Unique process for loading a microcode control store in a data processing system
First Claim
1. A method for starting up a data processing system which includes a main processor, a main memory, a microcode control store, auxiliary memory means and an input/output interface unit permitting communication between said data processing system and one or more input/output devices, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) initially storing a basic instruction set in said auxiliary memory means;
(b) automatically transferring said basic instruction set from said auxiliary memory means to said microcode control store when said data processing system is initially turned on;
(c) initially storing an initialization program in said auziliary memory means;
(d) transferring said intialization program from said auxiliary memory means to said main memory;
(e) executing said initialization program on said main processor, using said basic instruction set, said execution including;
(1) identifying a selected input/output device connected in said main processor in which a microcode load program and a desired microcode file are stored; and
(2) transferring said microcode load program into the main memory from said input/output device using said main processor;
(f) executing said microcode load program under control of said main processor, using said basic instruction set, said execution including the transferring of said desired microcode file from said selected input/output device to said microcode control store via said main memory.
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Abstract
A technique for starting up a data processing system in which a "basic" or "kernel" instruction set is stored in an auxiliary store and transferred to the processor'"'"'s control store in start-up. The kernel instruction set in used to execute an initialization program which identifies an I/O device in which a microcode local program and a desired microcode file are stored. No microcode load program is transferred to the processor'"'"'s main memory, using the kernel instructions and the desired microcode file is then transferred in selected blocks from the I/O device to the main memory and there to the microcode control store. The microinstructions of the desired microcode file then can be used to load appropriate operating system software so that the overall processor is then ready for use in whatever applications are desirable.
52 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for starting up a data processing system which includes a main processor, a main memory, a microcode control store, auxiliary memory means and an input/output interface unit permitting communication between said data processing system and one or more input/output devices, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) initially storing a basic instruction set in said auxiliary memory means; (b) automatically transferring said basic instruction set from said auxiliary memory means to said microcode control store when said data processing system is initially turned on; (c) initially storing an initialization program in said auziliary memory means; (d) transferring said intialization program from said auxiliary memory means to said main memory; (e) executing said initialization program on said main processor, using said basic instruction set, said execution including; (1) identifying a selected input/output device connected in said main processor in which a microcode load program and a desired microcode file are stored; and (2) transferring said microcode load program into the main memory from said input/output device using said main processor; (f) executing said microcode load program under control of said main processor, using said basic instruction set, said execution including the transferring of said desired microcode file from said selected input/output device to said microcode control store via said main memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification