US 7,493,370 B2
Two stage method for dynamically determining primary adapter in a heterogeneous N-way adapter configuration
Brian Eric Bakke, Rochester, Minn. (US); Robert Edward Galbraith, Rochester, Minn. (US); Brian James King, Rochester, Minn. (US); Timothy James Larson, LaCrosse, Wis. (US); William Joseph Maitland, Jr., Rochester, Minn. (US); and Timothy Jerry Schimke, Stewartville, Minn. (US)
Assigned to International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y. (US)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/977,774.
Prior Publication US 2006/0112032 A1, May 25, 2006
Int. Cl. G06F 15/13 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 709—208  [709/200; 709/209; 710/8; 710/9; 710/10; 703/24; 703/25] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for dynamically determining a primary adapter in a heterogeneous adapter configuration of a plurality of adapters comprising the steps of:
each of the adapters generating information about itself including providing vital product data (VPD); said VPD including a predefined model number of the adapter and a current level of the firmware executing on the adapter; and generating a scalar value, said scalar value indicating a capability of the adapter; each of the adapters exchanging the adapter-generated information including said VPD with all other adapters and each of the adapters utilizing the exchanged information including said VPD and identifying a decision-making adapter of the plurality of adapters;
said identified decision-making adapter comparing the adapter-generated information of each the adapters and making a decision determining the primary adapter;
said identified decision-making adapter notifying all other adapters of said determined primary adapter; and
said determined primary adapter assuming a role as the primary adapter and the other adapters assuming a role as a secondary adapter.