GB2347534A - Memory controller for an intelligent bridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A memory controller (fig. 3, 25) for an intelligent bridge, which allows interfacing of a non-PCI device to a PCI bus, which controls access to a plurality of configuration registers. If a host processor attempts to write to a configuration register in violation of a hardware map, the write instruction is ignored. Also disclosed is means for translating the commands of a device driver not understandable by the non-PCI device, for function emulation. In an alternate form of the device, a local processor verifies the registers after a write action to them, and if they have been modified in violation of a hardware map, restores previous values. During this verification and correction step, an address translator unit asserts a retry cycle on the bus.

Description

2347534 A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERFACING A DEVICE COMPLIANT TO FIRST

BUS PROTOCOL TO AN EXTERNAL BUS BACKGROUM OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The subject invention generally relates to computer devices, and, in particular to multi-function intelligent bridge devices.

(2) Prior Art

Figure I illustrates a prior art commuter system having a number of different devices. In this computer system, a first PCI compliant device (e.g., a SCSI Controller made by a first company, COMPANY1) is coupled to a primary PCI bus. A-PCI to PCI bridge provides an interface between the primary PC! and a secondary PCI bus. A-nother PCI compliant device (e.g., a second SCSI Controller made by a second company, COMPANY2) is coupled to this secondary PCI bus.

A PCI to local processor bus bridge (e.g., a PLX 9036 or 9060 manufactured by PLX Technologies, Inc.), coupled to -,..he primary bus, provides an interface between the primary PCI bus and a local processor bus. A SCSI Controller (made by a third company, COMPANY-3) is coupled to the local processor bus and compliant with the local processor bus 2 protocol. However, the SCSI Controller made by COMPANY3 is not PCI compliant.

There are several disadvantages of this computer system. First, each of the three SCSI Controllers in this example requires a separate driver (i. e., these devices are controlled by different instructions, defined by a specific command set for each controller). For example, COMPANY1's SCSI Controller is bundled with a COMPANY1 driver; COMPANY2's SCSI Controller is bundled with its own separate COMPANY2 driver, and COMPANY3's SCSI Cdrtroller has its unique COMPANY2 driver. A particular driver only controls the device associated with that drier. Conversely, a particular device only understands the driver associated with that device. Although the device may perform similar functions, a driver from one hardware vendor is specif-ic to devices made by that vendor. For example, even though the SCSI controllers made by COMPANY1 and COMPANTY2 are both PC! compliant devices, COMPANY2's SCSI Controller'does not understand the instructions used by the driver for COMPANY1's SCSI Controller and viceversa.

Second, the prior art bridge (e.g., PLX 9036) chip only translates PCI bus cycles into local processor bus cycles and vice-versa. For instance, the PLX 9036 includes configuration registers accessible to a host processor when the host processor initiates a configuration cycle to the PLX 9036. However, devices, coupled to the local processor

3 bus, are not true PCI devices. For example, the SCSI Controller made by COMPANY3 is not PCI compliant, nor is it even recognized in the PCI address space.

In addition, to couple a device to the PCI bus (primary or secondary) in the prior art computer system, (i.e., to make the device PCI-compliant) requires a complex interface circuit. Typically, this interface circuit is an. application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that implements the electrical requirements, the bus protocol requirements, and the configuration space, as set forth in the PCI Bus Protocol. This interface circuit, which is typically integrated into an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), is generally expensive to design and manufacture, and it consumes physical space, either on a baseboard or on an 1/0 card.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus, embodied in a multi-function intelligent bridge device, that inte'rtaces a non PCI compliant device to a PCI bus and for emulating a -virtual function to the PCI bus so, that a non compliant PCI device, manufactured by one company, may be controlled by a driver of a PCI compliant device, manufactured by a different company.

4 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an intelligent 1/0 circuit for emulating functions and providing bus capability to a non-compliant device, said intelligent 1/0 circuit comprising a memory controller, said memory controller including:

a) means responsive to a source signal, for generating a first signal indicative of the source of a configuration instruction; b) means responsive to a read/write signal, a plurality of byte enable signals, a plurality of address signals, and the first signal for selectively controlling accesses to a memory; 11 c) means, coupled to the means for selectively controlling the memory, for generating an interrupt to a local processor; d) means for detecting a current state of a plurality of configuration registers; e) means for storing the current state of these configuration registers; f) means for determining whether or not the configuration registers are accessible by a host processor; and g) means for restoring a previous value into a configuration register that is written by the host processor in violation to a predetermined hardware map.

