Scalable Non-Transparent Bridges With Configurable Address Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PCIe Non-Transparent Bridges (NTBs) face limitations in scalability and configurability, particularly in handling large address ranges and efficient configuration changes, which lead to bandwidth consumption and slowness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of scalable windows and modifiable mapping in PCIe NTBs, utilizing partitions in address spaces with equally sized or spaced windows, and a common lookup database for routing and remapping writes, allows for efficient address translation and configuration changes without the need for polling sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional PCIe NTB configuration methods are used, then domain connectivity is established, but address range scalability is limited and configuration changes are slow
Solution Approach 1:
The address space is divided into multiple partitions, each containing multiple windows. This segmentation allows the system to scale address ranges by activating additional partitions or windows without reconfiguring the entire address space, thereby improving scalability while maintaining fast configuration changes through localized modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic window activation and deactivation within partitions, allowing the NTB to adaptively configure address ranges based on current domain connectivity requirements. This dynamic approach enables scalable address handling while maintaining fast reconfiguration through runtime window management without requiring slow completion-based configuration writes.
2Reliability
If configuration writes are performed to modify address ranges in NTB, then address translation is updated, but bandwidth is consumed and operation time increases due to completion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple windows within partitions during initialization, so that address translation paths are ready before needed. When configuration changes are required, the system can activate pre-prepared windows or partitions without waiting for sequential completion of configuration writes, thereby reducing configuration change time while maintaining accurate address translation through proper window selection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing sequential configuration writes with completion requirements, the patent uses window activation mechanisms that effectively copy or switch to pre-configured address translation paths. This allows rapid address translation updates by activating copies of pre-configured window mappings rather than performing time-consuming sequential configuration writes with completion waits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple address ranges are supported in NTB, then connectivity between domains is enhanced, but the number of manageable address ranges remains small
Solution Approach 1:
The address space is segmented into partitions, each containing multiple windows. This hierarchical segmentation allows the system to manage a large number of address ranges by organizing them in structured groups. The partition-window structure provides a manageable interface for addressing while enabling extensive scalability, as new address ranges can be added by creating new partitions or windows without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition and window structure serves multiple functions: it organizes address ranges, enables scalability, simplifies configuration management, and provides flexible domain connectivity. This multi-functional design allows the same structural elements to handle various address management tasks, thereby increasing the number of manageable address ranges without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods herein are for a Non-Transparent Bridges (NTBs) that are scalable and configurable to use equally sized or spaced windows and a common lookup database for remapping writes without completions. The equally sized or spaced windows in the address space are addressable by a starting address and a size to support communication between host machines or endpoints. The common lookup database is to allow selection of one the windows associated with a mapping between address spaces of different domains and is also to accept remapping writes through the at least one NTB to modify the mapping without need for a completion to be returned to a source of the remapping writes.