Patent ID: 7000053
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer system including a circuit board, the computer system comprising: a first slot and a second slot coupled to the circuit board, the first slot including a first connector and the second slot including a second connector, the first and second connectors each configured for connecting to a plurality of signal lines; a hot swap controller connected to the circuit board, the hot swap controller comprising a first means for switching a first plurality of switches, a second means for driving and monitoring signal lines connected to connectors of the first slot and the second slot, and a third means for storing a status information of the signal lines; standby circuitry removably connected to the hot swap controller, the standby circuitry comprising a fourth means for switching a second plurality of switches, and a fifth means for maintaining the signal lines according to stored status information of the signal lines received from the hot swap controller, wherein, during a normal operation of the hot swap controller, the first means turns on the first plurality of switches such that the second means monitors and drives ones of the signal lines and the fourth means turns off the second plurality of switches, and during a standby operation of the hot swap controller, the fifth means maintains a status of the signal lines according to the status information stored in the fifth means without monitoring the status of the signal lines, such that when normal operation of the hot swap controller is restored, prior status of the signal lines is recoverable from the standby circuitry.