Back to results
US 2008/0168257 A1Published application
Interface assembly for coupling a host to multiple storage devices
OwnerGlenn Lawrence Marks, Terry G. Sutherland +2inventors
InventorsGlenn Lawrence Marks, Terry G. Sutherland, Sean R. Lever, James P. Young
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In some embodiments, a storage processor interface assembly includes a circuit board supporting a storage processor, first and second standard compliant power connectors, and first, second, and third standard compliant data connectors. The second power connector and the second data connector are positioned such that they may mate with corresponding standard compliant power and data connectors on a storage device. The storage processor is capable of operating with the second and third data connectors in at least one of a mirrored memory mode and a storage expansion mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Claims38
A storage processor interface assembly comprising:
- a storage processor on a circuit board;
- an input power connector and an output power connector, each attached to the circuit board and each standard compliant, the input power connector configured to carry a power signal from a host to the storage processor and the output power connector configured to pass through the power signal;
- a plurality of standard compliant data connectors supported by the circuit board, the plurality including one input data connector configured to carry a data signal between a controller of the host and the storage processor and a plurality of output data connectors configured to carry a data signal between the storage processor and one or more storage devices;
- wherein the storage processor is capable of operating with the plurality of output data connectors in at least one of a mirrored memory mode and a storage expansion mode.
1 more element
A storage processor interface assembly comprising:
- an enclosure to hold a circuit board, the circuit board physically coupled to each of a storage processor, an input power connector and a plurality of standard compliant data connectors, wherein the enclosure includes openings such that the plurality of connectors are available to be mated with connectors of cables outside the enclosure;
- wherein the input power connector is configured to carry a power signal from a host to the storage processor;
- wherein the plurality of data connectors includes one input data connector configured to carry a data signal between a controller of the host and the storage processor and a plurality of output data connectors configured to carry a data signal between the storage processor and one or more storage devices;
- wherein the storage processor is capable of operating with the plurality of output data connectors in at least one of a mirrored memory mode and a storage expansion mode;
- and
- wherein the only data signal interfaces to the enclosure are the plurality of data connectors.
3 more elements
A storage processor interface assembly comprising:
- an enclosure to hold a circuit board, the circuit board physically coupled to each of a storage processor, an input power connector and a plurality of standard compliant data connectors, wherein the enclosure includes openings such that the plurality of connectors are available to be mated with connectors of cables outside the enclosure;
- wherein the input power connector is configured to carry a power signal from a host to the storage processor;
- wherein the plurality of data connectors includes one input data connector configured to carry a data signal between a controller of the host and the storage processor and a plurality of output data connectors configured to carry a data signal between the storage processor and one or more storage devices;
- and
- wherein the storage processor is capable of operating with the second and third plurality of output data connectors in at least one of a mirrored memory mode and a storage expansion mode.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a first storage device including standard compliant power and data connectors rigidly affixed and spaced apart from one another;
- and
- a storage processor interface assembly external to the first storage device comprising:
- a circuit board supporting a storage processor;
- an input power connector and an output power connector, each attached to the circuit board and each standard compliant, the input power connector configured to carry a power signal from a host to the storage processor and the output power configured to pass through the power signal;
- a plurality of standard compliant data connectors supported by the circuit board, the plurality including one input data connector configured to carry a data signal between a controller of the host and the storage processor and a plurality of output data connectors configured to carry a data signal between the storage processor and one or more storage devices;
- wherein the output power connector and a first output data connector are rigidly affixed to the circuit board and spaced apart from one another such that they mate with the power and data connectors of the first storage device;
- and
- wherein the storage processor is capable of operating with the plurality of output data connectors in at least one of a mirrored memory mode and a storage expansion mode to mirror or partition the data signal output from the host controller between the first storage device and at least a second storage device.
6 more elements
A system comprising:
- first, second, and third cables each including first and second standard compliant data connectors;
- a host computer with a host storage controller, the host storage controller mated with the first data connector of the first cable, and a first storage device coupled to the first data connector of the second cable;
- and
- a storage processor interface assembly external to the first storage device and the host computer comprising:
- an enclosure to hold a circuit board, the circuit board supporting each of a storage processor, an input power connector, and a plurality of standard compliant data connectors, wherein the enclosure includes openings such that the input power connector mates the storage processor with power from the host computer, a first connector of the circuit board mates the storage processor with the host storage controller via the second connector of the first cable, a second connector of the circuit board mates the storage processor with the first storage device via the second connector of the second cable, and a third connector of the circuit board mates the storage processor with at least a second storage device via the second connector of the third cable;
- and
- wherein the storage processor is capable of operating with the second and third data connectors in at least one of a mirrored memory mode and a storage expansion mode to mirror or expand the data signal output from the host controller across the first storage device and at least a second storage device.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.