Abstract: A hub for a fiber channel arbitrated loop is disclosed. The hub comprises a switching device including a matrix of switches connected by a plurality of signal lines, each signal line being electrically connected to at least one switch. The hub is operable to selectively connect and disconnect one signal line from at least one other signal line, at least some of the signal lines being operatively connectable to respective devices comprising the fiber-channel arbitrated loop. The switching device is operatively configurable to selectively open and close the switches to arrange the devices on the fiber-channel arbitrated loop.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus arranged to provide redundancy in a storage enclosure containing multiple Serial ATA disk drives is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one disk drive of a kind having a single port for the input and output of serial data and at least two disk drive controllers each having data transmit and receive paths connected in common to the single port. The apparatus then switches control to either controller if the other should fail.

Abstract: A processor resetting apparatus comprises a fibre channel arbitrated loop (FC-AL) interface arranged to receive a frame over the FC-AL containing an indicator of a reset command for a server comprising one of a redundant pair of servers and including a processor associated with the resetting apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a reset component, responsive to the reset command, to issue a reset command for resetting the processor. The apparatus therefore provides the ability for a server to reset another server if it detects that the server is faulty.

Abstract: A fiber channel analyzer for analyzing the operation of a fiber channel arbitrated loop (FC-AL) to which a plurality of devices are connectable is disclosed. The analyzer is adapted to be housed in an enclosure which, in use, houses at least one of the fiber channel devices. The analyzer extracts data from the fiber channel, processes the extracted data; and communicates processed data to a SES Processor through a secondary communication bus.

Abstract: A power supply unit controller for a rack enclosure in which a plurality of devices communicate via a backplane is disclosed. The controller reads at least one signal indicative of an output supply level being provided to the backplane by a power supply unit associated with the power supply unit controller and stores at least one value associated with a respective one of the at least one signal. The controller communicates the at least one value to one of the devices; and receives power for the power supply unit controller from the backplane.

Abstract: A power supply unit controller for a rack enclosure in which a plurality of devices communicate via a backplane is disclosed. The controller reads signal(s) indicative of output supply level(s) being provided to the backplane by a power supply unit associated the the power supply unit controller and stores value(s) associated with the signal(s). The controller further stores a scaling value associated with a respective signal and dependent on the power supply unit, and a power supply unit serial number. The controller is responsive to a request from an SES processor to return a state of the associated power supply unit to the SES processor, the state including a combination of: a summary of the current status of the power supply unit, the value (s), the scaling value(s), and the power supply unit serial number, according to the SES processor request.

Abstract: A data gathering device for a rack enclosure which is, in use, cooperable with at least one SES processor, each processor being incorporated in a respective plug-in card. The data gathering device comprises at least one port adapted to communicate with a respective environmental services processor, a plurality of data inputs and a plurality of controllable outputs. The data gathering device is adapted to generate and send, to an SES processor responsible for the enclosure, a message reporting the state of the data inputs and to receive, from the responsible SES processor, a message including a command determining the state of one of the controllable outputs.

Abstract: A bus analyser for analysing the operation of a bus to which a plurality of devices are connectable is disclosed. The devices are operatively coupled to a host device running a host application and the analyser is adapted to be housed in an enclosure which, in use, houses at least one of the devices. The analyser is arranged to extract data from the bus, process the extracted data; and communicate processed data to an environmental control and monitoring unit through a secondary communication bus.

Abstract: A lock management apparatus comprises a PCI socket for receiving from a processor associated with the lock management apparatus an indicator of a resource to be locked. The apparatus causes a corresponding indicator to be stored in a CAM and causes a stored indicator to be deleted when an associated resource is unlocked. The apparatus receives from a FC-AL interface, a frame indicative of a lock request for a resource. If the lock request frame originates from another processor, the apparatus checks any stored indicators for a matching locked resource. If the apparatus detects a match, it transmits a frame indicative of the locked resource to the originator of the lock request; and if it does not detect a match, it transmits the lock request frame to the originator of the lock request.

Abstract: A field replaceable unit comprises a housing having a front and a rear and is configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack from its rear. The unit includes a connector for, in use, completing an electrical circuit from a backplane of the rack to a component of the field replaceable unit. The connector comprises a first rear projecting electrically conductive spring loaded member operative to engage an electrical pad on the backplane when the housing is inserted in the rack.

Abstract: A carrier for an electronic device such as a disk drive comprises a hollow casing for accomodating the electronic device. The casing is configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack having a back plane with at least one lamp which in use indicates the status of the electronic device. At least one light guide extends from the front to the rear of the casing. The rear end of the light guide is in register with the lamp when the casing is inserted in the rack and light emerging from the front end of the light guide is visible at the front of the casing. Thus the status of the device can be ascertained without the need for lamps on the front of the carrier and attendant wiring from the back plane.

Abstract: A carrier for an electronic device comprises a hollow casing (14) for accomodating the electronic device, which casing is configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack. A latch (46) at the rear of the casing releasably retains the casing in the rack, and an actuating rod (52) extends from the front of the casing to the latch to operate the latter. A lock (104) on the front (16) of the carrier releasably locks the actuating rod (52) in the latched position of the latch (46) to prevent unauthorised withdrawal of the carrier from the rack.