Patent ID: 6564277
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A node controller without attached processors for handling interrupts, comprising:a processor interface unit operable to receive an interrupt signal associated with an interrupt condition, the processor interface unit operable to determine whether the interrupt signal is to be forwarded, the processor interface unit operable to forward the interrupt signal in response to a determination that the interrupt signal is to be forwarded; an input/output interface unit operable to receive the interrupt signal from the processor interface unit, the input/output interface unit operable to generate an interrupt request in response to the interrupt signal for transfer to a remote node controller; a network interface unit operable to transfer the interrupt request to the remote node controller; a crossbar unit coupled to the network interface unit, the processor interface unit, and the input/output interface unit, the crossbar unit operable to transfer information among each of these interface units, wherein the interrupt signal is directly forwarded to the input/output interface unit from the processor interface unit without being transferred by the crossbar unit.