Method for the hot add of a mass storage adapter on a system including a statically loaded adapter driver
First Claim
1. A method of hot adding a programmable mass storage adapter to an operational computer including a plurality of bus slots wherein the operational computer has at least one programmable data processor for receiving requests from a central processing unit and for controlling power to the bus slot in response to requests from the central processing unit, the method comprising:
- executing a statically loaded adapter driver which accepts a request packet to initialize an adapter;
adding a programmable mass storage adapter, which is connected to a plurality of I/O devices, to one of the bus slots having a non-powered state;
enabling power to the bus slot, wherein the at least one programmable data processor determines whether a received request is to enable power; and
activating the programmable mass storage adapter so that I/O is communicated between the I/O devices and the operational computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A software architecture for the hot add and swap of adapters. The software architecture allows users to replace failed components, upgrade outdated components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface adapters and storage, without impacting existing users.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 software architecture supports the hot add and swap of off-the-shelf adapters, including those adapters that are programmable.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of hot adding a programmable mass storage adapter to an operational computer including a plurality of bus slots wherein the operational computer has at least one programmable data processor for receiving requests from a central processing unit and for controlling power to the bus slot in response to requests from the central processing unit, the method comprising:
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executing a statically loaded adapter driver which accepts a request packet to initialize an adapter;
adding a programmable mass storage adapter, which is connected to a plurality of I/O devices, to one of the bus slots having a non-powered state;
enabling power to the bus slot, wherein the at least one programmable data processor determines whether a received request is to enable power; and
activating the programmable mass storage adapter so that I/O is communicated between the I/O devices and the operational computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of hot adding an adapter to an operational computer including a plurality of bus slots wherein the operational computer has at least one programmable data processor for receiving requests from a central processing unit and for controlling power to the bus slot in response to requests from the central processing unit, the method comprising:
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executing a statically loaded adapter driver which accepts a request packet to initialize a new adapter;
adding a mass storage adapter, which is connected to a plurality of I/O devices, to one of the bus slots having a non-powered state;
enabling power to the bus slot, wherein the at least one programmable data processor determines whether a received request is to enable power; and
initiating communications between the operational computer and the mass storage adapter. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of hot adding a new mass storage adapter to an operational computer including at least one canister wherein the at least one canister contains one or more existing adapters connected to a plurality of I/O devices, and wherein the operational computer has at least one programmable data processor for receiving requests from a central processing unit and for controlling power to the canister in response to requests from the central processing unit, the method comprising:
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executing a statically loaded adapter driver which accepts a request packet to suspend and restart communications to the existing adapters;
suspending all communication to the existing adapters on a selected one of the canisters;
disabling power to the selected canister, while still maintaining power to the computer, wherein the at least one programmable data processor determines whether a received request is to disable power;
adding the new mass storage adapter to the selected canister;
enabling power to the selected canister, wherein the at least one programmable data processor determines whether a received request is to enable power;
restarting communications to the existing adapters; and
initiating communications between the computer and the new mass storage adapter. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification