Methods and apparatus for interconnecting independent fibre channel fabrics
US6529963B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/357
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for interconnecting a plurality of interdependent fiber channel loops or fabrics. The system preferably comprises a first server which includes a PCI bus and a fibre channel to PCI bus adapter for each one of the plurality of the independent fibre channels. Each fibre channel to PCI bus adapter is configured to connect one of the plurality fibre channels to the PCI bus at the first server. The plurality of independent fibre channels then communicate with each other across the PCI bus of the first server utilizing the intelligent I/O (I2O) routing of the fibre channel to PCI bus adapters. The plurality of fibre channels are configured to communicate with the other fibre channels, as well as the first server via the PCI bus. This system can be configured such that any one of the plurality of fibre channels can include one or more devices connected thereto in addition to the first server. Each device connected to one of the plurality fibre channels is configured to communicate with one or more devices connected to the other fibre channels across the PCI bus of the first server. The devices connected to the fibre channel may comprise, inter alia, other servers, storage systems…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.