An address translator is coupled between the PCI bus and a local processor bus for translating PCI addresses into local processor addresses and vice versa. A device select detection circuitry, coupled to the primary PCI bus, for detecting that a configuration cycle on the PCI bus is for that particular device is provided. Upon detecting that the current configuration cycle is for that device, this device select detection circuitry notifies a configuration controller. This configuration controller disables the address translator so that accesses by a bus master on the primary PCI bus are blocked. The configuration controller also signals an interrupt generator to generate an interrupt to a local processor, which is coupled to the local processor bus. The configuration controller also commands a retry generator to assert PCI retry cycles onto the PCI bus in the event that a host or any other PCI bus master on the PCI bus attempts an access to the local processor bus.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for providing virtual functions in a PCI multi-function device is provided. A local processor, coupled on the local processor bus, is dnabled by emulation software, to emulate other existing PCI devices.

In an exemplary implementation, the PCI multi-function device is an Intel 80960 RP chir) (herein referred to as the "P2P"). Whenever'the P2P sees a configuration cycle with its IDSEL# asserted, the P2P maps the configuration cycle into memory addresses on the local processor bus. A memory controller, coupled to the local bus, decodes the offset in configuration space and responds accordingly for a selected function (i.e. , writes and reads the appropriate hardware map of the configuration space for a particular function). The memory controller then interrupts the local processor, which in turn reads the confiauration space and responds accordingly.

A local memory, coupled to the local processor bus, stores emulation software for translating a command set of 6 one PCI device to a command set of an alternative and different PCI device. Moreover, this local memory contains additional software that insures certain protected portions of the configuration space for a particular function (i.e., the 256 byte hardware map for each function) are not overwritten by a host processor or other PCI master on the primary PCI bus. The local processor (e.g., the Intel 80960 JF) is allowed to write to any portion of the 2Kbyte window of configuration space since it is emulating a virtual PCI function. However, if a host processor has written to a protected portion of the configuration -space, the local processor, executing this correction software, restores the proper values (i.e., previous values) to the configuration space.

Also, in an exemplary embodiment, software code stored in the local memory, provides the proper handshake signals to the primary PCI bus to complete an instruction or command.

Hence, the invention provides a method and apparatus for interfacing a non PCI-compliant device to a PCI bus and also provides a method and apparatus for providing virtual functions via the PCI multi-function device. other features and advantages of the invention would be apparent from the detailed description below and the attached drawings.

I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments of the invention which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention-to the specific embodiment but are for explanation and understanding only.

Figure I illustrates a prior art computer system.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system in which the present invention may be implemented.

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the comDonents of a multifunction PCI compliant device.

Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates the processing steps employed by the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates the processing steps taken by circuitry in the memory controller to generator the chip select signal.

Figure 8 illustrates the processing steps taken by circuitry in the memory controller to generate the output enable signal.

14 Figure 9 illustrates the processing steps taken by circuitry in the memory controller to generate a write enable signal.

Figure 10 illustrates the processing steps employed by the present invention for providing virtual functions via a multi-function intelligent bridge.

-A I - 9 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The exemplary embodiments are provided to illustrate the aspects of the invention and should not be construed -as limiting the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments are primarily described with reference to block diagrams or flowcharts. As to the flowcharts, each block within the flowcharts represents both a method step and an apparatus element for performing the method step. Depending.'Upon the implementation, the corresponding apparatus element may be configured in hardwar-e-, software, firmware or combinations thereof.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a computer system in which the teachings of the present invention may be implemented. A host processor 3 is coupled to a chin set 5 that includes a memory controller, a cache dontroller, and a host bus to PCI bus bridge. A main memory (e.g., DRAMs) 4 is provided for storing programs that are executed by the host processor 3. The main memory 4 is coupled to the chip set 5, and accesses to main memory 4 are controlled by the memory controller in the chip set S.

The chip set Sis-coupled to a primary PCI bus 7. This primary PCI bus 7 can accommodate a number of PCI compliant devices, such as device 8.

