second state if one of the components is malfunctioning or has failed.

27. The cabinet of claim 26 wherein the primary status indicator is illuminated in a first status blue.

28. The cabinet of claim 26 wherein the primary status indicator is illuminated in an off state in one of the first states.

29. The cabinet of claim 26 wherein the primary status indicator is illuminated in an off state for the second state.

30. The cabinet as set forth in claim 25, wherein,

wherein the primary status indicator comprises at least one of,

a normal state portion; and

an alarm status section.

31. The cabinet of claim 30 wherein the normal status portion and the alarm status portion appear as one component.

32. The cabinet as defined in claim 30, wherein,

wherein the normal state portion is operable to be illuminated if none of the components are faulty or have failed; and

the alarm status indicator is operable to be illuminated if a component is faulty or has failed.

33. The cabinet of claim 32 wherein the normal status indicator is blue illuminated if no component is in error or has been in error. .

34. The cabinet of claim 30 wherein the normal status section displays a company logo.

35. The cabinet of claim 30 wherein the primary status indicator is prominently located on the outer surface.

36. The enclosure of claim 30 further comprising a second master status indicator operably communicatively coupled to a server management software operable to monitor one or more computer components and determine if a component is faulty or has been faulty, wherein the computer components can be coupled to one or more computer systems contained in at least one successive enclosure.

37. A master status indicator, operably communicatively coupled to a server management software operable to monitor one or more computer components of a computer system and determine if a component is or has been corrupted,

wherein the master status indicator is operable to be illuminated in a first state if none of the components are faulty or have been faulty, and

wherein the master status indicator is operable to be illuminated in the second state if one of the components is or has been faulty.

38. The master status indicator of claim 37,

wherein the primary status indicator is operably mounted on a bezel, wherein the bezel is operably mounted to substantially cover a front panel of the computer system.

39. The primary status indicator of claim 38, wherein the primary status indicator is substantially disposed on the bezel.

40. The primary status indicator of claim 38, wherein the primary status indicator remains level with the reference level regardless of the orientation of the computer system.

41. The primary status indicator of claim 37, wherein the primary status indicator is operable to be illuminated in blue.

42. The primary status indicator of claim 37, wherein the primary status indicator is operable for an off state of the first status to be illuminated.

43. The primary status indicator of claim 37, wherein the primary status indicator is operable for an off state of the second status to be illuminated.

44. The primary status indicator of claim 37, further comprising

A normal state portion; and

an alarm status section.

45. The primary status indicator of claim 44, wherein the sections are present as one component.

46. The master status indicator of claim 44,

wherein if no component is faulty or has been faulty, the normal state portion is operable to be illuminated; and

the alarm condition indicator is operable to be illuminated if a component is or has been faulty.

47. The primary status indicator of claim 46, wherein the normal status portion is illuminated in blue.

48. The primary status indicator of claim 44 wherein the normal status portion displays a company logo.

49. A method for displaying status information of a computer system, wherein the computer system includes one or more computer components, and wherein the computer system includes a master status indicator communicably coupled to a server management software that monitors the computer components and determines whether a component is faulty or has been faulty, the method comprising the steps of:

illuminating the master status indicator in a first state if no component is in error or has been in error; and

if a component is faulty or has been faulty, the primary status indicator is illuminated in a second state.

50. The method of displaying status information of claim 49 wherein the primary status indicator is illuminated in the blue color for the first status.

51. The method for displaying status information of claim 49, wherein the primary status indicator is illuminated in an off state for the first status.

52. The method for displaying status information of claim 49, wherein the primary status indicator is illuminated in an off state for the second status.

53. The method for displaying status information of claim 49, wherein the primary status indicator is mounted on a bezel, wherein the bezel is mounted to substantially cover a front panel of the computer system.

54. The method for displaying status information of claim 53 wherein the primary status indicator is prominently positioned on the bezel.

55. The method for displaying status information of claim 49, wherein the master status further comprises

A normal state portion; and

an alarm status section.

56. The method for displaying status information of claim 55 wherein the step of illuminating the primary status indicator in the first state further comprises the step of illuminating a normal status portion.

57. The method for displaying status information of claim 55 wherein the step of illuminating the primary status indicator in the second state further comprises the step of illuminating an alarm status portion.

58. The method for displaying status information of claim 55, wherein the normal status portion displays a company logo.

59. The method for displaying status information as claimed in claim 49, wherein the computer system further comprises a status display communicatively coupled to the server management software and displaying the status information communicated from the server management software.

