Switch node for a server switching system

Abstract

A switch node used for connecting a keyboard video mouse combination (KVM) and a server in an array of servers, some of which may be attached (directly) to the switch node, and others of which may be attached to another switch node in a network of interconnected switch nodes switch node includes at least one keyboard video monitor combination (KVM) port for attaching a KVM; a plurality of server ports for attaching a plurality of servers; a plurality of expansion ports connecting to other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes; a cross connect, for providing an inter-connection between each KVM and one of the server ports or one of the expansion ports; and a node operating system, for providing to a user, using one of the KVMs, an indication of each server in the array of servers, for determining a path to use for a connection between the KVM and a server, for configuring the cross connect to provide the path based on information provided by the node operating systems of other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes, and for requesting others of the switch nodes to configure their respective cross connects so as to provide the path determined by the node operating system; and an internode link port, for providing a network connection enabling communication between the node operating system of the switch node and the node operating system of other switch nodes in the array of switch nodes, the network connection (internode link) being the connection through which the switch node learns of available connections to servers attached to the other switch nodes and available connections between the other switch nodes.

1 . A switch node, for connecting a keyboard video mouse (KVM) combination and a server in an array of servers, each server attached to the switch node or attached to another switch node, all of the switch nodes constituting a network of interconnected switch nodes, the switch node comprising: 
 a) a KVM port for providing a connection to an attached KVM;    b) a plurality of server ports for providing connections to a plurality of attached servers;    c) a plurality of expansion ports for providing connections to other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes;    d) a cross connect, for providing connections between the KVM and one of the server ports or one of the expansion ports;    e) a node operating system, for providing to a user of the KVM an indication of each server in the array of servers, for determining a path to use for a connection between the KVM and a server selected by the user, for configuring the cross connect to provide the path, for requesting others of the switch nodes to configure their respective cross connects so as to provide the path determined; and    f) an internode link port, for providing a network connection enabling communication between the node operating system of the switch node and the node operating system of other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes.    
   
   
       2 . A switch node as in  claim 1 , wherein the configuring of the cross connect to provide the path is based on information provided by the node operating systems of other switch nodes in the network of switch nodes.  
   
   
       3 . A switch node as in  claim 1 , wherein the requesting of others of the switch nodes to configure their respective cross connects so as to provide the path determined is according to directions provided by the switch node.