Patent ID: 6845409

Claim:
A method for exchanging data between a processing unit coupled to a host input/output (I/O) port of a switch and a plurality of devices each coupled to a different device I/O port of the switch, the method comprising: issuing separate commands to each of the devices via the host I/O port and respective ones of the device I/O ports of the switch, wherein the host I/O port and the device I/O ports are all configured for communicating with the devices according to the same interface standard; receiving an interrupt signal from one of the devices, wherein the interrupt signal conveys a request for service; performing an interrupt service routine in response to the interrupt signal; reading the contents of an addressable register of the switch before completion of the interrupt service routine, wherein the contents of the register are indicative of interrupt signals from the devices; and servicing the other devices before completing the interrupt service routine dependent upon the contents of the register.