Automatic configuration of an interface to a host or client

• US 20080160811A1
• Filed: 12/27/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Dunstan, Robert A., Solomon, Gary, Saunders, Bradley
• Granted Patent: US 7,597,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/188
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/955 including electronic identifier or coding means

Abstract

According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided to detect a coupling of a first cable plug to a bimodal host receptacle and configure the bimodal host receptacle to function as a client or a host based at least in part on the first cable plug.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a coupling of a first cable plug to a bimodal host receptacle; and

configuring the bimodal host receptacle to function as a client receptacle or a host receptacle based at least in part on the first cable plug.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication to function as a client receptacle or a host receptacle, wherein the indication and is at least one of a signal, a ground, or a lack of a signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the bimodal host receptacle to function as a client receptacle comprises:

establishing a communication link between the receptacle and a non-transparent bridge.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein configuring the bimodal host receptacle to function as a client receptacle further comprises:

indicating a client identity to the non-transparent bridge.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein configuring the bimodal host receptacle to function as a client receptacle further comprises:

communicating with an endpoint of the non-transparent bridge.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the bimodal host receptacle is based on a PCI Express connection standard.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bimodal host receptacle is to be coupled to a non-transparent bridge when the bimodal host receptacle is configured to function as a client.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the non-transparent bridge is configured with a client identity when the bimodal host receptacle is configured to function as a client.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus communicates to an end point of the non-transparent bridge when the bimodal host receptacle is configured to function as a client.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a bimodal host receptacle; and

a bimodal agent to detect a coupling of a first cable plug to the bimodal host receptacle, and to configure the bimodal host receptacle to function as a client receptacle or a host receptacle based at least in part on the first cable plug.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the bimodal host receptacle comprises:

a plurality of connection pins; and

a bimodal indication pin.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first cable plug comprises a non-bimodal plug and is to be coupled to the bimodal host receptacle, wherein the bimodal indication pin is to be non-electrically coupled to a relief of a non-bimodal plug.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first cable plug is a bimodal plug and is to be coupled to the bimodal host receptacle, wherein the bimodal indication pin is to be electrically coupled to an electrical contact of the bimodal plug.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bimodal indication pin provides an indication to the bimodal agent to determine if the apparatus is a host or a client, wherein the indication is at least one of a signal, a ground, or a lack of a signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a cable comprising a bimodal plug and a non-bimodal plug, wherein the cable is electrically coupled to the bimodal host receptacle.

16. A system comprising:

a first device comprising at least one of a bimodal host receptacle or a non-bimodal host receptacle; and

a second device comprising;

a double data rate memory module;

a bimodal host receptacle; and

a bimodal agent to detect a coupling of a first cable plug to the bimodal host receptacle, and to configure the bimodal host receptacle to function as a client receptacle or a host receptacle based at least in part on the first cable plug.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the bimodal plug is to be coupled to the bimodal host receptacle and wherein the bimodal indication pin is to be electrically coupled to a electrical connection of the bimodal plug.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first device comprises:

a non-bimodal host receptacle comprising a plurality of connection pins and a key, wherein the key is to be non-electrically coupled to a relief of the second plug.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the bimodal indication pin provides an indication to the bimodal agent to determine if the apparatus is to function as a host receptacle or a client receptacle, wherein the indication is at least of a signal, a ground, or a lack of a signal.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first device is coupled to the non-transparent bridge and the second device is coupled to the non-transparent bridge when the bimodal host receptacle is configured as a client.