Abstract: Various embodiments provide an ability to automatically boot a computing device with an operating system stored on a portable storage device when the portable storage device is detected to be present. The computing device can be configured to dynamically boot from the portable storage device when the portable storage device is detected, and revert to a programmed boot order in its associated boot module when the portable storage device is not detected. In some embodiments, the operating system is fully encapsulated on the portable storage device, such as the operating system being completely separate from an operating system initially booting the computing device.

Abstract: Techniques for grouping individual processors into assignment entities are discussed. Statically grouping processors may permit threads to be assigned on a group basis. In this manner, the burden of scheduling threads for processing may be minimized, while the processor within the assignment entity may be selected based on the physical locality of the individual processors within the group. The groupings may permit a system to scale to meet the processing demands of various applications.

Abstract: Techniques for transparently replacing a processor, that receives interrupts in a partitioned computing device, with a replacement processor, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, methods are discussed for directing the interrupts to an unchangeable identifier mapped to the processor's identifier and replacing the processor with the replacement processor. An intermediary, such as an I/O APIC, is used for storing the unchangeable identifier. The mapping may use logical mode delivery, physical mode delivery, or interrupt mapping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating the identities of hardware devices, such as processors or memory controllers, between a local operating system and a global management entity is described. In an embodiment a fault message including a local identifier of a faulting device is received from an operating system. A global identifier of the faulting device is determined that is different from the local identifier. An appropriate replacement device is then selected based on the global identifier of the faulting device, and the selected replacement device is mapped to the faulting device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for replacing partition units are disclosed. Generic and platform-specific drivers based on a driver model that specify a plurality of callbacks are disclosed. The drivers enable the replacement of partition units without the firmware and/or software of a computing device having to be recompiled for each platform. The plurality of callbacks provide access to a plurality of functions that are safe to use when operating system services are not available. The plurality of callbacks include, but are not limited to, initialization, memory transfer, and transfer processor state callbacks. The methods use the drivers to replace partition units. Preferably, partition units are replaced using platform-specific partition unit replacement (PUR) drivers that take advantage of platform-specific capabilities.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an ability to automatically boot a computing device with an operating system stored on a portable storage device when the portable storage device is detected to be present. The computing device can be configured to dynamically boot from the portable storage device when the portable storage device is detected, and revert to a programmed boot order in its associated boot module when the portable storage device is not detected. In some embodiments, the operating system is fully encapsulated on the portable storage device, such as the operating system being completely separate from an operating system initially booting the computing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating the identities of hardware devices, such as processors or memory controllers, between a local operating system and a global management entity is described. In an embodiment a fault message including a local identifier of a faulting device is received from an operating system. A global identifier of the faulting device is determined that is different from the local identifier. An appropriate replacement device is then selected based on the global identifier of the faulting device, and the selected replacement device is mapped to the faulting device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating the identities of hardware devices, such as processors and memory controllers, between a local operating system and a global management entity is described. When the operating system detects a faulting device, the operating system generates a fault message and transmits the fault message to the global management entity. The global management entity determines the identity of the faulting device based on information contained in the fault message, selects an appropriate replacement device, changes a routing table to map to the replacement device to the identity of the faulting device, and transmits to the operating system a global identity of the replacement device. The operating system correlates the local identity of the replacement device with the global identity of the replacement device.

Abstract: Techniques for transparently replacing a processor, that receives interrupts in a partitioned computing device, with a replacement processor, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, methods are discussed for directing the interrupts to an unchangeable identifier mapped to the processor's identifier and replacing the processor with the replacement processor. An intermediary, such as an I/O APIC, is used for storing the unchangeable identifier. The mapping may use logical mode delivery, physical mode delivery, or interrupt mapping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparently replacing a processor, that receives interrupts in a partitioned computing device, with a replacement processor, is disclosed. The method comprises directing the interrupts to an unchangeable identifier mapped to the processor's identifier and replacing the processor with the replacement processor. An intermediary, such as an I/O APIC, is used for storing the unchangeable identifier. The mapping may use logical mode delivery, physical mode delivery, or interrupt mapping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing spare partition units in a partitionable computing device is disclosed. The method comprises detecting if a spare partition unit is required for addition or replacement in a local operating system and if a spare partition unit is required for addition, initiating an addition of a spare partition unit. If a spare partition unit is required for replacement, a replacement of a failing partition unit with a spare partition unit is initiated; part of the memory of the failing partition unit is passively migrated into the memory of the spare partition unit's partition; part of the memory of the failing partition unit is also actively migrated into the memory of the spare partition unit's partition; and the partitionable computing device is cleaned up. Partition units are replaced without requiring that computer-executable instructions be recompiled.

Abstract: Techniques for grouping individual processors into assignment entities are discussed. Statically grouping processors may permit threads to be assigned on a group basis. In this manner, the burden of scheduling threads for processing may be minimized, while the processor within the assignment entity may be selected based on the physical locality of the individual processors within the group. The groupings may permit a system to scale to meet the processing demands of various applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating the identities of hardware devices, such as processors and memory controllers, between a local operating system and a global management entity is described. When the operating system detects a faulting device, the operating system generates a fault message and transmits the fault message to the global management entity. The global management entity determines the identity of the faulting device based on information contained in the fault message, selects an appropriate replacement device, changes a routing table to map to the replacement device to the identity of the faulting device, and transmits to the operating system a global identity of the replacement device. The operating system correlates the local identity of the replacement device with the global identity of the replacement device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing spare partition units in a partitionable computing device is disclosed. The method comprises detecting if a spare partition unit is required for addition or replacement in a local operating system and if a spare partition unit is required for addition, initiating an addition of a spare partition unit. If a spare partition unit is required for replacement, a replacement of a failing partition unit with a spare partition unit is initiated; part of the memory of the failing partition unit is passively migrated into the memory of the spare partition unit's partition; part of the memory of the failing partition unit is also actively migrated into the memory of the spare partition unit's partition; and the partitionable computing device is cleaned up. Partition units are replaced without requiring that computer-executable instructions be recompiled.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for replacing partition units are disclosed. Generic and platform-specific drivers based on a driver model that specify a plurality of callbacks are disclosed. The drivers enable the replacement of partition units without the firmware and/or software of a computing device having to be recompiled for each platform. The plurality of callbacks provide access to a plurality of functions that are safe to use when operating system services are not available. The plurality of callbacks include, but are not limited to, initialization, memory transfer, and transfer processor state callbacks. The methods use the drivers to replace partition units. Preferably, partition units are replaced using platform-specific partition unit replacement (PUR) drivers that take advantage of platform-specific capabilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparently replacing a processor, that receives interrupts in a partitioned computing device, with a replacement processor, is disclosed. The method comprises directing the interrupts to an unchangeable identifier mapped to the processor's identifier and replacing the processor with the replacement processor. An intermediary, such as an I/O APIC, is used for storing the unchangeable identifier. The mapping may use logical mode delivery, physical mode delivery, or interrupt mapping.