Multiple-path interface card for interfacing multiple isolated interfaces to a storage system
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsAnthony J Benson, James J. deBlanc
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An interface card includes a plurality of data paths with each data path extending from a first connector to a second connector. The second connector for coupling to a bus backplane. One or more of the data paths include a transceiver that accesses signals in a first bus signaling type, an isolator/converter that mutually isolates the plurality of data paths and that converts signals from the first bus signaling type to a second bus signaling type, and a bridge coupled from a first data path to a second data path of the plurality of data paths. The bridge is capable of controlling communication of signals between the first data path and the second data path.
Claims28
An interface card comprising:
- a plurality of bus paths, each bus path extending from a first connector to a second
- connector, the second connector for coupling to bus backplane;
- one or more of the bus paths including:
- a transceiver that accesses signals in a first bus signaling type;
- an isolator/converter that mutually isolates the plurality of bus paths and that converts signals from the first bus signaling type to a second bus signaling type;
- and
- a bridge coupled from a first bus path to a second bus path of the plurality of bus paths, the bridge being capable of controlling communication of signals between the first bus path and the second bus path.
A dual-channel bus controller card comprising:
- a first bus path extending from a host end to a backplane end, the first bus path including:
- a first high density connector coupled to the host end of the first bus path;
- a first transceiver coupled to the first bus path adjacent to the first high density connector;
- a first isolator/converter coupled to the first bus path adjacent to the first transceiver;
- and
- a first backplane connector coupled to the backplane end of Sac first bus path and adjacent to the first isolator/converter;
- and
- a second bus path extending from a host end to a backplane end, the second bus path including:
- a second high density connector coupled tot he host end of the second bus path;
- a second transceiver coupled to the second bus path adjacent to the second high density connector;
- a second isolator/converter coupled tot the second bus path adjacent to the second transceiver;
- and
- a second backplane connector coupled to the backplane end of the second bus path and adjacent to the second isolator/converter.
An interface apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of data paths, each data path extending from a first connector to a second connector, the second connector for coupling to a bus backplane;
- one or more of the data paths including:
- means for accessing signals in a first bus signaling type;
- means for mutually isolating the plurality of data paths;
- means for converting signals from the first bus signaling type to a second bus signaling type;
- and
- means for controlling communication of signals between the first data path and the second data path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.