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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 communicatwa the at least one value to one of the devices; and receives power for the power supply unit controller from the backplane.

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 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 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 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.