Abstract: Described are a storage system and method for detecting an intermittent loss of synchronization in communication signals received by an enclosure connected to a Fibre Channel loop. A control board produces a first signal representing a status of communication signals received by the control board. The first signal is in one of a plurality of logical states. A first logical state indicates that the status of the communication signals is invalid and a second logical state indicates that the status of the communication signals is valid. The control board includes a glitch-detection circuit that places a second signal in an asserted logical state when the first signal is in the first logical state during a time interval and holds the second signal at the asserted logical state when the first signal transitions from being in the first logical state to being in the second logical state during the time interval.

Abstract: First and second inputs are associated with a port. Logic produces indications to software to cause the first input and second input to appear as a single input to the software. The logic produces an indication that no signal is present on either the first input or the second input. When a port bypass controller is coupled to the port, the logic produces an indication that both the first and second inputs are bypassed. When the port bypass controller is coupled to a Fibre Channel arbitrated loop, the logic produces a first signal to control whether the first input is included on the Fibre Channel arbitrated loop or bypassed, and a second signal to control whether the second input is included in the Fibre Channel arbitrated loop or bypassed.

Abstract: Described are a system and method of detecting an improperly connected cable in a storage system. A system includes an enclosure having boards. Each board of the enclosure has a communications port that receives a message identifying a redundant backend network to which that board is connected. The enclosure determines whether the system has an improper cable connection by determining from the messages whether the boards are connected to the same redundant backend network.

Abstract: Described are a storage system and method for detecting an intermittent loss of synchronization in communication signals received by an enclosure connected to a Fibre Channel loop. A control board produces a first signal representing a status of communication signals received by the control board. The first signal is in one of a plurality of logical states. A first logical state indicates that the status of the communication signals is invalid and a second logical state indicates that the status of the communication signals is valid. The control board includes a glitch-detection circuit that places a second signal in an asserted logical state when the first signal is in the first logical state during a time interval and holds the second signal at the asserted logical state when the first signal transitions from being in the first logical state to being in the second logical state during the time interval.

Abstract: Described are a system and method of detecting an improperly connected cable in a storage system. A system includes an enclosure having boards. Each board of the enclosure has a communications port that receives a message identifying a redundant backend network to which that board is connected. The enclosure determines whether the system has an improper cable connection by determining from the messages whether the boards are connected to the same redundant backend network.