High speed multiple ported bus interface port state identification system

A dual ported bus interface comprising:

• first and second front end ports capable of connecting to host bus adapters;
• first and second backplane connectors for coupling to one or more buses on the backplane;
• interconnections including a bridge connection for coupling signals from the first and second front end ports through to the backplane buses;
• a monitor that monitors term power, a differential sense signal, and connectivity states for the first and second front end ports;
• and
• a controller that identifies port state based on the monitored term power, a differential sense signal, and connectivity states.

A method of identifying port state for a dual ported bus interface comprising:

• connecting to first and second front end ports of the dual ported bus interface;
• monitoring term power, a differential sense signal, and connectivity states for the first and second front end ports;
• and
• identifying port state based on the monitored term power, a differential sense signal, and connectivity states.

A dual ported bus interface comprising:

• means for connecting to host bus adapters;
• means coupled to the connecting means for coupling to one or more buses on the backplane;
• means for interconnecting signals from the first and second front end ports through to the backplane buses, the signal interconnecting means further comprising means for bridging between the first and second isolator/expanders;
• means for monitoring term power, a differential sense signal, and connectivity states for the first and second front end ports;
• and
• means for identifying port state based on the monitored term power, a differential sense signal, and connectivity states.