Patent ID: 8359401

Claim:
A system for using PCI Express technology to transfer electronic data within an area Network at increased transmission rates, the system comprising: a plurality of servers in the Network, wherein each server has a PCI Express capability; a Network switch, comprising a PCI Express non-transparent bridge; a PCI Express switch for establishing a point-to-point connection between the Network switch and each individual server, wherein the PCI Express switch includes data buffer hardware resources and the Network switch uses the data buffer hardware resources of the PCI Express switch to augment the data buffering functions needed to facilitate data routing functions; and a plurality of connectors, with each connector being used to connect a respective server with the Network switch, wherein each connector comprises: a cable incorporating PCI Express technology, with the cable having a first end and a second end; a first device attached to the first end of the cable for engaging the cable with a server, to join the PCI Express capability of the server with the PCI Express technology of the cable; and said non-transparent bridge attached to the second end of the cable for engaging the cable with the Network switch to join the PCI Express capability of the Network switch with the PCI Express technology of the cable and wherein each connector establishes a multi-lane serial link between a respective server and the Network switch, and further wherein the Network switch uses said non-transparent bridge to selectively establish communications between different servers in the Network to increase data transmission rates between servers in the Network using only PCI Express technology without the need to convert from PCI Express technology.