Abstract: A system and method for providing switch redundancy in a computer network comprises two or more separate servers that are connected together to allow the servers to operate as one complete system that may continue to operate even in the event that one server becomes unable to provide switching functions. In one exemplary embodiment, the computer network includes two or more servers and a server bridging assembly. Two or more servers are interconnected via the server bridging assembly such that, in the event that a switch located in one of the servers fails, the switch located in the other server can be used to provide switching functions for both servers. As a result, the servers are interconnected to provide redundancy.

Abstract: An interconnect system connects two drawers of a redundant computer system, wherein each drawer contains a redundant node of the computer system. A first signal source and a first signal preventer are operatively associated with a first drawer of the two drawers. A second signal source and a second signal preventer are operatively associated with a second drawer of the two drawers. Each of the two drawers has a connection interface that includes a plurality of terminals connected to a redundant node of the drawer. A redundant system may be provided by connecting the connection interfaces with a connector. The connecter is further configured to connect the first signal source to the second signal preventer, and the second signal source to the first signal preventer, thereby signaling each drawer that the computer system may be operated in a redundant mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and apparatus that support non-hotswappable (non-HA) 64-bit Compact Peripheral Component Interconnect (CPCI) cards so that customers can use their old legacy (non-hotswappable) cards in the node or input/output (I/O) slots of a hotswappable CPCI system. The system controller card in the CPCI system is responsible for configuring the entire CPCI interface including the width of the CPCI interface (i.e., 32-bit or 64-bit). In one embodiment of the present invention, all the radial HA control signals (e.g., BD—SEL#, HEALTHY#, PCI—RST#) to all of the CPCI slots are implemented separately on some other card (or board), such as a system management card (e.g., an alarm card). At the time of system powerup, only the system management card (SMC) powers up and checks the HEALTHY# register where it maintains the healthy status of all the cards in the system. The non-hotswappable card (or board) will assert the HEALTHY# signal to the SMC.

Abstract: A system and method for providing switch redundancy in a computer network comprises two or more separate servers that are connected together to allow the servers to operate as one complete system that may continue to operate even in the event that one server becomes unable to provide switching functions. In one exemplary embodiment, the computer network includes two or more servers and a server bridging assembly. Two or more servers are interconnected via the server bridging assembly such that, in the event that a switch located in one of the servers fails, the switch located in the other server can be used to provide switching functions for both servers. As a result, the servers are interconnected to provide redundancy.

Abstract: A method and system is adapted to provide for a low-cost and highly flexible system that can control and change configurations on one or more segments of a Compact Peripheral Component Interconnect Packet Switching Backplane (CPCI/PSB or CPCI and CPSB) during the backplane's lifetime that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. In one embodiment of the present invention, the segments are configurable to either a CPCI and CPSB configuration or a CPSB only configuration by controlling a CPCI indication signal, such as a PCI_PRESENT# signal. The PCI_PRESENT# signal of the present invention is to be controlled by a Chassis Management Controller (CMC) and the CMC software is used to configure each of the segments by driving zero or one on the segments (instead of hardwiring these segments to ground or open during the manufacturing of the backplane).

Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and apparatus that support non-hotswappable (non-HA) 64-bit Compact Peripheral Component Interconnect (CPCI) cards so that customers can use their old legacy (non-hotswappable) cards in the node or input/output (I/O) slots of a hotswappable CPCI system. The system controller card in the CPCI system is responsible for configuring the entire CPCI interface including the width of the CPCI interface (i.e., 32-bit or 64-bit). In one embodiment of the present invention, all the radial HA control signals (e.g., BD_SEL#, HEALTHY#, PCI_RST#) to all of the CPCI slots are implemented separately on some other card (or board), such as a system management card (e.g., an alarm card). At the time of system powerup, only the system management card (SMC) powers up and checks the HEALTHY# register where it maintains the healthy status of all the cards in the system. The non-hotswappable card (or board) will assert the HEALTHY# signal to the SMC.

Abstract: An interconnect system connects two drawers of a redundant computer system, wherein each drawer contains a redundant node of the computer system. A first signal source and a first signal preventer are operatively associated with a first drawer of the two drawers. A second signal source and a second signal preventer are operatively associated with a second drawer of the two drawers. Each of the two drawers has a connection interface that includes a plurality of terminals connected to a redundant node of the drawer. A redundant system may be provided by connecting the connection interfaces with a connector. The connecter is further configured to connect the first signal source to the second signal preventer, and the second signal source to the first signal preventer, thereby signaling each drawer that the computer system may be operated in a redundant mode.

Abstract: An interconnect system connects two or more drawers (or servers) of a redundant computer system, wherein each drawer contains independent nodes of the computer system. Each of the drawer comprises a Drawer Management Card (DMC) designed for managing the nodes of that drawer. The present invention provides for methods and apparatus to redundantly manage the two or more drawers. In one embodiment, each drawer is provided with at least two DMCs by interconnecting the management channels of the two or more drawers (e.g., using a cable mechanism). Thus, by interconnecting the management channels of the two or more drawers, the drawers can be managed in a redundant manner. That is, if a failure occurs on one DMC in the interconnected drawers, another DMC in the interconnected drawers can take over and manage the drawers. In addition, the present invention provides such management redundancy without significantly increasing the cost and real estate of the drawers.

Abstract: An interconnect system connects two drawer management cards (DMCs) of a drawer. The drawer contains a plurality of independent nodes. The nodes are managed by at least two DMCs. Thus, if one of the DMCs fails, the other DMC can take over and manage the drawer. In one embodiment of the invention, the nodes within the drawer are managed through an Intelligent Platform Management Bus (IPMB). The other field replaceble units (FRUs) or hardware components in the drawer, such as fans, power supplies, etc., may be managed using an Inter Integrated Circuit bus (I2C). The first and second DMCs are interconnected with each other within a chassis of the drawer. The two DMCs are also interconnected with the management channels (e.g., buses) of the drawer. During power up, the first DMC and the second DMC on the drawer may determine, whether the DMC's are interconnected (or not). The DMCs then decide each of their roles (i.e., determining which DMC should be in an active state and which DMC should be in a standby state).