Patent ID: 7577767

Claim:
An interface for coupling data between bank of disk drives and a host computer/server, such interface comprising: a chassis having therein: a pair of storage processors adapted for coupling between the host computer/server and the bank of disk drives; a pair of management controllers in communication one with the other through a communication link, each one being coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of storage processors; a fan section having a plurality of fan units, the fan units being responsive to a common speed control signal and each one of the fan units producing a speed indication signal indicative of speed of a fan in such unit, and wherein a first one of the fan units produces a speed indication signal monitored by only a first one of the pair of management controllers; a second one of the fan units produces a speed indication signal monitored by only a second one of the pair of management controllers; and remaining ones of the fan units produce a speed indication signal monitored by both management controllers; and wherein the common speed control signal is produced for all the fan units in response to messages passing between the pair of management controllers, such messages being generated in response to speed indication signals fed to the pair of management controllers.