Patent ID: 6115551
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An apparatus, comprising:an input/output bridge for issuing a control signal to initiate data transfer;a data buffer for, upon receipt of the issued control signal, receiving data from a first bus; anda compound control/data channel, connected between the input/output bridge and the data buffer, for transporting the issued control signal from the input/output bridge to the data buffer under control of the input/output bridge, wherein, after receipt of the data from the first bus, the compound control/data channel transports the data from the data buffer to the input/output bridge, under control of the data buffer, wherein the input/output bridge transports the data received from the data buffer to a second bus, wherein said compound control/data channel includes,mode selecting means for selecting between a control node and a data mode, anda control/data channel for transporting data upon the mode selecting means selecting a data mode and for transporting a control signal upon the mode selecting means selecting a control mode, andwherein one of the input/output bridge and the data buffer controls the mode selecting means.