Patent ID: 6615272
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A switch node among a plurality of nodes, for connecting a keyboard video mouse (KVM) combination and a server in an array of servers, each server attached to the switch node or attached to another switch node, all of the switch nodes constituting a network of interconnected switch nodes, the switch node comprising:a) a KVM port for providing a connection to an attached KVM; b) a plurality of server ports for providing connections to a plurality of attached servers; c) a plurality of expansion ports for providing connections to other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes; d) a cross connect, for providing connections between the KVM and one of the server ports or one of the expansion ports; e) a node operating system, for providing to a user of the KVM an indication of each server in the array of servers, for determining a path to use for a connection between the KVM and a sever selected by the user, for configuring the cross connect to provide the path, for requesting others of the switch nodes to configure their respective cross connects so as to provide the path determined; and f) an internode link port, for providing a network connection enabling comnunication between the node operating system of the switch node and the node operating system of other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes.