| 摘要 |
A network switch, based on the PCI Express protocol, is disclosed. The switch is in communication with a processor, local memory and includes a plurality of non-transparent bridges and, optionally transparent bridges, leading to PCI Express endpoints. By configuring the non-transparent bridges appropriately, the network switch can facilitate simultaneous communication between any two sets of servers without needing to store any data in the local memory or FIFO resources of the switch. For example, the network switch may configure the non-transparent bridges so as to have access to the physical memory of every server attached to it. It can then move data from the memory of any server to the memory of any other server. |
| 主权项 |
1. A method of transmitting information between a plurality of servers, each server having a local memory and processor, comprising:
connecting each of said plurality of servers to a network switch using PCI Express, said network switch comprising a central PCI Express switch and a plurality of PCI Express Switches, each of said PCI Express Switches in communication with at least one of said plurality of servers via a respective non-transparent bridge disposed in said PCI Express switch and also in communication with said central PCI Express Switch via a plurality of transparent bridges disposed in said PCI Express Switch, wherein said central PCI Express switch is in communication with said plurality of PCI Express switches using a plurality of non-transparent bridges disposed in said central PCI Express switch; configuring each of said non-transparent bridges in said central PCI Express switch, each of said transparent bridges in said plurality of PCI Express switches and each of said non-transparent bridges in said plurality of PCI Express switches such that there is a unique set of PCI bridges used for communications between any two servers connected to said network switch. |
