Virtualized PCI switch
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorsOla Torudbakken, Bjorn Johnsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A PCI-Express interconnect device is provided. The device comprises: first and second upstream ports; first and second downstream ports; and a management entity. The management entity is operable to logically partition the device such that the first upstream port is operable to communicate with the first downstream port and the second upstream port is operable to communicate with the second downstream port. In one example, the management device is additionally operable to migrate the first downstream port from a partition in which the first downstream port is operable to communicate with the first upstream port into a partition in which the first downstream port is operable to communicate with the second upstream port.
Claims29
An interconnect device for PCI Express, comprising:
- a plurality of ports, each said port configurable as either of an upstream port or a downstream port, wherein two ports are configured as first and second upstream ports, and two ports are configured as first and second downstream ports;
- and
- a management entity operable to logically partition the device such that the first upstream port is operable to communicate with the first downstream port and the second upstream port is operable to communicate with the second downstream port.
An interconnect device for PCI Express, comprising:
- first and second upstream ports;
- at least one downstream port;
- and
- a management entity operable to direct a disconnection request to said first upstream port in respect of a downstream port;
- wherein the management entity is further operable to direct a connection request to said second upstream port in respect of said downstream port.
A switch for PCI Express, comprising:
- a first port operable to be connected to a first root complex;
- a second port operable to be connected to a second root complex;
- a third port operable to be connected to an I/O device and having a data connectivity path to the first port;
- and
- a migration controller operable to cause said data connectivity path to be closed and to cause a further data connectivity path to be established between said third port and said second port.
A connectivity fabric comprising:
- a first root complex;
- a second root complex;
- an endpoint;
- and
- a switch comprising:
- a first port operable to be connected to the first root complex;
- a second port operable to be connected to the second root complex;
- a third port operable to be connected to the endpoint and having a data connectivity path to the first port;
- and
- a migration controller operable to cause said data connectivity path to be closed and to cause a further data connectivity path to be established between said third port and said second port.
A method of migrating an I/O device between two hosts, the method comprising:
- causing a connection between a first host and an I/O device to be terminated;
- and
- causing a connection between the I/O device and a second host to be initiated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.