Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for configuring a port in a multi-port communication adapter. The apparatus includes an offline module and an update module. The offline module takes offline a first port of a multi-port communication adapter. The update module updates a port resource of the first port while allowing a concurrent communication on a second port of the multi-port communication adapter. The port resource may include a port topology and/or a port protocol. Furthermore, the apparatus may include an online module to put the first port online in response to the port resource update. Advantageously, the apparatus updates the port resource and configures the selected port according to the port resource attributes without interrupting concurrent communications, if any, on the other ports of the adapter.

Abstract: A log-in resource release system includes a set of lists for managing log-in requests to a processing cluster input/output port from host server input/output ports. Host servers that have been granted memory structures within a memory storage device (“configured hosts”) are granted priority access to a storage processing device's input/output port (“cluster port”). If the cluster port has exhausted its log-in resources, log-on requests from non-configured hosts will be not be accepted. New log-in requests from configured hosts will cause a host connected at a link or transport layer but not an upper layer to be logged off. If no hosts are connected only at the link or transport layer, a non-configured host connected at an upper layer will be logged off. If only configured hosts are connected and only at the upper layer, the log-on request by the configured host will be denied.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for updating a code image for a communication adapter. The apparatus includes a save module, an update module, and a restore module. The save module saves configuration data associated with a connection at a communication adapter. The update module updates a code image on the communication adapter. The restore module restores the configuration data in response to the code image update. Advantageously, the apparatus eliminates the need for conventional host recovery, including relogin and reestablishment of paths and connections, after the code image update.