Controlling resource transfers in a logically partitioned computer system

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-08-07
IBM CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for a logical partition to relinquish control of a slot it owns in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

Problems solved by technology

One problem with known logically partitioned computer systems occurs when hardware resources need to be transferred between logical partitions.
In addition, when a PCI slot is allocated to a different logical partition, it may contain data from the previous logical partition that could be compromised under certain circumstances.
Furthermore, the PCI slot may be configured in a particular state suitable for the first logical partition, which is not necessarily suitable for the second logical partition.
Without a way to dynamically transfer I / O resources in a logically partitioned computer system without the drawbacks known in the art, the computer industry will continue to suffer from potentially insecure and inefficient mechanisms and methods for performing I / O resource transfers in logically partitioned computer systems.

Method used

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  • Controlling resource transfers in a logically partitioned computer system
  • Controlling resource transfers in a logically partitioned computer system
  • Controlling resource transfers in a logically partitioned computer system

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Embodiment Construction

[0020]According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, hardware resources, such as I / O slots, in a logically partitioned computer system may be allocated to a logical partition and removed from a logical partition. This allows hardware resources to be transferred in a logically partitioned computer system. Locks are defined that correspond to each hardware resource. To gain access to a hardware resource, a logical partition must acquire ownership of the lock corresponding to the hardware resource. A power on / power off mechanism assures that a hardware resource is powered off when the hardware resource is removed from a logical partition, and assures that a hardware resource is powered up when the hardware resource is allocated to a logical partition. In this manner, each logical partition is assured of seeing the hardware resource in its power-on reset state. For the specific example of an I / O slot, by cycling power to the I / O slot when it is removed from one logical par...

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Abstract

A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual I / O slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an I / O slot when transferring control of the I / O slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the I / O slot from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an I / O slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that I / O slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PARENT APPLICATION[0001]This patent application is a continuation of “Apparatus and Method for Controlling Resource Transfers in a Logically Partitioned Computer System”, U.S. Ser. No. 11 / 374,883 filed on Mar. 14, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention generally relates to data processing, and more specifically relates to allocation of shared resources in a computer system.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]Since the dawn of the computer age, computer systems have evolved into extremely sophisticated devices that may be found in many different settings. Computer systems typically include a combination of hardware (e.g., semiconductors, circuit boards, etc.) and software (e.g., computer programs). As advances in semiconductor processing and computer architecture push the performance of the computer hardware higher, more sophisticated computer software has evolved to take advantage of ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G06F9/50
CPCG06F13/4081G06F9/5077
InventorARMSTRONG, TROY DAVIDARMSTRONG, WILLIAM JOSEPHEIDE, CURTIS SHANNONNORDSTROM, GERGORY MICHAEL
OwnerIBM CORP