Method of automatically configuring a server after hot add of a device

• US 6,212,585 B1
• Filed: 10/01/1997
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micro Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Chrabaszcz, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Sumati
• Application Number:
  US08/942,319
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 395/281-283, 395/828-830, 395/651-653, 710/8-10, 710/101-104, 713/1, 713/2, 713/100, 709/220-222
• US Class Current: 710/302
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method of automatically configuring a server system after a device has been hot added to the system, which includes the following acts: automatically detecting the hot added device; automatically configuring the device; automatically identifying a device type for the device; automatically determining the location where the device has been hot added; automatically loading a driver corresponding to the hot added device; and automatically modifying a configuration file so as to integrate the hot added device into the system.

Claims

1. A method of automatically configuring a server system after a device has been hot added to the system, comprising:

automatically detecting a PCI device;

automatically providing, in response to detecting the PCI device, a supply of power to the PCI device;

automatically configuring the PCI device;

automatically identifying a device type for the PCI device;

automatically determining the location where the PCI device has been added;

automatically loading a driver corresponding to the PCI device; and

automatically modifying a configuration file so as to integrate the PCI device into the system

wherein the act of automatically modifying a configuration file comprises;

determining whether the hot added device is local area network (LAN) device;

if it is determined that the hot added device is not a LAN device, modifying a first configuration file; and

if it is determined that the hot added device is a LAN device, binding a network protocol of the device and modifying a second configuration file.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of automatically detecting the hot added device comprises:

scanning a system bus in order to identify all devices connected to the bus; and

comparing a list of identified devices to a configuration database, wherein a new device is indicated if it is identified in the list but not in the configuration database.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the detection of the hot added device initiates the automatic configuration of the device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the act of automatically identifying a device type for the device comprises retrieving a Device ID and Vendor ID from the device.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the act of automatically determining the location where the device has been hot added comprises:

scanning the system bus for any devices which have a hardware instance number (HIN);

obtaining a hardware instance number (HIN) from the hot added device; and

recording a slot number and the hardware instance number corresponding to the device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining if additional data is required to configure the system; and

if it is determined that additional data is required, prompting a system operator for the additional data.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the act of determining if additional data is required comprises:

reviewing a table of configuration parameters for the device type; and

generating a list of parameters required to load a driver for the device type.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of automatically identifying the device type comprises retrieving a Device ID and Vendor ID from the device.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of automatically determining the location where the device has been hot added comprises:

scanning a system bus for any devices which have a hardware instance number (HIN);

obtaining a hardware instance number (HIN) from the hot added device; and

recording a slot number and the hardware instance number of the device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the act of determining whether the hot added device is a LAN device comprises retrieving a Device ID and Vendor ID from the device.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining if additional data is required to configure the system; and

if it is determined that additional data is required, prompting a system operator for the additional data.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the act of determining if additional data is required comprises:

reviewing a table of configuration parameters for the device type; and

generating a list of parameters required to load a driver for the device.

13. A method of automatically configuring a server system after a device has been hot added to the system, comprising:

scanning a system bus in order to identify all devices connected to the bus;

comparing a list of identified devices to a configuration database, wherein a new device is indicated if it is identified in the list but not in the configuration database;

configuring the device;

retrieving a Device ID and Vendor ID from the device so as to identify the type of device;

scanning the system bus for any devices which have a hardware instance number (HIN);

obtaining a hardware instance number (HIN) from the hot added device;

recording a slot number and the hardware instance number of the device;

loading a driver corresponding to the hot added device;

determining whether the hot added device is local area network (LAN) device;

if it is determined that the hot added device is not a LAN device, modifying a first configuration file; and

if it is determined that the hot added device is a LAN device, binding a network protocol of the device and modifying a second configuration file.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

determining if additional data is required to configure the system; and

if it is determined that additional data is required, prompting a system operator for the additional data.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the act of determining if additional data is required comprises:

reviewing a table of configuration parameters for the device type; and

generating a list of parameters required to load a driver for the device.