Server System Device Identification via PCIe Switch Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Server systems face challenges in identifying devices connected via PCIe switch ports due to inability to establish effective connections for acquiring device information.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a connection, either data or device connection, between the server system and target devices through a PCIe switch device or additional devices like a router manager center (RMC) to acquire device information, including ID, resource, and port information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a PCIe switch port is used to connect host nodes to the server system, then the connection capability is improved, but the device identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (such as a bridge device or management controller) between the PCIe switch and the server system processor. This intermediary captures device information from the PCIe bus and forwards it to the processor, enabling device identification without changing the PCIe connection architecture. The intermediary acts as a mediator that solves the identification problem while preserving the connection capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the server system connects to multiple target devices, then the device connectivity is improved, but the information acquisition capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the intermediary device capture and store device information (such as device IDs, vendor IDs, and configuration data) as soon as devices are connected to the PCIe switch. This information is pre-acquired and made available to the server system processor before the system needs to query or manage the devices, ensuring no information is lost even when multiple devices are connected simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a server system for identifying a device connected to a server system are provided. The method comprises: establishing a connection between the server system and a plurality of target devices; and acquiring device information of each of the plurality of target devices based on the connection. The connection is one of a data connection and a device connection.