WO2021251967A1

WO2021251967A1 - Coupling compute device ports to switchable peripheral ports

Info

Publication number: WO2021251967A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/037141
Authority: WO
Inventors: Syed S. Azam; Iii Paul J. Broyles
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-06-11
Filing date: 2020-06-11
Publication date: 2021-12-16

Abstract

In an example in accordance with the present disclosure, an apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a first compute device port and a second compute device port. A network controller of the apparatus simultaneously couples both the first compute device port and the second compute device port to a network. A power delivery system of the apparatus simultaneously provides power to both the first compute device port and the second compute device port. A switchable peripheral port is coupled to the first compute device port and the second compute device port. A controller of the apparatus selectively couples a compute device port to the switchable peripheral port.

Description

COUPLING COMPUTE DEVICE PORTS TO SWITCHABLE PERIPHERAL PORTS

BACKGROUND

[0001] Compute devices can be connected to any number of peripheral devices to increase their functionality. For example, a monitor or multiple monitors may be coupled to a compute device to provide a visual interface for the user. As another example, an input device such as a mouse, keyboard, touch pad, etc. may be coupled to the compute device. As yet another example, the peripheral device may add functionality to the compute device. Examples of functionality-adding peripheral devices include a storage device, a scanner, a printer, and/or a projector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples of the principles described herein and are part of the specification. The illustrated examples are given merely for illustration, and do not limit the scope of the claims.

[0003] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices to peripheral resources, according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0004] Fig. 2 is a diagram of an apparatus for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices to peripheral resources, according to an example of the principles described herein. [0005] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a compute device docking station for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices to peripheral resources, according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0006] Fig. 4 is a diagram of an apparatus for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices to peripheral resources, according to another example of the principles described herein.

[0007] Fig. 5 depicts a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices to peripheral resources, according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0008] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations that coincide with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Peripheral devices connect to a compute device to augment the performance of the compute device. Peripheral devices may be of a variety of types. For example, peripheral devices may be input devices such as microphones, keyboards, a mouse, and others. In some examples, a peripheral device may be an output device such as a monitor, a projector, or a virtual reality headset. In yet another example, the peripheral device may be an external memory device. While specific reference is made to a few example peripheral devices, there are a wide variety of peripheral devices that could be coupled to a compute device and the list of peripheral devices is sure to expand over time.

[0010] The present specification describes a docking apparatus that couples a compute device to peripheral resources. In some examples, the docking apparatus is integrated into another device such as a computer monitor. In other examples, the docking apparatus is a standalone device, such as docking station that is external and separate from a computer.

[0011] In general, docking stations connect to just one compute device. However, it may be the case that a user has multiple compute devices to couple to peripheral resources. Accordingly, a user may go through a cumbersome process of switching the docking station back and forth between being coupled to a first compute device and a second compute device. As such, docking stations may not provide simultaneous connection to a network and a power supply and may not allow for switching between different peripheral devices for the simultaneously connected compute devices.

[0012] Accordingly, the present specification describes a docking apparatus that has two inputs, each to receive a connector of a compute device. As described above, the docking apparatus may be formed in a device such as a computer monitor. In this example, the computer monitor has two inputs. In other examples, the docking apparatus may be a standalone device, which also may have two inputs. In either case, the docking apparatus, be it a computer monitor or a standalone docking station, also includes multiple peripheral device ports. A switch of the docking apparatus allows a variety of peripheral resources, in addition to a keyboard and a mouse, to be switchable between the compute devices. That is, peripheral devices which otherwise may not be switchable - devices such as external storage devices, printers, web cameras, headsets, microphones and game controllers - may be switched between two different compute devices that are coupled to the docking apparatus. The docking apparatus also includes a network controller that simultaneously couples both compute devices to a network without having to switch network connectivity between the two compute devices. In some cases, the docking apparatus includes a power delivery system to simultaneously provide power to both the coupled compute devices.

