Background

[0001] A computing device can allow a user to utilize computing device operations for work, education, gaming, multimedia, and/or other uses. Computing devices can be utilized in a non-portable setting, such as at a desktop, and/or be portable to allow a user to carry of otherwise bring with the computing device with while in a mobile setting. Different types of computing devices can utilize different types of processor resources and/or utilize different types of management devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a system that includes a peripheral device to switch communication connections based on a processor type.

[0003] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a system that includes a peripheral device to switch communication connections based on a processor type.

[0004] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a system that includes a peripheral device to switch communication connections based on a processor type.

[0005] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a peripheral device to switch communication connections based on a processor type.

Detailed Description

[0006] A user may utilize a computing device for various purposes, such as for business and/or recreational use. As used herein, the term computing device refers to an electronic system having a processor resource and a memory resource. Examples of computing devices can include, for instance, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, networking device (e.g., router, network switch, etc.), and/or a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal digital assistant, smart glasses, a wrist-worn device, etc.), among other types of computing devices. As used herein, a mobile device can include devices that are (or can be) carried and/or worn by a user. For example, a mobile device can be a phone (e.g., a smart phone), a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), smart glasses, and/or a wrist-worn device (e.g., a smart watch), among other types of mobile devices.

[0007] Different computing devices can utilize different types of processor resources. For example, a first computing device can utilize a first type of processor resource and a second computing device can utilize a second type of processor resource. In this example, the first type of processor resource can utilize a first type of management device (e.g., remote management device, etc.) and the second type of processor resource can utilize a second type of management device, in these examples, the first type of management device may not be capable of managing or functioning with the second type of processor resource and the second type of management device may not be capable of managing or functioning with the first type of processor resource.

[0008] In some examples, the first type of management device can utilize a first type of communication connection and the second type of management device can utilize a second type of communication connection. In some examples, the computing device can be coupled to a peripheral device. As used herein, a peripheral device refers to a device that is physically separate from a computing device. For example, the computing device can include a physical enclosure and the peripheral device can be physically separate from the physical enclosure of the computing device, in these examples, the peripheral device can couple the computing device to other devices and/or a network. For example, the peripheral device can couple a portable computing device to a workstation (e.g., dock, docking station, etc.) that includes additional displays, resources, and/or network connections, in some previous examples, the peripheral device may utilize a single type of communication connection, which can result in a single type of management device that can be utilized for computing devices coupled to the peripheral device. In this way, computing devices that utilize a different type of communication connection may not be capable of utilizing a management device.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a peripheral device that can switch between a plurality of different communication connections based on a processor type, in this way, a plurality of different types of computing devices can be coupled to the peripheral device and utilize a corresponding management device even when the plurality of computing devices utilize different types of processor resources, in some examples, the peripheral devices described herein can receive a signal from a processor resource and utilize the signal to determine the type of processor resource utilized by the computing device. In these examples, the peripheral device can utilize a switch to provide a corresponding communication connection to the computing device based on the determined type of processor resource.

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a system 100 that includes a peripheral device 108 to switch communication connections based on a processor type, in some examples, the system 100 can include a computing device 102. As described herein, the computing device 102 can include a processor resource 104 that can be utilized to execute instructions stored on a memory resource. In some examples, the processor resource 104 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) and/or other type of processor resource.

[0011] In some examples, the computing device 102 can be communicatively coupled to the peripheral device 108 through a communication path 108. As used herein, a communication path 106 refers to a physicai orwireiess connection that can allow signals to be transferred between the computing device 102 and the peripheral device 108. For example, the communication path 106 can include a universal serial bus (USB) connection (e.g., USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, etc.), in a specific example, the communication path can be a physicai connector that is coupled to the computing device 102 and coupled to a connector 110 of the peripheral device 108. In this way, the computing device 102 can send signals to the peripheral device 108 and/or the peripheral device 108 can send signals to the computing device 102.

