Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2003-09-02
Jean, Frantz B. (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
C709S219000, C370S351000, C370S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06615272
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the field of hardware for connecting components of computers, such as a keyboard, video monitor and mouse, to a server (sometimes called the box of a computer system), and thus connecting up a computer system. More particularly, the present invention pertains to switching a connection from a keyboard, video monitor and mouse from one server to another.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In some applications of microcomputers, it is desired to access a server in an assembly of servers as if the server were attached directly to a keyboard, video monitor and mouse (KVM), the server and KVM thus constituting a standalone microcomputer system. It is further desired to be able to switch at any time from one such server to another. With this ability, a single user, operating the KVM, can monitor the execution of any of the servers in the assembly of servers. Usually, instead of a single user, it is desired that at least two users, each operating a different KVM, be able to switch among servers in the same assembly.
The prior art teaches a switching system that achieves the desired goals. As shown in
FIGS. 1A-1C
, the prior art teaches a linear switch node
11
that can be used by a keyboard-video-mouse combination (KVM)
12
to switch from one server
13
a
to another server
13
b
by switching a connection from a server port
16
a
to a server port
16
b
. Alternatively, the linear switch node can be used to connect the KVM
12
to a server
13
′ attached to another linear switch node
11
′ using a connection through an expansion port
14
. The other linear switch node
11
′ can in turn be connected to even another switch node
11
″.
With this arrangement, the first linear switch node
11
can be used by a user operating the KVM
12
to access either a server
13
a
or
13
b
attached directly to the linear switch node
11
, or a server
13
′ attached to the next linear switch node
11
′, or servers attached to linear switch nodes farther removed from the first linear switch
11
, in a linear array of switch nodes made possible by the prior art. For this arrangement, each switch node
11
11
′
11
″ includes two expansion ports
14
, each of which is uni-directional. Thus, for example, linear switch node
11
′ has an outgoing connection
14
b
′ and an incoming connection
14
a
′. With such an arrangement, the operator of KVM
12
′ downstream from the first linear switch node
11
can access only servers directly attached to the linear switch node
11
′ to which it is attached, or servers attached to switch nodes
11
′
11
′″ downstream from that switch node. Further, an operator of a KVM
12
attached to the first linear switch node
11
, in order to access a server
13
″ attached to a linear switch node
11
″ more than one switch node downstream from the first switch node, must have the first linear switch node
11
connect to the server
13
″ through the intermediate linear switch nodes
11
′
11
″. It is not possible according to the prior art for the first linear switch node
11
to connect to a server
13
″ that is attached to a linear switch node
11
″ not in turn connected directly to the first linear switch node
11
, without making use of a connection between the intermediate linear switch node
11
′. Further, it is not possible for a user of a KVM
12
′ attached to a downstream linear switch node
11
′ to connect to a server
13
attached to an upstream linear switch node
11
.
With such a linear array of switch nodes, if a user of a KVM
12
attached to a first linear switch node
11
desires to connect to a server
13
″ attached to a linear switch node
11
″ separated from the first switch node by an intermediate switch node
11
′ connection allocated to other users (because of users using KVMs
12
′ attached to the intermediate switch node
11
′) or malfunction of the intermediate switch node can impede or obstruct the desired connection.
What is needed is a switch node that allows a user of a KVM attached to the switch node to access not only the servers attached directly to the switch node, but also to access servers attached to any other switch node, with or without having to connect to intermediate switch nodes, i.e. to reach a server attached to another switch node by connecting directly to the other switch node and having the other switch node provide a connection to the attached server. Further what is needed is a way for a user of a KVM attached to a switch node anywhere in a network of switch nodes (not necessarily a linear array) to access a server connected to any other switch node in different ways, i.e. to have available a choice of connection paths to a server attached to another switch node, and so to be able to choose a preferred path depending on available connections, or to still make a connection even if equipment malfunction blocks the most direct connection path.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a switch node, for connecting a keyboard video mouse (KVM) combination and a server in an array of servers in which each server is attached to the switch node or attached to another switch node, so that all of the switch nodes constitute a network of interconnected switch nodes. The itch node comprises: KVM ports for providing a connection to an attached KVM; a plurality of server ports for providing connections to a plurality of attached servers; a plurality of expansion ports for providing connections to other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes; a cross connect, for providing connections between the KVM and one of the server ports or one of the expansion ports; a node operating system, for providing to a user of the KVM an indication of each server in the array of servers, for determining a path to use for a connection between the KVM and a server, for configuring the cross connect to provide the path and for requesting others of the switch nodes to configure their respective cross connects so as to provide the path determined; and an internode link port, for providing a network connection enabling communication between the node operating system of the switch node and the node operating system of other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes.
In another aspect of the invention, the configuring of the cross connect to provide the path is based on information provided by the node operating systems of other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes.
In a still further aspect of the invention, the requesting of others of the switch nodes to configure their respective cross connects so as to provide the path determined is according to directions provided by the switch node.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5440547 (1995-08-01), Easki et al.
patent: 6157921 (2000-12-01), Barnhill
patent: 6253230 (2001-06-01), Couland et al.
patent: 6304549 (2001-10-01), Srinivasan et al.
patent: 6333918 (2001-12-01), Hummel
“PC ServerSwitch plus,” Lightwave Communications,Inc., Jun. 10, 1998, pp. 1-2.
“MatriX-Hub, Video Chassis Handbook,” Lightwave Communications, Inc., Jun. 10, 1998, pp. 1-10.
“PC ServerSwitch plus Product Handbook,” Lightwave Communications, Inc., Jun. 10, 1998, pp. i-ii, 1-18.
Jean Frantz B.
Lantronix, Inc.
Stetina Brunda Garred & Brucker
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