System and method implementing a secondary bus to avoid read data latency

Abstract

A system and method that enhances overall computer system performance by implementing a secondary bus infrastructure to avoid data phase transaction latencies during primary bus information transfers. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the system includes a first bus, coupled to a host adapter and a plurality of media adapters, and a second bus, coupled to the host adapter and a select number of media adapters. The host adapter includes a host first bus controller, coupled to the first bus, and a host second bus controller, coupled to the second bus. Each of the media adapters contain a media first bus controller, coupled to the first bus, and a select number of media adapters contain a media second bus controller, coupled to the second bus. In this configuration, information initiated as a multiple data phase transaction is transferred between the host adapter and media adapters over the first bus and information initiated as a single data phase transaction is transferred between the host adapter and the select number of media adapters over the second bus.