[0012] In some examples, the system 100 can include a controller 112. In some examples, the controller 112 can be a processor resource and memory resource to store instructions that can be executed by the processor resource. For example, the controller 112 can include a processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a metal- programmable ceil array (MPCA), or other combination of circuitry and/or logic to orchestrate execution of instructions, in some examples, the controller 112 can be coupled to the connector 110 (e.g., input/output port, etc.) of the peripheral device 108. In some examples, the controller 112 can be utilized to receive a signal from the processing resource 104. As used herein, a signal refers to an electrical impulse or radio wave that is transmitted or received by a device. For example, the signal can include a data packet or plurality of data packets that can include instructions or other information expressed by the data packets. As used herein, a data packet refers to a unit of data made into a signal package that travels along a communication path 106. In some examples, the signal can be a Vendor Defined Message (VDM) signal from the computing device 102. As used herein, a VDM signal refers to a signal or tool that utilizes a formal specification language (e.g.,

VDM Specification Language (VDM-SL), etc.)

[0013] In some examples, the signal or data packet can be generated utilizing a particular communication protocol. As used herein, a communication protocol refers to a system of rules that allow two or more devices to transmit information. For example, the communication protocol can include a particular organization of the data packets or signals transmitted or received. As described herein, the processor resource 104 can be a particular type of processor resource. For example, the processor resource 104 can be manufactured by Intel ^® , AMD ^® , Apple ^® , or other manufacturer. In some examples, each type of processor resource can be manufactured with a corresponding communication protocol. In some examples, the controller 112 can receive a signal from the processor resource 104 and the controller 112 can determine the type of the processor resource 104 based on the communication protocol of the signal. In these examples, the controller 112 can provide the signal, protocol, and/or type of processor resource 104 utilized by the computing device 102. In this way, the controller 112 can instruct the switch 114 to a particular communication connection 116, 117 based on the type of processor resource 104 utilized by the computing device 102.

[0014] In some examples, the switch 114 can change between a first communication connection 116 and a second communication connection 117. As used herein, a switch, such as switch 114, refers to a device to dose or open a connection within a circuit. For example, the switch 114 can connect or close a first connection while opening or disconnecting a second connection. In this example, the first connection may be utilized to complete the circuit while the second connection may not be utilized to complete the circuit, in this way, the switch 114 can physicaily connect or disconnect portions of a circuit. For example, the switch 114 can be utilized to switch a path of electricity of the circuit. That is, the switch 114 can be utilized to direct electricity along a path, which can include stopping electridty from flowing down one path and completing a circuit to allow electricity to flow down a different path. In some examples, the switch 114 can include an electrical switch that can provide electricity to either the first communication connection 116 or the second communication connection 117. In other examples, the switch 114 can be utilized to provide electricity to both the first communication connection 116 and the second communication connection 117 when both communication connections 116, 117 are to be utilized.

[0015] Although two communication connections are illustrated, the present disclosure is not limited to a specific quantity of communication connections. For example, the peripheral device 108 can include additional communication connections that can correspond to additional types of processor resources, such as processor resource 104. As used herein, the communication connections 116, 117 refer to a connection that allows for a particular protocol to be utilized to transfer signals or data packets utilizing the particular protocol. For example, the first communication connection 116 can include a universal serial bus (USB) local area network (LAN) communication connection that can provide transfer of signals utilizing a USB LAN protocol. In this example, the second communication connection 117 can include a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) local area network (LAN) communication connection that can provide transfer of signals utilizing a PCIe LAN protocol. In addition, the communication connections 116, 117 can also include additional bus devices, such as, but not limited to a sideband low speed bus (e.g., SMBus, 12C bus, etc.).

[0016] In some examples, the communication connections 116, 117 can be coupled to a connector 118. in these examples, the connector 118 can be coupled to a network 120. For example, the connector 118 can be a network connector to allow the computing device 102 to communicate with a remote manageability device through the network 120. As used herein, a network 120 refers to a group of interconnected computing devices, such as computing device 102. For example, the network 120 can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), internet, and/or other type of computing network. In some examples, the network 120 can be utilized to couple the peripheral device 108 to a remote management device. As used herein, a remote management device can include a device or system that can remotely perform functions associated with the computing device 102. For example, a remote management device can include instructions that can wake up, perform inventory, diagnose events, repair failures, and/or push security updates to the computing device 102.

