Abstract: An I/O adapter sharing mechanism in a logically partitioned computer system allows sharing a network I/O adapter between logical partitions in an efficient manner. A first logical partition owns (or controls) the I/O adapter, and a second logical partition desires to use (or share) the I/O adapter. An I/O adapter device driver that includes a hardware interface is provided in the first logical partition. A virtual device driver is provided in the second logical partition that provides a set of functions that is at least partially defined by querying the I/O adapter device driver in the first logical partition. The I/O adapter sharing mechanism includes a transfer mechanism that allows data to be transferred directly from the virtual device driver in the second logical partition to the I/O adapter without passing through the I/O adapter device driver in the first logical partition.

Abstract: A hosting partition update mechanism allows updating I/O capability of a logically-partitioned computer system in a way that minimally affects the performance and availability of I/O in the computer system. When an update is needed, a new hosting partition is created with the desired update(s). I/O adapters in the current hosting partition are then migrated to the new hosting partition. The migration of an I/O adapter from the current hosting partition to the new hosting partition is relatively fast, thereby minimally impacting system performance and availability of I/O. Once all of the I/O adapters have been migrated to the new hosting partition, the current hosting partition may be kept as a backup, or may be eliminated. Providing a new or backup hosting partition allows updates to be performed in the new or backup hosting partition in a non-disruptive manner while the current hosting partition continues to service I/O requests.

Abstract: A hosting partition update mechanism allows updating I/O capability of a logically-partitioned computer system in a way that minimally affects the performance and availability of I/O in the computer system. When an update is needed, a new hosting partition is created with the desired update(s). I/O adapters in the current hosting partition are then migrated to the new hosting partition. The migration of an I/O adapter from the current hosting partition to the new hosting partition is relatively fast, thereby minimally impacting system performance and availability of I/O. Once all of the I/O adapters have been migrated to the new hosting partition, the current hosting partition may be kept as a backup, or may be eliminated. Providing a new or backup hosting partition allows updates to be performed in the new or backup hosting partition in a non-disruptive manner while the current hosting partition continues to service I/O requests.

Abstract: Methods and systems for discovering whether a given connection to an InfiniBand port is a standard InfiniBand connection or a non-standard connection (e.g., indicating the presence of a proprietary device) are provided. The discovery may be performed by an end node, such that the end node interoperates with all standard InfiniBand components. Specific actions that are vendor unique, and potentially not compliant with the InfiniBand architecture, may not be done until after the discovery is complete and it has been verified that the noncompliant action will only be directed to entities know to be capable of processing them. These actions may include assuming the configuration responsibilities that would have been performed by the Subnet Manager in a standard InfiniBand network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for discovering and managing devices connected to InfiniBand ports are provided. The discovery may be performed by an end node, such that the end node interoperates with all standard InfiniBand components. Specific actions that are vendor unique, and potentially not compliant with the InfiniBand architecture, may not be done until after the discovery is complete and it has been verified that the noncompliant action will only be directed to entities known to be capable of processing them. These actions may include assuming the configuration responsibilities that would have been performed by the Subnet Manager in a standard InfiniBand network.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product implement InfiniBand (IB) network topology simplification. A Subnet Manager (SM) of an IB subnet sends a subnet discovery request to each switch requesting the number of ports that are attached to the switch. Each of the switches and target channel adapters (TCAs) within the IB subnet includes a Subnet Management Agent (SMA). The Subnet Management Agent (SMA) of the receiving switch responds to the SM indicating a sufficient number of ports on the switch to support at least one port for each TCA. Each TCA supports at least two local IDs (LIDs).

Abstract: A hosting partition update mechanism allows updating the I/O capability of a logically-partitioned computer system in a way that minimally affects the performance and availability of I/O in the computer system. When an update is needed, a new hosting partition is created with the desired update(s). The I/O adapters in the current hosting partition are then migrated to the new hosting partition. The migration of an I/O adapter from the current hosting partition to the new hosting partition is relatively fast, thereby minimally impacting system performance and availability of I/O. Once all of the I/O adapters have been migrated to the new hosting partition, the current hosting partition may be kept as a backup, or may be eliminated. Providing a new or backup hosting partition allows updates to be performed in the new or backup hosting partition in a non-disruptive manner while the current hosting partition continues to service I/O requests.

Abstract: An I/O adapter sharing mechanism in a logically partitioned computer system allows sharing a network I/O adapter between logical partitions in an efficient manner. A first logical partition owns (or controls) the I/O adapter, and a second logical partition desires to use (or share) the I/O adapter. An I/O adapter device driver that includes a hardware interface is provided in the first logical partition. A virtual device driver is provided in the second logical partition that provides a set of functions that is at least partially defined by querying the I/O adapter device driver in the first logical partition. The I/O adapter sharing mechanism includes a transfer mechanism that allows data to be transferred directly from the virtual device driver in the second logical partition to the I/O adapter without passing through the I/O adapter device driver in the first logical partition.

Abstract: A hosting partition update mechanism allows updating I/O capability of a logically-partitioned computer system in a way that minimally affects the performance and availability of I/O in the computer system. When an update is needed, a new hosting partition is created with the desired update(s). I/O adapters in the current hosting partition are then migrated to the new hosting partition. The migration of an I/O adapter from the current hosting partition to the new hosting partition is relatively fast, thereby minimally impacting system performance and availability of I/O. Once all of the I/O adapters have been migrated to the new hosting partition, the current hosting partition may be kept as a backup, or may be eliminated. Providing a new or backup hosting partition allows updates to be performed in the new or backup hosting partition in a non-disruptive manner while the current hosting partition continues to service I/O requests.

Abstract: Methods and systems for discovering and managing devices connected to InfiniBand ports are provided. The discovery may be performed by an end node, such that the end node interoperates with all standard InfiniBand components. Specific actions that are vendor unique, and potentially not compliant with the InfiniBand architecture, may not be done until after the discovery is complete and it has been verified that the noncompliant action will only be directed to entities known to be capable of processing them. These actions may include assuming the configuration responsibilities that would have been performed by the Subnet Manager in a standard InfiniBand network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for discovering whether a given connection to an InfiniBand port is a standard InfiniBand connection or a non-standard connection (e.g., indicating the presence of a proprietary device) are provided. The discovery may be performed by an end node, such that the end node interoperates with all standard InfiniBand components. Specific actions that are vendor unique, and potentially not compliant with the InfiniBand architecture, may not be done until after the discovery is complete and it has been verified that the noncompliant action will only be directed to entities know to be capable of processing them.

Abstract: An I/O adapter sharing mechanism in a logically partitioned computer system allows sharing a network I/O adapter between logical partitions in an efficient manner. A first logical partition owns (or controls) the I/O adapter, and a second logical partition desires to use (or share) the I/O adapter. An I/O adapter device driver that includes a hardware interface is provided in the first logical partition. A virtual device driver is provided in the second logical partition that provides a set of functions that is at least partially defined by querying the I/O adapter device driver in the first logical partition. The I/O adapter sharing mechanism includes a transfer mechanism that allows data to be transferred directly from the virtual device driver in the second logical partition to the I/O adapter without passing through the I/O adapter device driver in the first logical partition.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing queue pair connection protection over an interconnect network, such as InfiniBand. A message packet is received for a queue pair (QP) and the QP is checked for an imminent connection failure. Responsive to identifying an imminent connection failure, a special message processing mode is established for the QP. After the special message processing mode is established, packets of the message are received without establishing a message queue entry and without storing packet data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for implementing a receive function over an interconnect network, such as InfiniBand. A virtual lane (VL) with a pending packet for a queue pair (QP) is selected. Then the pending packet is checked for an exceptional condition. Responsive to identifying the exceptional condition for the pending packet, a state bit is set for freezing the selected VL; and an interrupt is generated to firmware. Responsive to receiving the interrupt, the firmware determines a cause for freezing the selected VL and performs a responsive action. For example, the responsive action performed by firmware includes firmware performing an error recovery procedure (ERP) for the QP; firmware updating a state for the QP; or firmware performing application unique processing for the QP.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for implementing global to local queue pair translation in a network transport layer. A global queue pair number is identified. The global queue pair number is translated to a smaller local queue pair number. The local queue pair number is used for storing local queue pair context data for outbound header generation and inbound header checking. Upper layers of the network protocol above the network transport layer are allowed to use the global queue pair numbers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an advanced multiplexing technique to allow a single host to support multiple Internet Protocol (IP) queue pairs with little or no overhead are provided. With the apparatus and method, after a queue pair is created, Internet Protocol filter attributes and values are set up for the queue pair through value added features to the standard InfiniBand “QP Modify” method. The IP filters are used during normal operations to determine which queue pair is associated with an incoming packet. During normal operations, when a channel adapter receives an Internet Protocol (IP) over InfiniBand (IB) packet, it uses one or more of several fields in the packet's transport and/or network header to determine which queue pair shall receive the packet. Thus, the host channel adapter uses the IP filters to route incoming packets to the appropriate queue pair and thereby allow more than one queue pair to be used to support IP.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing a transmit queue. A queue pair context memory is provided for storing a set of pointers for each queue pair. The set of pointers are used to control the transmit queue for receiving, processing, and sending messages. Responsive to identifying an error for a queue pair, a limit pointer enable bit and a limit pointer to identify a last request for processing after the error are stored in the queue pair context memory for the queue pair.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording segment execution times in a processing system are provided. The method includes the steps of recording a timestamp corresponding to the beginning of a segment to be executed, wherein the recording step is conducted through a firmware operation. The method further includes the step of updating the timestamp with an elapsed segment execution time, wherein the updating step is conducted through a plurality of hardware based operations that are executed without firmware interaction.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for implementing a receive function over an interconnect network, such as InfiniBand. A virtual lane (VL) with a pending packet for a queue pair (QP) is selected. Then the pending packet is checked for an exceptional condition. Responsive to identifying the exceptional condition for the pending packet, a state bit is set for freezing the selected VL; and an interrupt is generated to firmware. Responsive to receiving the interrupt, the firmware determines a cause for freezing the selected VL and performs a responsive action. For example, the responsive action performed by firmware includes firmware performing an error recovery procedure (ERP) for the QP; firmware updating a state for the QP; or firmware performing application unique processing for the QP.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing queue pair connection protection over an interconnect network, such as InfiniBand. A message packet is received for a queue pair (QP) and the QP is checked for an imminent connection failure. Responsive to identifying an imminent connection failure, a special message processing mode is established for the QP. After the special message processing mode is established, packets of the message are received without establishing a message queue entry and without storing packet data.