Abstract: A data storage system for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The system interface includes a plurality of directors. One portion of the directors is coupled to the host computer/server and another portion of the directors is coupled to the bank of disk drives. The directors control a flow of data between the host computer/server and the bank of disk drives. Each one of the directors has a time element. A time manager provides accurate time information to the time elements. The time elements determine, from the time information fed thereto, and measured time delays, global machine time information for the one of the directors having such time element. The time system is self calibrating.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a network adapter is provided that is used in the system to permit data communication among external data exchanging devices and an input/output (I/O) controller residing in the system. The adapter includes one or more interfaces that may be coupled to an electrical backplane in the system. The backplane is coupled to the controller, and is configured to permit communication between the controller and the adapter when the interfaces are coupled to the backplane. The adapter also includes an integrated switching system that has a first set of ports that may be coupled to the data exchanging devices and a second set of ports that may couple the switching system to the controller when the one or more interfaces are coupled to the backplane.

Abstract: A data storage system has a backplane, processing circuitry and a NIC. The processing circuitry is physically connected to the backplane, and can perform block-based data access operations. The NIC has a first port that that couples to an external network, a second port that physically connects to the backplane, and control circuitry interconnected between the first port and the second port.

Abstract: A network adapter is provided that may be used in a network data storage system to facilitate data communication among external data exchanging devices and an input/output (I/O) controller residing in the system. The adapter includes one or more interfaces that may be coupled to an electrical backplane in the system. The backplane is coupled to the controller, and is configured to permit communication between the controller and the adapter when the interfaces are coupled to the backplane. The adapter may provide one or more file server-like behaviors.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first assembly and a second assembly. Each assembly has a circuit board defining a front side and a back side, a set of connectors mounted to the front side of that circuit board, and a heat sink disposed over the front side of that circuit board. The heat sink is configured to provide cooling to that assembly. The electronic apparatus further includes a coupling mechanism that couples the first and second assemblies together in a substantially parallel manner. The sets of connectors of the assemblies form a connection interface to concurrently connect the first and second assemblies to a backplane.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques which use a test circuit within an FPGA device to obtain a trace of a digital signal used by normal operating circuitry of the FPGA device. The test circuit stores the trace in memory of the FPGA device which is accessible without the need of a logic analyzer (e.g., accessible in a memory mapped or I/O mapped manner). Accordingly, the deficiencies of a conventional built-in approach (e.g., including a mounted connector and connections by sacrificing circuit board area) and soldering approach (e.g., soldering wires to the circuit board requiring time and effort, and increasing the likelihood of signal distortion) for logic analyzer access are avoided. One arrangement of the invention is directed to a computer system having a bus, a processor coupled to the bus, and an FPGA device coupled to the bus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a network adapter is provided that is used in the system to permit data communication among external data exchanging devices and an input/output (I/O) controller residing in the system. The adapter includes one or more interfaces that may be coupled to an electrical backplane in the system. The backplane is coupled to the controller, and is configured to permit communication between the controller and the adapter when the interfaces are coupled to the backplane. The adapter also includes an integrated switching system that has a first set of ports that may be coupled to the data exchanging devices and a second set of ports that may couple the switching system to the controller when the one or more interfaces are coupled to the backplane.