[0013] As such, the present specification describes a device that provides more than network connection. Specifically, the present specification also provides for switchable peripheral resource ports, which is not performed by a network router. Moreover, the present apparatus provides for more than simultaneous network connection as it also provides simultaneous power delivery to the coupled compute devices. In some examples, the apparatus provides the simultaneous power and network connectivity through a single compute device port. That is, rather than having a port for network connectivity and a port for power connection, the present apparatus provides the network connectivity and power to a compute device via a single compute device port. [0014] In some particular examples, the switchable ports are specialized ports such as those for printers, scanners, external memory, and headsets. Accordingly, while a network router may provide signals via one protocol, the docking apparatus of the present specification describes switching different protocol signals, such as those used to communicate audio/visual information as in the case of a headset or web camera.

[0015] Specifically, the present specification describes an apparatus. The apparatus includes a first compute device port and a second compute device port. The apparatus also includes a network controller to simultaneously couple both the first compute device port and the second compute device port to a network. A switchable peripheral port of the apparatus is coupled to the first compute device port and the second compute device port. A controller of the apparatus selectively couples a compute device port to the switchable peripheral port.

[0016] The present specification also describes a compute device docking station. The compute device docking station includes a first compute device port and a second compute device port. The compute device docking station includes the network controller to simultaneously couple both the first compute device port and the second compute device port to a network. In this example, the compute device docking station includes a power delivery system to simultaneously provide power to both the first compute device port and the second compute device port. The compute device docking station also includes a first dedicated peripheral port dedicated to the first compute device port and a second dedicated peripheral port dedicated to the second compute device port. The compute device docking station also includes a number of switchable peripheral ports coupled to the first compute device port and the second compute device port and a controller to selectively couple a compute device port to the switchable peripheral ports.

[0017] The present specification also describes a non-transitory machine- readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by a processor. The machine-readable storage medium includes instructions to, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect connection of multiple compute devices at respective compute device ports of a compute device docking station. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to 1) simultaneously provide power to the multiple compute devices and 2) simultaneously provide network connection to the multiple compute devices.

The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine which of the multiple compute devices to couple to switchable peripheral ports of the compute device docking station.

[0018] In summary, using such an apparatus, compute device docking station, and machine-readable storage medium may, for example, 1) provide for multi-compute device connectivity to multiple peripheral resources; 2) provides for simultaneous provision of network and power resources to multiple compute devices; and 3) provides for switching of peripheral devices such as game controllers, printers, and microphones. However, it is contemplated that the devices disclosed herein may address other matters and deficiencies in a number of technical areas, for example.

[0019] As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term, “controller” includes a processor and memory. The processor includes the circuitry to retrieve executable code from the memory and execute the executable code. As specific examples, the controller as described herein may include machine-readable storage medium, machine-readable storage medium and a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or other hardware device.

[0020] The memory may include a machine-readable storage medium, which machine-readable storage medium may contain, or store machine-usable program code for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The memory may take many forms including volatile and non-volatile memory. For example, the memory may include Random-Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), optical memory disks, and magnetic disks, among others. The executable code may, when executed by the respective component, cause the component to implement at least the functionality described herein.

[0021] Further, as used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term “a number of” or similar language is meant to be understood broadly as any positive number including 1 to infinity.

[0022] Turning now to the figures, Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus (100) for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices to peripheral resources, according to an example of the principles described herein. In some examples, the apparatus (100) is integrated into a device such as a computer monitor. In this example, the apparatus (100) provides for more than network connectivity by including peripheral ports for non-network peripheral devices and in some examples by providing simultaneous power to multiple compute devices. That is, a network switch at most provides multiple compute devices with a network connection. The present apparatus (100) by comparison provides additional components such as switchable peripheral ports (108) for peripheral resources such as external storage resources, print resources, etc. That is, the present apparatus (100) provides a wired connection of multiple compute devices to multiple peripheral resources. While as mentioned above, the apparatus (100) may be integrated in another device, in some examples, the apparatus (100) may be a standalone device, such as a docking station.

[0023] In either example, the apparatus (100) includes a first compute device port (102) and a second compute device port (104). Through these compute device ports (102, 104), compute devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tablets, mobile phones, etc. may be coupled to the number of peripheral resources.

