Arrangements for auto-merging and auto-partitioning processing components

• US 8,023,434 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2007
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Gillingham, Marlene J., Zaharias, Steven J., Taylor, Karen A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton; Dang T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhao; Wei
• Application Number:
  US11/856,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20090073896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 370/255, 370/408, 709/232, 709/223, 709/227
• US Class Current: 370/255
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5061 Partitioning or combining of resources

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method for auto-partitioning a scalable processing system is disclosed. The method can include establishing connection data, identifying a primary node and automatically transmitting partitioning commands to other nodes to configure them as secondary nodes. The partitioning commands can adjust the basic input output settings of the secondary nodes such that the system can boot as a single partitioned system. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a processing system comprising:

determining connection data of the processing system automatically by communicating with at least one node in the processing system, wherein the connection data consists of what nodes are cabled together, partitioned and in communication to yield interconnect data, and further wherein the interconnect data results from communications through a node management controller particular to each node;

designating, subsequent to the determining, a primary node of the processing system, wherein the processing system is scalable;

transmitting a partition command, automatically from the primary node to the at least one node, in response to the connection data and the designated primary node, the partition command having booting instructions for the at least one node; and

whereby the method obviates a need for a smart terminal and Ethernet connection to communicate the connection data in order to achieve a resultant single-partition system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising accepting user input to designate the primary node.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the primary node transmits the partition command to at least one secondary node.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring a basic input output system in response to the partition command.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the partition command is an intelligent platform management interface (IPMI) command.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the IPMI command complies with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) IPMI command.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the IPMI command is transmitted as an out of band transmission.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically booting the system in response to an application of power.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein designating the primary node is performed automatically responsive to a presence of power at the primary node.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a new node that is hot plugged and transmitting configuration instructions to the new node.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing partitioning functions when a power switch supplying the node is in an off position.

12. A computer system for configuring a processing system, the system comprising:

a processor, a computer readable memory and a computer readable storage device;

first program instructions to determine connection data of the processing system automatically by communicating with at least one node in the processing system, wherein the connection data consists of what nodes are cabled together, partitioned and in communication to yield interconnect data, and further wherein the interconnect data results from communications through a node management controller particular to each node;

second program instructions, performed subsequent to the first program instructions, to designate a primary node of the processing system, wherein the processing system is scalable;

third program instructions to transmit a partition command, automatically from the primary node to the at least one node, in response to the connection data and the designated primary node, the partition command having booting instructions for the at least one node;

wherein the first, second, and third program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage device for execution by the processor via the computer readable memory; and

whereby the system obviates a need for a smart terminal and Ethernet connection to communicate the connection data in order to achieve a resultant single-partition system.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising fourth program instructions to accept user input to designate the primary node;

and wherein the fourth program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage device for execution by the processor via the computer readable memory.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising fourth program instructions to configure a basic input output system in response to the partition command;

and wherein the fourth program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage device for execution by the processor via the computer readable memory.

15. A computer program product for configuring a processing system, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable storage device;

first program instructions to determine connection data of the processing system automatically by communicating with at least one node in the processing system, wherein the connection data consists of what nodes are cabled together, partitioned and in communication to yield interconnect data, and further wherein the interconnect data results from communications through a node management controller particular to each node;

second program instructions, performed subsequent to the first program instructions, to designate a primary node of the processing system, wherein the processing system is scalable;

third program instructions to transmit a partition command, automatically from the primary node to the at least one node, in response to the connection data and the designated primary node, the partition command having booting instructions for the at least one node;

wherein the first, second, and third program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage device; and

whereby the computer program product obviates a need for a smart terminal and Ethernet connection to communicate the connection data in order to achieve a resultant single-partition system.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising fourth program instructions to accept user input to designate the primary node;

and wherein the fourth program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage device.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising fourth program instructions to configure a basic input output system in response to the partition command;

and wherein the fourth program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage device.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising fourth program instructions to automatically boot the system in response to an application of power;

and wherein the fourth program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage device.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising fourth program instructions to detect a new node that is hot plugged and transmitting configuration instructions to the new node;

and wherein the fourth program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage device.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising fourth program instructions to perform partitioning functions when a power switch supplying the node is in an off position;

and wherein the fourth program instructions are stored on the computer readable storage device.