Patent ID: 6279098
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a multi-processor data processing system having a number of data Processing resources including a plurality of instruction processors, wherein the number of data processing resources are partitioned into a number of data processing partitions wherein each partition operates independently of other partitions, the data processing system including a number of controllers wherein selected ones of the number of controllers correspond to selected ones of the number of data processing partitions, the improvement comprising:a. a first serial interface coupling a first one of the number of controllers and a second one of the number of controllers, said first one of the number of controllers determining if a particular data processing resource may be added to the corresponding partition by reading a number of first partitioning bits from said second one of the number of controllers wherein the number of first partitioning bits are serially transmitted from the second controller to the first controller via said first serial interface;b. wherein the first controller comprises an input/output block and a number of controller units, and the second controller comprises an input/output block and a number of controller units;c. wherein said first serial interface couples said input/output blocks of the first and second controllers, wherein the number of first partitioning bits are serially transmitted from the input/output block of the second controller to said input/output block of the first controller via said first serial interface; andd. a third serial interface extending between said input/output block of the first controller and a selected one of the number controller units of the first controller.