US5841997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for effecting port switching of fibre channel loops
Assignee: EMC Corp
•
Filing: 1995-09-29
•
Granted: 1998-11-24
•
Expires: 2015-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A fibre channel disk drive operating system configures a plurality of disk drives into a fibre channel drive loop. The system also provides plurality of disk drive controllers, and a software controlled switching circuit electrically connecting the disk drive controllers to the disk drives which are arranged in the fibre channel drive loop in varying selected configurations. The switching circuit has a plurality of switch elements arranged for selectively electrically connecting each fibre channel drive loop to a selected controller. Each switch element in a first mode of operation passes electrical signals in a through direction and in a second mode of operation passes electrical signals in a second bypass direction. Thereby each fibre channel drive loop is electrically connected to a selected one of disk drive controllers prior to operation of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Bleiweiss
- 👤 Brian Gallagher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4004; G06F13/4022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A fibre channel communications sub-system comprising a plurality of channel devices arranged in a plurality of channel loops, a plurality of channel controllers, a software controlled switching circuit electrically connecting the channel controllers to the fibre channel loops in varying selected configurations, said circuit comprising a plurality of switch elements arranged in a matrix-like configuration having controller loops connected to the channel controllers and drive loops connected to the channel devices, for selectively electrically connecting, under software control, each drive loop to a selected controller loop, and each switch element, in a first mode of operation, passing electrical communication signals in one through direction, and in a second mode of operation, passing electrical communication signals in a second bypass direction, whereby each drive loop is electrically connected to a selected one of said channel controllers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A fibre channel communications sub-system comprising a plurality of channel devices arranged in a plurality of channel loops, a plurality of channel controllers, a software controlled switching circuit electrically connecting the channel controllers to the fibre channel loops in varying selected configurations, said circuit comprising a plurality of switch elements arranged in a matrix-like configuration having controller loops connected to the channel controllers and drive loops connected to the channel devices, for selectively electrically connecting, under software control, each drive loop to a selected controller loop, and each switch element, in a first mode of operation, passing electrical communication signals in one through direction, and in a second mode of operation, passing electrical communication signals in a second bypass direction, whereby each drive loop is electrically connected to a selected one of said channel controllers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each switch element comprises a first and a second loop resiliency circuit interconnected to effect a cross-point switching capability.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
A fibre channel disk drive sub-system comprising a plurality of disk drives arranged in a plurality of channel loops, a plurality of disk drive controllers, a software controlled switching circuit electrically connecting the disk drive controllers to the fibre channel loops in varying selected configurations, said circuit comprising a plurality of switch elements arranged in a matrix-like configuration having controller loops connected to the drive controllers and drive loops connected to the disk drives, for selectively electrically connecting, under software control, each drive loop to a selected controller loop, and each switch element, in a first mode of operation, passing electrical communication signals in one through direction, and in a second mode of operation, passing electrical communication signals in a second bypass direction, whereby each drive loop is electrically connected to a selected one of said disk drive controllers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
A fibre channel disk drive sub-system comprising a plurality of disk drives arranged in a plurality of channel loops, a plurality of disk drive controllers, a software controlled switching circuit electrically connecting the disk drive controllers to the fibre channel loops in varying selected configurations, said circuit comprising a plurality of switch elements arranged in a matrix-like configuration having controller loops connected to the drive controllers and drive loops connected to the disk drives, for selectively electrically connecting, under software control, each drive loop to a selected controller loop, and each switch element, in a first mode of operation, passing electrical communication signals in one through direction, and in a second mode of operation, passing electrical communication signals in a second bypass direction, whereby each drive loop is electrically connected to a selected one of said disk drive controllers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 3 wherein each switch element comprises a first and a second bypass switch interconnected to effect a cross-point switching capability.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 4 wherein each bypass switch is a loop resiliency circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 3 wherein each switch element comprises a first and second loop resiliency circuit, said loop resiliency circuits being connected back to back with bypass connections of each circuit being connected in a series bypass configuration with one of said controller loops and one of said drive loops.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 3 further comprising each disk drive having a first communications port and a second communications port, and each port being in electrical communications with one of said drive loops.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-23 | 2002-05-25 | 2002-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-23 | 2006-05-25 | 2006-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-23 | 2010-05-25 | 2010-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |