Patent ID: 7660334

Claim:
A data storage system comprising: a first storage processor for storing and retrieving data from a data storage array for at least one host computer; a second storage processor, coupled to the first storage processor by a communication link, for storing and retrieving data from the data storage array for the at least one host computer; a number M of multiplexers, M being an integer greater than one, each of the multiplexers being coupled to the first storage processor and the second storage processor for receiving data signals from the first storage processor and the second storage processor and transmitting the data signals to a disk drive device of the data storage array; an integer number A of arbiters, each being coupled to the first storage processor, the second storage processor and a number N of the plurality of multiplexers, for receiving arbiter control signals from the first storage processor and the second storage processor and transmitting multiplexer control signals to each of the number N of the plurality of multiplexers; and a midplane device coupled between the plurality of multiplexers and the data storage array for transferring the data signals from the plurality of multiplexers to the data storage array; wherein the first storage processor, the second storage processor, the plurality of multiplexers, the plurality of arbiters and the midplane are all constructed on a single printed circuit board.