Multiple module computer system and method

• US 7,376,779 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acqis LLC (Acqis Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Acqis Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Chu, William W. Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, RAYMOND NGAN
• Application Number:
  US11/166,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20050246469A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 710300-317, 710 62- 66, 710 72- 73, 709214-219, 709226-227
• US Class Current: 710/313
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/08 Clock generators with changeable or programmable clock frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/12 Synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality of clock generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/20 for access to input/output bus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4027 using bus bridges G06F13/4022 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4068 Electrical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/42 Bus transfer protocol, e.g. handshake; Synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4221 being an input/output bus, e.g. ISA bus, EISA bus, PCI bus, SCSI bus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4282 on a serial bus, e.g. I2C bus, SPI bus on daisy chain buses G06F13/4247
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

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.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a peripheral 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 hub controller powered by the power supply, and

a plurality of computer modules;

each computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot, comprising

a CPU,

a graphics controller,

a main memory coupled to the CPU,

interconnection circuitry coupled to said CPU, said interconnection circuitry connectable to the peripheral console; and

wherein said CPU is uncoupled from any primary output circuitry when said interconnection circuitry is disconnected from a peripheral console; and

wherein each computer module communicates with the serial communication hub controller through two sets of unidirectional serial, differential signal channels which transmit data in opposite directions.

2. The computer system of claim 1 wherein each computer module further comprises a communication controller coupled to the serial communication controller in the console adapted to transfer data between any two of the computer modules and to an external network.

3. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the serial, differential signal channels transmit in 10 bit packets.

4. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the computer module further comprises an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction.

5. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

6. A computer system comprising:

a peripheral 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 hub 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, comprising

a CPU,

a graphics controller,

a main memory coupled to the CPU,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial data stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction,

interconnection circuitry coupled to said CPU, said interconnection circuitry connectable to the peripheral console; and

wherein said CPU is uncoupled from any primary output circuitry when said interconnection circuitry is disconnected from the peripheral console; and

wherein each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other.

7. The computer system of claim 6 wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions.

8. The computer system of claim 6 wherein the encoded serial bit stream comprises 10 bit packets.

9. The computer system of claim 6 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

10. The computer system of claim 6 wherein the primary output circuitry comprises connection circuitry for an external display device.

11. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising 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

an Ethernet hub controller,

each coupling site,

a mass storage device, and

a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;

each computer module comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial data 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;

and wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and

wherein one of the computer module is coupled to the mass storage device.

12. The computer system of claim 11 wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial channels which transmit data in opposite directions.

13. The computer system of claim 11 wherein the Ethernet controllers are used for sharing a peripheral device in the console.

14. The computer system of claim 12 wherein each of the unidirectional serial channels comprises one or more pairs of differential signal lines.

15. The computer system of claim 11 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

16. A computer system comprising:

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 hub 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, comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

circuitry that can vary a clock frequency of the processing unit for varying its power consumption,

a communication controller coupled to the serial communication hub controller through the connector of the coupling site, and

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial data stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction;

wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other.

17. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the encoded serial bit stream comprises 10 bit packets.

18. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the interface controller couples to a flash memory with PCI configuration information.

19. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the computer module further comprises a second enclosure and a hard disk drive wherein the second enclosure houses the hard disk drive.

20. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

21. A computer system comprising:

a peripheral 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,

an Ethernet hub 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 comprising

a CPU,

a graphics controller coupling to the video switch in the console,

a main memory coupled to the CPU,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel of two unidirectional serial bit streams which transmit data in opposite directions for communicating encoded serialized Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data,

interconnection circuitry coupled to said CPU, said interconnection circuitry connectable to the peripheral console; and

wherein said CPU is uncoupled from any primary output circuitry when said interconnection circuitry is disconnected from the peripheral console; and

wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other.

22. The computer system of claim 21 wherein the primary output circuitry comprises connection circuitry for an external display device.

23. The computer system of claim 21 wherein the serial bit stream comprises one or more pairs of differential signal lines.

24. The computer system of claim 21 wherein the serial bit stream comprises 10 bit packets.

25. The computer system of claim 21 wherein the serial bit stream comprises PCI bus transaction with encoded PCI address and data bits.

26. A computer system comprising:

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 comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

circuitry that can vary the clock frequency of the processing unit for varying its power consumption,

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.

27. The computer system of claim 26 wherein the Ethernet controllers are used for sharing a peripheral device in the console.

28. The computer system of claim 26 wherein the hard disk drive is removable while the computer module is in operation.

29. The computer system of claim 26 wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions.

30. The computer system of claim 26 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

31. A computer system comprising:

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 the coupling site through the connector and the slot, and comprising

an enclosure,

a CPU,

a graphics controller,

a main memory coupled to the CPU,

a SCSI hard disk drive,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial data stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction,

interconnection circuitry coupled to said CPU, said interconnection circuitry connectable to the peripheral console; and

wherein said CPU is uncoupled from any primary output circuitry when said interconnection circuitry is disconnected from the peripheral console; and

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.