[0024] The apparatus (100) also includes a network controller to simultaneously couple both the first compute device port (102) and the second compute device port (104) to a network. That is, the apparatus (100) may include a network connection port that receives a wired connection to a network. The apparatus (100) may map to the unique IP addresses for each compute device coupled to a respective compute device port (102, 104) and may simultaneously provide network connectivity to the respective compute devices. [0025] As described above, in addition to providing network connectivity, the apparatus (100) includes a switchable peripheral port (108) that is formed in the apparatus (100). In some examples, the apparatus (100) may include multiple of these switchable peripheral ports (108). These switchable peripheral ports (108) are coupled to the first compute device port (102) and the second compute device port (104). Via action of a controller (110), the switchable peripheral port (108) may be selectively switched to being coupled to one of the first compute device and the second compute device.

[0026] For example, when multiple compute devices are connected to the apparatus (100), it may be desirable to couple the switchable peripheral port (108) to a first compute device. At another point in time, it may be desirable to switch the coupling to a second compute device coupled to the apparatus (100) via the second compute device port (104), such that those peripheral resources are available to the second compute device.

[0027] Accordingly, the present apparatus (100) in addition to providing simultaneous network connectivity to multiple compute devices may also provide switchable peripheral support to the compute devices. In some examples, the switchable peripheral port(s) (108) are selected from the group consisting of external storage ports, printer ports, web camera ports, microphone ports, game controller ports, headset ports, etc. Accordingly, the apparatus (100) provides for the transmission and switching of data protocols associated with these types of ports, which port types may otherwise be unswitchable. In further examples, the switchable peripheral port(s) (108) may be of a variety of types including a memory card port, a universal serial bus port, a video graphics array port, a headphone jack, a high-definition multimedia interface port, and a digital visual interface port. While reference is made to a few specific types of ports and examples of specific ports are indicated, other types of ports and other specific ports may be implemented in accordance with the principles described herein.

[0028] Fig. 1 also depicts a controller (110) of the apparatus (100) that selectively couples a compute device port (102, 104) to the switchable peripheral port (108). Specifically, in the case that multiple compute devices are coupled to the apparatus (100) via respective compute device ports (102, 104), the controller (110) may determine, based on any number of rules and/or policies, which of the compute device ports (102, 104) to couple to the switchable peripheral port (108). Accordingly, the present apparatus (100) provides simultaneous network, and in some cases power, connectivity for multiple compute devices and also allows for switching of other resources. [0029] Accordingly, the present apparatus (100) may power and support multiple compute devices, with connectivity of other resource such as a display, input/output peripherals, printers, etc., in addition to providing network connectivity. When switched from one compute device to another, the apparatus (100) acts as if the peripheral resources, with the exception of network and power which are simultaneously provided to both compute devices, have been unplugged from one compute device and re-plugged into the other compute device. As such, one wired network connection can support two compute devices while other peripheral resources may be coupled to, and switched between, the two compute devices.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a diagram of an apparatus (100) for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices (212) to peripheral resources, according to an example of the principles described herein. Fig. 2 clearly depicts multiple compute devices (212), which in the example depicted in Fig. 2 are workstations, being coupled to an apparatus (100) which may be a standalone compute device docking station.

[0031] Fig. 2 also clearly depicts the controller (110) and multiple switchable peripheral ports (108-1 , 108-2, 108-3, 108-4) that are selectively coupled to the first compute device port (102) and the second compute device port (104). In some examples, the switchable peripheral ports (108) may be special purpose ports such as printer ports, game controller ports, etc. Each switchable peripheral port (108) is coupled to the controller (110) which may determine with which of the compute device ports (102, 104) to establish a data path. Accordingly, the apparatus (100) may include a switch (216), controllable by the controller (110) to selectively couple the switchable peripheral ports (108) to one of the first compute device port (102) and the second compute device port (104). In some examples, the switch (216) may be a mechanical switch and in other examples the switch (216) is a programmatic switch.

[0032] The controller (110) may use any number of criteria in determining whether to couple the first compute device port (102) or the second compute device port (104) to the switchable peripheral ports (108). As a specific example, a user of the compute device (212) or an administrator may, via a user interface, select which compute device (212) to couple the switchable peripheral ports (108) to.

[0033] In one particular example, the controller (110) may couple multiple of the switchable peripheral ports (108) to the first compute device port (102) while coupling other of the switchable peripheral ports (108) to the second compute device port (104). In this example, the switch (216) may be a programmatic switch that has multiple settings such as 1) connect the switchable peripheral ports (108) to just first compute device port (102), 2) connect the switchable peripheral ports (108) to just second compute device port (104), or 3) connect the switchable peripheral ports (108) to both compute device ports (102, 104).

