Patent ID: 7110414

Claim:
A fibre channel arbitrated loop apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a matrix of switches having N fibre channel inputs and M fibre channel outputs, the matrix comprising N×M switches, each of the switches associated with a respective one of the N fibre channel inputs and with a respective one of the M fibre channel outputs, the switches disposed such that any one of the N fibre channel inputs can be connected with any one of the M fibre channel outputs by closure of a particular one of the N×M switches, configuration means communicatively coupled with the switches, said means bringing about, for at least one of the N fibre channel inputs, the closing at the same time of at least two switches associated therewith, whereby at least two of the M fibre channel outputs are both connected with the at least one of the N fibre channel inputs, the apparatus further comprising: a first fibre channel device having a fibre channel input and a fibre channel output, the fibre channel output of the device connected with a first one of the N fibre channel inputs of the matrix of switches, the fibre channel input of the device connected with a first one of the M fibre channel outputs of the matrix of switches, a second fibre channel device having a fibre channel input and a fibre channel output, the fibre channel output of the device connected with a second one of the N fibre channel inputs of the matrix of switches, the fibre channel input of the device connected with a second one of the M fibre channel outputs of the matrix of switches, a fibre channel analyser having a fibre channel input, the fibre channel input of the analyzer connected with a third one of the M fibre channel outputs of the matrix of switches, and the switches of the matrix disposed such that the first one of the N fibre channel inputs is connected to the second one of the M fibre channel outputs and is also connected with the third one of the M fibre channel outputs.