Tekelec

Gary Conly Messer

Robert L Wallace

Phillip C Jerzak

Thomas L Bonds, Jr

Donald Wayne Prather

A method and system are described for distributing at least one clock signal between shelves in a multi-shelf modular computing system includes a clock signal generator for generating a first clock signal, an inter-shelf bus for carrying the first clock signal to a second shelf, and a first shelf manager module, associated with the second shelf, for receiving and regenerating the first clock signal and providing the regenerated first clock signal to at least one module within the second shelf. A system and method for detecting a location of a fault in an inter-shelf bus in a multi-shelf modular computing system is also disclosed. A power source applies a bias between at least two conductors of the inter-shelf bus. At least one module detects the applied bias to determine if a fault is located between the at least one shelf and the power source.

Methods and systems for clock signal distribution and fault location detection in a multi-shelf modular computing system

A method for connecting an externally accessible shared serial port to one of a plurality of target serial ports is provided. The target serial ports are associated with a plurality of different application cards within a shelf assembly. The method includes receiving, from an external device connected to an externally accessible shared serial port, a request for a connection between the externally accessible shared serial port and one of a plurality of target serial ports within a shelf assembly associated with a plurality of different application cards, and determining whether shelf resources are available to connect the externally accessible shared serial port to the requested target serial port. In response to determining that shelf resources are available, the externally accessible shared serial port is connected to the requested target serial port.

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Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Gary Conly Messer