Packet-switched split computer having disassociated peripheral controller and plural data buses
First Claim
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1. A remote-distance communications interface between a processor and physically disassociated peripheral controllers, comprising:
- a first data bus onto which the processor communicates;
a second data bus, physically disassociated from the first data bus, onto which the disassociated peripheral controllers communicate;
a bus interface coupling the first and second data buses to organize communication between said processor and said disassociated peripheral controllers and including at least one clock domain barrier between said first and second data buses;
a first communications controller coupled to the first data bus; and
a second communications controller coupled to the second data bus, wherein the communication between the first and second communications controllers is carried by packet-switch-based communications passing through at least one router.
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Abstract
A network interface is described in which a single computer bus is split over a long distance into two or more intercommunicating buses. On one bus, processing and applications are provided and on the other remote bus, peripheral and local controllers are provided. The buses communicate through a series of: bridge, a first communications controller, a second communications controller, and bridge. Between the communications controllers, a communication path provides long distance communication via a packet-switched network.
46 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A remote-distance communications interface between a processor and physically disassociated peripheral controllers, comprising:
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a first data bus onto which the processor communicates; a second data bus, physically disassociated from the first data bus, onto which the disassociated peripheral controllers communicate; a bus interface coupling the first and second data buses to organize communication between said processor and said disassociated peripheral controllers and including at least one clock domain barrier between said first and second data buses; a first communications controller coupled to the first data bus; and a second communications controller coupled to the second data bus, wherein the communication between the first and second communications controllers is carried by packet-switch-based communications passing through at least one router. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer system, comprising:
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a processor; an applications storage device operatively associated with the processor to provide the processor with applications routines; local peripheral controllers operatively associated with user computer peripherals and interfacing said applications routines with said user computer peripherals; a split data bus comprising; a first data bus onto which the processor and applications storage device communicate; a second data bus onto which the local peripheral controllers communicate; and a bus interface coupling the first and second data buses and including at least one clock domain barrier between said first and second data buses; a first communications controller coupled to the first data bus; and a second communications controller coupled to the second data bus, wherein communication between the first and second communications controllers is carried by packet-switch-based communications. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification