Processor Socket Partitioning for Scalable Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motherboard architectures face challenges in efficiently managing and partitioning resources among multiple processor sockets, particularly in booting and power management, leading to limitations in scalability and independent operation of processor sockets.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a bootable CPU architecture that allows processor sockets to operate in either non-partitioned or partitioned modes, enabling shared or isolated resource access, independent power states, and isolated communications, using hardware straps and management controllers to configure boot modes and partition settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple processor sockets are connected to share resources, then available cache size and memory resources increase, but device complexity and difficulty of managing partitioning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple processor sockets that can operate independently or in combination. Each socket can be partitioned into different modes (single-socket mode, multi-socket mode, partitioned mode) allowing granular control over resource sharing and isolation, thereby managing complexity while maintaining scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor socket architecture implements dynamic mode switching between single-socket operation, multi-socket operation, and partitioned operation. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt resource allocation and management complexity based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between resource quantity and management complexity.
2Reliability
If processor sockets operate in partitioned mode for independent operation, then fault isolation and power efficiency improve, but ease of operation and resource management decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The management controller implements universal control capabilities that can manage both partitioned and non-partitioned modes through a unified interface. This multi-functionality allows fault isolation and power efficiency benefits of partitioning while maintaining ease of operation through consistent management mechanisms across different operational modes.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If processor sockets operate in partitioned mode with isolated communications, then power efficiency and fault isolation improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor socket architecture implements self-service capabilities where each socket can independently manage its own power state and operational mode. This autonomy allows power efficiency and fault isolation through independent operation while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating the need for centralized partition management in many scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to multiple processor sockets comprising processors connected thereto and first circuitry. The first circuitry is to: based on a first mode of operation: configure the multiple processor sockets to operate with a single memory address space and share interfaces and based on a second mode of operation: configure the interfaces accessible to the multiple processor sockets to provide isolated communications to processor sockets in different partitions and configure the multiple processor sockets to operate in independent memory address spaces.