EP0726528A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interconnection network for a multi-nodal data processing system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-01-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-01-25
Abstract
Abstract An interconnection network is proposed which preferably comprises a pair of backplanes 10, 12 for receiving X pluggable node cards. The pair of backplanes include x backplane connector groups, each backplane connector group adapted to receive mating connectors from a pluggable node card. Each backplane connector group preferably includes X/2 connectors. A first backplane 10 includes first permanent wiring 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 which interconnects a first subset of pairs of connectors between backplane connector groups. A second backplane 12 includes second permanent wiring 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 which interconnects a second subset of pairs of connectors between backplane connector groups. The first permanent wiring and second permanent wiring connect complementary subsets of pairs of the connectors. A plurality of node cards, each including a card connector group, pluggably mate with the backplane connector groups. Each node card further includes a frontal connector that is adapted to receive a cable interconnection. Each node card includes a processor and a switch module which simultaneously connects the processor to at least plural connectors of a backplane connector group.
Inventors
- 👤 Narasimhareddy L. Annapareddy
- 👤 Damon W. Finney
- 👤 Michael Owen Jenkins
- 👤 Larry Burton Kessler
- 👤 Donald John Lang
- 👤 David Nick Mora
- 👤 Song Chyau Liang
- 👤 David Arthur Plomgren
- 👤 Peter P. Urbisci
- 👤 Andrew D. Walls
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An interconnection network comprising: backplane means (10, 12) for receiving X pluggable node cards (14), and comprising X backplane connector groups, each backplane connector group adapted to receive mating connectors from a pluggable node card, said backplane means (10, 12) including first permanent wiring (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) which provides a first set of interconnections between a first subset of pairs of connectors in said backplane connector groups and second permanent wiring (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) which provides a second set of interconnections between a second subset of pairs of connectors in said backplane connector groups, each pair of connectors comprising a connector in one backplane connector group and a connector in another backplane connector group, said first set of interconnections and second set of interconnections interconnecting complementary pairs of said connectors; a plurality of node cards (14), each including a card connector group (16, 18, 20, 22) for pluggably mating with a backplane connector group, each node card further including at least an additional connector (64) adapted to receive a cable interconnection; processor means (62) positioned on each node card (14); and switch means (60) on each node card (14) for simultaneously connecting said processor means (62) to at least two or more connectors of a card connector group.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
The interconnection network as claimed in claim 1, wherein X=2 N and when at least N node cards are pluggably mated to said backplane means (10, 12), said switch means (60) on each said at least N node cards are controlled to enable communications through at least N connectors in each backplane connector group.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The interconnection network as claimed in claim 2, wherein when from 2 to X-1 node cards (14) are pluggably mated to said backplane means, switch means (60) on at least two said node (14) cards enable communications through said additional connector (64) on each said two node cards.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The interconnection network as claimed in claim 2, wherein when X node cards are pluggably mated to said backplane means (10, 12), said switch means (60) on said X node cards enable communications only through connectors pluggably mated to said backplane means (10, 12).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interconnection network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each backplane connector group includes X/2 connectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
The interconnection network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said backplane means (10, 12) comprises: a first backplane (10) including one half (A, B) of the connectors in each said connector group (A, B, C D) and further including said first permanent wiring (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34), and wherein said one half of the connectors on said first backplane include said first subset of connectors; and a second backplane (12) including a second half (C, D) of the connectors in each said connector group (A, B, C, D) and further including said second permanent wiring (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52), and wherein said second half of the connectors on said second backplane include said second subset of connectors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The interconnection network as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first permanent wiring includes first power circuits connected to each said first subset of connectors and said second permanent wiring includes second power circuits connected to each said second subset of connectors, said first power circuits and second power circuits being independent of each other to enable continued power delivery to a node card (14) in the event of disablement of said first (10) or second (12) backplane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The interconnection network as claimed in claim 7, wherein X=8 and each backplane connector group includes four pluggable connectors, two said connectors mounted on said first backplane (10) and two said connectors mounted on said second backplane (12), said first subset of connectors comprising connectors on said first backplane in each of four backplane connector groups and said second subset of connectors comprising connectors on said second backplane in each of four complementary backplane connector groups.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The interconnection network as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, further comprising: rear connector means positioned on a rear surface of each said first backplane (10) and said second backplane (12) and in registration with each connector that is not connected to another connector via said permanent wiring, said rear connector means enabling interconnection of said connectors via external cable wiring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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