Multiple module computer system and method
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The computer system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each of the computer modules is coupled to a connector. Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system.
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Citations
114 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a power supply, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing the coupling sites, a serial communication controller powered by the power supply, and a plurality of computer modules;
each computer module coupled to one of the coupling site through the connector and the slot, comprisingan enclosure, a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller, and wherein each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other and operates fully independent of each other; and
wherein the computer module communicates through the connector with the serial communication controller through two sets of unidirectional serial, differential signal channels which transmit data in opposite directions. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a power supply, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing the coupling sites, an Ethernet controller coupled to an external network and powered by the power supply, and a plurality of computer modules;
each computer module coupled to one of the coupling site through the connector and the slot, comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and a network controller coupled to the Ethernet controller through the connector of the coupling site, wherein each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other, and wherein one of the computer modules is configured to provide protection against failure of another of the computer modules. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising an Ethernet hub controller, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being a first enclosure housing the Ethernet hub controller, each coupling site, and a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and an Ethernet controller coupled to the Ethernet hub controller through the connector of the coupling site for communication between the computer modules;
and wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a power supply, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being a first enclosure housing the coupling sites, a serial communication controller powered by the power supply, and a plurality of computer modules;
each computer module coupled to one of the coupling site through the connector and the slot, comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a communication controller coupled to the serial communication controller through the connector of the coupling site communicating with two sets of unidirectional serial, differential signal channels which transmit data in opposite directions, and an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction;
wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a video switch, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot;
the console being an enclosure housing the video switch, each coupling site,an Ethernet controller coupled to an external network, and a plurality of computer modules;
each computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot, and comprisingan enclosure, a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the video switch, and an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel of two unidirectional serial bit streams which transmit data in opposite directions;
wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and
wherein one of the computer modules can replace another one of the computer modules in operation. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 64, 65)
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46. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising an Ethernet hub controller, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing the Ethernet hub controller, each coupling site, and a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a hard disk drive, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and an Ethernet controller coupled to the Ethernet hub controller through the connector of the coupling site for communication between the computer modules;
wherein each of the computer modules operates independent of each other, and wherein one of the computer modules can replace another one of the computer modules in operation. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a first coupling site, and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot;
the console being an enclosure housing each coupling site,an Ethernet hub controller, and a plurality of computer modules;
each computer module coupled to the coupling site through the connector and the slot, and comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, an Ethernet controller coupled to the Ethernet hub controller through the connector of the coupling site for communication between the computer modules, and a SCSI hard disk drive;
wherein each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other, and wherein one of the computer modules can provide protection against failure of another one of the computer modules. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising an Ethernet controller coupled to an external network, a keyboard/mouse multi-port switch, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing the Ethernet controller, each coupling site, and a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and a network controller coupled to the Ethernet controller through the connector of the coupling site for communication between the computer modules;
wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and
wherein the keyboard/mouse multi-port switch switches between keyboard/mouse connection of the computer modules based on a command from a user. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a first coupling site, a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector, the console being an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site, a serial communication hub controller coupled to an external network, and a plurality of computer modules inserted into said console;
each computer module coupled to one of the connectors of the console and comprising,a processing unit, a communication controller coupled to the serial communication hub controller through the connector of the coupling site to support communication with the other modules, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit;
wherein each of the computer modules provide independent processing in the computer system; and
wherein one of the computer modules is configured to provide protection against failure of another of the plurality of computer modules. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63)
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66. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a power supply, a first coupling site, and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing each coupling site, an Ethernet controller powered by the power supply and coupled to an external network, a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a network controller coupled to the Ethernet controller through the connector of the coupling site to support communication with the external network, and an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction;
wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and
wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions, and wherein one of the computer modules can replace another one of the computer modules in operation. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70)
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71. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising an Ethernet hub controller, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing the Ethernet hub controller and the coupling sites; and
a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling site through the connector and the slot, comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, an Ethernet controller coupled to the Ethernet hub controller through the connector of the coupling site for communication between the computer modules, and an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction;
wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and
wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions; and
wherein one of the computer modules is configured to provide protection against failure of another of the plurality of computer modules. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75)
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76. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising an Ethernet hub controller, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being a first enclosure housing the Ethernet hub controller, the coupling sites, and a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to the console through the connector of the coupling site, and an Ethernet controller coupled to the Ethernet hub controller for communication between the computer modules;
wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 79, 80)
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81. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising an Ethernet controller coupled to an external network, a video switch, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing the Ethernet controller, the video switch, each coupling site, and a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the video switch, and an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to the console through the connector of the coupling site;
wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other. - View Dependent Claims (82, 83, 84, 85)
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86. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a serial communication hub controller, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing the Ethernet hub controller, each coupling site, and a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a hard disk drive, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to the console through the connector of the coupling site, and a communication controller coupled to the serial communication hub controller through the connector of the coupling site for communication between the computer modules;
wherein each of the computer modules operates independent of each other. - View Dependent Claims (87, 88, 89, 90)
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91. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a first coupling site, and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot;
the console being an enclosure housing each coupling site, anda serial communication controller coupled to an external network, a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a communication controller coupled to the serial communication controller to support communication with the external network, and an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to the console through the connector of the coupling site;
wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and
wherein one of the computer modules can replace another one of the computer modules in operation. - View Dependent Claims (92, 93, 94, 95)
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96. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising an Ethernet hub controller, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being a first enclosure housing the Ethernet hub controller, each coupling site, and a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and an Ethernet controller coupled to the Ethernet hub controller through the connector of the coupling site for communication between the computer modules;
wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and
wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit 10 bit packets in opposite directions. - View Dependent Claims (97, 98, 99, 100)
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101. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising an Ethernet controller coupled to an external network, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing the Ethernet controller, each coupling site, and a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a SCSI hard disk drive, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and a network controller coupled to the Ethernet controller through the connector of the coupling site for communication between the computer modules;
wherein each of the computer modules operates independent of each other; and
wherein the differential signal channel couples to the console through the connector of the coupling site; and
wherein the encoded serial bit stream transmits 10 bit packets. - View Dependent Claims (102, 103, 104, 105)
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106. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing each coupling site, a serial communication controller, and a plurality of computer modules;
each computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel of encoded PCI bus transaction which transmit 10 bit packets signals, and a communication controller coupled to the serial communication controller through the connector of the coupling site communicating with two unidirectional serial, differential signal channels which transmit data in opposite directions;
wherein each of the computer modules operates independent of each other. - View Dependent Claims (107, 108)
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109. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing each coupling site, and a plurality of computer modules;
each computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller, a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit, an interface controller coupled to two unidirectional serial, differential signal channels which transmit encoded PCI bus transaction data in opposite directions; and
wherein each of the computer modules operates independent of each other; and
wherein one of the computer modules can replace another one of the computer modules in operation. - View Dependent Claims (110, 111)
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112. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site, each coupling site comprising a connector and a slot, the console being an enclosure housing each coupling site, and a plurality of computer modules;
each computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;
each computer module comprisinga processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller, a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit, an interface controller coupled to two unidirectional serial, differential signal channels which transmit encoded PCI bus transaction data in opposite directions; and
wherein each of the computer modules operates independent of each other; and
wherein one of the computer modules is configured to provide protection against failure of another of the plurality of computer modules. - View Dependent Claims (113, 114)
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Specification