Multiple port allocation and configurations for different port operation modes on a host
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsJames A. McConnell, Ronald L. Dammann, Robert Chan, Narayanan Kaniyur
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A port configuration mechanism is provided at a host for multiple port allocation and shared resource utilization to support multiple port configurations for different port operation modes on a host to handle data transfers in a switched fabric data network for scalable solutions.
Claims20
A method of port configuration in a host comprising:
- determining if a designated port supports a multi-link mode operation for data transfers, via one or more links;
- and
- if the designated port supports the multi-link mode operation, configuring and training the designated port to serve as one of a single link capable port which transfer data via a single link, a multiple link capable port which transfers data via respective multiple links, and multiple of single link ports which transfer data via a respective single link.
A host node comprising:
- at least one port to support data transfers, via one or more links;
- and
- a port configuration mechanism to configure and train the port to serve as a 1x capable port which transfer data via a 1x link, a 4x capable port which transfers data via respective 4x links, or four (4) independent 1x ports which transfer data via a respective Ix link.
A computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a host node in a switched fabric including end nodes and switches interconnected via one or more links, cause the host node to support multiple port configurations on the host node by performing the steps of:
- determining if a designated port in the host node supports a multi-link mode operation for data transfers, via one or more links;
- and
- if the designated port supports the multi-link mode operation, configuring and training the designated port to serve as one of a single link capable port which transfer data via a single link, a multiple link capable port which transfers data via respective multiple links, and multiple of single link ports which transfer data via a respective single link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.