32. The computer system of claim 31 wherein the encoded serial bit stream comprises 10 bit packets.

33. The computer system of claim 31 wherein the SCSI hard disk drive is removable while the computer module is in operation.

34. The computer system of claim 31 wherein the primary output circuitry comprises connection circuitry coupled to an external display device.

35. The computer system of claim 31 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

36. A computer system comprising:

a peripheral 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 comprising

a CPU,

a main memory coupled to the CPU,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction,

interconnection circuitry coupled to said CPU, said interconnection circuitry connectable to the peripheral console; and

wherein said CPU is uncoupled from any primary input circuitry when said interconnection circuitry is disconnected from the peripheral console; and

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.

37. The computer system of claim 36 wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions.

38. The computer system of claim 36 wherein the primary input circuitry comprises connection circuitry for an external input device.

39. The computer system of claim 36 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

40. The computer system of claim 36 wherein the command from the user is in the form of either a key on the keyboard or an icon on the screen that the mouse can click on.

41. A computer system comprising:

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 mass storage device,

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,

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

wherein each of the computer modules provide independent processing in the computer system; and

wherein one of the computer module is coupled to the mass storage device; and

wherein one of the computer modules is configured to provide protection against failure of another of the plurality of computer modules.

42. The computer system of claim 41 wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions.

43. The computer system of claim 41 wherein the interface controller couples to a flash memory with PCI configuration information.

44. The computer system of claim 41 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

45. The computer system of claim 41 wherein the mass storage device can be either a hard disk drive or CD-ROM drive.

46. A computer system comprising:

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,

a mass storage device,

a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector and the slot;

each computer module comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a graphics controller, and

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel with two sets of unidirectional serial channels which transmit data in opposite directions, for communicating encoded serialized bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction;

wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and

wherein one of the computer module is coupled to the mass storage device; and

wherein one of the computer modules can replace another one of the computer modules in operation.

47. The computer system of claim 46 wherein the encoded serial bit stream comprises 10 bit packets.

48. The computer system of claim 46 wherein each of the unidirectional serial channels comprises one or more pairs of differential signal lines.

49. The computer system of claim 46 wherein the console further houses a power supply that supplies DC power to the Ethernet controller and the computer modules.

50. The computer system of claim 46 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

51. A computer system comprising:

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,

the coupling sites, and

more than two 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,

circuitry that can vary a clock frequency of the processing unit for varying its power consumption, and

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel with two sets of unidirectional serial channels which transmit data in opposite directions, for communicating encoded serialized bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction;

wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and

wherein one of the computer modules is configured to provide protection against failure of any one of the other computer modules.

52. The computer system of claim 51 wherein the console further houses a power supply that supplies DC power to the Ethernet hub controller and the computer modules.

53. The computer system of claim 51 wherein the encoded serial bit stream comprises 10 bit packets.

54. The computer system of claim 51 wherein each of the unidirectional serial channels comprises one or more pairs of differential signal lines.

55. The computer system of claim 51 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

56. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising an Ethernet hub controller, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, the console being an enclosure housing

the Ethernet hub controller,

the coupling sites, and

a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites;

each computer module comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

circuitry that can vary a clock frequency of the processing unit for varying its power consumption,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel of two unidirectional serial bit streams which transmit data in opposite directions for communicating encoded serialized Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data to a connector, 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.

57. The computer system of claim 56 wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions.

58. The computer system of claim 56 wherein the Ethernet controllers are used for sharing a peripheral device in the console.

59. The computer system of claim 56 wherein the encoded serial bit stream comprises 10 bit packets.

60. The computer system of claim 56 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

61. A computer system comprising:

a peripheral console comprising an Ethernet controller coupled to an external network, a video switch, a first coupling site and a second coupling site, 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;

each computer module comprising

a CPU,

a main memory coupled to the CPU,

a graphics controller coupled to the video switch,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel of two unidirectional serial bit streams which transmit data in opposite directions for communicating encoded serial Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data to a connector,

interconnection circuitry coupled to said CPU, said interconnection circuitry connectable to the peripheral console; and

wherein said CPU is uncoupled from any primary input circuitry when said interconnection circuitry is disconnected from the peripheral console; and

wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other.

62. The computer system of claim 61 wherein the primary input circuitry comprises connection circuitry for an external input device.

63. The computer system of claim 61 further comprises a hard disk drive in the console coupled to one of the computer modules.

64. The computer system of claim 61 wherein the console further houses a power supply that supplies DC power to the Ethernet controller and the computer modules.

