Abstract: A multi-processor computer system is described in which transaction processing in each cluster of processors is distributed among multiple protocol engines. Each cluster includes a plurality of local nodes and an interconnection controller interconnected by a local point-to-point architecture. The interconnection controller in each cluster comprises a plurality of protocol engines for processing transactions. Transactions are distributed among the protocol engines using destination information associated with the transactions.

Abstract: A computer system is described having a plurality of resources which includes a plurality of processors, a distributed point-to-point transmission infrastructure for interconnecting the plurality of processors, and a partitioning processor for configuring the plurality of resources into at least one partition. Each partition comprises a subset of the plurality of resources. The partitioning processor is operable to configure the resources by enabling at least one link between at least one of the plurality of processors and at least one other one of the plurality of processors according to a previously specified partitioning schema. The link(s) so enabled corresponds to a portion of the point-to-point transmission infrastructure.

Abstract: An object model comprises a data store and a plurality of event framework information objects. The data store including a plurality of event information objects each defining server event information for a respective one of a plurality of unique events exhibited by a server during operation. The plurality of event framework information objects each define event framework characteristics for a respective one of a plurality of event frameworks implemented in the server. At least one of the event framework information objects reference a common one of the event information objects for enabling server event information defined by the common one of the event information objects to be viewed using the respective one of the event frameworks corresponding thereto. Each one of the event framework information objects define event framework unification rules under which unification of event framework views provided in accordance with each one of the event framework information objects is facilitated.

Abstract: An object model comprises a plurality of event framework information objects, a shared event data store and an event managing object. Each one of the event framework information objects define event framework characteristics for a respective one of a plurality of event frameworks implemented in a server. The shared event data store includes a plurality of event information objects each defining server event information for a respective one of a plurality of unique events exhibited by the server during operation. Each one of the event information objects is at least temporarily referenced by at least one of the event framework information objects. The event managing object is configured for creating the event information objects and managing persistence of the event information objects.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for facilitating tracking of packets through a plurality of localized transaction-tagging domains comprises determining a local tag applied within a first localized transaction-tagging domain to an output packet of the first localized transaction-tagging domain and assigning a system-generated global transaction tag to the output packet dependent upon the local tag. Assigning is performed in response to successfully performing the determining. The global transaction tag information is re-applied to an output packet of a second localized transaction-tagging domain after the packet is generated by the second localized transaction-tagging domain. The global transaction tag is a unique identifier that identifies all packets associated with a particular transaction globally across a plurality of localized transaction-tagging domains.

Abstract: Method and systems configured for allowing a non-local remote user to access a computer system with a particular authorization level. Such access is facilitated by examining non-local directory services group memberships of the user and performing a mapping of the user's identity to a corresponding universal local user account that have the proper authorization level or levels. Such methods and systems allow any number of non-local remote users access to the computer system in such a way that the remote user assumes the identity of (i.e., is mapped to) a corresponding universal local user account of an appropriate privilege level. All non-local remote users that the computer system determines to be of the same privilege level will share the identity of the same universal local user account.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a heat sink is pressed down on a heat source such as an integrated circuit by rotating a cam to press down a set of springs over a loading arm, which is in turn positioned over a heat sink base. A cam shaft is placed in a hinge opening of a mounting frame secured to a printed circuit board (PCB). The mounting frame encloses a heat sink positioned over an IC. The hinge opening defines a hinge axis parallel to the PCB plane. A loading arm includes spring wells for holding coil springs, which are compressed between the mounting frame and the bottoms of the spring wells when the cam is rotated. The mounting frame and loading arm may include mating, self-locking sections including hinge protrusions having cross-sections shaped as a circle sectioned linearly off-center.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the efficiency of data access in a multiple processor, multiple cluster system. A home cluster of processors receives a cache access request from a request cluster. The home cluster includes mechanisms for instructing probed remote clusters to respond to the request cluster instead of to the home cluster. The home cluster can also include mechanisms for reducing the number of probes sent to remote clusters. Techniques are also included for providing the requesting cluster with information to determine the number of responses to be transmitted to the requesting cluster as a result of the reduction in the number of probes sent at the home cluster.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a data processing system adapted for enabling at least one of presence and operating condition of system components installed in the data processing system to be monitored. Examples of presence include installed and uninstalled. Examples of operating conditions include temperature, voltage, current, duty-cycle, etc. The data processing system includes provides a user interface adapted for displaying a 1:1 mapped representation of the data processing system. Operating conditions of installed system components may be assessed via the user interface. A system component that is installed in its respective location in the data processing system (e.g., in a particular socket) is depicted in the 1:1 mapped representation of the data processing system as being installed in a corresponding location of the data processing system. After performing an operation for installing a particular system component in its respective location of the data processing system (e.g.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the efficiency of data access in a multiple processor, multiple cluster system. Mechanisms for improving the accuracy of information available to a cache coherence controller are provided in order to allow the cache coherence controller to reduce the number of transactions in a multiple cluster system. Non-change probes and augmented non-change probe responses are provided to acquire state information in remote clusters without affecting the state of the probed memory line. Augmented probe responses associated with shared and invalidating probes are provided to update state information in a coherence directory during read and read/write probe requests.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the efficiency of data access in a multiple processor, multiple cluster system. Mechanisms for reducing the number of transactions in a multiple cluster system are provided. In one example, owning node information is used to limit the number of probes transmitted in a particular cluster.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the efficiency of data access in a multiple processor, multiple cluster system. Mechanisms for allowing a variety of transactions to complete locally are implemented by providing remote data caches associated with the various clusters in the system. The remote data caches receive data and state information for memory lines held in remote clusters. State information is provided to the remote data cache using various mechanisms including a coherence directory and augmented source done messages.

Abstract: A computer system having a plurality of processing nodes interconnected by a first point-to-point architecture is described. Each processing node has a cache memory associated therewith. A probe filtering unit is operable to receive probes corresponding to memory lines from the processing nodes and to transmit the probes only to selected ones of the processing nodes with reference to probe filtering information. The probe filtering information is representative of states associated with selected ones of the cache memories.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the efficiency of data access in a multiple processor, multiple cluster system. Mechanisms for improving the accuracy of information available to a cache coherence controller are provided in order to allow the cache coherence controller to reduce the number of transactions in a multiple cluster system. Cache state information is provided to a home cluster cache coherence controller to allow silent evictions of shared memory lines and change to dirty associated intervening requests to be efficiently handled.