In this latter example, the controller (110) may include circuitry to identify the different peripheral ports (108) and route signals from certain peripheral ports (108) to certain compute device ports (102, 104). As a specific example, the controller (110) may identify a first switchable peripheral port (108-1) and a second switchable peripheral port (108-2) as being coupled to the first compute device port (102) and the third switchable peripheral port (108-3) and the fourth switchable peripheral port (108-4) as being coupled to the second compute device port (104). Accordingly, using metadata transmitted to/from the respective switchable peripheral ports (108), the controller (110) may route data transmissions to correct destinations based on the aforementioned assignations. [0034] In yet another example, the controller (110) selectively couples multiple compute device ports to a switchable peripheral port (108). For example, the switchable peripheral port (108) may be a memory card reader. In this example, both the first compute device port (102) and second compute device port (104) may be coupled to, and have access to, the memory card disposed in the memory card reader.

[0035] Fig. 2 also clearly depicts the network controller (106) which simultaneously provides network connectivity to the multiple compute devices (212) which may be coupled to the apparatus (100).

[0036] In addition to providing network connectivity through the first compute device port (102) and the second compute device port (104), the apparatus (100) may also provide power to the first compute device port (102) and the second compute device port (104). That is, the first and second compute device ports (102, 104) in addition to providing data paths, may also provide power supply paths to the compute devices (212). As described above, power and data may be supplied to/from each compute devices (212) via a single cable and compute device port (102, 104). As a particular example, the first and second compute device ports (102, 104) may be universal serial bus (USB) ports or THUNDERBOLT ports, which allow for data and network connectivity. Accordingly, as noted above, the current apparatus (100), via each compute device port (102, 104) provides more than network connectivity, but also provides power through each compute device port (102, 104).

[0037] Accordingly, the apparatus (100) includes a power delivery system to simultaneously provide power to both the first compute device port (102) and the second compute device port (104). To manage such power delivery, the apparatus (100) may include a port controller (214-1 , 214-2) per compute device port (102, 104) to manage power transmission into a respective compute device port (102, 104). For example, a first port controller (214-1 ) may transmit and condition power signals into the first compute device port (102) while a second port controller (214-2) transmits and conditions power signals into the second compute device port (104). [0038] Accordingly, the apparatus (100) as depicted in Fig. 2 provides constant power and network connectivity to multiple compute devices (212-1 , 212-2) while providing selective connectivity to multiple peripheral resources via the switchable peripheral ports (108).

[0039] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a compute device docking station (318) for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices (Fig. 2, 212) to peripheral resources, according to an example of the principles described herein. As described above, in some examples, the apparatus (Fig. 1 , 100) is a standalone system that is not integrated into a device such as a compute device and/or a computer monitor. In this example, the apparatus (Fig. 1 , 100) may be referred to as a compute device docking station (318).

[0040] In this example, the compute device docking station (318) may include a first compute device port (102), a second compute device port (104), a network controller (106), switchable peripheral ports (108), and a controller (110) as described above.

[0041] In this example, the compute device docking station (318) may include additional components. Specifically, the compute device docking station (318) may include a first dedicated peripheral port (320) which is dedicated to the first compute device port (102). The compute device docking station (318) may also include a second dedicated peripheral port (322) that is dedicated to the second compute device port (104).

[0042] That is, the switchable peripheral ports (108) may be switched to be connected to either a first compute device (Fig. 2, 212-1) connected at the first compute device port (Fig. 1 , 102) or a second compute device (Fig. 2, 212-2) connected at the second compute device port (Fig. 1 , 104). By comparison, the first dedicated peripheral port (320) may have a dedicated path to just the first compute device port (102) while the second dedicated peripheral port (322) may have a dedicated path to just the second compute device port (104).

