Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for detecting state and sparing of optical Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-Express or PCIE) cable channels attached to an IO drawer. System firmware is provided for implementing health check functions and state detection and sparing functions. One or more optical cables are connected between a host bridge and an PCIE enclosure, each optical cable includes one or more spare optical channels. An identified failed optical channel is rerouted to the spare optical channel.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method determines that a link operation associated with a first link, among the set of interface links in a computing system, has resulted in a first set of signal lanes, included in the first link, becoming unused. The method further includes determining a link configuration and selecting, based on the link configuration, a second link from among the interface links, and determining a second set of signal lanes, from among the unused signal lanes included in the first link, to include in the second link. The signal lanes to include in the second link are based on an attribute associated with the second link. The method further includes dynamically reconfiguring the signal lanes included in the second to set to be included in the lanes in the second link. Some computing systems include a lane routing device connected to signal lanes of links among the interface links.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method determines that a link operation associated with a first link, among the set of interface links in a computing system, has resulted in a first set of signal lanes, included in the first link, becoming unused. The method further includes determining a link configuration and selecting, based on the link configuration, a second link from among the interface links, and determining a second set of signal lanes, from among the unused signal lanes included in the first link, to include in the second link. The signal lanes to include in the second link are based on an attribute associated with the second link. The method further includes dynamically reconfiguring the signal lanes included in the second to set to be included in the lanes in the second link. Some computing systems include a lane routing device connected to signal lanes of links among the interface links.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to dynamically re-allocating lanes of a computer bus. A computer system having a processor in communication with a module is booted. Allocation of lanes among adapters in communication with connectors of the computer bus is controlled at boot-time and, in response to detection of an additional adapter received after boot-time, an additional allocation of lanes to the additional adapter is dynamically controlled. The additional allocation includes allocating unallocated lanes to the additional adapter, and re-allocating at least one lane from the initial allocation in response to the unallocated lanes being insufficient.

Abstract: A system and method dynamically allocate address translation tables for direct memory access windows by donating logical memory blocks to allocate to the address translation tables. A dynamic address translation table allocation module dynamically changes the allocation of memory to the address translation tables without a platform or partition reboot. A portion of the dynamic address translation table allocation module may reside in the hypervisor and in the partition and communicate to dynamically allocate memory to the address translation tables. The dynamic address translation table allocation module in the partition may donate logical memory blocks to the hypervisor to increase the allocation of memory to the address translation tables.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to dynamically allocating lanes of a computer bus. A computer system is configured with a plurality of connectors in communication with a module, with each connector configured to receive a respective adapter. The module detects a presence of each primary and backup adapter present, and controls an initial allocation of lanes to each detected primary adapter for maximizing adapter functionality. After the initial allocation and in response to detecting a failure of at least one primary adapter, the module dynamically switches lanes from the failed adapter to at least one of the one or more remaining primary adapters and the backup adapter.

Abstract: A system and method dynamically allocate address translation tables for direct memory access windows by donating logical memory blocks to allocate to the address translation tables. A dynamic address translation table allocation module dynamically changes the allocation of memory to the address translation tables without a platform or partition reboot. A portion of the dynamic address translation table allocation module may reside in the hypervisor and in the partition and communicate to dynamically allocate memory to the address translation tables. The dynamic address translation table allocation module in the partition may donate logical memory blocks to the hypervisor to increase the allocation of memory to the address translation tables.

Abstract: A system and method dynamically allocate address translation tables for direct memory access windows by donating logical memory blocks to allocate to the address translation tables. A dynamic address translation table allocation module dynamically changes the allocation of memory to the address translation tables without a platform or partition reboot. A portion of the dynamic address translation table allocation module may reside in the hypervisor and in the partition and communicate to dynamically allocate memory to the address translation tables. The dynamic address translation table allocation module in the partition may donate logical memory blocks to the hypervisor to increase the allocation of memory to the address translation tables.

