Reconfigurable dual master ide interface

Abstract

A dual-master data storage interface is disclosed which flexibly configures and connects data storage drives in the portable computer to optimize performance when the portable computer is operating in a stand-alone mode and to optimize accessibility to additional data storage drives when the portable computer is docked with an expansion unit. When the portable computer operates as a stand-alone unit (i.e., not docked to the expansion unit), each drive on the portable is configured to operate as a master drive to optimize performance. When the portable computer docks with the expansion unit, the first channel on the portable computer is connected via switches to both drives of the portable computer, while the second channel on the portable computer is disconnected. Further, the first data storage drive is configured as a master and the second data storage drive is configured as a slave drive on the portable computer side. Correspondingly, the drives located on the expansion base unit are reconfigured and remapped as master and slave drives on the second channel on the expansion base unit, while the first channel on the expansion base unit is disconnected.