Backplane architecture for enabling configuration of multi-service network elements for use in a global variety of communications networks
First Claim
1. A network element configurable for use in at least two different types of communications networks, the network element comprising:
- a service interface card;
a service interface electrical connector for receiving the service interface card;
an I/O electrical connector for receiving an I/O module that carries electrical signals associated with one or more electrical services to and from the network element; and
a backplane capable of installation in the network element irrespective of the communication network type of the at least two different types of communication networks for which the network element is being configured, the backplane having a first side, an opposite side, a first means for connecting the service interface electrical connector electrically and physically to the first side of the backplane, an electrical trace extending from the first connecting means to electrical contact means on the first side of the backplane and to electrical contact means on the opposite side of the backplane, and a second means for physically and electrically connecting the I/O electrical connector to electrical contact means on the first side of the backplane if the network element is configured according to a first configuration for use in a first type of communication network and to electrical contact means on the opposite side of the backplane if the network element is configured according to a second configuration for use in a second type of communication network,wherein the electrical trace electrically connects the I/O electrical connector to the first connecting means irrespective of the side of the backplane to which the I/O electrical connector is physically connected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-service network element is configurable for use in various types of communications networks. The network element has a service interface card, a service interface electrical connector for receiving the service interface card, an I/O electrical connector for receiving an I/O module, and a backplane. The backplane has a first side, an opposite side, a first means for electrically connecting the service interface electrical connector to the first side, and a second means for electrically connecting the I/O electrical connector to either side of the backplane. The backplane is partitioned into columns and rows of electrical connectors. Each column corresponds to a card slot for receiving a circuit pack and each row corresponds to a section of the backplane having traces for carrying a particular type of electrical signals between circuit packs.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A network element configurable for use in at least two different types of communications networks, the network element comprising:
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a service interface card; a service interface electrical connector for receiving the service interface card; an I/O electrical connector for receiving an I/O module that carries electrical signals associated with one or more electrical services to and from the network element; and a backplane capable of installation in the network element irrespective of the communication network type of the at least two different types of communication networks for which the network element is being configured, the backplane having a first side, an opposite side, a first means for connecting the service interface electrical connector electrically and physically to the first side of the backplane, an electrical trace extending from the first connecting means to electrical contact means on the first side of the backplane and to electrical contact means on the opposite side of the backplane, and a second means for physically and electrically connecting the I/O electrical connector to electrical contact means on the first side of the backplane if the network element is configured according to a first configuration for use in a first type of communication network and to electrical contact means on the opposite side of the backplane if the network element is configured according to a second configuration for use in a second type of communication network, wherein the electrical trace electrically connects the I/O electrical connector to the first connecting means irrespective of the side of the backplane to which the I/O electrical connector is physically connected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A network element configurable for use in at least two different types of communications networks, the network element comprising:
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means for forwarding network traffic received over a communications network; a backplane capable of installation in the network element irrespective of the communication network type of the at least two different types of communication networks for which the network element is being configured, the backplane having a first side and an opposite side; a first means for connecting the forwarding means to the first side of the backplane; a second means for physically and electrically connecting an I/O module to one of the sides of the backplane, the second connecting means connecting the I/O module to the first side of the backplane if the network element is configured for a first type of communications network and connecting the I/O module to the opposite side of the backplane if the network element is configured for a second type of communications network; and means for electrically connecting the first connecting means to the second connecting means irrespective of the side of the backplane to which the I/O module is physically and electrically connected in order to provide an electrical connection between the forwarding means and the I/O module. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A network element configurable for use in at least two different types of communications networks, the network element comprising:
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a plurality of circuit packs; a backplane capable of installation in the network element irrespective of the communication network type of the at least two different types of communication networks for which the network element is being configured, the backplane having a plurality of columns of electrical connectors and a plurality of rows of electrical connectors attached on one side of the backplane, each column of electrical connectors corresponding to a card slot for receiving one of the plurality of circuit packs, each row of electrical connectors corresponding to a section of the backplane with electrical traces for carrying a particular type of electrical signals between circuit packs, the backplane having a row of I/O electrical connectors for connecting I/O modules to the backplane, the row of I/O electrical connectors being connected to the one side of the backplane if the network element is configured for a first type of communications network and to an opposite side of the backplane if the network element is configured for a second type of communications network, each I/O electrical connector being electrically connected by an electrical trace to one of the electrical connectors in the same column as that I/O electrical connector irrespective of the side of the backplane to which that I/O electrical connector is physically connected. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method for configuring a network element for use in at least two different types of communications networks, the method comprising:
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installing a backplane in the network element irrespective of the type of communication network of the at least two different types of communication networks for which the network element is being configured, the backplane having a front side and a back side; connecting a plurality of service interface cards to the one of the front and back sides of the backplane; and connecting an I/O module to the front side of the backplane if the network element is to be configured for a first type of communications network, otherwise connecting the I/O module to the back side of the backplane if the network element is to be configured for a second type of communications network. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification