Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling a single computer system to execute both operating systems that permit multiple devices to be mapped to a single PCI function and operating systems that do not permit such mapping. Prior to loading and executing an operating system (e.g., during system reset), the computer system determines whether the operating system supports mapping of multiple devices to a single function. If such mapping is supported, the computer system maps multiple devices on a single PCI card to a single function in the PCI configuration space for the card. If such mapping is not supported, the computer system maps each device to a separate PCI function. The computer system then loads and executes the operating system. The operating system is thereby enabled to access all devices on the bus according to the particular device-function mapping scheme supported by the operating system.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, computing devices, network adapters, and other embodiments associated with network communications are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a multi-drop Ethernet network.

Abstract: A method for interrupt priority encoding and vectoring begins with reading pending interrupt bits from an interrupt status register. An entry in a table is located using the pending interrupt bits. The table has a plurality of vector entries for at least one high priority interrupt bit, and a single entry for at least one low priority interrupt bit. A vector address is fetched from the table and a branch is performed to the vector address. An alternate embodiment has high and low priority interrupt vector tables, where the high low priority interrupt vector table is used if no high priority interrupt is present.

Abstract: In a computer system including a first field-programmable unit including first field-programmable unit (FPU) code, computer-implemented techniques are disclosed for determining whether the first FPU code is compatible with the computer system and, if the first FPU code is determined not to be compatible with the computer system, notifying a user of the computer system of the incompatibility.

Abstract: A method for use in a computer system includes a first revision compatibility descriptor identifying a first plurality of compatible combinations of field-programmable unit codes. The method includes steps of: (A) determining whether the first revision compatibility descriptor identifies first field-programmable unit code for use in a first field-programmable unit as being compatible with the computer system; and (B) if the first revision compatibility descriptor does not identify the first field-programmable unit code as being compatible with the computer system, performing a step of updating the first revision compatibility descriptor to identify the first field-programmable unit code as being compatible with the computer system.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sharing removable media storage (RMS) devices in multi-partitioned systems are disclosed. An exemplary method may include receiving requests from a plurality of partitions of a processor to map at least one shared RMS device for the multi-partitioned system. The method may also include scheduling the requests if the shared RMS device is unavailable. The method may also include automatically mapping the at least one shared RMS device to the partitions one at a time as the at least one shared RMS device becomes available.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for resetting agents in a computer system without requiring the computer system, or partitions thereof, to be reset. In one embodiment, each agent in the system is associated with a corresponding partition. A reset signal directed to an agent is redirected to a reset type selector which determines whether the partition associated with the agent is in a run state (an “unsafe run state”) in which resetting the agent will cause the partition to crash. If the partition is in an unsafe run state, a soft reset is performed on the agent. Otherwise, a hard reset is performed on the agent. If performing a soft reset does not solve the problem that was the impetus for the reset signal, the partition may be brought into a safe run state before performing a hard reset on it.

Abstract: A system and method for power management in a computer system having multiple power grids is disclosed. The system includes a service structure operable in conjunction with an operating system (OS) instance executed on the computer system. At least one uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and at least one alternative source of power provide power to the multiple power grids. Where an UPS sends a loss of power notification to the service structure, the service structure is operable to maintain power supply to the grids from an available alternative source of power.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling a single computer system to execute both operating systems that permit multiple devices to be mapped to a single PCI function and operating systems that do not permit such mapping. Prior to loading and executing an operating system (e.g., during system reset), the computer system determines whether the operating system supports mapping of multiple devices to a single function. If such mapping is supported, the computer system maps multiple devices on a single PCI card to a single function in the PCI configuration space for the card. If such mapping is not supported, the computer system maps each device to a separate PCI function. The computer system then loads and executes the operating system. The operating system is thereby enabled to access all devices on the bus according to the particular device-function mapping scheme supported by the operating system.

Abstract: A system for removal and replacement of core I/O devices while the rest of the computer system is powered-up and operational. The system comprises a custom form-factor core I/O card that contains a plurality of I/O devices, including a processor for managing the card's I/O functions. A command is sent to an operating system, running on a system processor external to the core I/O card, that notifies the system to stop using, and de-configure, the hardware on the core I/O card. Once the OS receives this notification, an indication that the card is ready to be removed is sent to the user. The user then removes the card from its slot and inserts a replacement card into the same slot. The system software then discovers the I/O components on the core I/O card to determine what components are available, and then configures the new I/O device(s).

