Method and apparatus for remotely accessing a plurality of server consoles

• US 5,287,461 A
• Filed: 10/31/1991
• Issued: 02/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Moore, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Dale M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shin, Christopher B.
• Application Number:
  US07/786,091
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 395/340, 395/358
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3656 using a specific debug interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/387 for adaptation of different data processing systems to different peripheral devices, e.g. protocol converters for incompatible systems, open system

Abstract

A method and apparatus providing remote access to server consoles in a network is disclosed. The method and apparatus provides remote access by utilizing a single server designated an access server, multiple serial port means attached to this single access server, and a plurality of additional servers coupled to this multiple serial port means. The method and apparatus couples the server console lines to the serial ports of the multiple serial port means as well as server console terminals. Remote access is accomplished by gaining access to the access server, which then provides access to any one of the serial ports associated with the access server, thereby providing remote access to any one of the plurality of server console lines coupled to the multiple serial port means. This capability is accomplished while local accessibility to the server console terminals is maintained.

Claims

1. A network comprising:

a remote access terminal;

a plurality of servers;

a plurality of console access terminals, each of said console access terminals associated with each of said servers;

an access server having a plurality of serial ports, each of said serial ports associated with each of said servers;

a remote console serial port, said remote console serial port connected between said access server and said remote access terminal, said remote access terminal selectively transmitting a signal identifying a selected server; and

connection means for connecting each of said servers with each of said console access terminals and for connecting said selected server with said remote access terminal;

with

said access server receiving said signal from said remote access terminal and responsively controlling said connection means to connect said remote access terminal to said selected server identified by said signal, said connection means then routing signals from said remote access terminal to said selected server and from said selected server to both said remote access terminal and said console access terminal associated with said selected server.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein each serial port of said access server includes a receive signal line, a common signal line and a transmit signal line, each server includes a receive signal line, a common signal line and a transmit signal line, and each console access terminal includes a receive signal line, a common signal line and a transmit signal line, and wherein said connection means comprises:

an OR-gate, a first inverter and a second inverter;

said OR-gate having first and second inverted inputs and having an output;

said first inverter connected between said first inverted input of said OR-gate and said transmit signal line of said serial port; and

said second inverter connected between said second inverted input of said OR-gate and said transmit signal line of said console access terminal;

with said output of said OR-gate connected to said receive signal line of said server, said transmit signal line of said server connected to said receive signal line of said serial port and to said receive signal line of said console access terminal, and said common signal line of said sever connected to said common signal line of said serial port and to said common signal line of said console access terminal.

3. A network comprising:

a remote access terminal;

a plurality of servers;

a plurality of console access terminals;

an access server having a plurality of serial ports, each of said serial ports associated with each of said servers, each of said servers associated with each of console access terminals;

a remote console serial port, said remote console serial port connected between said access server and said remote access terminal, said remote access terminal selectively transmitting a signal identifying a selected server; and

connection means for connecting each of said servers with each of said console access terminals and for connecting said selected server with said remote access terminal;

with

said access server receiving said signal from said remote access terminal and responsively controlling said connection means to connect said remote access terminal to said selected server identified by said signal, said connection means then routing signals from said remote access terminal to said selected server and from said selected server to both said remote access terminal and said console access terminal associated with said selected server;

wherein each serial port of said access server includes a receive signal line, a common signal line and a transmit signal line, each server includes a receive signal line, a common signal line and a transmit signal line, and each console access terminal includes a receive signal line, a common signal line and a transmit signal line, and wherein

said connection means includes

an OR-gate, a first inverter and a second inverter,

said OR-gate having first and second inverted inputs and having an output,

said first inverter connected between said first inverted input of said OR-gate and said transmit signal line of said serial port, and

said second inverter connected between said second inverted input of said OR-gate and said transmit signal line of said console access terminal,

with said output of said OR-gate connected to said receive signal line of said server, said transmit signal line of said server connected to said receive signal line of said serial port and to said receive signal line of said console access terminal, and said common signal line of said sever connected to said common signal line of said serial port and to said common signal line of said console access terminal.

4. In a system interconnecting a remote access terminal to any one of a plurality of servers connected to respective console access terminals, with said system having an access server with a plurality of serial ports, each of said serial ports associated with each of said servers, each server having a respective associated console access terminal, and with said system having a remote console serial port connected to said remote access terminal, a method of connecting said remote access terminal to one of said plurality of servers, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a server selection signal from said remote access terminal to said access server identifying a selected server;

determining a serial port corresponding to said selected server;

connecting said determined serial port to said selected server;

transmitting signals from said remote access terminal to said selected server through said determined serial port;

simultaneously transmitting signals from said selected server to both said remote access terminal and said console access terminal associated with said selected server; and

transmitting signals from said console access terminal associated with said selected server to said selected server.

5. The method of claim 4, further including the steps of:

transmitting a server disconnection signal from said remote access terminal to said access server indicating an end of communication between said remote access terminal and said selected server; and

disconnecting said selected server from said remote access terminal.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein each serial port of said access server of said system includes a receive signal line and a transmit signal line, each server includes a receive signal line and a transmit signal line, and each console access terminal includes a receive signal line and a transmit signal line, and wherein said system includes an OR-gate having first and second inverted inputs and having an output, a first inverter connected between said first inverted input of said OR-gate and said transmit signal line of said serial port, a second inverter connected between said second inverted input of said OR-gate and said transmit signal line of said console access terminal, with said output of said OR-gate connected to said receive signal line of said server and with said transmit signal line of said server connected to said receive signal line of said serial port and to said receive signal line of said console access terminal, and wherein said step of transmitting signals from said remote access terminal to said selected server includes the step of:

transmitting signals along said transmit signal line of said determined serial port through said first inverter and through said first inverted input of said OR-gate onto said receive signal line of said selected server.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of simultaneously transmitting signals from said selected server to both said remote access terminal and said console access terminal associated with said selected server comprises the step of:

transmitting a signal along said transmit signal line of said selected server onto said receive signal line of said determined serial port and onto said receive signal line of said console access terminal associated with said selected server.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of transmitting signals from said console access terminal associated with said selected server to said selected server comprises the step of:

transmitting a signal along said transmit signal line of said console access terminal associated with said selected server through said second inverter and through said second inverted input of said OR-gate onto said receive signal line of said selected server.