摘要 |
Disclosed is a method for multiprocessor computer systems using an optimized input/output subsystem that is based on dedicated System Assist Processors (SAPs) or I/O Processors (I0Ps) to handle inbound initiatives i.e. request responses and / or external event notifications. Each node (10) of the I/O processors (12) communicates with I/O devices, via I/O paths (2) corresponding to the nodes (10), and the responses are generated by I/O hardware and/or firmware addressed by a precedent I/O request issued by a respective one of said I/O processors (12). The external event notifications are generated by I/O hardware and/or firmware, and the initiatives are to be processed by one or a group of the multiple I/O processors. Using a pre-defined, first data element (20) indicating incoming or existing initiatives from any I/O path (2) of all of the nodes to be served by one of the I/O processors (12), using a second data structure (22), one of the second structures per node (10), wherein each of said second data structures defines which initiative is preferably handled by which processor (12) or group of processors (12), respectively, and using a third data structure (24), one of per node (10), such that multiple bits can be set in order to indicate the occurrence of respective initiatives for respective multiple I/O processors (12). |