Patent ID: 7676618
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for managing a plurality of I/O slots in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of: providing the computer system that includes at least one processor and a memory; providing a plurality of logical partitions in the computer system; defining a plurality of locks, wherein each of the plurality of I/O slots has a corresponding lock; controlling access to each I/O slot by the plurality of logical partitions by requiring exclusive ownership of the corresponding lock before transferring control of the corresponding I/O slot to one of the plurality of logical partitions; releasing all memory and virtual address bindings to an adapter in a selected I/O slot when control of the selected I/O slot is removed from one of the plurality of logical partitions; one of the plurality of logical partitions relinquishing control of an I/O slot that the one logical partition owns without relinquishing ownership of the I/O slot; the one logical partition regaining control of an I/O slot that the logical partition owns but for which the one logical partition previously relinquished control; and transferring control of a selected I/O slot to a resource and partition manager when control of the selected I/O slot is removed from one of the plurality of logical partitions while the one logical partition still has ownership of the selected I/O slot.