Multi-level port expansion for port multipliers
US9063655B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0683
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A port multiplier dynamically determines and reports its identity based on a number of supported downstream port connections. The number of supported downstream port connections can dynamically change. The port multiplier identifies devices connected to its downstream ports, whether storage devices or other port multipliers. Based on a total number of downstream ports, the port multiplier reports its identity upstream. The upstream reporting can be to another port multiplier, or the host device if directly connected to the host device. The port multiplier receives storage address space allocation from upstream based on its reported identity, and allocates the storage address space to its downstream ports.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.