60. A method for displaying status information as in claim 59 further comprising the step of displaying the status information on a status display.

61. The method for displaying status information of claim 59, wherein the status display is operatively illuminated.

62. The method for displaying status information of claim 61 further comprising the step of

Illuminating the status display in a first state if no component is in error or has been in error; and

if a component is faulty or has been faulty, the status display is illuminated in a second state.

63. A method for displaying status information as in claim 62 wherein the status display is illuminated in blue for the first status.

64. The method for displaying status information of claim 62, wherein the status display is illuminated in an off state for the first status.

65. A method for displaying status information for a set of computer systems, wherein each computer system comprises one or more computer components, comprising the steps of:

providing a master status indicator communicatively coupled to a server management software to monitor computer components and determine if a component is or has been corrupted;

illuminating the master status indicator in a first state if no component is in error or has been in error; and

if a component is faulty or has been faulty, the primary status indicator is illuminated in a second state.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the primary status indicator is illuminated in a first status blue color.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the primary status indicator is illuminated in an off state for the first state.

68. The method of claim 65, wherein the primary status indicator is illuminated in an off state for the second state.

69. The method of claim 65, wherein the set of computer systems is mounted in a cabinet.

70. The method of claim 65 wherein the shuffled computer system is installed in a plurality of cabinets, the plurality of cabinets comprising a combinatorial library.

71. The method of claim 65, wherein the master state further comprises

A normal portion; and

an alarm portion.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the step of illuminating the primary status indicator in the first state further comprises the step of illuminating a normal status portion.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein the step of illuminating the primary status indicator in the second state further comprises the step of illuminating an alarm status portion.

74. The method of claim 71, wherein the normal status portion displays a company logo.

75. A computer system, comprising:

a housing; and

a primary status indicator disposed on an exterior surface of the housing.

76. The computer system of claim 75, wherein,

further comprising a front panel; and

wherein the primary status indicator is disposed on the front panel.

77. The computer system of claim 76, wherein the primary status indicator is prominently disposed on the front panel.

78. The computer system of claim 75, wherein,

wherein the computer system is operably coupled to one or more computer components; and

wherein the master status indicator is operably communicatively coupled to a computer server management software to monitor one or more computer components and determine if a component is or has been corrupted.

79. The computer system of claim 78, wherein,

wherein the master status indicator is operable to be illuminated in a first state if no component is in error or has been in error; and

the master status indicator is operable to be illuminated in the second state if a component is or has been tripped.

80. The computer system of claim 79, wherein the master status indicator is illuminated in a blue color for the first status.

81. The computer system of claim 79, wherein the master status indicator is illuminated in an off state for the first state.

82. The computer system of claim 79, wherein the master status indicator is illuminated in an off state for the second state.

83. The computer system of claim 78, wherein,

wherein the primary status indicator comprises at least one of,

a normal state portion; and

an alarm status section.

84. The computer system of claim 83, wherein the normal status portion and the alarm status portion appear as one component.

85. The computer system according to claim 83, wherein,

wherein if no component is faulty or has been faulty, the normal state portion is operable to be illuminated; and

the alarm condition indicator is operable to be illuminated if a component is or has been faulty.

86. The computer system of claim 85, wherein the normal state portion is operable to be illuminated in blue.

87. The computer system as recited in claim 85, wherein the normal status portion displays a company logo.

88. The computer system of claim 75, wherein the master status indicator is operable to rotate to remain horizontal.

89. The computer system of claim 75, further comprising a status display.

90. The computer system of claim 89, wherein,

wherein the computer system is operably coupled to one or more computer components; and

wherein the status display is communicatively coupled to a server management software operable to monitor one or more computer components and determine if a component is or has been corrupted.

91. The computer system of claim 90, wherein the status display is operable to display status information communicated from the server management software.

92. The computer system of claim 90, wherein,

wherein the status display is operable to be illuminated in a first state if no component is in error or has been in error; and

wherein the status display is operable to be illuminated in the second state if one of the components is or has been faulty.

93. The computer system of claim 92, wherein the status display is operable to be illuminated in blue if no component is in error or has been in error.

94. The computer system of claim 92, wherein the status display is illuminated in an extinguished state for the first state.

95. The computer system of claim 89, wherein,

further comprising a front panel; and

wherein the status display is located on the front panel.

96. The computer system of claim 89, wherein,

further comprising a back panel; and

wherein the status display is located on the back panel.