Modular architecture for small computer networks
First Claim
1. A modular architecture for a spatially concentrated computer system, said system containing principal components including a host processor, storage resources managed by said host processor, a system bus coupled to said storage resources, and plural sockets connected to said system bus for receiving removable cards containing client computer devices, said architecture being characterized in that:
- said principal components are concentrated such that the length of said system bus can be effectively minimized, so as to allow said bus data transfer rate to be very high, said space being sufficient to also contain said client computer devices;
said client computer devices have modular forms, allowing for a variety of different client devices to be plugged into each socket, and said client computer devices include self-contained programmable computer systems which require access to said storage resources, via said bus, during real-time execution of their programs;
said bus is operated at a speed sufficient to enable each said client computer device to function efficiently while sharing access to said storage resources with said host processor and other said client devices for retrieving program information required by the respective client device to perform its functions; and
wherein said modular client computer devices are connectable to a coaxial cable containing 3 signal bearing lines;
a first one of said lines being used to carry information in an unmodulated form constituting intelligence for forming a video display, a second one of said lines being used to carry data in modulated form between said card and said remote equipment; and
a third one of said lines being used to carry signals for synchronizing reception of data sent from said card to said remote equipment and transmission of data sent from said remote equipment to said card.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In concentrated multiprocessor systems conforming to the presently disclosed modular architecture, a host processor and plural client processors are packaged in a single box containing a high speed (short length) bus connecting all of the processors, and data storage resources via the bus. The bus may be of a type commonly used in contemporary single computer systems; e.g. one conforming to PCI specifications. The host processor and associated resources are mounted directly on an integrated circuit motherboard containing the bus and card connectors attached to the bus. The card connectors removably receive integrated circuit cards containing individual client processors. In one embodiment, client processors are configured to be used as workstations or PC'"'"'s—in a residence, office or small factory environment—relative to users and accessories remote from the system enclosure. In another embodiment, host and client processors are configured to operate as servers between the system and multiple data networks external to the system; the host and client subsystems thereby constituting a server “farm”.
110 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A modular architecture for a spatially concentrated computer system, said system containing principal components including a host processor, storage resources managed by said host processor, a system bus coupled to said storage resources, and plural sockets connected to said system bus for receiving removable cards containing client computer devices, said architecture being characterized in that:
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said principal components are concentrated such that the length of said system bus can be effectively minimized, so as to allow said bus data transfer rate to be very high, said space being sufficient to also contain said client computer devices;
said client computer devices have modular forms, allowing for a variety of different client devices to be plugged into each socket, and said client computer devices include self-contained programmable computer systems which require access to said storage resources, via said bus, during real-time execution of their programs;
said bus is operated at a speed sufficient to enable each said client computer device to function efficiently while sharing access to said storage resources with said host processor and other said client devices for retrieving program information required by the respective client device to perform its functions; and
wherein said modular client computer devices are connectable to a coaxial cable containing 3 signal bearing lines;
a first one of said lines being used to carry information in an unmodulated form constituting intelligence for forming a video display, a second one of said lines being used to carry data in modulated form between said card and said remote equipment; and
a third one of said lines being used to carry signals for synchronizing reception of data sent from said card to said remote equipment and transmission of data sent from said remote equipment to said card.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
said concentrated space is contained within a housing unit comparable in size to housing units enclosing contemporary personal computer systems;
said housing unit contains a principal integrated circuit substrate on which said principal components are mounted;
said principal component sockets are adapted to receive integrated circuit cards containing said client computer devices; and
said housing unit contains external connector openings allowing for delivery of electrical power to said principal components and said computer devices, and also allowing for attachment of said host processor and said client devices to device entities external to the respective network system enclosed within said housing unit.
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3. The architecture in accordance with claim 1 wherein said storage resources include a random access memory having apportion thereof allocated for use as a file cache intended to be shared by said host processor and all of said client computer devices.
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4. The modular architecture in accordance with claim 3 wherein portions of said file cache allocated to said client computer devices have sufficient capacity to store program files constituting portions of programs instantly being executed by respective client devices, and wherein said bus is operated at a speed sufficient to enable each client device to efficiently execute programs of arbitrary size using program file information contained in the file cache portion allocated to the respective device, without having to store that program in its entirety on the card.
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5. The modular architecture in accordance with claim 1 characterized further in that:
said host processor and client computer cards are adapted to communicate via said system bus using a plurality of different signaling protocols;
said protocols including a first protocol enabling said host processor to perform diagnostic functions relative to said client computer devices, a second protocol enabling said cards to individually control said bus, as bus masters, for accessing said storage resources via said bus, and a third protocol enabling said client computer devices to communicate with each other and with said host processor as elements of a data communication network having address ports only on said bus.
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6. The modular computer system architecture in accordance with claim 1 wherein said system bus is a PCI bus.