- An intelligent bridge 9 (e.g., Intel 80960 RP chip, herein referred to as a "P2P") is coupled to the primary PCI bus 7 and a secondary PCI bus 11. The P2P provides a number of functions to the computer system (i.e., the P2P is a multi-function PCI device). First, the P2P 9 translates PCI bus cycles on the primary PCI bus 7 into corresponding PCI cycles on the secondary PCI bus 11 and vice-versa. Second, the P2P 9 translates PCI bus cycles into local processor bus 13 cycles and vice-versa via an address translator, which will be described in further detail hereinafter. The P2P 9 also includes a processor dedicated to handling input and output (1/0) operations. The P2P chin also includes a local bus 13 (e.g., the Intel 809060 processor bus). A non PCI compliant device 15 may be coupled to the local processor bus 13.

The secondary PCI bus 11 also includes a plurality of PCI compliant devices, such as device 12.

Figure 3 illustrates in block diagram fashion the key comoonents of the P2P 9, as they relate to the present invention. As noted previously, a PCI to PCI bridge 21 couples the primary PCI bus 7 to the secondary PCI bus 11. Moreover, the PCI to PCI bridge 21 translates PCI bus cycles on the primary PCI bus 7 into bus cycles on the secondary PCI bus 11 and vice versa. In the 2Kbyte configuration space assigned to the P2P 9, the PCI to PCI bridge 21 is I allotted 256 contiguous bytes (corresponding to function 0) within the 2Kbyte window.

An Address Translation Unit (ATU) 23, which is typically function 1 when the P2P processor 9 is configured, couples the primary PCI bus 7 to the local processor bus 13. A memory Conk-roller 25 couples a local memory 27 to the local processor bus 13 and controls memory accesses to and from local memory 27.

A local processor 29 (e.g., Intel fiO960 JF) is also couDled to the local processor bus 13. This local processor 29 executes programs stored in the local memory 27 and typically has a specific operating system that is tailored for handling an input/output (1/0) command set (i.e., 1/0 instructions).

As noted previously, a non-compliant PCI device 15 may be counled to local processor bus 13. Although this device 1 5 must be comDliant with the protocol of the local processor bus 13 (e.g., compliant with the Intel 80960 Processor Bus Protocol), the uresent invention enables this non PCI compliant device 15 to function and appear as a PCI compliant device to the host processor 3 and any other PCI bus master on the primary 7 or secondary PCI bus 11.

Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, where the key aspects of the present invention are implemented in the ATU 23.

In this embodiment, the ATU 23 includes an Address Translator 35 that translates PCI bus cycles from the primary PCI bus 7 to the local processor bus 13 and vice versa. often, this translation process is simply replacing the upper bits of the address of a bus cycle on the primary PCI bus.

The present invention, as implemented in the ATU 23, also includes a Device Select Detector 37, counled to the primary PCI bus 7, for receiving an IDSELTr' signal and the lower two bits of the address (i.e., AD[1:01) from the primary PCI bus 7.' If th e IDSEL-Tur signal is asserted, and the lower two address bits are 00 (i.e., P.D[1:01=00), the P2P 9 recognizes that the current PCI configuration cycle is for that device.

Upon detecting that the PCI configuration cycle is for the P2P 9, the Device Select Detector 37 notifies a Configuration Controller 39 that the P2P 9 is selected. The Device Select Detector 37 also writes a predetermined bit pattern to a Mode Register 41. This bit pattern indicates to the local processor 29 that the hos-L processor 3 has initiated this present PCI configuration cycle. The Device Select Detector 37 also disables the Address Translator 35 13 - so that addresses from the primary PCI bus 7 are not translated into addresses in the local processor bus 13 until the Address Translator 35 is enabled again.

The Configuration Controller 39 controls an Interrupt Generator 43. The Interrupt Generator 43, coupled to the local processor bus 13, generates an interrupt to the local processor 29. Configuration controller 39 also controls the Retry Generator 45. The Retry Generator 45 asserts a retry cycle on the primary PCI bus 7 so that a local processor has sufficient time to check the status of the configuration registers of the P2P 9 and verify that only the authorized bits were changed.

If it is determined by the local processor that certain protected fields in the configuration space have been altered by the host processor in violation of the PCI configuration space hardware map protocol, as defined in the PCI Bus Protocol Release-2.1, the local processor executes c orrection software that is resident in local memory 27.

The PCI Bus Protocol defines the organization of configuration space registers for every PCI compliant device and imposes a specific record structure or template (i.e., hardware mau) on the 256-byte space for each device function. This configuration space is divided into a predefined header region and a device dependent region. The device dependent region includes device sT)ecific 14 - information. The PCI compliant device implements those registers that are necessary and relevant to that application.

