Data storage system with parallel array of dense memory cards and high airflow

Abstract

A data storage system with a parallel array of dense memory cards and high airflow is described. In one example, a rack-mount enclosure has a horizontal plane board with memory connectors and external interfaces. Memory cards each have a connector to connect to a respective memory connector of the horizontal plane board, each memory card extending parallel to each other memory card from the front of the enclosure and extending orthogonally from the first side of the horizontal plane board. A power supply proximate the rear of the enclosure and the first side of the horizontal plane board provides power to the memory cards through the memory card connectors and has a fan to pull air from the front of the enclosure between the memory cards and to push air out the rear of the enclosure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure configured to mount in a rack, the enclosure having a front configured to receive airflow and a rear configured for cabling;   a horizontal plane board in the enclosure having a plurality of memory connectors and a plurality of external interfaces, the horizontal plane board having a first side and a second opposite side;   a plurality of memory cards, each having a connector to connect to a respective memory connector of the horizontal plane board, each memory card extending parallel to each other memory card from the front of the enclosure and extending orthogonally from the first side of the horizontal plane board;   a power supply proximate the rear of the enclosure and the first side of the horizontal plane board to provide power to the memory cards through the memory card connectors and having a fan to pull air from the front of the enclosure between the memory cards and to push air out the rear of the enclosure; and   a cabling interface at the rear of the enclosure coupled to the external connectors.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the memory cards each comprise a plurality of memory chips and a memory controller chip coupled to each of the memory chips and to the connector. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the memory cards each comprise an external heat sink to transfer heat from the memory chips to air flowing between the memory cards. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan proximate the front of the enclosure to receive the airflow and push air between the memory cards to the rear of the enclosure to cool the memory cards. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan between the memory cards and the power supply to receive the airflow, to pull air between the memory cards, and to push air to the rear of the enclosure to cool the memory cards. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal plane board is a midplane board, the apparatus further comprising a switching fabric interface proximate the rear of the enclosure, the switching fabric interface coupled to the external interface of the midplane board and having cabling interfaces at the rear of the enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the external interface of the midplane board provides multiple lanes of a peripheral component interface and wherein the switching fabric cabling interfaces comprise Ethernet cabling. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a system board and a computing platform mounted to the system board and wherein the switching fabric is mounted to the system board. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the memory cards are above the first side of the horizontal plane board and wherein the power supply is at a level within the enclosure above the horizontal plane board to draw air across the memory cards. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the memory cards and the power supply are at a first level within the enclosure, the apparatus further comprising a switch fabric coupled to the memory cards and having an external cabling interface, and a computing device coupled to the switch fabric, wherein the switch fabric and the computing device are at a second level within the enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the horizontal plane board is between the first level and the second level. 
     
     
         12 . A rack-mountable enclosure comprising:
 a memory card zone proximate a front of the enclosure to carry a plurality of parallel memory cards, the cards extending from a position proximate the front of the enclosure toward the rear of the enclosure;   a switching zone proximate the front of the enclosure and connected to the memory cards to carry a switch fabric; and   a power supply and management zone between the memory card zone and a rear of the enclosure to carry a power supply to power the memory cards and the switch fabric and a platform management controller.   
     
     
         13 . The enclosure of  claim 12 , further comprising a rear fan zone between the power supply and management zone and the rear of the enclosure to pull air from the memory card zone out the rear of the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The enclosure of  claim 12 , further comprising a front fan zone between the memory cards and the front of the enclosure to push air from outside the enclosure to the memory card zone. 
     
     
         15 . The enclosure of  claim 12 , further comprising an intermediate fan zone between the memory cards and the power supply and management zone. 
     
     
         16 . The enclosure of  claim 12 , further comprising a compute zone proximate the rear of the enclosure and coupled to the switch fabric to carry a computing system. 
     
     
         17 . The enclosure of  claim 12 , further comprising a horizontal midplane board connected to the memory cards and wherein the memory cards are orthogonal to the horizontal midplane board. 
     
     
         18 . An all flash memory array chassis comprising;
 an enclosure configured to mount in a rack, the enclosure having a front configured to receive airflow and a rear configured for cabling;   a horizontal plane board in the enclosure having a plurality of memory connectors to connect to a plurality of orthogonally mounted parallel memory cards and a plurality of external interfaces, the horizontal plane board having a first side and a second opposite side;   a power supply proximate the rear of the enclosure and the first side of the horizontal plane board to provide power to the memory cards through the memory card connectors and having a fan to pull air from the front of the enclosure between the memory cards and to push air out the rear of the enclosure;   a switch fabric card coupled to the external interfaces of the horizontal plane board to couple the memory cards to external devices; and   a cabling interface at the rear of the switch fabric coupled to the external connectors.   
     
     
         19 . The chassis of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of fans attached to the horizontal plane board to pull air between the memory cards and to push air to the rear of the enclosure to cool the memory cards. 
     
     
         20 . The chassis of  claim 18 , wherein the memory cards, the switch fabric, and the power supply are at a first level within the enclosure, the apparatus further comprising a compute module coupled to the memory cards and having an external cabling interface, wherein the computing device are at a second level within the enclosure, and the horizontal plane board is between the first level and the second level.