Mechanisms and techniques provide a system for controlling performance of a data communications device that operates an input output protocol and/or architecture such as Infiniband by setting a configuration parameter of the input output protocol to a first value. The configuration parameter describes, to the input output protocol operating within the device, a virtual physical connectivity characteristic of the communications interface of the device to at least one other device operating the input output protocol. The system operates the device to communicate data, over the communications interface, at a first performance level corresponding to the first value of the configuration parameter and changes the first value of the configuration parameter to a second value such that the input output protocol perceives a virtual change to the physical connectivity characteristic of the device without the device experiencing an actual change to its physical connectivity characteristic of the communications interface. The system then operates the device to communicate data, over the communications interface, at a second performance level corresponding to the second value of the configuration parameter.
A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual PCI adaptor slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an PCI adaptor slot when transferring control of the PCI adaptor slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the PCI adaptor from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an PCI adaptor slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that PCI adaptor slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.
A system for supporting management operations associated with an interconnect device includes a port of the interconnect device to maintain authentication data that facilitates authorization of a management operation and a configuration switch coupled to the port to generate a reset signal in response to an operator’s command. The port is operable to reset the authentication data upon receiving the reset signal from the configuration switch.
