Abstract: Apparatus used in deriving corresponding signals includes first and second circuitry. The first circuitry derives, from a source-terminated first signal driven from a Peripheral Control Interface (PCI) Express compatible source, an AC-coupled second signal. The second circuitry derives, from the AC-coupled second signal, a destination-terminated DC biased third signal that drives a pseudo-emitter-coupled logic (PECL) compatible receiver.

Abstract: In a highly available storage system, an enclosure includes first and second power supplies, and first and second controller boards. Each of the first and second controller boards includes first and second serial bus controllers. First and second serial buses are coupled to both of the first and second serial bus controllers on each of the first and second controller boards. The first serial bus is coupled to the first power supply, while the second serial bus coupled to the second power supply. The first and second serial buses are used for exchanging enclosure management and environmental information between the first and second power supplies and the first and second controller boards. The first and second serial buses are coupled to isolation switches so that redundant modules can operate if a serial bus controller fails.

Abstract: Disk drive spin-up is staggered to reduce peak power requirements. Spin-up of the drives is controlled by selectively delaying voltage inputs to the disk drives. Alternately, spin-up of the drives is controlled by staggering the timing of communications to the disk drives.

Abstract: A system including a circuit board and several pluggable modules coupled to the circuit board. The several pluggable modules are insertable through side-by-side slots in an enclosure in which the circuit board resides. A first pluggable module is coupled to the circuit board via a first connector, while a second pluggable module is coupled to the circuit board via a second connector such that the second pluggable module is laterally offset from the first pluggable module. The first and second connectors are right angle connectors, and the second right angle connector is inverted relative to the first right angle connector. The first and second pluggable modules are I/O modules for transporting high speed differential signals, and wherein the first pluggable module includes several XFP connectors, and wherein the second pluggable module includes several SFP connectors. The second pluggable module includes several SFP connectors arranged on both sides of the pluggable module.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing power in a computer system includes a power supply device; a processing device including a CPU module and a plurality of I/O modules; and an insert line coupled between the power supply and the processing device. The insert line is connected to each of the CPU module and the plurality of I/O modules before terminating at a ground connection within the processing device. The CPU module and the plurality of I/O modules are powered by the power supply. When one of the CPU module and the plurality of I/O modules is removed from the processing device, the power supply senses that the insert line is no longer grounded, and removes power from the CPU module and the plurality of I/O modules.

Abstract: A data storage system having an interconnect, storage devices coupled to a first side of the interconnect, and a processing subsystem coupled to a second side of the interconnect that is substantially opposite the first side. The method involves a user (e.g., a customer) receiving a fault signal from the data storage system (e.g., an email notification, a GUI message, an LED pattern, etc.), identifying a component of the data storage system as faulty in response to receiving the fault signal, and replacing the identified component with a new component. In general, the user replaces the identified component in a hot-swapping manner when the identified component is a storage device or a power supply. Additionally, the user replaces the identified component in a powered-down manner when the identified component is a portion of a storage processing circuit (e.g., an internal fan, a memory circuit, a storage processing circuit, etc.).

Abstract: Disclosed are ways of providing a highly flexible high availability storage system. Disk drive carriers for insertion into enclosures in a storage system include several disk drives. The enclosures accept carriers that include drives of different sizes, and drives compatible with different storage technologies, for instance Fibre Channel, SATA, or SAS. Drives oriented in their carriers in a manner that allows them to be connected to a common medium via identical flex circuits that are configured based on the orientation of the drives. Redundant controllers include redundant serial buses for transferring management information to the carriers. The carriers include a controller for monitoring the multiple serial buses and producing storage technology specific management commands for the disk drives.

Abstract: In a highly available storage system, an enclosure includes first and second power supplies, and first and second controller boards. Each of the first and second controller boards includes first and second serial bus controllers. First and second serial buses are coupled to both of the first and second serial bus controllers on each of the first and second controller boards. The first serial bus is coupled to the first power supply, while the second serial bus coupled to the second power supply. The first and second serial buses are used for exchanging enclosure management and environmental information between the first and second power supplies and the first and second controller boards. The first and second serial buses are coupled to isolation switches so that redundant modules can operate if a serial bus controller fails.

Abstract: Modules coupled to multiple connectors can check to see if full connectivity is provided through the connectors. If it is not, for instance because the connectors are mis-seated, the modules can prevent themselves from fully powering up. In a storage environment, a first module is coupled to connectors. The connectors are coupled to corresponding disk drives. Each connector provides a connectivity indication. The module prevents itself from fully powering up if it fails to receive a connectivity indication from a subset of connectors coupled to boot disks.

Abstract: Described is a midplane-less data storage enclosure having a control board module with an electrical connector and a bulkhead assembly with a plurality of spaced-apart disk-drive guides coupled to a bulkhead. The disk-drive guides and bulkhead together define a plurality of disk-drive slots. The bulkhead has connected thereto a plurality of first electrical connectors and a second electrical connector in electrical communication with each of the first electrical connectors. Each slot slidably receives a storage disk drive such that the storage disk drive electrically connects to one of the first electrical connectors. The second electrical connector is electrically connected to the connector of the control board module so that each storage disk drive connected to one of the first electrical connectors is in electrical communication with the control board module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including a circuit board and several pluggable modules coupled to the circuit board. The several pluggable modules are insertable through side-by-side slots in an enclosure in which the circuit board resides. A first pluggable module is coupled to the circuit board via a first connector, while a second pluggable module is coupled to the circuit board via a second connector such that the second pluggable module is laterally offset from the first pluggable module. The first and second connectors are right angle connectors, and the second right angle connector is inverted relative to the first right angle connector. The first and second pluggable modules are I/O modules for transporting high speed differential signals, and wherein the first pluggable module includes several XFP connectors, and wherein the second pluggable module includes several SFP connectors. The second pluggable module includes several SFP connectors arranged on both sides of the pluggable module.