[0017] In some examples, the remote management device can be a particular type of remote management device. For example, the remote management device can utilize a particular protocol to communicate with computing devices such as computing device 102. In some examples, the remote management device may be able to communicate with a computing device 102 that utilizes a first type of processor resource 104 while it may not be able to communicate with a computing device 102 that utilizes a second type of processor resource 104. For example, the remote management device may utilize a PCIe LAN communication connection and may not be compatible with a USB LAN communication connection. In this example, the switch 114 can be changed to the PCIe LAN communication connection from the plurality of communication connections 116, 117 when the processor resource 104 utilizes a PCIe LAN communication connection, in this way, the remote management device can communicate with the processor resource 104 of the computing device 102 to manage the functions of the computing device 102.

[0018] In a similar example, the controller 112 can determine that the processor resource 104 utilizes a communication protocol that can be transmitted across a first communication connection 116. in this example, the controller 112 can send a signal to the switch 114 to activate the first communication connection 116 to allow a remote management device that utilizes the communication protocol. In this way, the remote management device can utilize the network 120, connector 118, first communication connection 116, and/or the connector 110 to communicate with the computing device 102 and/or processor resource 104. In this way, the peripheral device 108 can be coupled to a plurality of different computing devices that utilize different types of processor resources and provide a remote management device access to the corresponding type of processor resource.

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a system 200 that includes a peripheral device 208 to switch communication connections 216, 217 based on a processor type, in some examples, the system 200 can include the same or similar elements as system 100 as referenced in Figure 1. In some examples, the system 200 can include a computing device 202 that includes a processor resource 204. In some examples, the computing device 202 can be coupled to the peripheral device 208 through a communication path 206 coupled to a first connector 210. in some examples, the peripheral device 208 can be coupled to a network 220 through a connector 218.

[0020] As described herein, the processor resource 204 can transmit a signal through the communication path 206 to the first connector 210. In some examples, a first controller 212 can be coupled to the first connector 210 and receive the signal transmitted by the processor resource 204. As described herein, the signal received at the first controller 212 from the processor resource 204 can allow the first controller 212 to identify the type of processor resource 204. For example, the signal received by the first controller 212 can be utilized to determine a communication protocol utilized by the processor resource 204. In this example, the communication protocol utilized by the processor resource 204 can be utilized to identify the type of the processor resource 204.

[0021] In some examples, the first controller 212 can include a first type of controller. For example, the first controller 212 can include a power delivery controller. As used herein, a power delivery controller can be utilized to manage electrical power delivery to components of the peripheral device 208 and/or computing device 202 when the computing device 202 is coupled to the peripheral device 208, In some examples, the power delivery specifications for the peripheral device 208 and/or computing device 202 can be based on the processor type of the processor resource 204. As used herein, the power delivery specifications can include information that identifies a quantity of power to be provided to different components of a device.

[0022] In some examples, the first controller 212 can send a signal to the switch 214 to couple one of a plurality of communication connections 216-1, 217 to a second connector 218 based on the received signal from the first controller 212. As described herein, the processor type of the processor resource 204 can be utilized to determine a particular protocol that is utilized by the processor resource 204. In this way, the switch 214 can provide a connection to the network 220 with a particular communication connection 216, 217 based on the particular protocol utilized by the processor resource 204. Although two communication connections 216, 217 are illustrated, the present disclosure is not so limited. That is, additional communication connections can be added without departing from the present disclosure.

[0023] In some examples, the first controller 212 can provide communication received from the processor resource 204 to a second controller 213. In some examples, the first controller 212 can change power settings of the peripheral device 208 based on the power settings associated with the processor type of the processor resource 204. in these examples, the first controller 212 can be utilized to provide communication signals from the processor resource 204 to the second controller 213. in some examples, the second controller 213 can be a communication controller to provide communication to either the first communication connection 216 or the second communication connection 217 based on the type of processor resource 204. Thus, the peripheral device 208 is capable of changing power settings and/or communication connections 216, 217 to support a plurality of different types of processor resources such as processor resource 204. In this way, the same peripheral device 208 can be utilized with a plurality of different computing devices that utilize different types of processor resources.

