Intel OCPRF100 MP - Manual (Page 38)

OCPRF100 MP Server System Technical Product Specification
Revision 1.0
31
3.3.3 PCI Hot-plug
3.3.3.1 Description
PCI hot plug (PHP) is the concept of removing or inserting a standard PCI adapter card from a
system without stopping the software or powering down the system as a whole.
“Hot Replace” means the user can replace a PCI card with an identical card. The replacement
card will use the same PCI resources assigned to the previous card. OS support is required for
this function.
“Hot Add” means the user can add a PCI card to a previously unoccupied slot. The system BIOS
needs to reserve PCI resource space for the added adapter card upon boot.
“Hot Upgrade” means to replace an existing adapter card with a new version of the card and/or
driver. A hot upgrade is not actually a unique operation. It is implemented as a hot removal fol-
lowed by a hot addition.
3.3.3.2 Hardware Components
Intel has licensed the hardware technology and methods for the implementation of PHP, which
conform to the PCI Hot-plug Specification. The basic components are:
• Power cycling and reset generation hardware that complies with the PCI Local Bus Spec-
ification, Rev. 2.1.
• Bus isolation switches to physically disconnect the PHP capable card from the PCI bus
(these switches are located on the I/O carrier between each PHP PCI card).
• Indicators (LEDs), located on the PHP LED/switch board, provide service personnel with
positive slot identification (these LEDs are visible when viewed from above the I/O carrier,
and can be seen from the rear of the system through holes in the chassis).
• Electromechanical hardware to prevent accidental insertion/removal from a live slot (a
PHP switch is provided for each slot; when disengaged this switch immediately removes
power from that slot. Normal slot power down should be through the control utility
• Protection hardware to isolate the live components of the system from the card being
inserted/removed (a mechanical barrier prevents access to the I/O carrier and Profusion
carrier components, and is present between PCI cards; each PHP PCI connector is lim-
ited to 240 VA).
• A controller element which controls the above hardware and provides an interface for sys-
tem software.
3.3.3.3 Software Components
The main software components for a PHP system are:
Hot-plug User Interface
• Provides user with access to the hot-plug control panel