Patent ID: 6425033
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A system for connecting peripheral devices to a computer, comprising:a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a CPU and memory, wherein the computer system includes: a first Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus; and a primary interface coupled to the first PCI bus, wherein the primary interface includes PCI interface circuitry for interfacing to the first PCI bus; a remote device located remotely from the computer system, the remote device comprising: a second PCI bus; one or more peripheral devices coupled to the second PCI bus; and a secondary interface coupled to the second PCI bus, wherein the secondary interface includes PCI interface circuitry for interfacing to the second PCI bus; a serial bus coupled between the primary interface and the secondary interface, wherein the serial bus includes first and second ends, wherein the first end of the serial bus is coupled to the primary interface and the second end of the serial bus is coupled to the secondary interface; wherein the primary interface and the secondary interface operate as a single PCIâ€”PCI bridge; wherein the primary interface and the secondary interface collectively implement a PCIâ€”PCI bridge register set; and wherein the primary interface operates as a first portion of a PCIâ€”PCI bridge, and wherein the secondary interface operates as a second portion of the PCIâ€”PCI bridge.