Abstract: A self-healing coupler for a serially linked device that is serially coupled to other devices. The serially linked device has a communication input and a communication output. When a break occurs between a first serially linked device and other devices, as indicated by a lack of communication output from the first serially linked device, the self-healing coupler by-passes the break in the first serially linked device to maintain communication between the other devices. The invention is particularly suited to maintaining communication to serial Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) storage devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are a switching system and method for a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI). The SCSI has a plurality of ports coupled to devices having differing priorities including a highest priority (initiator) and lower priorities (targets). The present invention interconnects a plurality of the highest priority initiator devices to the lower priority target devices. A plurality of analog switches are each coupled to one of the initiator device ports and to the lower priority target device ports, preferably on a singular target bus, for selectively interconnecting the coupled initiator device to the lower priority target device ports. A controller is coupled to the initiator devices and to the plurality of analog switches, and is responsive to requests for connection from the initiator devices for arbitrating amongst the initiator devices to operate the analog switches to interconnect only one of the initiator device ports to the lower priority target device ports.