[0024] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a system 300 that includes a peripheral device 308 to switch communication connections 316, 317 based on a processor type. In some examples, the system 300 can include the same or similar elements as system 100 as referenced in Figure 1, and/or system 200 as referenced in Figure 2. For example, the system 300 can include a computing device 302 that includes a processor resource 304. In this example, the system 300 can include a peripheral device 308 with a first connector 310 coupled to the computing device 302 and a second connector 318 coupled to a network 320. As described herein, the network 320 can allow a remote manageability device 322 to communicate with the peripheral device 308. In addition, the peripheral device 308 can be utilized to change between a first communication connection (e.g., PCIe LAN communication connection 316, etc.) and a second communication connection (e.g., USB LAN communication connection 317, etc.).

[0025] In some examples, the computing device 302 can be coupled to the first connector 310 through a communication path 306. In a specific example, the first connector 310 can be a USB port and the communication path 306 can be a USB cable. In some examples, the processor resource 304 can send a signal or plurality of signals through the communication path 306 and be received by a power delivery controller 312 that is coupled to the first connector 310. As described herein, the power delivery controller 312 can provide signals from the processor resource 304 and/or a determined type of the processor resource 304 to the LAN switch 314. [0028] In these examples, the LAN switch 314 can switch a connection with the second connector 318 from the PCIe LAN communication connection 318, USB LAN communication connection 317, and/or other communication connection based on the received signal or received type of the processor resource 304. For example, the LAN switch 314 can be in a first mode that allows a first type of remote manageability device to communicate with the computing device 302 and be in a second mode that allows a second type of remote manageability device to communicate with the computing device 302. In a similar way, the LAN switch 314 can be in a first mode that allows the computing device 302 to communicate with the first type of remote manageability device and be in a second mode that allows the computing device 302 to communicate with the second type of remote manageability device. That is, the LAN switch 314 can switch modes to allow bidirectional communication with a plurality of different remote devices such as remote manageability devices,

[0027] As used herein, a mode of the peripheral device 303 refers to a type of computing device 302 coupled to the peripheral device 308. For example, a first mode can be initiated when the computing device 302 utilizes a first type of processor resource 304 and a second mode can be initiated when the computing device 302 utilizes a second type of processor resource 304. That is, the peripheral device 308 can initiate a corresponding mode based on the type of processor resource 304 utilized by the computing device 302 that is currently coupled to the peripheral device 308.

[0028] In some examples, the remote manageability device 322 utilizes vPRO ^® instructions to manage the processor resource 304 when the processor resource 304 is a first type and Desktop and Mobile Architecture for System Hardware (DASH ^® ) instructions to manage the processor resource 304 when the processor resource 304 is a second type. In this specific example, vPRO ^® can be utilized when the processor resource 304 is an Intel ^® Processor and DASH ^® can be utilized when the processor resource 304 is an AMD ^® Processor, in these examples, the peripheral device 308 can utilize the LAN switch 314 to couple the PCIe LAN 316 to the second connector 318 when the processor resource 304 is an Intel ^® Processor and utilize the LAN switch 314 to couple the USB LAN 317 to the second connector 318 when the processor resource 304 is an AMD ^® Processor. In this way, the corresponding processor type of the processor resource 304 can communicate with the remote management device 322 utilizing a corresponding communication protocol or communication path.

[0029] In some examples, the power delivery controller 312 can provide power delivery instructions to other components within the peripheral device 308 based on the received signal from the processor resource 304 and/or the determined type of the processor resource 304. For example, a first type of processor resource can correspond to a first type of power delivery instructions for the components within the peripheral device 308 while a second type of processor resource can correspond to a second type of power delivery instructions. As used herein, power delivery instructions refer to specifications of power delivery for electrical components (e.g,, controller, LAN, processor, fans, etc.).

[0030] In some examples, the power delivery controller 312 can configure the protocol setting of the controller 313 to allow the processor resource 304 to complete the connection between the communication path 308, connector 310, and controller 313 and/or provide function between the communication path 306 and either the PCIe LAN communication connection 316 or the USB LAN communication connection 317. In some examples, the controller 313 can be utilized to transmit the communication to either the PCIe LAN communication connection 316 or USB LAN communication connection 317 based on the signal received by the processor resource 304, determined type of the processor resource 304, and/or signal received from the power delivery controller 312. In this way, the controller 313 can be utilized to transmit and/or receive communication between the processor resource 304 and the remote manageability device 322 for a plurality of different types of processor resources 304.

