PCIe DVSEC Identifier for Private Connection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy implementations of PCIe devices and functions do not allow system software to identify or manage private or hidden connections between devices, which is crucial for virtualized environments and platform-wide debugging, leading to inefficiencies and customization requirements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a unique value stored in a register using the Function Association Designated Vendor-Specific Extended Capability (DVSEC) structure, allowing system software to detect and differentiate between PCIe functions with private connections, enabling standardized debugging across all components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If private connections between PCIe devices or functions are hidden from system software, then device independence and security are maintained, but system software cannot identify or manage these connections leading to debugging inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (capability structure with identifier) that mediates between the hidden private connections and system software. This capability structure acts as a bridge, allowing system software to query and identify private connections without exposing the actual connection details, thus maintaining device independence while enabling debugging capabilities.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If custom software and hardware are implemented to detect private connections, then connection identification is possible, but system complexity and customization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal capability structure that can be used across all PCIe devices and functions to identify private connections. This standardized approach allows any system software to detect private connections using the same mechanism, eliminating the need for custom software and hardware solutions for each specific device, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The capability structure is embedded within the PCIe device itself, allowing the device to self-identify its private connections through standardized registers. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external custom hardware or complex software to probe and detect connections, as the device provides the information autonomously through the capability structure.
3Ease of operation
If private connections are exposed to system software, then debugging and management become easier, but device independence and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The capability structure serves as an intermediary that allows system software to identify private connections without exposing the actual connection implementation details. The software can query the capability structure to determine if private connections exist and obtain identifier information, but cannot access or manipulate the underlying private connection mechanisms, thus maintaining device independence while enabling software management.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to the existence of a unique value associated with each PCIe function or device that is readable from two or more PCIe functions, or from a CPU running system software. Embodiments enable system software to identify which PCIe functions have private or hidden connections. In addition, embodiments may allow system software to differentiate among multiple identical instances of PCIe add-in components that have associations. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.