Patent attributes
An apparatus and method for connecting servers within a rack-mounted server system. In one embodiment, a plurality of servers are positioned in respective bays of a rack. The bays generally constrain adjacent servers in a generally fixed spacing and in face-to-face alignment. A first server is moved within its bay relative to a second server until a connector on the first server is aligned with a mating connector on the second server. Alignment of the two mating connectors is detected by a position sensor, such as an LED-photodiode pair. A signal from the position sensor causes or at least allows the first and second connectors to be moved toward one another, either using a motor or a hand-actuated mechanism, to provide power and data communication between the servers. Once the connection is established, data is optionally transmitted via the optical sensor.
