Integrated RAID controller and SAS switch
First Claim
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1. A blade server system, comprising:
- a plurality of blade slots within a chassis of the blade server system;
at least one switch module within the chassis of the blade server system, wherein the at least one switch module provides connectivity to a communications fabric and is connected to the plurality of blade slots via an internal fabric within the blade server system, wherein a given switch module within the at least one switch module has a redundant array of independent disks controller integrated within the given switch module;
a processor blade in a given blade slot within the plurality of blade slots,wherein the given switch module is connected to a storage enclosure, wherein the processor blade connects to the storage enclosure via the internal fabric, the given switch module, and the communications fabric, wherein the processor blade accesses the storage enclosure using the redundant array of independent disks controller integrated within the given switch module, and wherein the storage enclosure comprises one or more storage devices; and
a management module that monitors components within the blade server system.
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Abstract
A blade server system includes a plurality of blade slots, a management module, and a plurality of switch modules. The switch modules provide connectivity to a plurality of communications fabrics. At least one switch module includes an integrated redundant array of independent disks (RAID) controller. A storage enclosure may be connected to the switch with the integrated RAID controller without having to include a stand-alone RAID controller, such as in one of the blade slots, and without having to include a RAID controller within the storage enclosure.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A blade server system, comprising:
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a plurality of blade slots within a chassis of the blade server system; at least one switch module within the chassis of the blade server system, wherein the at least one switch module provides connectivity to a communications fabric and is connected to the plurality of blade slots via an internal fabric within the blade server system, wherein a given switch module within the at least one switch module has a redundant array of independent disks controller integrated within the given switch module; a processor blade in a given blade slot within the plurality of blade slots, wherein the given switch module is connected to a storage enclosure, wherein the processor blade connects to the storage enclosure via the internal fabric, the given switch module, and the communications fabric, wherein the processor blade accesses the storage enclosure using the redundant array of independent disks controller integrated within the given switch module, and wherein the storage enclosure comprises one or more storage devices; and a management module that monitors components within the blade server system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A blade server system, comprising:
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a plurality of blade slots within a chassis of the blade server system; at least one switch module within the chassis of the blade server system, wherein the at least one switch module provides connectivity to a communications fabric and is connected to the plurality of blade slots via an internal fabric, wherein a given switch module within the at least one switch module has a redundant array of independent disks controller integrated within the given switch module; a processor blade in a first blade slot within the plurality of blade slots; a storage blade in a second blade slot within the plurality of blade slots, wherein the storage blade is located within a chassis of the blade server system and comprises a plurality of storage devices, wherein the processor blade accesses the plurality of storage devices via the given switch module and the redundant array of independent disks controller integrated within the given switch module; and a management module that monitors components within the blade server system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for providing a blade server system, the method comprising:
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providing a blade server system with a plurality of blade slots within a chassis of the blade server system; providing a management module within the chassis of the blade server system wherein the management module monitors components within the blade server system; providing at least one switch module within the chassis of the blade server system, wherein the at least one switch module provides connectivity to a communications fabric and is connected to the plurality of blade slots via an internal fabric within the blade server system, wherein a given switch module within the at least one switch module has a redundant array of independent disks controller integrated within the given switch module; installing a processor blade in a given blade slot within the plurality of blade slots; and connecting the given switch module to a storage enclosure, wherein the processor blade connects to the storage enclosure via the given switch module and the communications fabric, wherein the processor blade accesses the storage enclosure using the redundant array of independent disks controller integrated within the given switch module, and wherein the storage enclosure comprises one or more storage devices. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification