Abstract: A modular computing housing includes a housing structure having a plurality of component slots that each can receive one of a plurality of components, where at least one of the components includes a processor having an operating frequency. A cooling system provides airflow through each of said component slots. A thermal control system can be communicably connected to each of the component slots and each of the received component processors. When the thermal control system receives configuration data from each of the component slots, retrieves throttle data corresponding to the configuration data and directs at least one received component processors to reduce its operating frequency in accordance with the throttle data.

Abstract: Enabling user space middleware or applications to pass file name based storage requests directly to a physical I/O Adapter without run-time involvement from the local Operating System (OS)is provided. A mechanism is provided for using a file protection table (FPT) data structure, which may include a file name protection table (FNPT) and file extension protection table (FEPT), to control user space and out of user space Input/Output (I/O) operations. The FNPT has an entry for each file managed by the OS? file system and points to a segment of the FEPT. Each entry in the FEPT may include a protection domain, along with other protection table context information, against which I/O requests may be checked to determine if an application instance that submitted the I/O requests may access the file identified in the I/O requests.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for bus/device/function (BDF) translation and routing of communications packets through a fabric that utilizes PCI switches. Identifiers are included in communications packets that are routed between a host and an I/O adapter using a PCI fabric to which the host and the I/O adapter are coupled. Destination identifiers that are included in first communications packets that are received by edge switches, which are connected directly to said host or directly connected to said I/O adapter, are translated before routing the communications packets out of the edge switches. Second communications packets that are received by internal switches, which are not directly connected to the host or directly connected to the I/O adapter, are routed without translating destination identifiers that are included in the second communications packets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that enables application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from either the local operating system or hypervisor. In one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided for determining whether a user space operation is a resource management operation of a work processing operation. If the user space operation is a resource management operation, appropriate functions are performed to either query, create, modify or destroy resource allocations in the I/O adapter. If the user space operation is a work processing operation, appropriate functions are performed to create work queue entries and inform the I/O adapter of the work queue entries and to retrieve completion queue entries for work queue entries whose processing has been completed by the I/O adapter.

Abstract: System and method for managing routing of data in a distributed computing system, such as a distributed computing system that uses PCI Express protocol to communicate over an I/O fabric. A physical tree that is indicative of a physical configuration of the distributed computing system is determined, and a virtual tree is created from the physical tree. The virtual tree is then modified to change an association between at least one source device and at least one target device in the virtual tree. A validation mechanism validates the changed association between the at least one source device and the at least one target device to enable routing of data from the at least one source device to the at least one target device.

Abstract: A method for developing a password based on a biometric template via a graphical user interface (GUI). The method includes receiving a password request input by a user via the graphical user interface, receiving a passphrase input by the user and simultaneously obtaining data associated with keystroke dynamics of a user while the user inputs the passphrase, creating a biometric template based upon the data obtained and keystroke dynamics data of the user collected over a predetermined period of time, generating the password based on the biometric template created and the passphrase inputted, and displaying the generated password to the user via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method, mechanism and computer usable medium is provided for distributing I/O fabric errors to the appropriate root nodes in a multi-root environment. The case where the I/O fabric is attached to more than one root node and where each root can potentially share with the other roots the I/O adapter (IOA) resources which are attached to the I/O is addressed. Additionally, a method, mechanism and computer usable medium is provided by which errors detected in an I/O fabric may be routed to all root nodes which may be affected by the error, while not being reported to the root nodes that will not be affected by those errors. In particular, distributed computing system which uses the PCI Express protocol to communicate over the I/O fabric is addressed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code are disclosed for migrating a virtual adapter from a source physical adapter to a destination physical adapter in a data processing system where multiple host computer systems share multiple adapters and communicate with those adapters through a PCI switched-fabric bus. The virtual adapter is first caused to stop processing transactions. All in-flight transactions that are associated with the virtual adapter are then captured. The configuration information that defines the virtual adapter is moved from the source physical adapter to the destination physical adapter. The in-flight transactions are then restored to their original locations on the destination virtual adapter. The virtual adapter is then restarted on the destination physical adapter such that the virtual adapter begins processing transactions.

Abstract: A method is directed to use of a master root node, in a distributed computer system provided with multiple root nodes, to control the configuration of routings through an I/O switched-fabric. One of the root nodes is designated as the master root node or PCI Configuration Manager (PCM), and is operable to carry out the configuration while each of the other root nodes remains in a quiescent or inactive state. In one useful embodiment pertaining to a system of the above type, that includes multiple root nodes, PCI switches, and PCI adapters available for sharing by different root nodes, a method is provided wherein the master root node is operated to configure routings through the PCI switches. Respective routings are configured between respective root nodes and the PCI adapters, wherein each of the configured routings corresponds to only one of the root nodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, that enables application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor. In one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided for handling user space query and modification operations for querying and modifying attributes of allocations of linear block addresses of a physical storage device. For modification, it is determined if there are sufficient available resources for the modification of the allocation. In addition, it is determined if there are any 1/0 transactions active on the allocation before performing the modification. Modification of the attributes of the allocation may be performed only if there are sufficient available resources and only if there are no active I/O transactions on the allocation being modified.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that enables application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor. Specifically, a mechanism for providing and using a linear block address (LBA) translation protection table (TPT) to control out of user space I/O operations is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, the LBATPT includes an adapter protection table that has entries for each portion of a storage device. Entries include access control values which identify whether the entry is valid and what access type operations may be performed on a corresponding portion of a storage device. I/O requests may be checked against these access control values to determine if an application instance that submitted the I/O requests may access the LBAs identified in the I/O requests in the manner requested.

Abstract: The present invention provides mechanisms that enable application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor. In one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided for handling user space creation and deletion operations for creating and deleting allocations of linear block addresses of a physical storage device to application instances. For creation, it is determined if there are sufficient available resources for creation of the allocation. For deletion, it is determined if there are any I/O transactions active on the allocation before performing the deletion. Allocation may be performed only if there are sufficient available resources and deletion may be performed only if there are no active I/O transactions on the allocation being deleted.

Abstract: A method that enables user space middleware or applications to pass I/O storage requests directly to a network attached storage device via a storage server that performs authentication is provided. A mechanism is provided for using a translation protection table (TPT) data structure, which may include a file name protection table (FNPT) and file extension protection table (FEPT), or logical volume protection table (LVPT), to control user space and out of user space Input/Output (I/O) operations. The storage server performs authentication of an application instance's request to open an operating system logical volume and, upon being authenticated, permits the application instance to submit I/O storage requests via the TPT to the opened OS logical volume. I/O storage requests are translated into storage commands using the TPT and the storage commands are encapsulated for transmission via one or more networks to the storage server.

Abstract: A method, mechanism and computer usable medium is provided for distributing I/O fabric errors to the appropriate root nodes in a multi-root environment. The case where the I/O fabric is attached to more than one root node and where each root can potentially share with the other roots the I/O adapter (IOA) resources which are attached to the I/O is addressed. Additionally, a method, mechanism and computer usable medium is provided by which errors detected in an I/O fabric may be routed to all root nodes which may be affected by the error, while not being reported to the root nodes that will not be affected by those errors. In particular, distributed computing system which uses the PCI Express protocol to communicate over the I/O fabric is addressed.

Abstract: A mechanism, method and computer usable medium is provided for each root node of a multiple root node system and its own independent address space. This mechanism also allows multiple system images within the same root node to have their own independent address spaces. A mechanism is also provided for incorporating legacy root node and input/output adapters that are non-aware of the mechanisms introduced by this invention. Input/ output adapters which implement this invention may also have the number of functions that they support greatly expanded beyond the present eight functions per input/output adapter.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code are disclosed for migrating a virtual adapter from a source physical adapter to a destination physical adapter in a data processing system where multiple host computer systems share multiple adapters and communicate with those adapters through a PCI switched-fabric bus. The virtual adapter is first caused to stop processing transactions. All in-flight transactions that are associated with the virtual adapter are then captured. The configuration information that defines the virtual adapter is moved from the source physical adapter to the destination physical adapter. The in-flight transactions are then restored to their original locations on the destination virtual adapter. The virtual adapter is then restarted on the destination physical adapter such that the virtual adapter begins processing transactions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for routing error messages in a distributed computer system comprising multiple root nodes, and further comprising one or more PCI switches and one or more I/O adapters, wherein each root node includes one or more system images. In one useful embodiment, a method is provided for routing I/O error messages to root nodes respectively associated with the errors contained in the messages. The method includes detecting occurrence of an error at a specified one of the adapters, wherein the error affects one of the system images, and generating an error message at the specified adapter. The method further comprises routing the error message from the specified adapter to the particular root node that includes the affected system image. The error message is then selectively processed at the particular root node, in order to identify the affected system image.

Abstract: Method and system for address routing in a distributed computing system, such as a distributed computing system that uses PCI Express protocol to communicate over an I/O fabric. A destination identifier is provided to identify a physical or virtual host or end point. When a physical or virtual host or end point receives a PCI data packet it compares a list of source identifiers with destination identifiers to determine if a source identifier included in the transaction packet is associated with a destination identifier included in the transaction packet to determine if the transaction packet has a valid association. If the transaction packet has a valid association, it is routed to the target device. The present invention enables each host that attaches to PCI bridges or switches and shares a set of common PCI devices to have its own PCI 64-bit address space and enables the routing of PCI transaction packets between multiple hosts and adapters, through a PCI switched-fabric bus using a destination identifier.

Abstract: A method that enables application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor is provided. In one aspect of the method, a mechanism is provided for handling user space creation and deletion operations for creating and deleting allocations of linear block addresses of a physical storage device to application instances. For creation, it is determined if there are sufficient available resources for creation of the allocation. For deletion, it is determined if there are any I/O transactions active on the allocation before performing the deletion. Allocation may be performed only if there are sufficient available resources and deletion may be performed only if there are no active I/O transactions on the allocation being deleted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for routing error messages in a distributed computer system comprising multiple root nodes, and further comprising one or more PCI switches and one or more I/O adapters, wherein each root node includes one or more system images. In one useful embodiment, a method is provided for routing I/O error messages to root nodes respectively associated with the errors contained in the messages. The method includes detecting occurrence of an error at a specified one of the adapters, wherein the error affects one of the system images, and generating an error message at the specified adapter. The method further comprises routing the error message from the specified adapter to the particular root node that includes the affected system image. The error message is then selectively processed at the particular root node, in order to identify the affected system image.