Flexible Interconnect Media for Dynamic PCI Lane Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information handling systems, the hardwired interconnects between CPUs and I/O slots limit flexibility, leading to decreased performance in dense and high-performance environments, as PCI lanes are fixed and cannot be reallocated, restricting bandwidth and potential performance.
Innovation Solution
A flexible interconnect media system that includes independent connection interfaces, link taps, and programmable switches, allowing designated ports to connect to any available I/O slot, with identification of power and cooling requirements, enabling dynamic allocation of bandwidth and device compatibility across multiple standards (PCI and PCIe).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If hardwired interconnects are used between CPUs and I/O slots, then system stability and simplicity are improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic interconnect allocation where PCI lanes can be reallocated between different I/O slots based on system needs. The interconnect media is configured to allow a first PCI lane allocated to a first I/O slot to be dynamically reallocated to a second I/O slot, transforming the static hardwired connection into a dynamic, reconfigurable connection that maintains stability while enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal interconnect system where the same PCI lane can serve multiple different I/O slots depending on configuration needs. The interconnect media is designed to support multiple allocation scenarios, allowing a single physical lane to functionally connect to different slots as required, making the system multi-functional rather than dedicated to specific slot assignments.
2Reliability
If PCI lanes are fixed to specific I/O slots, then connection reliability is improved, but bandwidth utilization and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains reliable connections through dynamic reallocation rather than fixed assignments. The PCI lane allocation is changed from a static, predetermined mapping to a dynamic configuration that can adapt to different performance requirements, ensuring that bandwidth is reliably allocated to the slots that need it most at any given time, thereby improving overall bandwidth utilization while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the allocation parameter from fixed to variable. The PCI lane assignment is transformed from a constant, immutable parameter to a variable parameter that can be adjusted based on system demands. This parameter change enables the system to optimize bandwidth utilization by allocating lanes to slots based on current performance requirements rather than predetermined configurations.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated interconnects are used for each I/O slot, then signal integrity is improved, but system complexity and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interconnect media that serves multiple I/O slots with shared PCI lanes rather than requiring dedicated interconnects for each slot. This multi-functional approach allows the same physical interconnect to serve different slots at different times, reducing the total number of interconnects needed in the system while maintaining signal integrity through proper configuration and allocation management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple dedicated interconnect paths into a shared, flexible interconnect media. Instead of having separate physical connections for each PCI lane to each I/O slot, the system combines these into a pool of shared lanes that can be dynamically allocated, reducing system complexity by eliminating redundant dedicated connections while maintaining the necessary signal integrity through controlled allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an information handling system provide flexible interconnections between two endpoints and in particular to allow for the allocation and reallocation of PCI lanes. A flexible interconnect media system is capable of connecting a CPU to an I/O device. The flexible interconnect media system includes I/O slots that are each capable of receiving an I/O device, connection interfaces each correlated with an I/O slot, link taps with correlated ports for each CPU, and flexible interconnect media capable of connecting an open connection interface with an open link tap, whereby a connection between the CPU and the I/O device is completed.