Data processing system with configuration management capability based on compatibilities among hardware modules

• US 6,484,128 B1
• Filed: 02/10/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Hirofumi, Mikami, Koji, Sato, Mitsuhiro, Kamada, Masayoshi, Sekiya, Yoshimasa, Horinouchi, Yoshiaki, Tanaka, Harutaka, Tabe, Shinichi, Taniyama, Yoshito
• Primary Examiner(s): ASSOUAD, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US09/501,717
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 702/185, 702/186, 702/187, 710/15, 710/16, 710/17, 710/18, 710/19
• US Class Current: 702/185
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/008 Reliability or availability analysis

Abstract

A data processing system which provides increased reliability by properly managing a plurality of basic modules. System configuration data is a collection of information regarding basic modules constituting each target system. Compatibility data is compiled to keep statistics of past failures occurred in a target system, which maintains the following associated records: properties of failed basic modules, properties of their related modules, failure types, and failure counts. When a basic module is changed in a target system, the target system sends out a notification message. This message is received by a notification message parser and supplied to a system configuration manager via a hardware change manager. The system configuration manager first consults the system configuration data to identify the changed basic module and its related basic modules, and then retrieves information about compatibility of such basic modules by consulting the compatibility data. It evaluates the retrieved information and outputs advisory messages on a monitor screen.

Claims

1. A data processing system that controls a plurality of basic modules as constituent elements thereof, comprising:

failure detection means for detecting a failure of one of the basic modules;

data collection means for collecting property data of the failed basic module in response to the failure detected by said failure detections means, the property data providing information to identify a related basic module being coupled to the failed basic module;

storage means for storing the property data collected by said data collection means, in association with an identifier that is to be used to identify the failed basic module;

processing means for calculating a failure count of each type of basic module whose property data and identifier are stored in said storage means, identifying the related basic module coupled to the failed basic module, and searching said storage means to find such a basic module that exhibits a smallest failure count among those coupled to the related basic module that is identified; and

indication means for indicating presence of the basic module that said processing means has found as a suitable module that has a best compatibility with the related basic module.

2. The data processing system according to claim 1, further comprising replacement detection means for detecting replacement of one of the basic modules, wherein:

when said replacement detection means has detected a new basic module introduced as a result of the replacement, said processing means determines whether the new basic module is most suitable in terms of compatibility with the related basic module thereof; and

said indication means suggests the presence of an alternative basic module that has a better compatibility, if available.

3. An apparatus, comprising:

a data collection unit collecting and storing in a storage device property data of a failed basic module in response to a detected failure, the property data providing information identifying a related basic module being coupled to the failed basic module;

calculating a failure count of each type of basic module whose property data are stored in said storage unit, identifying the related basic module coupled to the failed basic module, and searching said storage device to identify a basic module possessing a smallest failure count among those coupled to the related basic module that is identified.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, further comprising a replacement detection unit detecting when a new basic module is replaced, and upon replacement, said processing unit determines whether the new basic module is compatible with the respective related basic module.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the replacement detection unit further determines an alternative basic module possessing a better compatibility than the new basic module, if available.

6. A method, comprising:

collecting and storing in a storage device property data of a failed basic module in response to a detected failure, the property data providing information identifying a related basic module being coupled to the failed basic module;

calculating a failure count of each type of basic module whose property data are stored in said storage unit, identifying the related basic module coupled to the failed basic module, and searching said storage device to identify a basic module possessing a smallest failure count among those coupled to the related basic module that is identified.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, further comprising:

detecting when a new basic module is replaced;

upon replacement, determining whether the new basic module is compatible with the respective related basic module.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

determining an alternative basic module possessing a better compatibility than the new basic module, if available.

9. A computer readable storage, controlling a computer by,

collecting and storing in a storage device property data of a failed basic module in response to a detected failure, the property data providing information identifying a related basic module being coupled to the failed basic module;

calculating a failure count of each type of basic module whose property data are stored in said storage unit, identifying the related basic module coupled to the failed basic module, and searching said storage device to identify a basic module possessing a smallest failure count among those coupled to the related basic module that is identified.

10. A storage as recited in claim 9, further controlling a computer by,

detecting when a new basic module is replaced;

upon replacement, determining whether the new basic module is compatible with the respective related basic module.

11. A storage as recited in claim 10, further controlling a computer by,

determining an alternative basic module possessing a better compatibility than the new basic module, if available.