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for resetting agents in a computer system without requiring the computer system, or partitions thereof, to be reset. In one embodiment, each agent in the system is associated with a corresponding partition. A reset signal directed to an agent is redirected to a reset type selector which determines whether the partition associated with the agent is in a run state (an “unsafe run state”) in which resetting the agent will cause the partition to crash. If the partition is in an unsafe run state, a soft reset is performed on the agent. Otherwise, a hard reset is performed on the agent. If performing a soft reset does not solve the problem that was the impetus for the reset signal, the partition may be brought into a safe run state before performing a hard reset on it.

Abstract: A method for interrupt priority encoding and vectoring begins with reading pending interrupt bits from an interrupt status register. An entry in a table is located using the pending interrupt bits. The table has a plurality of vector entries for at least one high priority interrupt bit, and a single entry for at least one low priority interrupt bit. A vector address is fetched from the table and a branch is performed to the vector address. An alternate embodiment has high and low priority interrupt vector tables, where the high low priority interrupt vector table is used if no high priority interrupt is present.

Abstract: A system and method for power management in a computer system having multiple power grids is disclosed. The system includes a service structure operable in conjunction with an operating system (OS) instance executed on the computer system. At least one uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and at least one alternative source of power provide power to the multiple power grids. Where an UPS sends a loss of power notification to the service structure, the service structure is operable to maintain power supply to the grids from an available alternative source of power.

Abstract: A system for removal and replacement of core I/O devices while the rest of the computer system is powered-up and operational. The system comprises a custom form-factor core I/O card that contains a plurality of I/O devices, including a processor for managing the card's I/O functions. A command is sent to an operating system, running on a system processor external to the core I/O card, that notifies the system to stop using, and de-configure, the hardware on the core I/O card. Once the OS receives this notification, an indication that the card is ready to be removed is sent to the user. The user then removes the card from its slot and inserts a replacement card into the same slot. The system software then discovers the I/O components on the core I/O card to determine what components are available, and then configures the new I/O device(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hot swapping and bus extension without data corruption. During the hot swapping of a circuit board in a bus, the bus is extended onto or retracted from the circuit board in a manner which does not corrupt the data on the bus. The extension or retraction of the bus is detected and a bus reset is asserted interrupting and preventing transactions on the bus. The bus reset is asserted for a minimum amount of time to allow the bus to stabilize after the hot swap. A bus extension/retraction detection component and a bus reset component perform these functions.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus comprises a plurality of computer processors, each having an internal memory, and a plurality of unshared “clean data present” indicators connected to the plurality of computer processors. Each of the plurality of unshared “clean data present” indicators corresponds to one of the plurality of computer processors. Each of the plurality of computer processors is adapted to assert its corresponding unshared “clean data present” indicator when requested data is contained in its internal memory in an unmodified state.

Abstract: A device and method for a peripheral adapter of a dual SCSI bus enclosure is described. An adapter can operate alone or in pairs to provide different modes of operation, including simplex, duplex, and cluster. When used in pairs, two adapters interconnect internally to the enclosure through internal cross-coupling bus repeaters that can be selectively enabled or disabled. The adapters are hot-swappable and have the ability to automatically self configure. In the cluster mode, the adapter supports failover capability from a master adapter to a redundant adapter.

Abstract: A device and method for enclosure processing of a dual SCSI bus enclosure is described. A single SCSI enclosure processor is provided on an adapter that can operate alone or in pairs to provide different modes of operation, including simplex, duplex, and cluster. When used in pairs, two adapters interconnect internally to the enclosure through internal cross-coupling bus repeaters. The adapters have the ability to automatically configure themselves. In the cluster mode, a first enclosure processor on a first adapter assumes an active status, while a second enclosure processor on a second adapter waits in a standby mode. The standby enclosure processor detects when the active enclosure processor has failed, misoperated, or been removed and automatically failsover, assuming the identity of the active enclosure processor, without disruption to the system. Hot-swapping of the adapter boards is therefore possible.