Patents by Inventor Patrick Buckland

Patrick Buckland has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10417167
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing sideband control structure for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) add-in cards, or cable cards, that utilize cables to connect to input/output (IO) expansion enclosures in a computer system. System firmware uniquely identifies a cable card present in a PCIE slot in a system unit. Enclosure management functions utilize sideband control paths integrated within at least cable providing sideband control signaling, and providing PCIE signaling lanes between the cable card and the IO enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jeffery D. Haumont, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10417166
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing sideband control structure for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) add-in cards, or cable cards, that utilize cables to connect to input/output (IO) expansion enclosures in a computer system. System firmware uniquely identifies a cable card present in a PCIE slot in a system unit. Enclosure management functions utilize sideband control paths integrated within at least cable providing sideband control signaling, and providing PCIE signaling lanes between the cable card and the IO enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jeffery D. Haumont, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180074992
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing sideband control structure for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) add-in cards, or cable cards, that utilize cables to connect to input/output (IO) expansion enclosures in a computer system. System firmware uniquely identifies a cable card present in a PCIE slot in a system unit. Enclosure management functions utilize sideband control paths integrated within at least cable providing sideband control signaling, and providing PCIE signaling lanes between the cable card and the IO enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jeffery D. Haumont, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180074993
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing sideband control structure for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) add-in cards, or cable cards, that utilize cables to connect to input/output (IO) expansion enclosures in a computer system. System firmware uniquely identifies a cable card present in a PCIE slot in a system unit. Enclosure management functions utilize sideband control paths integrated within at least cable providing sideband control signaling, and providing PCIE signaling lanes between the cable card and the IO enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jeffery D. Haumont, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9870335
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing sideband control structure for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) add-in cards, or cable cards, that utilize cables to connect to input/output (IO) expansion enclosures in a computer system. System firmware uniquely identifies a cable card present in a PCIE slot in a system unit. Enclosure management functions utilize sideband control paths integrated within at least cable providing sideband control signaling, and providing PCIE signaling lanes between the cable card and the IO enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jeffery D. Haumont, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9870336
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing sideband control structure for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) add-in cards, or cable cards, that utilize cables to connect to input/output (IO) expansion enclosures in a computer system. System firmware uniquely identifies a cable card present in a PCIE slot in a system unit. Enclosure management functions utilize sideband control paths integrated within at least cable providing sideband control signaling, and providing PCIE signaling lanes between the cable card and the IO enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jeffery D. Haumont, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9705591
    Abstract: Mechanisms, in a data processing system comprising an input/output subsystem implementing an industry standard optical bus, for handling a failure of an optical channel in an optical bus are provided. The mechanisms detect, by failure detection logic of the input/output (I/O) subsystem, failure of an optical channel of the optical bus. The mechanisms send, by a controller of the I/O subsystem, a control signal to channel routing logic of the I/O subsystem to control a routing of data signals between active bus lanes of the data processing system and optical channels of the optical bus in response to detecting the failure of the optical channel. The mechanisms control, by the channel routing logic, routing of data signals between the active bus lanes and the optical channels so as to remove the failed optical channel from further use and use a spare optical channel instead of the failed optical channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Daniel M. Dreps, Nanju Na, Suzanne M. Nolen
  • Patent number: 9548808
    Abstract: Mechanisms, in a data processing system comprising an input/output subsystem implementing an industry standard optical bus, for handling a failure of an optical channel in an optical bus are provided. The mechanisms detect, by failure detection logic of the input/output (I/O) subsystem, failure of an optical channel of the optical bus. The mechanisms send, by a controller of the I/O subsystem, a control signal to channel routing logic of the I/O subsystem to control a routing of data signals between active bus lanes of the data processing system and optical channels of the optical bus in response to detecting the failure of the optical channel. The mechanisms control, by the channel routing logic, routing of data signals between the active bus lanes and the optical channels so as to remove the failed optical channel from further use and use a spare optical channel instead of the failed optical channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Daniel M. Dreps, Nanju Na, Suzanne M. Nolen
  • Publication number: 20160134362
    Abstract: Mechanisms, in a data processing system comprising an input/output subsystem implementing an industry standard optical bus, for handling a failure of an optical channel in an optical bus are provided. The mechanisms detect, by failure detection logic of the input/output (I/O) subsystem, failure of an optical channel of the optical bus. The mechanisms send, by a controller of the I/O subsystem, a control signal to channel routing logic of the I/O subsystem to control a routing of data signals between active bus lanes of the data processing system and optical channels of the optical bus in response to detecting the failure of the optical channel. The mechanisms control, by the channel routing logic, routing of data signals between the active bus lanes and the optical channels so as to remove the failed optical channel from further use and use a spare optical channel instead of the failed optical channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Daniel M. Dreps, Nanju Na, Suzanne M. Nolen
  • Publication number: 20160134363
    Abstract: Mechanisms, in a data processing system comprising an input/output subsystem implementing an industry standard optical bus, for handling a failure of an optical channel in an optical bus are provided. The mechanisms detect, by failure detection logic of the input/output (I/O) subsystem, failure of an optical channel of the optical bus. The mechanisms send, by a controller of the I/O subsystem, a control signal to channel routing logic of the I/O subsystem to control a routing of data signals between active bus lanes of the data processing system and optical channels of the optical bus in response to detecting the failure of the optical channel. The mechanisms control, by the channel routing logic, routing of data signals between the active bus lanes and the optical channels so as to remove the failed optical channel from further use and use a spare optical channel instead of the failed optical channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Daniel M. Dreps, Nanju Na, Suzanne M. Nolen
