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PCI Express switching and Remote I/O in the data center.

Article Excerpt
The emergence of the PCI Express standard enables us to realise some of the advanced features enjoyed within a blade server environment while still using standard commodity parts. By providing a remote I/O module connected via PCI Express to the original 1U servers, users can upgrade the I/O capability without resorting to larger, complex, expensive servers. This dramatically reduces the overall system cost for these features enabling some of the benefits of high availability solutions to cascade into the entry level server markets.

To achieve this aim, there needs to be a resolution to the three problems:

* Hot plug server and I/O modules at commodity prices

* Suitable PCI Express interconnect with support for multiple hosts

* PCI Express cable standards that support the interconnect requirement

Remote I/O--Building blocks

The basic technology building blocks of Remote I/O are starting to become available, driven in part by the higher specification requirements of the blade server system architecture.

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]

Server I/O Modules

Server I/O Modules (SIOM) are designed to meet the needs of the next generation of servers and workstations. The standardization of these new modules has already been started by the PCI-SIG and a draft specification is currently in progress. The basic physical requirements of a Remote I/O entry appliance and a SIOM are identical. They fundamentally address the concerns of current PCI cards, namely:

* Need for a robust low cost module, providing improved power, cooling, and EMI handling

* Hot plug capability

* I/O module installation and removal from a closed chassis without the need for any special service skills or tools

* Internal system bandwidth provisioned to meet future IO requirements

* 10G Ethernet and Fibre Channel

The SIOM is available in a size that is approximately half the current full length PCI card with a power budget the same as today. It is thus compatible in form factor to most of the current generation of high end I/O cards. However, with its more prescribed case, power and connection specification it enables:

* Improved system I/O density

* Greater flexibility of chassis designs

Packaged in a protective module, the SIOM features EMI gasketing, insertion/removal levers and a defined cooling specification suitable...

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