Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Raymond J Lanza

Charles D Binford

Daniel R Cassiday

John D Acton

Andrew W Wilson

A plurality of PCIe switch complexes are interposed between a plurality of I/O devices and a plurality of microprocessor complexes. Each PCIe switching complex comprises a plurality of PCIe switches wherein each switch possesses at least one non-transparent port. The non-transparent port is used to cross-couple each PCIe switch creating an active matrix of paths between the HBAs associated with each I/O device and each microprocessor. The paths between each HBA (I/O device) and each microprocessor are mapped using a recursive algorithm providing each I/O device with direct memory access to each microprocessor.

Cross-coupled peripheral component interconnect express switch

Data buffering allocation in a microprocessor complex for a request of memory allocation is supported through a remote buffer batch allocation protocol. The separation of control and data placement allows simultaneous maximization of microprocessor complex load sharing, and minimization of inter-processor signaling/metadata migration. Separating processing control from data placement allows the location of data buffering to be chosen so as to maximize bus bandwidth utilization and achieve non-blocking switch behavior. This separation reduces the need for inter-processor communication and associated interrupts thus improving computation efficiency and performance.

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Nashua, NH, United States of America

Raymond J Lanza