  • Publication number: 20150286602
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing sideband control structure for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) add-in cards, or cable cards, that utilize cables to connect to input/output (IO) expansion enclosures in a computer system. System firmware uniquely identifies a cable card present in a PCIE slot in a system unit. Enclosure management functions utilize sideband control paths integrated within at least cable providing sideband control signaling, and providing PCIE signaling lanes between the cable card and the IO enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jeffery D. Haumont, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150286601
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing sideband control structure for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) add-in cards, or cable cards, that utilize cables to connect to input/output (IO) expansion enclosures in a computer system. System firmware uniquely identifies a cable card present in a PCIE slot in a system unit. Enclosure management functions utilize sideband control paths integrated within at least cable providing sideband control signaling, and providing PCIE signaling lanes between the cable card and the IO enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jeffery D. Haumont, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8799702
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing failover operation for a connection between a first PCIE bridge and a first input/output (IO) device are provided. A first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a first link using a first set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge. In response to detecting a failure in the first link, at a PCIE bridge end, the first set of lanes is swapped with a second set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge for exchanging a second set of bussed bits between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a second link using the second set of lanes, the second link connecting a second PCIE bridge with a second IO device. In response to detecting the failure in the first link, at an IO device end, the first set of lanes is switched with the second set of lanes for exchanging the second set of bussed bits between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over the second link using the second set of lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jay R. Herring, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8677176
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing failover operation for a connection between a first PCIE bridge and a first input/output (IO) device are provided. A first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a first link using a first set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge. In response to detecting a failure in the first link, at a PCIE bridge end, the first set of lanes is swapped with a second set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge for exchanging a second set of bussed bits between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a second link using the second set of lanes, the second link connecting a second PCIE bridge with a second IO device. In response to detecting the failure in the first link, at an IO device end, the first set of lanes is switched with the second set of lanes for exchanging the second set of bussed bits between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over the second link using the second set of lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jay R. Herring, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8645747
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing failover operation for a connection between a first PCIE bridge and a first input/output (IO) device are provided. A first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a first link using a first set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge. In response to detecting the failure in the first link, the first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device using an unused portion of a second link connecting a second PCIE bridge and a second IO device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jay R. Herring, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8645746
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing failover operation for a connection between a first PCIE bridge and a first input/output (IO) device are provided. A first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a first link using a first set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge. In response to detecting the failure in the first link, the first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device using an unused portion of a second link connecting a second PCIE bridge and a second IO device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Buckland, Jay R. Herring, Gregory M. Nordstrom, William A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120144087
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing failover operation for a connection between a first PCIE bridge and a first input/output (IO) device are provided. A first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a first link using a first set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge. In response to detecting the failure in the first link, the first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device using an unused portion of a second link connecting a second PCIE bridge and a second IO device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: PATRICK A. BUCKLAND, JAY R. HERRING, GREGORY M. NORDSTROM, WILLIAM A. THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20120144230
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing failover operation for a connection between a first PCIE bridge and a first input/output (IO) device are provided. A first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a first link using a first set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge. In response to detecting a failure in the first link, at a PCIE bridge end, the first set of lanes is swapped with a second set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge for exchanging a second set of bussed bits between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a second link using the second set of lanes, the second link connecting a second PCIE bridge with a second IO device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: PATRICK A. BUCKLAND, JAY R. HERRING, GREGORY M. NORDSTROM, WILLIAM A. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 7941577
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and distributed data processing system that allows a system image within a multiple system image virtual server to directly expose a portion, or all, of its associated system memory to a shared PCI adapter without having to go through a trusted component, such as a Hypervisor. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a mechanism for sharing conventional PCI I/O adapters, PCI-X I/O Adapters, PCI-Express I/O Adapters, and, in general, any I/O adapter that uses a memory mapped I/O interface for communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Arndt, Patrick A. Buckland, Harvey G. Kiel, Renato J. Recio, Jaya Srikrishnan
  • Patent number: 7681083
    Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for isolating input/output adapter error domains in a data processing system. Errors occurring in one input/output adapter are isolated from other input/output adapters of the data processing system by functionality in a host bridge that connects the input/output adapters to a system bus of the data processing system, thus permitting the use of low cost, industry standard switches and bridges external to the host bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Arndt, Patrick A. Buckland, Gregory M. Nordstrom, Steven M. Thurber