Method for the hot swap and add of input/output platforms and devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of hot adding an adapter to a computer system, comprising:
- providing a central processing unit executing an operating system module;
providing a configuration data space for a plurality of devices;
adding an input/output platform to the computer system, wherein the input/output platform is connected to at least one adapter, and wherein the input/output platform comprises a device driver module that controls communications between the adapter and the operating system module;
programming a plurality of configuration registers on the added input/output platform; and
updating the configuration data space to include configuration information of the added input/output platform.
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Abstract
A method for the hot add and swap of I2O compliant input/output platforms and adapters. The method allows users to perform the hot replace failed components, upgrade outdated components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface adapters and storage, without impacting existing users. The method supports the hot add and swap of off-the-shelf adapters, including those adapters that are programmable.
315 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of hot adding an adapter to a computer system, comprising:
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providing a central processing unit executing an operating system module;
providing a configuration data space for a plurality of devices;
adding an input/output platform to the computer system, wherein the input/output platform is connected to at least one adapter, and wherein the input/output platform comprises a device driver module that controls communications between the adapter and the operating system module;
programming a plurality of configuration registers on the added input/output platform; and
updating the configuration data space to include configuration information of the added input/output platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of swapping an adapter to a computer system, comprising:
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providing a central processing unit executing an operating system module;
providing an input/output platform that comprises a processor and a device driver module, wherein the input/output platform is connected to at least one adapter, wherein the device driver module controls communications between the adapter and the operating system module;
storing configuration information of the adapter;
removing the adapter from the computer system;
adding an adapter to the computer system;
reading the configuration information of the removed adapter from the computer system; and
programming a plurality of configuration registers of the added adapter with configuration information of the removed adapter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of hot swapping an input/output platform having at least one embedded adapter from an operational computer, comprising:
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providing a central processing unit executing an operating system module;
providing an input/output platform that comprises a processor, a device driver module, and at least one embedded adapter, wherein the device driver module manages input output communications between the operating system module and the embedded adapter;
saving configuration information of the input/output platform into the computer;
disabling power to the input/output platform;
removing the input/output platform from the computer system;
swapping a new input/output platform into the computer in the place of the removed input/output platform;
enabling power to the added input/output platform; and
initiating communications between the computer system and the added input/output platform. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification