Method and apparatus for initializing a computer interface
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsJasmin Ajanovic, Serafin Garcia, David J. Harriman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to one embodiment, a computer system includes a first hub agent and a hub interface coupled to the first hub agent. The first hub agent is adaptable to sample the hub interface in order to detect the presence of a second hub agent upon initiation of the computer system. In a further embodiment, the first hub agent comprises a presence detect module and control logic coupled to the presence detect module. The control logic responds to a central processing unit (CPU) poll request if the second hub agent is detected and does not respond to the CPU if the first device is not detected.
Claims22
A computer system comprising:
- a memory controller hub (MC);
- and
- a first interface coupled to the MCH to transfer data directly between the MCH and a first hub agent within the computer system, the first interface comprising:
- a data signal path to transmit data in packets via split transactions;
- and
- set of command signals, the first interface providing a point-to-point connection between the MCH and the first hub agent, exclusive of an external bus connected directly to the first interface;
- the MCH operable to detect the presence of the first hub agent via the first interface.
A hub agent comprising a presence detect module, wherein the presence detect module monitors an interface to detect the presence of a device coupled to the interface, the interface comprising:
- a data signal path to transmit data in packets via split transactions;
- and
- a set of command signals, the interface providing a point-to-point connection between the first hub agent and the device, exclusive of an external bus connected directly to the interface.
A computer system comprising:
- a first hub agent;
- and
- second hub agent;
- and
- an interface coupled between the first hub agent and the second hub agent to transfer data directly between the first hub agent and the second hub agent, the interface comprising:
- a data signal path to transmit data in packets via split transactions;
- and
- a set of command signals, the interface providing a point-to-point connection between the first hub agent and the second hub agent, exclusive of an external bus connected directly to the first interface;
- wherein the first hub agent samples the hub interface to detect the presence of the second hub agent upon initiation of the computer system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.