Accordingly, in this example, a peripheral component, such as a game controller inserted into the first peripheral port (320), may be accessible by just the first compute device (Fig. 2, 212-1) which first compute device (Fig. 2, 212-1) may be a gaming system. [0043] In some examples, the first dedicated peripheral port (320) and/or the second dedicated peripheral port (322) may include a physical marking, such as a color or text indication, of which compute device port (102, 104) it pertains to. For example, the first dedicated peripheral port (320) may include a green outline which corresponds to a green outline around the first compute device port (102). Accordingly, a user may know which dedicated peripheral port (320, 322) to plug a peripheral resource into for dedicated access by a first compute device (Fig. 2, 212-1) connected to the first compute device port (102).

[0044] In some examples, the controller (110) and more specifically, a processor may assign the additional peripheral ports (320, 322) to be either coupled to the first compute device port (102) or the second compute device port (104). For example, it may be that the first dedicated peripheral port (320) is a specialized game controller port and a user may desire that the game controller be specifically associated with the second compute device (Fig. 2, 212-2) plugged in at the second compute device port (104). Accordingly, via a user interface, a data transmission route may be setup between the first dedicated peripheral port (320) and the second compute device port (104). In other words, the compute device docking station (318) may include one, or a set of dedicated peripheral ports dedicated to a first compute device port (102) and a second, or a set of second dedicated peripheral ports dedicated to a second compute device port (104) and the controller (110) or a processor of the controller (110) may assign peripheral ports, that are not switchable peripheral ports (108), to at least one of the first set and the second set.

[0045] Fig. 3 also depicts the power delivery system (324) that simultaneously provides power to both the first compute device port (102) and the second compute device port (104). Accordingly, the compute device docking station (318) provides for more than simultaneous network connection but also provides for simultaneous power provision to multiple coupled compute devices (Fig. 2, 212). As described above, network connectivity and power supply may be provided via a single cable and compute device port (102, 104). Put another way, there may be a single connection between the compute docking station (318) and each compute device (212), yet through this one connection, data, power, and peripheral device connectivity are provided.

[0046] Fig. 4 is a diagram of an apparatus (Fig. 1 , 100) for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices (212-1 , 212-2) to peripheral resources, according to another example of the principles described herein. Specifically, in the example depicted in Fig. 4, the apparatus (Fig. 1 , 100) may be a standalone compute device docking station (318). In this example, the compute device docking station (318) includes a controller (110), port controllers (214) per compute device port (102, 104) and a network controller (106). Also as depicted in Fig. 4, there may be multiple switchable peripheral ports (108) that may be coupled to either the first compute device port (102) or the second compute device port (104) based on an assignment established by the controller (110).

[0047] As described in connection with Fig. 3, the compute device docking station (318) may include a first dedicated peripheral port (320) that is dedicated to the first compute device port (102). That is, the first dedicated peripheral port (320) may have a hard-wired connection with the first compute device port (102) and no hard-wired connection to the second compute device port (104). While specific reference is made to one dedicated peripheral port (320) with a dedicated hard-wired connection to the first compute device port (102), there may be multiple of these dedicated first dedicated peripheral ports (320).

[0048] Also as described in connection with Fig. 3, the compute device docking station (318) may include a second dedicated peripheral port (322) that is dedicated to the second compute device port (104). That is, the second dedicated peripheral port (322) may have a hard-wired connection with the second compute device port (104) and have no hard-wired connection to the first compute device port (102). While specific reference is made to one second dedicated peripheral port (322) with a dedicated hard-wired connection to the second compute device port (104), there may be multiple of these dedicated second dedicated peripheral ports (322).

[0049] Moreover, while Fig. 4 depicts the dedicated peripheral ports (320, 322) as dedicated to particular compute device ports (102, 104), in some examples the first dedicated peripheral port (320) and the second dedicated peripheral port (322) may be re-assignable. In this example, the communication paths may pass through a controller (110) so that the controller (110) can designate to which of the compute device ports (102, 104) to couple the respective dedicated peripheral ports (320, 322).

[0050] Fig. 5 depicts a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium (526) for simultaneously coupling multiple compute devices (Fig. 2, 212) to peripheral resources, according to an example of the principles described herein. To achieve its desired functionality, a controller (Fig. 1, 110) includes various hardware components. Specifically, a controller (Fig. 1 , 110) includes a processor and a machine-readable storage medium (526). The machine- readable storage medium (526) is communicatively coupled to the processor. The machine-readable storage medium (526) includes a number of instructions (528, 530, 532, 534) for performing a designated function. In some examples, the instructions may be machine code and/or script code.

