Abstract: An ordering mechanism, ordering method and computer program product are provided for implementing PCI local bus (PCI) peer to peer functions. When a read command is received, checking for available resource is performed. Responsive to not identifying available resource, a retry read command is sent. Responsive to sending the read command; checking for the retry read received command is provided. Responsive to identifying the retry read received command, the read command is resent.

Abstract: A method of servicing a processor array of a computer system by quiescing a processor selected for maintenance and removing the selected processor from a processor pool used by the computer's operating system. The selected processor is then powered down while maintaining power to and operation of other processors in the processor array. The selected processor may be identified as being defective, or may have been selected for upgrading. The processor array may include several processor clusters, such that the quiescing, removing and powering down steps apply to all processors in one of the processing clusters. The operating system assigns one of the processors in the processor array to be a service processor, and if the service processor is the processor selected for maintenance, the OS re-assigns the service processor functions to another processor in the processor array.

Abstract: A data processing system, circuit arrangement, integrated circuit device, program product, and method utilize a data buffer with a priority-based data storage capability to handle incoming data from a plurality of available data sources. With such a capability, different relative priority levels are assigned to data associated with different data sources. Such priority levels are then used by control logic coupled to the buffer to control whether or not incoming data is stored (or optionally discarded) in the buffer. In particular, the relative priority of incoming data is compared with that associated with data currently stored in the buffer, with the incoming data being stored in the buffer only when its relative priority exceeds that of the currently-stored data.

Abstract: A data transfer method and apparatus are provided for transferring data in a computer system on a high-speed synchronous multi-drop bus. Multiple devices including at least a first group of a plurality of devices and a second group of at least one device are connected to the high-speed synchronous multi-drop bus. To transfer data between devices in the first group, a first unidirectional data valid signal is applied to each device in the second group. The data from a sending device in the first group is transferred to a designated device in the second group. A second unidirectional data valid signal is applied to each device in the first group. The data is transferred from the designated device in the second group to a selected device in the first group.