The predefined header region includes fields that uniquely identify the device and allow the device to be generically controlled. The predefined header portion of the configuration space is divided into two portions. The first 16 bytes are defined the same for all types of devices. The remaining bytes can have different layouts depending on the base function that the,device supports. A Header Type field (located at offset OEh) defines which particular layout is provided.

All PCI comoliant devices treat configuration space write operations to reserved registers as No-Ops. In other words, the access is completed normally on the bus, and the data is discarded. Read accesses to reserved or unimplemented registers are completed normally, and a data value of 0 is returned.

I - - 00h 04h 08h OCh 10h 14h 18h lCh 20h 24h 28h 2Ch 30h 34h 38h 3Ch TABLE I

Table 1 illustrates the layout of a type Ooh predefined header portion of the 2S6-byte con-Figuration space. Devices place any necessary device specific registers after this predetermined header in configuration space. All PCI compliant devices supporL the Vendor ID, Device ID, Command, Status, Revision ID, Class Code and Header Type fields in the header. The implementation of other registers in a Type 00h predefined header is optional (i.e., they can be treated as reserved registers) depending on device functionality. If a device sunoorts a function that a register is concerned with, the device implements it in the defined location-and with the defined functionality.

For further information relating to the configuration space header, its various fields, and a description of each

Device ID Vendor ID Status Command Class Code lRevision ID BIST Header Latency Cache Line Tvoe Timer Size Base Address Registers Cardbus CIS Pointer Subsystem ID ISubsvstem Vendor ID Ex-Dansion ROM Base Address Reserved Reserved Max-Lat Min-Gnt Interrul Interruot I I Pin, Line - 16 of these fields, please refer to the PCI Local Bus specification, Revision 2.1, Chapter 6, pages 185-218.

Since the detection and correction of a possible error in the configuration registers requires at least several PCi bus cycles, the Retry Generator 45 is provided by the present invention to block any new primary PCI bus accesses to the P2P 9 until the status of the configuration registers is verified.

Figure 5 illustrates the processirg steps employed by this embodiment of the present invention. Prior to the execution of the following processing stems, a copy of the configuration space (i.e., all the configuration registers) is made. This copy is made to insure that the configuration space may be restored if an unauthorized write has occurred to the configuration space. The processing steps, illustrated in Figure 5, begin when a host or other bus master asserts a configuration cycle on the primary PCI bus 7. Second, a Device Select. Detector 37 detects the PCI configuration cycle (processing step 30).

Subsequently, the Address Translator 35 translates this PCI configuration cycle into local processor bus 13 address space (i.e., the local memory addresses) (processing step 32). The present invention then executes the bus cycle on the local bus (processing step 34). This bus cycle may be awrite to configuration space (i.e., a modify instruction) or a read cycle (i.e., a read configuration space instruction). After the bus cycle on the local bus is executed, the present invention completes the PCI configuration cycle on the PCI bus.

The present invention then enables the retry mechanism (processing step 35). The retry generator 45 disables the address translator 35 and asserts a retry cycle onto the primary PCI bus 7 for any subsequent request for access to the local processor bus 13. The retry generator 45 does not block accesses to the secondary PCI bus, as the retry generator 45 only blocks accesses to the local processor bus space.

A Retry cycle indicates to the host processor that the target device is n ot ready at this time to process the request or instruction. The Retry cycle is not an error or a disconnect because it instructs the host processor to try again at a later time.

Next, the Interrupt Generator 43 interrupts local processor 29 (processing step 4G), which in turn executes verification and correction program code to verify that the configuration registers have been properly updated by the host processor 3 (processing step 47).

This verification and correction code (in processing step 47), conforms the configuration registers to the hardware map of the PCI Bus Protocol. This code will be described hereinafter with reference to Table 2.

Many of the registers defined in PCI Configuration space are a mixture of read/write (RW) bits, read only (RO) bits and even some read-clear (RC) bits. (A read-clear bit can be read or cleared by writing a 1 to that bit location. Writing a 0 to a read-clear bit has no effect.) A good example of these kinds of registers are the Command and Status registers in the PCI Configuration space. Since each of these registers is 16 bits, and they-are aligned into a single 32 bit DWORD, it is possible for software to access both registers at once. This access contains all three types of bits (i.e., RW, RO, and RC bits). The present invention employs verification and correction code (e.g., firmware) that examines the data written to the register by the host and using the copy of the original data and a template showing which bits are of which type, updates the register correctly. Table 2 illustrates the format of an exemplary status/command register.

_4 I - 19 - Status/Command original Bit # Type Name Data 0 31 RC Detected Parity Error 0 30 RC Signalled SERR# 1 29 RC Received Master Abort 1 28 RC Received Target Abort 0 17 RO Signalled Target Abort-Optional Not I=plemented by this example 01 26-25 RO DEVSEL Timing 0 24 RC Data Parity Error Detected 1 23 RO Fast Back to Back Capable 0 22 RO UDF Support 0 21 RO 66 MHz Support 0 20-10 RO Reserved 1 9 RW Fast Back to Back Enable 1 8 RW SERR# Enable 0 7 RO Address Stepping 0 6 RW Parity Error Response 0 5 RO JVGA Resp-onse 0 4 RW MWI Enable 0 3 RO Special cycle 1 2 RW Master Enable I I RW Memory Space 1 0 RW TO Space TABLE 2

The f irmware includes a -mask that shows which bits are RC (F1000000h) and a mask that shows which bits are RW (00000357h).

The firmware determines the new register value by employing the following boolean function:

New = RWWritten+RCCurrent/Vlritten+/RW/RCCurrent For examDle, if the Host writes a 1FF001FEh to the registers above (currently set to 32800307), the new register value is calculated as follows:

22800156h 00000357hlFFOOIFEh (00000156h) + F1000000h32800307EOOFFE01h (20000000h) + FFFFFCA8OEFFFFFF32800307 (02800000h) This result is then written to the storage location which is used for these registers, and the next transaction from the PCI bus can now be accepted.

As noted previously, in this embodiment, prior to a configuration cycle, the configuration space of the intelligent bridge 9 is stored in local memory 27. If it is determined by verification and correction software, executing on the local processor 29, that the protected configuration. registers have been corrupted by a host processor configuration write, then the verification and correction software accesses the copy of the configuration space, disposed in local memory, and restores the original values in those configuration registers.

As noted above, the present invention restores the previous values of the configuration registers if the PCI hardware mar) of the configuration header space was violated by an unauthorized write (processing step 46). In this step, the copy of the configuration space is utilized for restoring the previous values.

I -A I - 21 - The present invention then disables the retry mechanism so that subsequent requests for access to the local processor bus 13 are honored (processing step 49).

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention, where the key aspects of the invention are implemented primarily in the Memory Controller 25. In this embodiment, the Memory Controller 25 decodes the local bus memory addresses after they are mapped from the configuration cycle on the primary PCI bus 7. The Memory Controller 25 receives a source signal 51 that indicates to the memory Controller 2S the source of the memory access (i.e., whether or not these accesses are initiated by the local processor 29 or by the host processor 3). The Memory Controller 25 also receives a read/write signal (R/W) S3, a set of byte enable (BE) signals 55, and all the bits of the memory addresses. The Memory Controller 25, in response to the signals, provides three signals to the local memory 27 (e.g., SRAM). These signals include a chip select (CS) signal 57, an output enable (OE) signal 58, and a write enable (WE) signal 59. The stems taken by the Memory Controller 25 to generate each of these signals will be described hereinafter with reference to Figures 7-9.

Memory controlle-rs-in-prior art computer systems typically use only the upper bits of a memory address, and the lower bits of the memory address are provided directly to the local memory 27. However, the Memory Controller 25

22 - of the present invention is provided all the bits in a memory address.

Figure 7 illustrates the steps taken by circuitry in the Memory Controller 25 to generate. the chip select (CS) signal 57. First, a determination is made whether or not the memory address is in a predetermined range (decision block 65). If NO, no further action is taken. If YES, enable the chip select (CS) signal (step 67).

Figure 8 illustrates the steps taken by circuitry in the Memory Controller 25 to generate the output enable (OE) signal 58. First, a determination is made whether or not the chiT) select (CS) signal 57 is enabled (decision block 71). If NO, no further action is taken. If YES, a further determination is made whether or not the command is a read command (decision block 73). If NO (i.e., the command is a write), no further action is taken. If YES, assert the outpu-L enable (OE) signal (step 75).

Figure 9 illustrates the steps taken by circuitry in the Memory Controller 25 to generate a write enable (WE) signal 59. First, a determination is made whether or not the chip select signal 57 is enabled (decision block 77). If NO, no further action is taken. If YES, a further determination is made whether or not the instruction is a write instruction (decision block 79). If NO, no further action is taken. If YES, a further determination is made 23 - whether or not the byte enable signals 55 are asserted (decision block 81). If NO, no further action is taken.

