Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for sending a connection request from a requestor endpoint to a target endpoint based on route information stored in the requestor endpoint, and receiving a connection confirmation from the target endpoint to confirm establishment of a peer-to-peer connection between the endpoints. The endpoints may be part of an Advanced Switching (AS) for Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express™ architecture, and in one embodiment a simple load store (SLS) protocol may be used for peer-to-peer communications in the AS environment. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for sending a connection request from a requestor endpoint to a target endpoint based on route information stored in the requester endpoint, and receiving a connection confirmation from the target endpoint to confirm establishment of a peer-to-peer connection between the endpoints. The endpoints may be part of an Advanced Switching (AS) for Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express™ architecture, and in one embodiment a simple load store (SLS) protocol may be used for peer-to-peer communications in the AS environment. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer connection protocol for establishing and managing peer-to-peer connections between endpoints coupled via a serial-based interconnect fabric. A requesting endpoint generates and sends a query to a fabric manager requesting connection information for at least one target endpoint having attributes matching attributes specified in the query. The fabric manager returns a query reply containing connection information to connect the requesting endpoint to a target endpoint or multiple target endpoints having matching attributes. In the case of multiple target endpoints, one target endpoint is selected for the connection. The requesting and target endpoints then negotiate and establish the connection by passing connection information and parameters between themselves directly. Upon establishing the connection, the fabric manager is apprised of the new connection and updates its connection list.

Abstract: A failover method and system is provided for a computer system having at least three nodes operating as a cluster. One method includes the steps of detecting failure of one node, determining the weight of at least two surviving nodes, and assigning a failover node based on the determined weights of the surviving nodes. Another method includes the steps detecting failure of one node and determining the time of failure, and assigning a failover node based in part on the determined time of failure. This method may also include the steps of determining a time period during which nodes in the cluster are heavily utilized, and assigning a failover node that is not heavily utilized during that time period.

Abstract: A failover method and system is provided for a computer system having at least three nodes operating as a cluster. One method includes the steps of detecting failure of one node, determining the weight of at least two surviving nodes, and assigning a failover node based on the determined weights of the surviving nodes. Another method includes the steps detecting failure of one node and determining the time of failure, and assigning a failover node based in part on the determined time of failure. This method may also include the steps of determining a time period during which nodes in the cluster are heavily utilized, and assigning a failover node that is not heavily utilized during that time period.