Flexible system architecture with common interface for multiple system functions
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorKenneth Okin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed that define a new, uniform I/O (input/output) interface architecture between the processor module and the motherboard of a computer system, and between the motherboard and expansion boards, via uniform connectors designed to work with the new architecture, such that many different pin-outs are available to the processor module, the interface being dynamically configurable by component control logic of the processor module. Positioning of supplemental connectors (e.g. for I/O or communications) on edges of the cards defines an unimpeded airflow path allowing for efficient cooling of the system.
Claims18
A computer system, including:
- a motherboard;
- a processor module including at least one processor, a plurality of component logic modules, a component control module, and an I/O interface configured to communicate with the motherboard;
- and
- a plurality of connector slots connected to the motherboard, each slot including at least a subset of substantially identical connector pins configured to connect with an expansion board for the system;
- wherein the component control module includes logic configured to accommodate a plurality of different types of expansion boards, and the connector slots are configured to interchangeably accommodate any of the processor module and the plurality of different types of expansion boards.
A computer system, including:
- a motherboard;
- a plurality of connector slots connected to the motherboard and having respective sets of connector pins, at least a subset of the connector pins substantially identically configured to connect with a plurality of types expansion boards for the system;
- a processor module including at least one processor, a plurality of component logic modules, an I/O interface configured to communicate with the motherboard, and component control module logic configured to identify the different types of expansion boards, and to dynamically configure the I/O interface in accordance with such identification;
- and
- at least one such expansion board connected to one of the connector slots, the expansion board including at least one supplemental connector positioned along a first edge of the expansion board opposite a second edge of the expansion board which is positioned adjacent the motherboard.
A processor module configured to operating in conjunction with a processor-based system having a plurality of substantially uniform expansion board connectors configured to receive different types of expansion boards, including:
- at least one processor;
- an I/O interface configured to communicate with the processor-based system;
- and
- a component control module configured to identify a function type for an expansion board coupled to one of the expansion board connectors, and to dynamically configure the I/O interface to accommodate the identified function type.
A method for dynamically configuring an I/O interface between a processor module and a motherboard of a computer system, including the steps of:
- configuring the I/O interface in a standardized manner to accommodate a plurality of different types of expansion boards for the system;
- identifying the type of an expansion board that is connected to the motherboard;
- and
- configuring the I/O interface in a particularized manner to communicate with the connected expansion card.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.