Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP

Paul Vu

John W Butler

Robert Teisberg

Guodong Zhang

Michael L Witkowski

Mike Witkowski

One embodiment describes a network system. The system includes a primary enclosure including a network switch system that includes a plurality of physical interface ports. A first one of the plurality of physical interface ports is to communicatively couple to a network. The system further includes a sub-enclosure comprising a network interface card (NIC) to which a computer system is communicatively coupled and a downlink extension module (DEM) that is communicatively coupled with the NIC and a second one of the plurality of physical interface ports of the network switch system to provide network connectivity of the computer system to the network via the network switch system.

Switch network architecture

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a system for auto-negotiation over extended backplane includes an enclosure and a switch external to the enclosure. The enclosure has a NIC (network interface controller) for a server in the enclosure and a DEM (downlink extension module). The DEM has a single DEM PHY connected to the NIC via a backplane and also connected to the switch via an external connection. The DEM PHY facilitates auto-negotiation between the switch and the NIC.

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Roseville, CA, United States of America

Paul Vu