Abstract: A system and method dynamically allocate address translation tables for direct memory access windows by donating logical memory blocks to allocate to the address translation tables. A dynamic address translation table allocation module dynamically changes the allocation of memory to the address translation tables without a platform or partition reboot. A portion of the dynamic address translation table allocation module may reside in the hypervisor and in the partition and communicate to dynamically allocate memory to the address translation tables. The dynamic address translation table allocation module in the partition may donate logical memory blocks to the hypervisor to increase the allocation of memory to the address translation tables.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for detecting state and sparing of optical Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-Express or PCIE) cable channels attached to an IO drawer. System firmware is provided for implementing health check functions and state detection and sparing functions. One or more optical cables are connected between a host bridge and an PCIE enclosure, each optical cable includes one or more spare optical channels. An identified failed optical channel is rerouted to the spare optical channel.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method determines that a link operation associated with a first link, among the set of interface links in a computing system, has resulted in a first set of signal lanes, included in the first link, becoming unused. The method further includes determining a link configuration and selecting, based on the link configuration, a second link from among the interface links, and determining a second set of signal lanes, from among the unused signal lanes included in the first link, to include in the second link. The signal lanes to include in the second link are based on an attribute associated with the second link. The method further includes dynamically reconfiguring the signal lanes included in the second to set to be included in the lanes in the second link. Some computing systems include a lane routing device connected to signal lanes of links among the interface links.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for detecting state and sparing of optical Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-Express or PCIE) cable channels attached to an IO drawer. System firmware is provided for implementing health check functions and state detection and sparing functions. One or more optical cables are connected between a host bridge and an PCIE enclosure, each optical cable includes one or more spare optical channels. An identified failed optical channel is rerouted to the spare optical channel.

Abstract: A system and method dynamically allocate address translation tables for direct memory access windows by donating logical memory blocks to allocate to the address translation tables. A dynamic address translation table allocation module dynamically changes the allocation of memory to the address translation tables without a platform or partition reboot. A portion of the dynamic address translation table allocation module may reside in the hypervisor and in the partition and communicate to dynamically allocate memory to the address translation tables. The dynamic address translation table allocation module in the partition may donate logical memory blocks to the hypervisor to increase the allocation of memory to the address translation tables.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing health check for optical cable attached Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) enclosures in a computer system. System firmware is provided for implementing health check functions. One or more optical cables are connected between a host bridge and a PCIE enclosure. A PCIE link to the PCIE enclosure is reset responsive to a predefined event. After a set delay, a PCIE link health check is performed verifying PCIE link width and speed.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing health check for optical cable attached Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) enclosures in a computer system. System firmware is provided for implementing health check functions. One or more optical cables are connected between a host bridge and a PCIE enclosure. A PCIE link to the PCIE enclosure is reset responsive to a predefined event. After a set delay, a PCIE link health check is performed verifying PCIE link width and speed.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for detecting and configuring an external input/output (IO) enclosure in a computer system. A PCIE Host Bridge (PHB) in a system unit is connected to a plurality of PCIE add-in card slots. One or more cables are connected between the PHB and the external enclosure. System firmware including detecting and configuring functions uses sideband structure for detecting a PCIE cable card and configuring the external input/output (IO) enclosure.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for detecting and configuring an external input/output (IO) enclosure in a computer system. A PCIE Host Bridge (PHB) in a system unit is connected to a plurality of PCIE add-in card slots. One or more cables are connected between the PHB and the external enclosure. System firmware including detecting and configuring functions uses sideband structure for detecting a PCIE cable card and configuring the external input/output (IO) enclosure.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to dynamically allocating lanes of a computer bus. A computer system is configured with a plurality of connectors in communication with a module, with each connector configured to receive a respective adapter. The module detects a presence of each primary and backup adapter present, and controls an initial allocation of lanes to each detected primary adapter for maximizing adapter functionality. After the initial allocation and in response to detecting a failure of at least one primary adapter, the module dynamically switches lanes from the failed adapter to at least one of the one or more remaining primary adapters and the backup adapter.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to dynamically re-allocating lanes of a computer bus. A computer system having a processor in communication with a module is booted. Allocation of lanes among adapters in communication with connectors of the computer bus is controlled at boot-time and, in response to detection of an additional adapter received after boot-time, an additional allocation of lanes to the additional adapter is dynamically controlled. The additional allocation includes allocating unallocated lanes to the additional adapter, and re-allocating at least one lane from the initial allocation in response to the unallocated lanes being insufficient.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to dynamically allocating lanes of a computer bus. A computer system having a processor in communication with a module is booted. Allocation of lanes among adapters in communication with connectors of the computer bus is controlled, which includes the module controlling an allocation of the lanes to adapters present at boot-time. The allocation is dynamic and functions to maximize lane allocation and functionality for the detected adapters.