[0051] The machine-readable storage medium (526) causes the processor to execute the designated function of the instructions (528, 530, 532, 534). The machine-readable storage medium (526) can store data, programs, instructions, or any other machine-readable data that can be utilized to operate the apparatus (Fig. 1 , 100). Machine-readable storage medium (526) can store machine readable instructions that the processor of the controller (Fig. 1 , 110) can process, or execute. The machine-readable storage medium (526) can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable instructions. Machine-readable storage medium (526) may be, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a storage device, an optical disc, etc. The machine-readable storage medium (526) may be a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium (526).

[0052] Referring to Fig. 5, detect instructions (528), when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, detect connection of multiple compute devices (Fig. 2, 212) at respective compute device ports (Fig. 1 , 102, 104) to an apparatus (Fig. 1 , 100). Power instructions (530), when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, simultaneously provide power to the multiple compute devices (Fig. 2, 212). Network connection instructions (532), when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, simultaneously provide network connection to the multiple compute devices (Fig. 2, 212). Determine instructions (534), when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, determine which of the multiple compute devices (Fig. 2, 212) to couple to switchable peripheral ports (Fig. 1 , 108) of the apparatus (Fig. 1 , 100).

[0053] In summary, using such an apparatus, docking station, and machine- readable storage medium may, for example, 1) provide for multi-compute device connectivity to multiple peripheral resources; 2) provides for simultaneous provision of network and power resources to multiple compute devices; and 3) provides for switching of peripheral devices such as game controllers, printers, and microphones. However, it is contemplated that the devices disclosed herein may address other matters and deficiencies in a number of technical areas, for example.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising: a first compute device port; a second compute device port; a network controller to simultaneously couple both the first compute device port and the second compute device port to a network; a switchable peripheral port coupled to the first compute device port and the second compute device port; and a controller to selectively couple a compute device port to the switchable peripheral port.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first dedicated peripheral port dedicated to the first compute device port; and a second dedicated peripheral port dedicated to the second compute device port.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a marking to indicate a mapping between the dedicated peripheral ports and associated compute device ports.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller selectively couples multiple compute device ports to the switchable peripheral port.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a port controller per compute device port to manage data communication into and out of a respective compute device port.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the switchable peripheral port is selected from the group consisting of: a memory card port; a universal serial bus port; a video graphics array port; a headphone jack; a high-definition multimedia interface port; and a digital visual interface port.

7. A compute device docking station, comprising: a first compute device port; a second compute device port; a network controller to simultaneously couple both the first compute device port and the second compute device port to a network; a power delivery system to simultaneously provide power to both the first compute device port and the second compute device port; a number of switchable peripheral ports coupled to the first compute device port and the second compute device port; a controller to selectively couple a compute device port to the switchable peripheral ports; a first dedicated peripheral port dedicated to the first compute device port; and a second dedicated peripheral port dedicated to the second compute device port.

8. The compute device docking station of claim 7, wherein power and network connectivity are simultaneously provided to a compute device via a single cable.

9. The compute device docking station of claim 7, further comprising a switch to selectively couple the number of switchable peripheral ports to one of the first compute device port and the second compute device port.

10. The compute device docking station of claim 9, wherein the switch is a mechanical switch.

11 . The compute device docking station of claim 9, wherein the switch is a programmatic switch.

12. The compute device docking station of claim 9, wherein a first of the switchable peripheral ports is coupled to the first compute device while a second of the switchable peripheral ports is coupled to the second compute device.

13. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by a processor, the machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions to, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: detect connection of multiple compute devices at respective compute device ports of a compute device docking station; simultaneously provide power to the multiple compute devices; simultaneously provide network connection to the multiple compute devices; and determine which of the multiple compute devices to couple to switchable peripheral ports of the compute device docking station.

14. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the compute device docking station comprises a first dedicated peripheral port dedicated to a first compute device port and a second dedicated peripheral port dedicated to a second compute device port.

15. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor, cause the processor to assign a dedicated peripheral port as at least one of the first dedicated peripheral port and the second dedicated peripheral port.