Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration jumper that allows the main system board of an information handling system to be configured for a plurality of population options, including on-board PCI-E integrated circuits and PCI-E integrated circuits on expansion circuit boards that are connected to the main system board by an expansion slot connector. In one embodiment of the invention, the main system board comprises a first conductor and a second conductor that is selected from a plurality of second conductors that correspond to different circuit population options. The configuration jumper is operable to connect the first connector to the selected second conductor and to provide an appropriate capacitance to ensure that the signal path defined by the first conductor, the second conductor and the internal conductor of the jumper provide a combined AC coupling capacitance that complies with the AC coupling capacitor requirements of the PCI-E protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a matched-impedance jumper that is operable to connect pairs of differential signal conductors to provide improved signal transmission characteristics. In an embodiment of the invention, the impedance-matched jumper is used to connect a first pair of differential signal conductors to a selected pair of differential signal conductors selected from a plurality of second pairs of differential signal conductors. The impedance-matched jumper comprises a plurality of input pins that are operable to connect with a plurality of connection pads on the first pair of differential signal conductors and a plurality of output pins operable to connect with a plurality of connection pads on the predetermined second pair of differential signal conductors. A plurality of internal conductors are operably connected to the input pins and the output pins to define a signal path therebetween.

Abstract: An improved thermal relief vent for a fuel tank, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a thermal relief ring that is used to create a mechanical seal within the vent. The thermal relief ring, at room temperature, is crimped in place by use of the vent cap itself. The crimped thermal relief ring creates a mechanical seal between the vent and the vent cap, up until a predetermined thermal relief point, at which time the thermal relief ring will soften and/or yield and release the vent cap from the vent body.

Abstract: An improved thermal relief vent for a fuel tank, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a thermal relief ring that is used to create a mechanical seal within the vent. The thermal relief ring, at room temperature, is crimped in place by use of the vent cap itself. The crimped thermal relief ring creates a mechanical seal between the vent and the vent cap, up until a predetermined thermal relief point, at which time the thermal relief ring will soften and/or yield and release the vent cap from the vent body.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for identifying the storage drives of a computer network. An identifier associated with an element of the storage network is stored in nonvolatile memory and later retrieved. The identifier associates the elements of the storage network, allowing the storage drives of the storage enclosure to be associated with the storage enclosure itself.

Abstract: A system and method for translating addressing protocols between two types of storage drives in a storage environment is provided. A storage environment may include a JBOD of Serial ATA drives coupled to a host server through an external SCSI connection. The addressing protocol of the host server will typically involve addressing each Serial ATA drive by a unique SCSI target ID. This addressing protocol of the host server is translated to an addressing protocol in which each Serial ATA drive is addressed through unique LUN identifier and a single SCSI target ID, which is the addressing scheme of some SCSI-based peripheral controllers.

Abstract: The storage enclosure includes a number of storage drives, each of which is physically coupled to each of two controllers in the storage enclosure. A memory location associated with the storage enclosure includes a value. The value provides an indicator for grouping the storage drives with one of the two controllers and disabling communications between each storage controller and the storage drives not associated with the controller.

Abstract: A network topology and bridge device is disclosed for a Serial Attached SCSI storage network. The bridge devices is coupled between each Serial ATA drive of the network and the remainder of the elements of the storage network and translates storage transactions between the Serial ATA drive and the remainder of the Serial Attached SCSI storage network.

Abstract: An improved thermal relief vent for a fuel tank, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a thermal relief ring that is used to create a mechanical seal within the vent. The thermal relief ring, at room temperature, is crimped in place by use of the vent cap itself. The crimped thermal relief ring creates a mechanical seal between the vent and the vent cap, up until a predetermined thermal relief point, at which time the thermal relief ring will soften and/or yield and release the vent cap from the vent body.