Newisys, Inc.

Guru Prasadh

David Brian Glasco

Rajesh Kota

Carl Zeitler

Richard R Oehler

Shashank Nemawarkar

William G Kulpa

Les Record

Shashank Newawarker

Scott S Diesing

David Edrich

According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided to allow dynamic multiple cluster system configuration changes. In one example, processors in the multiple cluster system share a virtual address space. Mechanisms for dynamically introducing and removing processors, I/O resources, and clusters are provided. The mechanisms can be implemented during reset or while a system is operating. Links can be dynamically enabled or disabled.

Dynamic multiple cluster system reconfiguration

Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the distribution of system management signals within a computer system complex. Mechanisms are provided for transmission both within a box and between computer system boxes. Local routing tables and general routing tables allow the distribution of system management signals precisely to resources associated with particular partitions. Signals are sequenced to put resources associated with one or more boxes in the appropriate states. The distribution of signals between boxes in the computer system complex can be accomplished without the use of a dedicated wire.

Methods and apparatus for distributing system management signals

Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the distribution of system management signals within a computer system complex. Mechanisms are provided for transmission both within a box and between computer system boxes. Local routing tables and general routing tables allow the distribution of system management signals precisely to resources associated with particular partitions. Signals are sequenced to put resources associated with one or more boxes in the appropriate states. The distribution of signals between boxes in the computer system complex can be accomplished with the use of a dedicated wire.

Improved techniques are provided for detecting and correcting errors and skew in inter-cluster communications within computer systems having a plurality of multi-processor clusters. The local nodes of each cluster include a plurality of processors and an interconnection controller. Intra-cluster links are formed between the local nodes, including the interconnection controller, within a cluster. Inter-cluster links are formed between interconnection controllers of different clusters. Intra-cluster packets may be serialized and encapsulated as inter-cluster packets for transmission on inter-cluster links, preferably with link-layer encapsulation. Each inter-cluster packet may include a sequence identifier and error information computed for that packet. Clock data may be embedded in symbols sent on each bit lane of the inter-cluster links. Copies of transmitted inter-cluster packets may be stored until an acknowledgement is received. The use of inter-cluster packets on an inter-cluster link is preferably transparent to other links and to the protocol layer.

Communication between and within multi-processor clusters of multi-cluster computer systems

Improved techniques are provided for reducing latency in inter-cluster communications within computer systems having a plurality of multi-processor clusters. The local nodes of each cluster include a plurality of processors and an interconnection controller. Intra-cluster links are formed between the local nodes, including the interconnection controller, within a cluster. Inter-cluster links are formed between interconnection controllers of different clusters. Intra-cluster packets may be encapsulated as inter-cluster packets and stored in a transmission buffer pending transmission on an inter-cluster link. When the transmission buffer is empty, a control character is transmitted on an inter-cluster link. The control character is not stored in the transmission buffer or in a reception buffer, but instead is dropped. Clock data may be embedded in symbols sent on each bit lane of the inter-cluster links, including the symbol(s) of the control character.

Bandwidth, framing and error detection in communications between multi-processor clusters of multi-cluster computer systems

A multi-processor computer system is described in which address mapping, routing, and transaction identification mechanisms are provided which enable the interconnection of a plurality of multi-processor clusters, wherein the number of processors interconnected exceeds limited address, node identification, and transaction tag spaces associated with each of the individual clusters.

Routing mechanisms in systems having multiple multi-processor clusters

Address space management in systems having multiple multi-processor clusters

Techniques and devices are provided for injecting transactions within computer systems having a plurality of multi-processor clusters. Each cluster includes a plurality of nodes, including processors, a service processor and an interconnection controller interconnected by point-to-point intra-cluster links. The processors and the interconnection controller in each cluster make transactions via an intra-cluster transaction protocol. Inter-cluster links are formed between interconnection controllers of different clusters. Each of the processors and the interconnection controller in a cluster has a test interface for communicating with the service processor. The service processor is configured to make an injected transaction according to the intra-cluster transaction protocol via one of the test interfaces. In preferred embodiments, the service processor is configured to make an injected transaction according to the intra-cluster transaction protocol via a test interface of an interconnection controller in the same cluster.

Methods and devices for injecting commands in systems having multiple multi-processor clusters

Synchronized communication between multi-processor clusters of multi-cluster computer systems

Transaction management in systems having multiple multi-processor clusters

Reliable communication between multi-processor clusters of multi-cluster computer systems

Communication between multi-processor clusters of multi-cluster computer systems

According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of communications between multiprocessor clusters. Mechanisms for improving the accuracy of information available to an interconnection controller are implemented in order to allow the interconnection controller to increase reliability and reduce latency in a multiple cluster system. Protocol extensions and link layer extensions are provided with packets to convey information between interconnection controllers of separate multiprocessor clusters.

Methods and apparatus for extended packet communications between multiprocessor clusters

A computer system is described having a plurality of processing nodes interconnected by a first point-to-point architecture, and a system memory including a plurality of portions each of which is associated with one of the processing nodes. Each processing node includes a processor, and a memory controller for controlling access to the associated portion of the system memory, and may contain a host bridge for facilitating communication with a plurality of I/O devices. The first point-to-point architecture is operable to facilitate first transactions between the processors and the system memory. The computer system further includes at least one I/O controller and a second point-to-point architecture independent of the first point-to-point architecture and interconnecting the I/O controller and the host bridges. The at least one I/O controller is operable to facilitate second transactions between the I/O devices and the system memory via the second point-to-point architecture.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Guru Prasadh