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 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: In a high-performance data storage system, an enclosure contains a multiplicity of disk drives, each of which has two high-speed serial data ports. Respective data lines are provided which connect each of the data ports with a respective high-speed data multiplexer. Importantly, each of the multiplexers is also connected with each of two distinct I/O modules. Failure of either I/O module still permits the remaining I/O module to have serial high-speed connectivity with each of the multiplexers, and thus with each of the data ports on each disk drive. Finally, the overall function of the system may be selected as JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Drives), as SAN (Storage Area Network), or NAS (Network Attached Storage), without requiring any mechanical or electronic change other than the I/O modules.

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 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 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.