Method and apparatus for automatic generation of I/O configuration descriptions
First Claim
1. A method in a computer system with a central electronics complex (CEC), having at least one I/O channel subsystem, a plurality of channel paths and a plurality of I/O items, said I/O items being attachable to said subsystem via said channel paths in different ways as to provide a plurality of different system configurations, the method performed by the CEC for accessing information associated with said I/O items, said method comprising the following CEC-performed steps:
- structuring in the CEC an amorphous subchannel not defined in a current I/O configuration definition for the I/O channel subsystem,using the amorphous subchannel to test for the existence of each I/O item connected to one or more channel paths of said CEC by simulating a plurality of I/O item addresses by the amorphous subchannel without the CEC using the current I/O configuration definition for accessing the I/O item,attempting to access the I/O item addressed by the using step,determining characteristics of each of said I/O items by accessing self-description information provided for each of said I/O items;
determining the channel paths usable to access each of said I/O items;
storing the self-description information about said attached I/O items and storing information for each channel path connection to each I/O item in an I/O item configuration record;
examining said I/O item configuration record to determine if any of said I/O items are shared by said channel paths or said I/O items, andusing said I/O item configuration record to build an I/O configuration definition, wherein the amorphous subchannel previously contained no fixed I/O configuration definition information, and allows information about said I/O items to be stored, modified, or retrieved when I/O commands are issued.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Automatic machine methods and apparatus for determining which components of an I/O configuration are shared by other components of the configuration. The information can be obtained through the use of existing self-description facilities and unique identifiers. By noting which channel paths are used to obtain configuration-data records and examining the unique identifiers provided for each I/O items it can be determined which I/O devices are accessible through the same control unit, and which control units provide access to the same I/O device. Furthermore, by examining the unique identifiers provided, it can be determined which I/O subsystems and which control units or channel subsystems are accessible through the same dynamic switch and which dynamic switches provide access to the same I/O subsystem of channel subsystem. A programmable subchannel is provided to enable communication between a CEC and an electrically-connected I/O item not represented in the current I/O configuration description being used by the CEC. Without the programmed subchannel, the CEC cannot access any I/O item not represented in the CEC'"'"'s current I/O configuration description.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method in a computer system with a central electronics complex (CEC), having at least one I/O channel subsystem, a plurality of channel paths and a plurality of I/O items, said I/O items being attachable to said subsystem via said channel paths in different ways as to provide a plurality of different system configurations, the method performed by the CEC for accessing information associated with said I/O items, said method comprising the following CEC-performed steps:
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structuring in the CEC an amorphous subchannel not defined in a current I/O configuration definition for the I/O channel subsystem, using the amorphous subchannel to test for the existence of each I/O item connected to one or more channel paths of said CEC by simulating a plurality of I/O item addresses by the amorphous subchannel without the CEC using the current I/O configuration definition for accessing the I/O item, attempting to access the I/O item addressed by the using step, determining characteristics of each of said I/O items by accessing self-description information provided for each of said I/O items; determining the channel paths usable to access each of said I/O items; storing the self-description information about said attached I/O items and storing information for each channel path connection to each I/O item in an I/O item configuration record; examining said I/O item configuration record to determine if any of said I/O items are shared by said channel paths or said I/O items, and using said I/O item configuration record to build an I/O configuration definition, wherein the amorphous subchannel previously contained no fixed I/O configuration definition information, and allows information about said I/O items to be stored, modified, or retrieved when I/O commands are issued. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a computer system with a central electronics complex (CEC), a plurality of subchannels and a plurality of connected I/O items, a programmable subchannel initially having no fixed I/O configuration definition, said programmable subchannel being capable of containing parameters and being independent of an I/O configuration program (IOCP), said programmable subchannel further comprising:
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a storage location for storing configuration information about a plurality of I/O items; said configuration information being usable to establish logical paths which enable the CEC to use said I/O items; and means for allowing information about said I/O items to be stored, modified, or retrieved when I/O commands are issued. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A mechanism for locating I/O items and their associated channel paths in a Central Electronic Complex (CEC) of a computer system, said mechanism comprising:
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at least one channel subsystem attaching said I/O items via said channel paths in different ways to provide a plurality of different system configurations; self-description information being provided by each of said I/O items; means for collecting data associating said I/O items with channel paths; means for collecting characteristics information for said I/O items; said storage location, a storage location for storing a configuration description indicating a plurality of I/O items and their characteristics and their attachment to said channel subsystem by channel paths, wherein said mechanism does not depend on any prior fixed I/O configuration definition in the system, and means for using said storage location to build an I/O configuration definition. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification