International Business Machines Corporation

Ralph John Gerlach

Scott Lyon Porter

Dale Arthur Legband

Larry W Holmstrom

Alan J Fleming

Robert M Fiorenza

John C Pace

A method and system for autoconfiguring redundant arrays of memory storage devices contained within receptacles having one or more slots containing hardware sufficient to accept and electrically communicate with such memory storage devices. The capacities of the memory storage device receptacles for accepting memory storage devices are determined, and used to define an initial positioning of devices in at least one memory storage device receptacle. One or more asymmetrical groupings of memory storage devices is defined to permit an equation of electrically detected relative positions of the memory storage devices with actual physical positions within the receptacle. Thereafter, additional devices are added into the receptacles such that the ability to equate electrically detected relative positions of the devices with physical positions is preserved.

Method and system for automatically configuring redundant arrays of disk

A system for controlling a plurality of machine tools in which the central processor communicates data transactions to and from a plurality of tool controllers, each of which is operatively associated with a machine tool. Each of the controllers comprises at least one machine tool control unit which is adapted to provide a digital output to the associated machine tool for controlling a particular tool function and/or for receiving from the machine tool a digital input indicative of a particular tool condition. The central processor has connected thereto a main multiple-channel data bus for conducting data transactions by transferring parallel bits of data to and from the processor. The system also includes a plurality of multiple-channel unit data buses, each of which is connected to one of the tool control units. Data distribution apparatus in the system couple the unit data buses to the main data bus from the processor and serve to distribute the processor transactions to and from the specific tool functions of the controlled machine tools. This data distribution apparatus includes means responsive to a set of distribution signals from the central processor for selectively activating one of the tool control units and for selectively activating only the data path from the main data bus through the unit data bus which is connected to the particular selected tool control unit. The data distribution apparatus also includes means for maintaining only this activated path open through said main data bus to the central processor and for maintaining all other data paths through unit data buses which are connected to unselected tool control units closed until the central processor issues the next set of distribution signals for selectively activating another tool control unit. In accordance with another aspect of the system, at least one of said tool controllers has means for completing a tool function initiated by a data transaction from the central processor after the data transaction is completed and the processor is no longer in communication with said tool controller.

Computer controlled distribution apparatus for distributing transactions

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Ralph John Gerlach