Digital Equipment Corporation

Eurologic Systems Limited

Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Richmount Computers Limited

Reuben Michael Martinez

Timothy G Lieber

Ralph M Tusler

Mark S Lewis

Timothy J Morris

Brian J Purvis

Odie Banks Killen, Jr

Kevin J Lonergan

Barrie Jeremiah Mullins

Lori A Treseder

Michael J Hynes

Hans O'Sullivan

Mike Stolz

An enclosure services processor card is arranged to selectively split a fiber-channel arbitrated-loop (FC-AL) into two split loops. The card is adapted to plug into a backplane for a rack enclosure and includes a first switch operatively connected to a hub for the FC-AL. The hub comprises a plurality of port bypass circuits, each port bypass circuit being connected to a pair of tracks which in use connect to a respective one of each of the devices comprising the fiber channel arbitrated loop. The hub further comprises a pair of switches operatively controlled by the first switch, the pair of switches being disposed between respective port bypass circuits at which the loop is to be split. In a first state the pair of switches connect the devices in a single loop and in a second state the pair of switches divide the devices into two split loops.

Fiber-channel arbitrated-loop split loop operation

A power supply unit controller for a rack enclosure in which a plurality of devices communicate via a backplane is disclosed. The controller reads signal(s) indicative of output supply level(s) being provided to the backplane by a power supply unit associated the the power supply unit controller and stores value(s) associated with the signal(s). The controller further stores a scaling value associated with a respective signal and dependent on the power supply unit, and a power supply unit serial number. The controller is responsive to a request from an SES processor to return a state of the associated power supply unit to the SES processor, the state including a combination of: a summary of the current status of the power supply unit, the value (s), the scaling value(s), and the power supply unit serial number, according to the SES processor request.

Method for providing a device communicating to a backplane the current status of an associated power supply unit connected to the backplane

In a high-performance data storage system, an enclosure contains a multiplicity of disk drives, each of which has two high-speed serial data ports. Respective data lines are provided which connect each of the data ports with a respective high-speed data multiplexer. Importantly, each of the multiplexers is also connected with each of two distinct I/O modules. Failure of either I/O module still permits the remaining I/O module to have serial high-speed connectivity with each of the multiplexers, and thus with each of the data ports on each disk drive. Finally, the overall function of the system may be selected as JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Drives), as SAN (Storage Area Network), or NAS (Network Attached Storage), without requiring any mechanical or electronic change other than the I/O modules.

Storage apparatus

A system and method for automatically mapping on a computer display a graphical representation of a physical arrangement of a plurality of computer components in one or more cabinets, each cabinet having one or more shelves for housing the computer components. The status of the components is periodically monitored and the computer display updated accordingly. A graphical user interface is provided for user observation of the physical arrangement and status of computer components in the cabinets, as well as user control of the operational parameters of the components.

Automatic mapping, monitoring, and control of computer room components

A low static enclosure has an interior for holding an electronic device therein. The electronic device has opposing walls each having a guide rail thereon. The enclosure has a bottom, a top, and a backplane between the bottom and top at their respective back edges. The backplane has an electric connector on its interior surface. The bottom and top each have a flat continuous interior facing surface with a groove extending from the front edge to the back edge. The grooves on the bottom and top are for cooperation with the guide rails on the opposing walls of the electronic device to slide the electronic device along the bottom and top respectively so that an electric connector on the electronic device mates with the electric connector on the interior surface of the backplane. The flat continuous interior facing surfaces of the bottom and top discourage ESD between the surfaces and the electronic device.

Reduced static raid enclosure

A system and method for determining the physical presence, proper electrical coupling and predetermined identifying characteristics and attributes of various computer system elements and components, including both fixed and removable modules such as field replaceable units ('FRUs'), utilizing a minimum number of signal lines per component. In a preferred embodiment, a voltage divider is established between a first resistance in an environmental monitoring unit ('EMU') and a second resistance in an associated FRU wherein a voltage level taken intermediate the first and second resistances is indicative of a particular FRU attribute.

System and method for determining attributes and coupling

An apparatus is provided to reduce the amount of EMI generated by a circuit. The grounding of an enclosure is improved by providing a number of shaped protuberances, the protuberances having an end that penetrates a conductive region of a circuit board, such that when the circuit board is mounted to the support member, the protuberances make a penetrating electrical contact and provides for additional ground paths, thereby reducing the EMI generated by the assembly.

Grounding for enclosures

Automatic shelf-to-shelf address assignment is provided for a plurality of disk drive supporting shelves that are removably contained within a multi--shelf cabinet. Error detection apparatus detects failure in the automatic assignment of shelf addresses. An address input of shelf-N receives a shelf addressing voltage from shelf N+1. Shelf-N checks to ensure that the received shelf-N address voltage is within a correct range. Where-N now increases its shelf-N address by one and applies this incremented address to an address input of shelf-N+1. Accuracy of the shelf-N+1 address input is checked, as are the cable/connectors that connect shelf-N to shelf-N+1. ADC and ADC techniques are used, and operation of the automatic address assignment system is timed.

Automatic disk drive shelf address assignment and error detection method

This disclosure pertains to an apparatus and method of providing EMI shielding for an electrical component. The apparatus includes an elastomeric gasket, which is coated with a conductive jacket, and which is mounted on the backplane of a cabinet, the backplane providing EMI shielding. The cabinet is adapted for the insertion of a plurality of electrical components, such as disk drives, tape drives, and power supplies, which themselves are mounted in a rigid frame member. The frame member includes EMI shielding for the components on five of their six sides. The sixth side is unshielded, due to the fact that it contains the electrical connector used to connect the component to the backplane of the cabinet, when the frame member is inserted in the cabinet. With the frame member providing shielding on five sides, and the backplane providing shielding for the sixth side, the gasket serves the purpose of establishing an electrical seal between the frame member and the backplane of the cabinet.

EMI shielding for components

A simple, low cost, reduced tolerance interconnect enclosure in which a blind m A siVpV:interconnect between modules and the backplane may be guaranteed without the need for assembly fixtures or floating connectors, and a method of manufacturing the enclosure. The enclosure includes two matching enclosure sections for holding a backplane. The backplane has spaced apart recesses on opposing edges. Each enclosure section includes alignment protrusions spaced apart to engage the backplane recesses. These protrusions have curved apex regions and a height greater than the depth of the backplane recesses. Means for latching the enclosure sections together are provided, and the enclosure sections are dimensioned such that when the enclosure sections are closed around the backplane, the protrusions from the enclosure sections are urged against the recesses on the backplane. The resulting multi-point-of-contact interference fit between the backplane recesses and alignment protrusions automatically centers the backplane in the shelf. The process for manufacturing the enclosure includes the steps of drilling holes in a panel and routing the backplanes from the panel such that the routing path crosses the drilled holes, creating recesses on the backplane edges. The enclosure sections are manufactured according to a unitary injection molded plastic process.

Growing community of inventors

Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Reuben Michael Martinez