METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING POWER FAULT TOLERANCE IN A NETWORK OF CHAINED COMPUTER SYSTEMS THROUGH BIDIRECTIONAL LINKS

摘要

A method and system for providing computer system for use in a network having a plurality of computer systems linked in a chain is disclosed. The method and system include providing a power supply, at least one input and at least one output for the computer system. The at least one input is for receiving power from a first portion of the plurality of computer systems and for providing power from the power supply to the first portion of the plurality of computer systems. The at least one output is for providing power from the power supply to a second portion of the plurality of computer systems and for receiving power from the second portion of the plurality of computer systems. In one aspect, the first portion of the plurality computer systems includes an upstream computer system and the second portion of the plurality computer systems includes a downstream computer system. In this aspect, the method and system also includes providing an input power control circuit and reverse current protection circuits for the computer system. The input power control circuit is coupled with the at least one input and is for controlling power provided to the computer system such that power is input to the computer system when the power supply does not function.