Multi-channel network monitoring apparatus, signal replicating device, and systems including such apparatus and devices, and enclosure for multi-processor equipment

Abstract

A multi-channel network monitoring apparatus has input connectors for network signals to be monitored and four channel processors in a rack-mountable chassis/enclosure for receiving and processing a respective pair of incoming signals to produce monitoring results. Each processor operates independently of the others and is replaceable without interrupting their operation. LAN connectors enable onward communication of the monitoring results. A cross-point switch routes each incoming signal to a selected processor and can re-route a channel to another processor in the event of processor outage. Each processor has a self-contained sub-system of processing modules interconnected via a CPU-peripheral interface in a backplane, which provides a separate peripheral interface for each processor. The backplane provides locations for processors to lie horizontally across a major portion of the backplane area facing the front of the enclosure, and a location for an interface module over a minor portion of that area facing the rear, so as to provide external connectors at the rear of the enclosure. A power supply module is positioned over another portion of the backplane area, on the same side as the interface module. The location of the power supply module behind the backplane saves height and/or width in the rack.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 25 , together with a processing sub-system comprising one processing module having specialised capability for processing a specific type of input signal to be analysed, and another processing module of general purpose type for receiving partially processed data from the first processing module and for further processing and reducing said data for onward communication.  
     
     
         14 - 24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . A computer equipment chassis comprising a housing and a backplane providing locations for a plurality of independent processing sub-systems, each processing sub-system comprising first and second processing modules to be separately mounted on the backplane at adjacent locations, the backplane providing at least four independent host-peripheral interfaces, each extending only between the adjacent locations for said first and second processing modules, and each being configured such that in operation the first processing module operates as a peripheral and the second processing module operates as host.  
     
     
         26 . A chassis as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the housing and backplane further provide a location for a multi-channel interface module providing external connections for all of the processing sub-systems, the backplane routing signals from the interface module to the appropriate sub-systems.  
     
     
         27 . A chassis as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said housing and backplane further provide a location for a switching module, such that each external connection can be routed and re-routed to different processing sub-systems.  
     
     
         28 . A chassis as claimed in claimed  25 , wherein the backplane further provides interconnections to the locations for the processing sub-systems for communication externally of the housing.  
     
     
         29 . A chassis as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein said housing and backplane further provide a management module location for routing of said communication from the locations for the processing sub-systems to external connectors.  
     
     
         30 - 50 . (canceled)  
     
     
         51 . A chassis as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the host-peripheral interfaces are cPCI interfaces.  
     
     
         52 . A chassis as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein there are at least four independent processing sub-systems and host-peripheral interfaces.