Methods and apparatus for computer bus error termination
First Claim
1. An apparatus for isolating, in response to a device isolation signal and a bus idle status signal, a device from a bus without interrupting system operation, the apparatus comprising:
- bus interface logic in communication with the bus, the bus interface logic generating a signal indicating the idle status of the bus;
an isolation switch in communication with the bus;
protocol checker logic configured to monitor the validity of bus transactions and to generate a device isolation control signal on a device isolation control line; and
isolation control logic in communication with the bus interface logic, the device isolation control line, and the isolation switch,wherein the isolation control logic transmits an isolation switch control signal to the isolation switch in response to the generated bus idle status signal from the bus interface logic and the received device isolation signal on the device isolation control line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a computer system having a bus architecture, a system and process for isolating a device from a bus without interrupting system operation is described, the system including bus interface logic monitoring and reporting activity on the bus, isolation control logic receiving error signals from error detectors, and isolation switches through which devices are interconnected to the bus, the isolation switches allowing for the isolation of the devices from the bus. The isolation control logic determines the devices to be isolated responsive to the reported error and, in turn, transmits an isolation switch control signal to the isolation switch(es) associated with the identified device(s) to isolate those device(s) from the bus. In some embodiments, errors are reported by system software, input/output virtual address error detectors for systems using virtual memory addressing, protocol error detectors, and sensors sensing the physical removal of a bus-connected device from its bus interface slot.
237 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for isolating, in response to a device isolation signal and a bus idle status signal, a device from a bus without interrupting system operation, the apparatus comprising:
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bus interface logic in communication with the bus, the bus interface logic generating a signal indicating the idle status of the bus; an isolation switch in communication with the bus; protocol checker logic configured to monitor the validity of bus transactions and to generate a device isolation control signal on a device isolation control line; and isolation control logic in communication with the bus interface logic, the device isolation control line, and the isolation switch, wherein the isolation control logic transmits an isolation switch control signal to the isolation switch in response to the generated bus idle status signal from the bus interface logic and the received device isolation signal on the device isolation control line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In a system having a bus controlled by a bus controller, a device isolation control line, and having at least one bus device in communication with the bus via an isolation switch, a method for isolating the bus device from the bus, the method comprising the steps:
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(a) detecting a protocol violation on the bus and generating an isolation control signal on a device isolation control line in response to the detected protocol violation; (b) receiving the isolation control signal on the device isolation control line, the signal identifying a bus device to be isolated, the bus device performing a bus transaction; (c) receiving a bus idle status signal; (d) transmitting an isolation switch control signal responsive to both the received device isolation signal and the received bus idle status signal; and (e) isolating the device from the bus. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for isolating a device from a bus without interrupting system operation, the apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving a signal identifying a bus device to be isolated, the identified bus device performing a bus transaction; means for receiving a bus idle status signal; means for detecting a protocol violation on the bus and sending an isolation control signal to the means for receiving a signal identifying a bus device to be isolated in response to the detected protocol violation; and means for transmitting an isolation switch control signal responsive to both the received bus device isolation signal and the received bus idle status signal.
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Specification