Native virtualization on a partially trusted adapter using PCI host bus, device, and function number for identification

A method of identifying a system image to which an input/output transaction is directed in a data processing system that includes a plurality of different system images, each one of the plurality of system images independently executing an operating system, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of:

• assigning a different first unique identifier to each one of the plurality of system images, wherein each first unique identifier identifies only one system image;
• creating a plurality of different virtual adapters that each contain a different set of resources of a physical adapter;
• associating each one of the plurality of virtual adapters with one of the plurality of system images;
• for each one of the plurality of virtual adapters:
• assigning a second unique identifier to the virtual adapter, wherein the set of resources contained by the virtual adapter is identified using the second unique identifier;
• and
• collectively manipulating the set of resources contained by the virtual adapter using the second unique identifier that identifies the virtual adapter;
• originating, from a particular one of the plurality of virtual adapters, an input/output transaction that is directed to a particular one of the plurality of system images that is associated with the particular one of the plurality of virtual adapters;
• adding, by the physical adapter to the input/output transaction, a particular second unique identifier that is assigned to the particular one of the plurality of virtual adapters;
• adding, by the physical adapter, a memory address to which the input/output transaction is targeted;
• conveying the input/output transaction to a host data processing system for processing;
• responsive to the host data processing system receiving the transaction from the physical adapter, reading, by an entity of the host data processing system, the particular second identifier that is included in the transaction;
• and
• responsive to reading the particular second identifier, conveying the transaction to the particular one of the plurality of system images, wherein the particular second identifier is used by the host data processing system to identify the particular one of the plurality of system images.