Patents by Inventor Wayne A. Downer

Wayne A. Downer 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: 10394738
    Abstract: Technologies for a system of communicatively coupled network switches in a hierarchical interconnect network topology include two or more groups that each include two or more first and second level switches in which each of the first level switches are communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of second level switches to form a complete bipartite graph. Additionally, each of the groups is interconnected to each of the other groups via a corresponding global link connecting a second level switch of one group to a corresponding second level switch of another group. Further, each of the first level switches are communicatively coupled to one or more computing nodes. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mario Flajslik, Eric R. Borch, Michael A. Parker, Wayne A. Downer
  • Publication number: 20180089127
    Abstract: Technologies for a system of communicatively coupled network switches in a hierarchical interconnect network topology include two or more groups that each include two or more first and second level switches in which each of the first level switches are communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of second level switches to form a complete bipartite graph. Additionally, each of the groups is interconnected to each of the other groups via a corresponding global link connecting a second level switch of one group to a corresponding second level switch of another group. Further, each of the first level switches are communicatively coupled to one or more computing nodes. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Mario Flajslik, Eric R. Borch, Michael A. Parker, Wayne A. Downer
  • Patent number: 8838935
    Abstract: In one embodiment the apparatus is a micro-page table engine that includes logic that is capable of receiving a memory page request for a page in global memory address space. The apparatus also includes a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) that is capable of storing one or more memory page address translations. Additionally, the apparatus also has a page miss handler capable of performing a micro physical address lookup in a page miss handler tag table in response to the TLB not storing the memory page address translation for the page of memory referenced by the memory page request. The apparatus also includes memory management logic that is capable of managing the page miss handler tag table entries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Hinton, Madhavan Parthasarathy, Rajesh Parthasarathy, Muthukumar Swaminathan, Raj Ramanujan, David Zimmerman, Larry O. Smith, Adrian C. Moga, Scott J. Cape, Wayne A. Downer, Robert S. Chappell
  • Patent number: 8578130
    Abstract: Partitioning a node of a multi-node system into more than one partition is disclosed. First resources of the node are physically partitioned into more than one partition. The first resources physically partitioned to each partition are directly inaccessible by other partitions of the node. Second resources of the node are then internally logically partitioned into the more than one partition. Each second resource internally separates transactions of one partition from transactions of other partitions. Furthermore, the node can be dynamically repartitioned into other partitions, such as a single partition, without having to take the multi-node system down. Operating system (OS) instances of the partitions may have assumptions provided to allow for dynamic partitioning, such as quiescing the processors and/or the input/output components being reconfigured, purging remote cache entries across the entire OS, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. DeSota, Bruce M. Gilbert, Robert Joersz, Wayne A. Downer
  • Publication number: 20120079232
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, machine-readable medium, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus is a micro-page table engine that includes logic that is capable of receiving a memory page request for a page in global memory address space. The apparatus also includes a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) that is capable of storing one or more memory page address translations. Additionally, the apparatus also has a page miss handler capable of performing a micro physical address lookup in a page miss handler tag table in response to the TLB not storing the memory page address translation for the page of memory referenced by the memory page request. The apparatus also includes memory management logic that is capable of managing the page miss handler tag table entries. The micro-page table engine allows the TLB to be an agent that determines whether data in a two-level memory hierarchy is in a hot region of memory or in a cold region of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Glenn Hinton, Madhavan Parthasarathy, Rajesh Parthasarathy, Muthukumar Swaminathan, Raj Ramanujan, David Zimmerman, Larry O. Smith, Adrian C. Moga, Scott J. Cape, Wayne A. Downer, Robert S. Chappell
  • Patent number: 7904663
    Abstract: Employing a coherency controller having a primary path and at least one secondary path to at least one interconnection network is disclosed. A method of an embodiment of the invention is performed by the coherency controller of a node. The coherency controller determines whether transactions are being properly sent to other nodes of a plurality of nodes of which the node is a part via a primary path. In response to determining that the transactions are not being properly sent to the at least one interconnection network via the primary path, the coherency controller instead sends the transactions to the other nodes via a secondary path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne A. Downer
  • Patent number: 7194585
    Abstract: The management of transactions received by a coherency controller is disclosed. A method of an embodiment of the invention is performed by a coherency controller of a plurality of coherency controllers of a node that has a plurality of sub-nodes. The coherency controller receives a transaction from one of the sub-nodes of the node. The transaction may relate to another sub-node of the node. However, the coherency controller nevertheless processes the transaction without having to send the transaction to another coherency controller of the node, even though the sub-node from which the transaction was received is different than the sub-node to which the transaction relates. The plurality of coherency controllers is thus shared by all of the plurality of sub-nodes of the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne A. Downer, Donald R. DeSota, Thomas D. Lovett