[0031] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a peripheral device 408 to switch communication connections based on a processor type, in some examples, the peripheral device 408 can be a specific example of peripheral devices described herein. For example, the peripheral device 408 can include similar features to the peripheral device 108 as referenced in Figure 1, peripheral device 208 as referenced in Figure 2, and/or peripheral device 308 as referenced in Figure 3.

[0032] In some examples, the peripheral device 408 can include a first connector 410. In some examples, the first connector 410 can include a USB connector (e.g., USB-C connector, etc.). In these examples, the first connector 410 can be utilized to couple a computing device to the peripheral device 408. For example, the first connector 410 can be utilized to allow communication and/or power to be transferred between a computing device and the peripheral device 408. [0033] In some examples, the first connector 410 can be connected to a power delivery (PD) controller 412 through a connection 444. in some examples, the first connector 410 can also be connected to a thunderbolt (TBT) controller 413 through a connection 442. As described herein, the PD controller 412 can be coupled to the LAN switch 414 to provide the LAN switch 414 with a signal or type of a processor resource that is coupled to the peripheral device 408. In some examples, the PD controller 412 can be coupled to the LAN switch 414 through a connection 450. In some examples, the connection 450 can include a low speed bus and/or a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) connection. As used herein, a GP!O connection refers to a type of pin found on an integrated circuit (e.g., printed circuit board (RGB), printed circuit assembly (RCA), etc.). As used herein, a low speed bus includes a transfer device to transfer data at a rate that is below a rate threshold. [0034] In some examples, the PD controller 412 can be coupled to the TBT controller 413 through connection 456 and coupled to the USB LAN 416 through connection 446. in some examples, the connection 446 can be a system management (SM) BUS to allow the PD controller to activate and/or deactivate the USB LAN 416. In some examples, the TBT controller 413 can be coupled to the USB LAN 416 through connection 448 and coupled to the PCIe LAN 417 through connection 452 and connection 453. in some examples, connection 448 can be a communication connection to allow the TBT controller 413 to transfer communication between the computing device coupled to the first connector 410 and a network coupled to the second connector 418. In some examples, the connection 452 can be a PCIe connection to allow the TBT controller 413 to transfer communication between the computing device coupled to the first connector 410 and a network coupled to the second connector 418. In some examples, the connection 453 can be a SMBUS that can allow the PD controller 412 to activate, deactivate, or deliver manageability commands to the PCIe LAN 417 and/or allow the TBT controller 413 to activate, deactivate, or deliver manageability commands to the PCIe LAN 417 based on an instruction from the PD controller 412.

[0035] In some examples, the USB LAN 416 can be coupled to the LAN switch 414 through connection 454 and the PCIe LAN 417 can be coupled to the LAN switch 414 through connection 458. in some examples, the LAN switch 414 can be coupled to a second connector 418 of the peripheral device 408 through connection 480. in some examples, the second connector 418 can be a network connector. For example, the second connector 418 can be utilized to connect the peripheral device 408 to a network. In a specific example, the second connector 418 can be a registered jack (RJ) 45 connector. As described herein, the LAN switch 414 can be utilized to complete a connection between the USB LAN 416 and the second connector 418 in a first state and complete a connection between the PCIe LAN 417 and the second connector 418 in a second state. As described herein, the state of the LAN switch 414 can be changed based on: a protocol type of a processor resource, a type of a processor identified by the PD controller 412, a signal received from the PD controller 412, and/or other indicator that identifies the type of communication connection needed to provide communication between the processor resource of a computing device and a remote management device.

[0036] In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, as used herein, “a” can refer to one such thing or more than one such thing.

[0037] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral 102 may refer to element 102 in Figure 1 and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral 302 in Figure 3. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated to provide additional examples of the disclosure, in addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

[0038] It can be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to", “coupled to”, or "coupled with" another element, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is “directly coupled to” or “directly coupled with” another element it is understood that are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements) etc.

[0039] The above specification, examples, and data provide a description of the system and method of the disclosure. Since many examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the disclosure, this specification merely sets forth some of the many possible example configurations and implementations.