Method and apparatus for routing data over a computer network
OwnerRobert E. Perrin, Keith A. Hoek SR.inventors
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for routing data, and more particularly to a novel backplane for use in a data routing device, said backplane being a passive backplane. The present invention is also directed to a data routing device employing such a novel passive backplane.
Claims42
A backplane board for use in a computer networking router comprising:
- a. a backplane board substrate having a plurality of electrical circuitry pathways;
- b. a plurality of electronic circuit board expansion slots located on said substrate and in data communication with said electrical pathways, each slot adapted to receive a network interface card and retain said network interface card spaced apart from but in a generally parallel plane with said backplane board substrate;
- and
- c. at least one electronic circuit board expansion slot adapted to receive a single board computer;
- wherein said backplane board is a passive backplane board.
A router comprising:
- a. a housing;
- b. a plurality of data communication ports accessible externally of said housing, said ports residing on and in data communication with a network interface card;
- c. a single board computer;
- and
- d. a passive backplane board interposed between said network interface card and said single board computer, said backplane board providing data communication between said network interface card and said single board computer, said backplane board comprising a backplane board substrate having a plurality of electrical circutry pathways, a network interface card-receiving electronic circuit board expansion slot located on said backplane board substrate for receiving said network interface card and in data communication with said electrical pathways, and a means for providing data communication between said backplane board and said single board computer;
- wherein said network interface card is retained within said network interface card-receiving electronic circuit board expansion slot in a spaced apart but generally parallel plane with said backplane board substrate and wherein said router housing is approximately one rack unit in height.
The router of claim 25 wherein said E2PROM memory chip is in data communication with said single board computer, said E2PROM memory chip further comprising a means for providing an identifying item to said single board computer, whereupon said single board computer upon receiving said identifying item permits a router employing said backplane board and said single board computer to operate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.