  • Patent number: 7051180
    Abstract: A masterless approach binds multiprocessor building blocks to partitions of a computer system using identifiers and indicators. A number of building blocks communicate among each other to determine a partition to which each building block is to be partitioned. For each unique partition to which one or more of the building blocks is to be partitioned, the building blocks communicate among each other to determine building block uniqueness, and then each of the building blocks joins the partition. The building blocks share with one another their logical port identifiers, which uniquely identify the building block within a partition. A commit indicator of each building block indicates that the building block has committed itself to the partition and that its identifiers cannot be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne A. Downer, Bruce M. Gilbert, Thomas D. Lovett
  • Patent number: 6934835
    Abstract: Removing building blocks from partitions to which they have been bound is disclosed. A building block of a platform is removed from a partition of the platform by first halting activity by the partition on the building block. A first partition identifier of the building block indicates the partition of the building block. The building block joined the partition in a masterless manner. The resources of the building block are withdrawn from the partition, and the building block is deauthorized from the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne A. Downer, Bruce M. Gilbert, Thomas D. Lovett, Mehul M. Shah
  • Publication number: 20050138299
    Abstract: The management of transactions received by a coherency controller is disclosed. A method of an embodiment of the invention is performed by a coherency controller of a plurality of coherency controllers of a node that has a plurality of sub-nodes. The coherency controller receives a transaction from one of the sub-nodes of the node. The transaction may relate to another sub-node of the node. However, the coherency controller nevertheless processes the transaction without having to send the transaction to another coherency controller of the node, even though the sub-node from which the transaction was received is different than the sub-node to which the transaction relates. The plurality of coherency controllers is thus shared by all of the plurality of sub-nodes of the node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Wayne Downer, Donald DeSota, Thomas Lovett
  • Publication number: 20050138298
    Abstract: Employing a coherency controller having a primary path and at least one secondary path to at least one interconnection network is disclosed. A method of an embodiment of the invention is performed by the coherency controller of a node. The coherency controller determines whether transactions are being properly sent to other nodes of a plurality of nodes of which the node is a part via a primary path. In response to determining that the transactions are not being properly sent to the at least one interconnection network via the primary path, the coherency controller instead sends the transactions to the other nodes via a secondary path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventor: Wayne Downer
  • Patent number: 6910108
    Abstract: A system and method of partitioning a multiprocessor or multinode computer system containing two or more partitions each of which contain at least three nodes or processors and a central hardware device communicating with a requestor node or processor, a target node or processor and at least one additional node or processor in the partition. The multiprocessor system architecture allows for partitioning resources to define separate subsystems capable of running different operating systems simultaneously. The method operates with the central device, a tag and address crossbar system, which transmits requests for data from the requestor node to the target node, but not to any of the additional nodes or processors which are not defined as part of a given partition. The method provides steps of assignment of definitions to physical ports with the central device corresponding with desired partitioning of resources within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne A. Downer, Bruce M. Gilbert, Thomas D. Lovett
  • Patent number: 6823498
    Abstract: A masterless approach for binding building blocks to partitions is disclosed. Other blocks are first sent a first physical port identifier indicating a block's physical location, and a first partition identifier indicating the block's partition. Second physical port identifiers and second partition identifiers are received from the other blocks. The first physical port identifier and the second physical port identifiers of a subset of the other blocks are then sent to the subset, the second partition identifiers of the subset being equal to the first partition identifier. The first physical port identifier and the second physical port identifiers of the subset are also received from each block of the subset. A first logical port identifier indicating the block's logical location is sent to the subset, and second logical port identifiers are received from the subset. The block joins the partition indicated by the first partition identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne A. Downer, Bruce M. Gilbert, Thomas D. Lovett, Mehul M. Shah
  • Patent number: 6795889
