Troubleshooting computer systems during manufacturing using state and attribute information

• US 6,285,967 B1
• Filed: 10/22/1998
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Rajan, Subhashini, Amberg, Richard D., Wong, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barbee, Manuel L.
• Application Number:
  US09/177,420
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 702/81-84, 702/108, 702/121-123, 702/182, 702/186-188, 702/33-36, 702/59, 702/117, 702/118, 702/120, 702/183, 700/115, 700/116, 700/121, 324/760, 340/568.1, 340/568.2
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/273 Tester hardware, i.e. output processing circuits G06F11/263 takes precedence

Abstract

A test device for a computer system includes a burn rack including a plurality of workcells. A simple network management protocol enabled network device is provided adjacent the burn rack. The network device includes a plurality of ports. Cables provide an interconnection between a respective port and a respective workcell. A monitor is connected to a port of the network device and is also connected to a burn rack database. A display on a screen of the monitor provides a visual occupancy representation of each workcell.

Claims

1. A burn rack test device compromising:

a burn rack including a plurality of workcells;

a simple network management protocol enabled network device adjacent the burn rack, the network device including a plurality of ports;

a plurality of cables, a respective cable interconnecting a respective port of the network device and a respective workcell;

a monitor connected to a port of the network device;

a display provided on a screen of the monitor, the display including a visual occupancy representation of each workcell;

a system identifier displayed on the monitor indicating each workcell containing a device under test; and

the display indicating a bar code identifier, work location information, and a current test running for a specific device under test.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the display indicates workcells on a first side of the burn rack and on a second side of the burn rack.

3. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein the display indicates workcells in a specific row and a specific column.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein absence of a system identifier displayed on the monitor indicates a vacant workcell.

5. The device as defined in claim 4 further comprising a burn rack database connected to the monitor.

6. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the system identifier is displayed on a background of a first shape.

7. The device as defined in claim 6 wherein another system identifier is displayed on a background of a second shape, different from the first shape.

8. A burn rack test device comprising:

a burn rack including a plurality of workcells;

a simple network management protocol enabled network device adjacent the burn rack, the network device including a plurality of ports;

a plurality of cables, a respective cable interconnecting a respective port of the network device and a respective workcell;

a monitor connected to a port of the network device;

a display provided on a screen of the monitor, the display including a visual occupancy representation of each workcell;

a system identifier displayed on the monitor indicating each workcell containing a device under test; and

the system identifier providing for selection of a system status display including detailed activity for the system selected.

9. The device as defined in claim 8, wherein the system status display provides for selection of a detailed transaction history display for tracking tests performed on the system selected.

10. A test device for a computer system comprising:

a burn rack including a plurality of workcells;

a simple network management protocol enabled network device adjacent the burn rack, the network device including a plurality of ports;

a plurality of cables, a respective cable interconnecting a respective port of the network device and a respective workcell;

a monitor connected to a port of the network device, the monitor being connected to a burn rack database;

a display provided on a screen of the monitor, the display including a visual occupancy representation of each workcell;

a system identifier displayed on the monitor indicating each workcell containing a device under test; and

the system identifier providing for selection of a system status display including detailed activity for the system selected.

11. The device as defined in claim 10 wherein the display indicates workcells on a first side of the burn rack and on a second side of the burn rack.

12. The device as defined in claim 11 wherein the absence of a system identifier displayed on the monitor indicates a vacant workcell.

13. The device as defined in claim 10 wherein the system status display provides for selection of a detailed transaction history display for tracking tests performed on the system selected.

14. A burn rack test device comprising;

a plurality of burn racks, each burn rack including a plurality of workcells;

a burn rack monitor mounted adjacent a respective burn rack, each burn rack monitor connected to receive data from each workcell on its respective burn rack;

a burn rack database connected to each burn rack monitor;

a remote monitor coupled for selecting and accessing data from any of the burn rack monitors relating to systems in the workcells;

each burn rack monitor including a screen having a display thereon, the display including a visual occupancy representation of each workcell;

a system indentifier displayed on each burn rack monitor indicating each workcell containing a device under test; and

the system indentifier providing for selection of a system status display including detailed activity for the system selected.

15. The device as defined in claim 14 wherein the display includes a main menu providing for a selection of options for viewing a selected burn rack.

16. The device as defined in claim 14 wherein the display includes a main menu provided for a selection of options for viewing a last known location of a device under test.

17. A method of testing a computer during a manufacturing process comprising the step of:

providing a burn rack including a plurality of workcells;

mounting a simple network management protocol enabled network device adjacent the burn rack, the network device including a plurality of ports;

interconnecting a plurality of cables, a respective cable interconnecting a respective port of the network device and a respective workcell;

connecting a monitor to a port of the network device;

mounting a computer in at least one of the workcells, the computer connected to the respective cable in the respective workcell;

connecting the monitor to a burn rack database;

displaying, on a screen of the monitor, a visual occupancy representation of each workcell;

displaying a system identifier on each burn rack monitor indicating each workcell containing a device under test; and

providing, via the system identifier, for selection of a system status display including detailed activity for the system selected.