PCIe SR-PCIM Coexistence via Master Election

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing PCI Express systems lack a clear method for implementing multiple Single Root PCI Managers (SR-PCIMs), leading to ambiguity in how these managers should operate and interoperate within a PCIe fabric, which affects scalability and compatibility among different vendors' components.

Innovation Solution

A master SR-PCIM election process is established, allowing for the transfer of mastership from a master SR-PCIM to a standby SR-PCIM, utilizing PCI configuration space and messages to ensure interoperability among multiple SR-PCIMs, with each SR-PCIM operating in either a master, standby, inactive, or discovering state, and employing vendor-specific state indicia to manage their roles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SR-PCIMs are implemented in a PCI Express system, then scalability and vendor interoperability are improved, but system complexity and ambiguity in operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevendor interoperabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SR-PCIM functionality by introducing distinct operational modes (master mode, standby mode, inactive mode) that divide the management responsibilities among multiple SR-PCIM entities. Each SR-PCIM can operate independently in its assigned mode, allowing multiple vendors to implement SR-PCIMs without full system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring a single centralized SR-PCIM to manage all functions, the patent inverts the approach by allowing multiple SR-PCIMs to coexist with distributed management capabilities. Each SR-PCIM can function autonomously in its mode, reducing the complexity burden on any single entity while maintaining overall system coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a single master SR-PCIM is maintained, then system stability and clear management hierarchy are improved, but flexibility and fault tolerance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement hierarchy stabilityVSAvoidfault tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring standby SR-PCIMs that are ready to assume master role before any failure occurs. The standby entities are prepared in advance with their capabilities and authorization, allowing immediate takeover without system disruption when the master SR-PCIM fails

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides beforehand cushioning through the standby mode SR-PCIMs that act as a buffer against master SR-PCIM failures. These standby entities are positioned in advance to absorb and mitigate the impact of potential failures, ensuring continuous system operation and maintaining reliability while preserving the stable master-hierarchy structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SR-PCIMs operate in master mode simultaneously, then system flexibility and distributed management are improved, but system stability and conflict avoidance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistributed management flexibilityVSAvoidsystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different operational characteristics to different SR-PCIM entities based on their mode. Master mode SR-PCIMs have full management authority, standby mode SR-PCIMs have limited prepared capabilities, and inactive mode SR-PCIMs have minimal functionality. This local differentiation allows flexible distributed management while maintaining system stability through clear role boundaries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7603500B2System and method for allowing coexistence of multiple PCI managers in a PCI express system

Publication Date: 2009.10.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A system and method that allows a plurality of SR-PCIMs to operate within a PCIe fabric. The system and method describe a master SR-PCIM election process and transfer of mastership from a master SR-PCIM to a standby SR-PCIM under certain conditions. The system and method leverage the PCI configuration space and PCI messages so that SR-PCIMs from multiple vendors can potentially interoperate.