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7. A modular architecture for a spatially concentrated computer system, said system containing principal components including a host processor, storage resources managed by said host processor, a system bus coupled to said storage resources, and plural sockets connected to said system bus for receiving removable cards containing client computer devices, said architecture being characterized in that:
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said principal components are concentrated such that the length of said system bus can be effectively minimized so as to allow said bus data transfer rate to be very high, said space being sufficient to also contain said client computer devices;
said client computer devices have modular forms, allowing for a variety of different client devices to be plugged into each socket, and said client computer devices include self-contained programmable computer systems which require access to said storage resources, via said bus, during real-time execution of their programs;
said bus is operated at a speed sufficient to enable each said client computer device to function efficiently while sharing access to said storage resources with said host processor and other said client devices for retrieving program information required by the respective client device to perform its functions;
said host processor and client computer cards are adapted to communicate via said system bus using a plurality of different signaling protocols, said protocols including a first protocol enabling said host processor to perform diagnostic functions relative to said client computer devices, a second protocol enabling said cards to individually control said bus as bus masters for accessing said storage resources via said bus, and a third protocol enabling said client computer devices to communicate with each other and with said host processor as elements of a data communication network having address ports only on said bus; and
wherein said third signaling bus protocol is a local area network (LAN) protocol in which data is transferred on said system bus in the form of packets accompanied by origin and destination address indications, and in which addresses designated by said address indications specify connection ports on said system bus, said connection ports including said sockets. - View Dependent Claims (8, 11, 12)
said concentrated space is contained within a housing unit comparable in size to housing units enclosing contemporary personal computer systems;
said housing unit contains a principal integrated circuit substrate on which said principal components are mounted;
said principal component sockets are adapted to receive integrated circuit cards containing said client computer devices; and
said housing unit contains external connector openings allowing for delivery of electrical power to said principal components and said computer devices, and also allowing for attachment of said host processor and said client devices to device entities external to the respective network system enclosed within said housing unit.
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12. The modular architecture in accordance with claim 7 characterized further in that:
said host processor and client computer cards are adapted to communicate via said system bus using a plurality of different signaling protocols, said protocols including a first protocol enabling said host processor to perform diagnostic functions relative to said client computer devices, a second protocol enabling said cards to individually control said bus as bus masters for accessing said storage resources via said bus and a third protocol enabling said client computer devices to communicate with each other and with said host processor as elements of a data communication network having address ports only on said bus.
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9. For a multiprocessor system consisting of client computers based on integrated circuit cards, a host processor, storage resources, and a system bus connecting said client computers with each other and with the host processor, a client computer card comprising:
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a modular network interface (MNI) circuit adapted to connect to said system bus and to operate relative to said system bus as both a bus master and a bus slave;
a central processor unit (CPU);
an internal bus on the respective card, said internal bus connecting said CPU to said MNI circuit for enabling said MNI circuit to route information signals between said CPU and said system bus;
said client computer card having a connector for connecting said card to a broadband communication medium, said connector enabling said card to exchange digital information at high speeds, in a modulated form, with equipment remote from both said card and a multiprocessing system containing said card;
said card together with said remote equipment constituting an intelligent terminal operable by an end user interacting with said remote equipment; and
wherein said broadband medium is coaxial cable of the type used in commercial cable television distribution, said cable containing 3 signal bearing lines, a first one of said lines being used to carry information in an unmodulated form constituting intelligence for forming a video display, a second one of said lines being used to carry data in modulated form between said card and said remote equipment, and a third one of said lines being used to carry signals for synchronizing detectors in said remote equipment that are responsible for synchronizing reception of data sent from said card to said remote equipment and transmission of data sent from said remote equipment to said card. - View Dependent Claims (10, 13, 14)
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15. A modular architecture for a spatially concentrated computer system, said system containing principal components including a host processor, storage resources managed by said host processor, a system bus coupled to said storage resources and plural sockets connected to said system bus for receiving removable cards containing client computer devices, said architecture being characterized in that:
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said principal components and said removable cards are in a concentrated space such that the length of said system bus can be effectively minimized to allow said bus to transfer data at a very high rate;
said client computer devices are modular, allowing for a variety of different client devices to be plugged into each socket, and said client computer devices include self-contained programmable computer systems which require access to said storage resources via said bus during program execution;
said bus is operatable at a speed sufficient to enable each said client computer device to function efficiently while sharing access to said storage resources with said host processor and other said client devices for retrieving program information required by the respective client device to perform its functions; and
said host processor and said client computer cards are adapted to communicate via said system bus using a plurality of different signaling protocols including a local area network (LAN) protocol in which data is transferred on said system bus in the form of packets accompanied by origin and destination address indications which specify system bus connection ports including said sockets. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
said concentrated space is contained within a housing comparable in size to a contemporary personal computer housing;
said housing contains a principal integrated circuit substrate on which said principal components are mounted;
said principal component sockets are adapted to receive integrated circuit cards containing said client computer devices; and
said housing has external connector openings allowing for delivery of electrical power to said principal components and said computer devices, and also allowing for attachment of said host processor and said client devices to computer devices external to said housing.
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Specification