Abstract: In a multiprocessor environment, by executing cache-inhibited reads or writes to registers, a scan communication is used to rapidly access registers inside and outside a chip originating the command. Cumbersome locking of the memory location may be thus avoided. Setting of busy latches at the outset virtually eliminates the chance of collisions, and status bits are set to inform the requesting core processor that a command is done and free of error, if that is the case.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments disclose a data processing system providing low-level hardware access to in-band and out-of-band firmware. The data processing system includes a plurality of chips that includes at least one processor chip and a plurality of support chips. At least one processor chip includes a field replaceable unit support interface master that uses a field replaceable unit support interface serial transmission protocol to communicate with the plurality of support chips. Each one of the plurality of support chips includes a field replaceable unit support interface slave in, with ones of the plurality of chips that include a processor also include the field replaceable unit support interface master, and ones of the plurality of chips that do not include the processor include only the field replaceable unit support interface slave. Only the field replaceable unit support interface master possesses conversion logic.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing system for synchronizing the triggering of multiple hardware trace facilities using an existing bus. The multiple hardware trace facilities include a first hardware trace facility and a second hardware trace facility. The data processing system includes a first processor that includes the first hardware trace facility and first processing units that are coupled together utilizing the system bus, and a second processor that includes the second hardware trace facility and second processing units that are coupled together utilizing the system bus. Information is transmitted among the first and second processing units utilizing the system bus when the processors are in a normal, non-tracing mode, where the information is formatted according to a standard system bus protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for a support interface for memory-mapped resources. A support processor sends a sequence of commands over and FSI interface to a memory-mapped support interface on a processor chip. The memory-mapped support interface updates memory, memory-mapped registers or memory-mapped resources. The interface uses fabric packet generation logic to generate a single command packet in a protocol for the coherency fabric which consists of an address, command and/or data. Fabric commands are converted to FSI protocol and forwarded to attached support chips to access the memory-mapped resource, and responses from the support chips are converted back to fabric response packets. Fabric snoop logic monitors the coherency fabric and decodes responses for packets previously sent by fabric packet generation logic. The fabric snoop logic updates status register and/or writes response data to a read data register. The system also reports any errors that are encountered.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for systematically testing the functionality of all connections in a multi-tiered bus system that connects a large number of processors. Each bus controller is instructed to send a test version of a snoop request to all of the other processors and to wait for the replies. If a connection is bad, the port associated with that connection will time out. Detection of a time-out will cause the initialization process to be halted until the problem can be isolated and resolved.

Abstract: In-band firmware executes instructions which cause commands to be sent on a coherency fabric. Fabric snoop logic monitors the coherency fabric for command packets that target a resource in one of the support chips attached via an FSI link. Conversion logic converts the information from the fabric packet into an FSI protocol. An FSI command is transmitted via the FSI transmit link to an FSI slave of the intended support chip. An FSI receive link receives response data from the FSI slave of the intended support chip. Conversion logic converts the information from the support chip received via the FSI receive link into the fabric protocol. Response packet generation logic generates the fabric response packet and returns it on the coherency fabric. An identical FSI link between a support processor and support chips allows direct access to the same resources on the support chips by out-of-band firmware.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing system for synchronizing the triggering of multiple hardware trace facilities using an existing bus. The multiple hardware trace facilities include a first hardware trace facility and a second hardware trace facility. The data processing system includes a first processor that includes the first hardware trace facility and first processing units that are coupled together utilizing the system bus, and a second processor that includes the second hardware trace facility and second processing units that are coupled together utilizing the system bus. Information is transmitted among the first and second processing units utilizing the system bus when the processors are in a normal, non-tracing mode, where the information is formatted according to a standard system bus protocol.