    Abstract: A means and method to receive and store a continuous flow of data items being processed in a data processing system in which data items are received from multiple sources simultaneously. The invention provided for simultaneous retrieval of previously stored data from multiple destinations while providing low latency of the retrieved data. The invention utilizes multi-port random access memory or register arrays with fewer ports than the number of actual data sources or data destinations within the system. The disclosure teaches a means of providing the control of data flow to multi-port simultaneous access memory systems, utilizing the control paths in the memory control systems rather than the data paths in such systems. The system eliminates or reduces the need for memory buffers to manage data flow into or out of system memory devices which have a limited number of ports or paths connecting system memory to the input and output systems of the data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Berg, Wayne A. Downer, Thomas E. Kloos, Richard L. Stout
  • Patent number: 6724315
    Abstract: Identifying the mounting locations of sub-systems in mounting units, such as rack cabinets, is disclosed. A mounting unit has a number of sub-system mounting locations. Each of one or more sub-systems is mounted in a corresponding sub-system mounting location of the cabinet. Each of one or more active indicators has an indicator mounting position on either the mounting unit or one of the sub-systems. Each of one or more sensors has a sensor mounting position similarly on either the mounting unit or one of the sub-systems, and also detects indication from a corresponding active indicator. The active indicators and the sensors cooperatively function to identify the corresponding sub-system mounting location of each sub-system in the mounting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne A. Downer
  • Publication number: 20030135698
    Abstract: A means and method to receive and store a continuous flow of data items being processed in a data processing system in which data items are received from multiple sources simultaneously. The invention provided for simultaneous retrieval of previously stored data from multiple destinations while providing low latency of the retrieved data. The invention utilizes multi-port random access memory or register arrays with fewer ports than the number of actual data sources or data destinations within the system. The disclosure teaches a means of providing the control of data flow to multi-port simultaneous access memory systems, utilizing the control paths in the memory control systems rather than the data paths in such systems. The system eliminates or reduces the need for memory buffers to manage data flow into or out of system memory devices which have a limited number of ports or paths connecting system memory to the input and output systems of the data processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Berg, Wayne A. Downer, Thomas E. Kloos, Richard L. Stout
  • Publication number: 20030131154
    Abstract: Removing building blocks from partitions to which they have been bound is disclosed. A building block of a platform is removed from a partition of the platform by first halting activity by the partition on the building block. A first partition identifier of the building block indicates the partition of the building block. The building block joined the partition in a masterless manner. The resources of the building block are withdrawn from the partition, and the building block is deauthorized from the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne A. Downer, Bruce M. Gilbert, Thomas D. Lovett, Mehul M. Shah
  • Publication number: 20030131214
    Abstract: A masterless approach binds multiprocessor building blocks to partitions of a computer system using identifiers and indicators. A number of building blocks communicate among each other to determine a partition to which each building block is to be partitioned. For each unique partition to which one or more of the building blocks is to be partitioned, the building blocks communicate among each other to determine building block uniqueness, and then each of the building blocks joins the partition. The building blocks share with one another their logical port identifiers, which uniquely identify the building block within a partition. A commit indicator of each building block indicates that the building block has committed itself to the partition and that its identifiers cannot be changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne A. Downer, Bruce M. Gilbert, Thomas D. Lovett
  • Publication number: 20030131067
    Abstract: A system and method of partitioning a multiprocessor or multinode computer system containing two or more partitions each of which contain at least three nodes or processors and a central hardware device communicating with a requestor node or processor, a target node or processor and at least one additional node or processor in the partition. The multiprocessor system architecture allows for partitioning resources to define separate subsystems capable of running different operating systems simultaneously. The method operates with the central device, a tag and address crossbar system, which transmits requests for data from the requestor node to the target node, but not to any of the additional nodes or processors which are not defined as part of a given partition. The method provides steps of assignment of definitions to physical ports with the central device corresponding with desired partitioning of resources within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne A. Downer, Bruce M. Gilbert, Thomas D. Lovett
  • Publication number: 20030131330
    Abstract: A masterless approach for binding building blocks to partitions is disclosed. Other blocks are first sent a first physical port identifier indicating a block's physical location, and a first partition identifier indicating the block's partition. Second physical port identifiers and second partition identifiers are received from the other blocks. The first physical port identifier and the second physical port identifiers of a subset of the other blocks are then sent to the subset, the second partition identifiers of the subset being equal to the first partition identifier. The first physical port identifier and the second physical port identifiers of the subset are also received from each block of the subset. A first logical port identifier indicating the block's logical location is sent to the subset, and second logical port identifiers are received from the subset. The block joins the partition indicated by the first partition identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne A. Downer, Bruce M. Gilbert, Thomas D. Lovett, Mehul M. Shah