ISOLATING A PCI HOST BRIDGE IN RESPONSE TO AN ERROR EVENT

摘要

Instead of disabling PCI communication between system resources in a host computing device and I/O devices when a PCI Host Bridge (PHB) is unable to function, the host computing device may include a redundant PCI communication path for maintaining communication between the system resources and the I/O devices after a first PHB experiences an unrecoverable error. In one embodiment, the redundant PCI communication path includes a second PHB that is maintained in a standby state so long as the first PHB is functioning normally. However, once the first PHB experiences an unrecoverable error, the second PHB is changed to the master state and assumes the responsibility for maintaining communication between the system resources and the I/O devices.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
synchronizing a first PCI host bridge (PHB) to a second PHB such that settings of the first PHB are mirrored onto the second PHB, wherein the first PHB is configured to facilitate PCI communication between a host and an I/O device; detecting an event on the first PHB indicating that the functionality of the first PHB is inhibited; after detecting the event, changing a state of the second PHB from a standby state to a master state, wherein the second PHB is configured to facilitate PCI communication between the host and the I/O device; resetting the first PHB; and after detecting the event, changing a state of the first PHB from the master state to the standby state.