A system and method of partitioning a multiprocessor or multinode computer system
containing two or more partitions each of which contain at least three nodes or
processors and a central hardware device communicating with a requestor node or
processor, a target node or processor and at least one additional node or processor
in the partition. The multiprocessor system architecture allows for partitioning
resources to define separate subsystems capable of running different operating
systems simultaneously. The method operates with the central device, a tag and
address crossbar system, which transmits requests for data from the requestor node
to the target node, but not to any of the additional nodes or processors which
are not defined as part of a given partition. The method provides steps of assignment
of definitions to physical ports with the central device corresponding with desired
partitioning of resources within the system. Data processed within the system is
assigned tags which themselves are related to the defined system resources allocated
to one or more desired partitions within the system.