65. The computer system of claim 61 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

66. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site, the console being an enclosure housing

an Ethernet hub controller,

each coupling site, and

a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites;

each computer module comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel of two unidirectional serial bit streams which transmit data in opposite directions for communicating encoded serial Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data to a connector, 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 the Ethernet hub controller is used for sharing a peripheral device in the console.

67. The computer system of claim 66 wherein the interface controller couples to a flash memory with PCI configuration information.

68. The computer system of claim 66 wherein the hard disk drive is removable while the computer module is in operation.

69. The computer system of claim 66 wherein the encoded serial bit stream comprises 10 bit packets.

70. The computer system of claim 66 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

71. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising a universal serial bus (USB), a first coupling site, and a second coupling site;

the console being an enclosure housing

each coupling site,

a serial communication hub controller coupled to an external network, and

a plurality of computer modules, each coupled to one of the coupling sites;

each computer module comprising

a CPU,

a main memory coupled to the CPU,

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 of two unidirectional serial bit streams which transmit data in opposite directions for communicating encoded serial Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data to a connector,

interconnection circuitry coupled to said CPU, said interconnection circuitry connectable to the peripheral console; and

wherein said CPU is uncoupled from any primary input circuitry when said interconnection circuitry is disconnected from the peripheral console; and

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.

72. The computer system of claim 71 wherein the primary input circuitry comprises connection circuitry for an external input device.

73. The computer system of claim 71 further comprises a hard disk drive in the console coupled to one of the computer modules.

74. The computer system of claim 71 wherein the serial bit stream comprises 10 bit packets.

75. The computer system of claim 71 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

76. A computer system comprising:

a peripheral console comprising a universal serial bus (USB), 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

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 comprising

a CPU,

a main memory coupled to the CPU,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction,

interconnection circuitry coupled to said CPU, said interconnection circuitry connectable to the peripheral console; and

wherein said CPU is uncoupled from any primary input circuitry when said interconnection circuitry is disconnected from the peripheral console; and

wherein each of the computer modules operates fully independent of each other; and

wherein the differential signal channel comprises two sets of unidirectional serial channels which transmit 10 bit packets in opposite directions.

77. The computer system of claim 76 wherein the primary input circuitry comprises connection circuitry for an external input device.

78. The computer system of claim 76 wherein each of the unidirectional serial channels comprises one or more pairs of differential signal lines.

79. The computer system of claim 76 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

80. The computer system of claim 76 wherein the console further houses a power supply that supplies DC power to the Ethernet controller and the computer modules.

81. A computer system comprising:

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 comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a grounding plate for shielding electromagnetic interference (EMI),

a SCSI hard disk drive, 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 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.

82. The computer system of claim 81 wherein the interface controller couples to a flash memory with PCI configuration information.

83. The computer system of claim 81 wherein the SCSI hard disk drive is removable while the computer module is in operation.

84. The computer system of claim 81 wherein the console further houses a power supply that supplies DC power to the Ethernet controller and the computer modules.

85. The computer system of claim 81 wherein the serial bit stream of PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

86. A computer system comprising:

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 mass storage device,

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 comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel of two unidirectional serial bit streams which transmit data in opposite directions for communicating encoded serial, 10 bit packet data stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction;

wherein each of the computer modules operates independent of each other; and

wherein one of the computer module is coupled to the mass storage device.

87. The computer system of claim 86 wherein the mass storage device can be either a hard disk drive or CD-ROM drive.

88. The computer system of claim 86 wherein the encoded PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

89. A computer system comprising:

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

an Ethernet hub controller,

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 comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

an Ethernet controller coupled to the Ethernet hub controller for communication between the computer modules,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel of two unidirectional serial bit streams which transmit data in opposite directions for communicating encoded serial, 10 bit packet data stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction; and

wherein each of the computer modules operates independent of each other; and

wherein the Ethernet hub controller is used for sharing a peripheral device in the console; and

wherein one of the computer modules can replace another one of the computer modules in operation.

90. The computer system of claim 89 wherein the encoded PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

91. The computer system of claim 89 wherein each of the unidirectional serial differential signal channels comprises one or more pairs of differential signal lines.

92. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site, the console being an enclosure housing

each coupling site, and

more than two computer modules;

each computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites;

each computer module comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a grounding plate for shielding electromagnetic interference (EMI),

a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit,

an interface controller coupled to a differential signal channel of two unidirectional serial bit streams which transmit data in opposite directions for communicating encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to a connector; 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 any one of the other computer modules.

93. The computer system of claim 92 wherein the encoded PCI bus transaction comprises encoded PCI address and data bits.

94. The computer system of claim 92 wherein each of the unidirectional serial differential signal channels comprises one or more pairs of differential signal lines.