Hot-Add PCIe Devices
To Running Systems
Dolphin Hot-Add enables PCIe devices to be added and removed in a running host. Add PCIe resources how, where and when you need them – without rebooting the host system.
Reconfigure PCIe Systems Without Rebooting
Dolphin’s Hot-Add software allows PCIe resources to be added, hot-plugged or removed from a running system after it has already booted, no reboot required. Hot-Added PCIe devices appear in the device tree and function as if they were connected to the system during boot.
Dolphin eXpressWare Hot-Add
PCIe Hot-Add is a standard feature of Dolphin's eXpressWare software, supports all PCIe 1.0 – 5.0 compliant devices, and requires no APIs or modifications to standard device drivers. Combined with the rest of Dolphin eXpressWare’s suite of powerful features, Hot-Add allows users to deploy, upgrade and maintain highly flexible systems, with minimal disruption to ongoing operations. Learn more about Dolphin eXpressWare.
Hot-Added Devices perform as native devices
When Hot-Adding PCIe resources, the connected resources function as if already installed at boot, with no overhead to the standard IO performance. Dolphin eXpressWare Hot-Add is standard with Dolphin PCIe 4.0 - 5.0 NTB adapter cards, such as the PCIe 5.0 Host Adapter card MXH570. See a full overview of compatible Dolphin host and target adapters here.
PCIe Hot-Add for Windows and Linux
Dolphin eXpressWare Hot-Add supports Windows and Linux systems out-of-the-box, and requires no APIs, custom BIOS versions or modifications to connected devices. Simply install one of Dolphin’s compatible NTB PCIe adapter cards and the accompanying software in the host machine, the eXpressWare software will then enable the host system to recognize and enumerate Hot-Added devices.
Software enumeration of downstream devices
PCIe NTB technology enables software-based resource management and enumeration of standard PCIe devices. This process of adding or removing devices can be automatic or managed through basic command line utilities. Dolphin’s eXpressWare enumerates devices connected downstream of the Dolphin NTB PCIe host adapter card, instead of the host system’s BIOS.
Configure and reconfigure your system without rebooting
ExpressWare Hot-Add supports several configurations and topologies. The diagram below shows some of the supported configurations. The first topology shows a host system connected directly to a single PCIe transparent end point, the second shows an eBox 4 being Hot-Added with four PCIe devices installed, while the last configuration shows a PCIe fabric with multiple Hot-Added endpoints connected through a Dolphin PCIe switch.
Hot-Add Multiple PCIe Devices with eBox 4
Combine eXpressWare Hot-Add with Dolphin’s eBox 4 expansion system to build highly flexible and scalable PCIe infrastructures. Perfect for HIL-testing, performance evaluation and other high-performance use cases requiring on-the-go reconfiguration, flexibility and modularity. Paired with Dolphin’s portfolio of PCIe 5.0 backplanes, the eBox 4 expansion system can accommodate up to Hot-Added 8 PCIe devices per eBox 4.
Reconfigure your system without rebooting
When connecting an eBox 4 to the host, Dolphin’s Hot-Add technology uses software to enumerate the PCIe devices inside the eBox 4, making all devices appear and function as if they were connected to the host system at boot. Dolphin’s eBox 4 is highly configurable, comes with a variety of compatible expansion backplanes, which can either be Hot-Added individually or simultaneously, depending on the use case. An eBox 4 can be placed up to 200 meters away from the connected host system when deployed with a Dolphin PCIe host adapter and target adapter, further adding to the systems flexibility.
PCIe Hot-Add for HIL-testing
Dolphin eXpressWare Hot-Add enables dynamic and flexible system management, where PCIe resources can be added, hot-plugged and removed as needed. Hot-Add is ideal for use cases such as Prototyping and HIL-testing, as the technology allows for highly configurable test setups. Reconfigure test setups between test runs without rebooting the system, emulate different fielded hardware configurations, test and validate topologies and failover sequences, and much more.
More information about Dolphin Hot-Add and eBox 4
Contact us to book a demo, request a quote or learn more about Dolphin Hot-Add and Dolphin eBox 4 Expansion system.