If YES, a further determination is made whether or not the source of the instruction is the local processor 29 (decision block 83). If YES, assert the write enable signal 59 (step 89). If NO, a further determination is made whether or not the configuration space, as updated by the host processor, conforms with a predetermined hardware map (decision block 85). If the host processor attempts to modify the configuratio-n-registers in violation of the PCI Configuration Space hardware map (i.e., write to a protected configuration register), take no further action. if the host processor-modified the configuration registers without violating the PCI Configuration Space hardware map, assert the write enable signal (step 89).

In this embodiment, a copy of the configuration space is not necessary since the present invention, as implemented in the memory controller 20, ignores a write instruction to a protected configuration register (i.e., the memory controller checks the predetermined hardware map set forth in the PCI bus protocol specification, before writing to configuration register). Thus, unlike the previous embodiment, the second embodiment does not store a copy of the configuration spac-e -into local memorybefore a configuration cycle-is--accepted by the intelligent bridge.

41 24 - Figure 10 illustrates the processing steps employed by the present invention to enable virtual functions (i.e., to emulate the functionality of other devices) through a multifunction intelligent bridge. As noted previously, the present invention allows a non-PCI compliant device 15 to interface to a PCI compliant bus via the P2P processor 9. The present invention employs emulation software, executed by the local processor 29, that translates the commands of a device driver that is not understandable to the non-PCI compliant device 15. The emulation software, which may be implemented in microcode (e.g., firmware), translates the command set of the device driver of the emulated device into commands that are understandable to the non-PCI compliant device 15.

Specifically,' the present invention executes emulation program code.,on the local processor 29 to interpret the syntax of the emulated device and to determine the desired function (processing steD 121). In this step, "the present invention decodes'a command from the device driver, associated with the emulated device and determines the function desired (e.g., for a SCSI controller, a first command may instruct a SCSI disk drive to write information to a particular sector while a second command may instruct the SCSI disk drive to read from a particular sector).

Next, the present invention translates the syntax of the emulated device to syntax of the actual device - (processing step 125). In other words, the emulation software of the present invention determines the necessary commands, which are understandable by the non-PCI compliant device 15, that will achieve the desired function, as determined in processing step 121.

Last, the present invention executes the syntax (e.g., commands) for the actual device. The actual device then performs the desired function in response to the syntax (processing step 127).

This sequence of processing steps for providing virtual functions via the multi-function intelligent bridge, may be executed after step 49 of Figure 5.

The mapping of the syntax of the emulated device to the synta.x of the actual device may be trivial (e.g., doing nothing) because the particular function is implemented in hardware (e.g., writing a particular bit in a register). If the mapping between the syntax of the emulated device and the syntax of the actual device is not straightforward, the emulation code may include multiple processing steps to accurately emulate the command of the emulated device (e.g., a particular command of the graphics driver). For example, a particular read and write command of the emulated device may need to be directed to a different memory location, or one command of the emulated device may translate or map intoa number of different commands of the actual device. A 26 - specific example of emulating a functionality is disclosed in a previously filed patent application entitled, "A Circuit and Method for Emulating the Functionality of an Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller", serial number; attorney docket number 042390.P3299, filed on December 20, 1995.

A variety of hardware and software functions have been described herein. Depending upon the implementation, many of the hardware functions may be emulated using software. Likewise, software functions may be perormed using hardware components having hardwired circuitry configured to perform the functions. In other imnlementations, some of the hardware or so.ftware functions may be configured using firmware or other computer system implementation technologies.

The exemplary embodiments described herein are provided merely to illustrate the principles of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the principles of the invention may be applied to a wide range of systems to achieve the advantages described herein and to achieve other advantages or to satisfy other objectives as well.

4 I - 27

Claims (1)

1 An intelligent 1/0 circuit for emulating functions and providing bus capability to a non-compliant device, said intelligent 1/0 circuit comprising a memory controller, said memory controller including:

a) means responsive to a source signal, for generating a first signal indicative of the source of a configuration instruction; b) means responsive to a read/write signal, a plurality of byte enable signals, a plurality of address signals, and the first signal for selectively controlling accesses to a memory; c) means, coupled to the means for selectively controlling the memory, for generating an interrupt to a local processor; d) means for detecting a current state of a plurality of configuration registers; e) means for storing the current state of these configuration registers; 0 means for determining whether or not the configuration registers are accessible by a host processor; and g) means for restoring a previous value into a configuration register that is written by the host processor in violation to a predetermined hardware map.