Abstract: In-band firmware executes instructions which cause commands to be sent on a coherency fabric. Fabric snoop logic monitors the coherency fabric for command packets that target a resource in one of the support chips attached via an FSI link. Conversion logic converts the information from the fabric packet into an FSI protocol. An FSI command is transmitted via the FSI transmit link to an FSI slave of the intended support chip. An FSI receive link receives response data from the FSI slave of the intended support chip. Conversion logic converts the information from the support chip received via the FSI receive link into the fabric protocol. Response packet generation logic generates the fabric response packet and returns it on the coherency fabric. An identical FSI link between a support processor and support chips allows direct access to the same resources on the support chips by out-of-band firmware.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions are provided by the present invention to automatically recover from a failed node concurrent maintenance operation. A control logic is provided to send a first test command to processors of a new node. If the first test command is successful, a second test command is sent to all processors or to the remaining nodes if nodes are removed. If the second command is successful, system operation is resumed with the newly configured topology with either nodes added or removed. If the response is incorrect or a timeout has occurred, the control logic restores values to the current mode register and sends a third test command to check for an error. A fatal system attention is sent to a service processor or system software if an error is encountered. If no error, system operation is resumed with previously configured topology.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for systematically testing the functionality of all connections in a multi-tiered bus system that connects a large number of processors. Each bus controller is instructed to send a test version of a snoop request to all of the other processors and to wait for the replies. If a connection is bad, the port associated with that connection will time out. Detection of a time-out will cause the initialization process to be halted until the problem can be isolated and resolved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for a support interface for memory-mapped resources. A support processor sends a sequence of commands over and FSI interface to a memory-mapped support interface on a processor chip. The memory-mapped support interface updates memory, memory-mapped registers or memory-mapped resources. The interface uses fabric packet generation logic to generate a single command packet in a protocol for the coherency fabric which consists of an address, command and/or data. Fabric commands are converted to FSI protocol and forwarded to attached support chips to access the memory-mapped resource, and responses from the support chips are converted back to fabric response packets. Fabric snoop logic monitors the coherency fabric and decodes responses for packets previously sent by fabric packet generation logic. The fabric snoop logic updates status register and/or writes response data to a read data register. The system also reports any errors that are encountered.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for systematically testing the functionality of all connections in a multi-tiered bus system that connects a large number of processors. Each bus controller is instructed to send a test version of a snoop request to all of the other processors and to wait for the replies. If a connection is bad, the port associated with that connection will time out. Detection of a time-out will cause the initialization process to be halted until the problem can be isolated and resolved.

Abstract: In a multiprocessor environment, by executing cache-inhibited reads or writes to registers, a scan communication is used to rapidly access registers inside and outside a chip originating the command. Cumbersome locking of the memory location may be thus avoided. Setting of busy latches at the outset virtually eliminates the chance of collisions, and status bits are set to inform the requesting core processor that a command is done and free of error, if that is the case.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for a support interface for memory-mapped resources. A support processor sends a sequence of commands over and FSI interface to a memory-mapped support interface on a processor chip. The memory-mapped support interface updates memory, memory-mapped registers or memory-mapped resources. The interface uses fabric packet generation logic to generate a single command packet in a protocol for the coherency fabric which consists of an address, command and/or data. Fabric commands are converted to FSI protocol and forwarded to attached support chips to access the memory-mapped resource, and responses from the support chips are converted back to fabric response packets. Fabric snoop logic monitors the coherency fabric and decodes responses for packets previously sent by fabric packet generation logic. The fabric snoop logic updates status register and/or writes response data to a read data register. The system also reports any errors that are encountered.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing system for synchronizing the triggering of multiple hardware trace facilities using an existing bus. The multiple hardware trace facilities include a first hardware trace facility and a second hardware trace facility. The data processing system includes a first processor that includes the first hardware trace facility and first processing units that are coupled together utilizing the system bus, and a second processor that includes the second hardware trace facility and second processing units that are coupled together utilizing the system bus. Information is transmitted among the first and second processing units utilizing the system bus when the processors are in a normal, non-tracing mode, where the information is formatted according to a standard system bus protocol.

Abstract: In a multiprocessor environment, by executing cache-inhibited reads or writes to registers, a scan communication is used to rapidly access registers inside and outside a chip originating the command. Cumbersome locking of the memory location may be thus avoided. Setting of busy latches at the outset virtually eliminates the chance of collisions, and status bits are set to inform the requesting core processor that a command is done and free of error, if that is the case.

Abstract: The present invention, a multiprocessor chip pervasive command interface, collects different types of pervasive commands into individual queues for each command type. As permitted by various grouping rules, valid commands are grouped together into one single command and placed on a functional interchip communications bus. This grouping of commands maximizes pervasive command bandwidth while the use of the functional bus minimizes the number of interchip connections.