Data transfer in multi-node computer system

• US 20030023906A1
• Filed: 04/01/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kazunori Masuyama, Prabhunandan B. Narasimharmurthy, Sudheer Miryala, Yukio Nishimura
• Original Assignee: Kazunori Masuyama, Prabhunandan B. Narasimharmurthy, Sudheer Miryala, Yukio Nishimura
• Inventors: Nishimura, Yukio, Masuyama, Kazunori, Miryala, Sudheer, Narasimharmurthy, Prabhunandan B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,076,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/17375 One dimensional, e.g. linear array, ring

Abstract

A method and system transfers data between intra-node firmware and inter-nodes firmware in a multi-node computer system using reduced hardware resources. A set of control codes and data transfer functions are provided to enable data communications between computer nodes and inter-nodes controller through a one-byte control module and a one-byte data module.

Claims

1. A method for transferring data from an intra-node firmware to an inter-nodes firmware in a multi-node computer system, the intra-node firmware coupled to the inter-nodes firmware through a direct channel, the intra-node firmware having a control module and a data module, the method comprising:

sending a first data to the data module by the intra-node firmware;

sending a first data transfer command to the control module by the intra-node firmware, the first data transfer command enabling the first data to be transferred to the inter-nodes firmware;

reading the first data transfer command from the control module by the inter-nodes firmware;

reading the first data from the data module by the inter-nodes firmware in response to the first data transfer command;

writing a first data transfer status code into the control module by the inter-nodes firmware in response to completion of reading the first data from the data module;

reading the first data transfer status code from the control module by the intra-node firmware; and

determining whether to continue the data transfer in response to the first data transfer status code.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending an interrupt signal from the intra-node firmware to the inter-nodes firmware subsequent to sending the data transfer command to the control module by the intra-node firmware.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

polling the control module by the intra-node firmware to determine the presence of data transfer command prior to reading the transfer command from the control module.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data transfer command corresponds to sending a command indicative of length of data to be transferred.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

writing a data transfer completion status control code into the control module by the inter-nodes firmware in response to all the data having been sent to the inter-nodes firmware.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data transfer status code corresponds to a data transfer continuation status.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a context of the data module and control module prior to sending the first data to the data module.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

restoring the stored context of the data module and control module after all the data have been sent to the inter-nodes firmware.

15. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

restoring the stored context of the data module and control module after all the data have been sent to the inter-nodes firmware.

9. A method for receiving data by an intra-node firmware from an inter-nodes firmware in a multi-node computer system, the intra-node firmware coupled to the inter-nodes firmware through a direct channel, the intra-node firmware having a control module and a data module, the method comprising:

writing a first data transfer command into the control module by the intra-nodes firmware;

reading the first data transfer command from the control module by the inter-nodes firmware;

writing a first data into the data module by the inter-nodes firmware in response to the first data transfer command;

writing a first data transfer status code into the control module in response to writing the first data into the data module; and

determining whether to continue the data transfer in response to reading the first data transfer status code.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

sending an interrupt signal from the intra-node firmware to the inter-nodes firmware in response to sending the first data transfer command to the control module.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first data transfer command corresponds to a command indicative of length of data to be transferred.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first data transfer status code corresponds to a data transfer continuation status.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

writing a data transfer completion status control code into the control module by the inter-nodes firmware in response to all the data having been sent to the inter-nodes firmware.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

storing the context of the data module and control module prior to sending the first data transfer command to the control module.

16. A multi-node computer system, comprising:

an inter-nodes firmware for managing the operation of the multi-node computer system; and

a plurality of intra-node firmware, each comprising a one-byte data module and a one-byte control module for enabling a prioritized data transfer routine to operate through the data module and the control module, wherein the prioritized data transfer routine is operative to communicate with the inter-nodes firmware.

17. A method for transferring data from an intra-node firmware to an inter-nodes firmware in a multi-node computer system, the intra-node firmware coupled to the inter-nodes firmware through a direct channel, the intra-node firmware having a control module and a data module, the method comprising the steps of:

sending a first data to the data module;

sending a first data transfer command to the control module for enabling the first data to be transferred to the inter-nodes firmware;

monitoring whether the control module receives a first data transfer status code corresponding to the status of performing the first data transfer command by the inter-nodes firmware; and

determining whether to continue the data transfer in response to receiving the first data transfer status code.

18. A method for receiving data by an intra-node firmware from an inter-nodes firmware in a multi-node computer system, the intra-node firmware coupled to the inter-nodes firmware through a direct channel, the intra-node firmware having a control module and a data module, the method comprising:

writing a first data transfer command into the control module for enabling the inter-nodes firmware to send data to the data module in response to the first data transfer command;

monitoring whether the control module receives a first data transfer status code corresponding to the status of performing the first data transfer command by the inter-nodes firmware; and

determining whether to continue the data transfer in response to the first data transfer status code.

19. A computer readable medium containing a computer program for enabling communication between intra-node firmware and inter-nodes firmware in a multi-node computer system, the intra-node firmware comprising a data module and a control module, said computer program, when executed by the intra-node firmware, causing the intra-node firmware to perform the steps of:

sending a first data to the data module;

sending a first data transfer command to the control module for enabling the first data to be transferred to the inter-nodes firmware;

monitoring whether the control module receives a first data transfer status code corresponding to the status of performing the first data transfer command by the inter-nodes firmware; and

determining whether to continue the data transfer in response to receiving the first data transfer status code.

20. A computer readable medium containing a computer program for enabling communication between intra-node firmware and inter-nodes firmware in a multi-node computer system, the intra-node firmware comprising a data module and a control module, said computer program, when executed by the intra-node firmware, causing the intra-node firmware to perform the steps of:

writing a first data transfer command into the control module for enabling the inter-nodes firmware to send data to the data module in response to the first data transfer command;

monitoring whether the control module receives a first data transfer status code corresponding to the status of performing the first data transfer command by the inter-nodes firmware; and

determining whether to continue the data transfer in response to the first data transfer status code.