WO2004086223A1

WO2004086223A1 - A method for configurating a singleboard automatically

Info

Publication number: WO2004086223A1
Application number: PCT/CN2003/000225
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jie Feng; Jingwei Xie; Peng Fei
Original assignee: Utstarcom (China) Co, Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-03-28
Filing date: 2003-03-28
Publication date: 2004-10-07
Also published as: CN100380320C; CN1759375A; AU2003221235A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for configurating a singleboard automatically, especially to communication field. According to the method, after the singleboard that is compatible with Compact PCI standard is plugged in a machine frame, the system board can recognise the singleboard automatically and transmits the configuration information to the SROM space of the singleboard with Compact PCI mapping space, the songleboard accomplishs the configuration automatically according to the configuration information in the SROM space and starts to run after startup. Therefor the singleboard can be recognised and configured automatically.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for configuring a plug-in board, and in particular, to a method for automatically configuring a single board in a mobile communication system, a fixed communication system, and a data communication system. Background technique

Generally, the equipment used in mobile communication systems, fixed communication systems, and data communication systems is a multi-chassis unit cascade system.

Figure 1 shows the physical structure of a communication device.

As shown in Figure 1, the chassis unit is a physical frame structure that carries a single board. The system board is a circuit board that centrally controls the bus. A single board is any circuit board in the system except the system board, and is a unit that carries the hardware and software required by the communication system. The board without software is a physical board, and the board with software is a functional board. Depending on the software loaded, the functional single board implements different functions, such as: Media Gateway (Media Gatewa) and Signaling Gateway (Singnalling Gateway). Different functional single boards jointly perform the same service in a communication system, such as: 3G SGSN (general packet radio service support node for calling). The same type of service can be configured with different numbers and different types of functional boards.

The automatic configuration of the board is that after the physical board is started, a specific configuration file is obtained, and different software is loaded into the functional board according to the configuration file. Through the automatic configuration of the board, the operator only needs to change the configuration file to enable the same physical device to complete different functions and services.

The following describes the existing method of automatic board configuration.

An existing method for automatic board configuration is based on Linux's real-time replacement kernel (Take over) technology to implement automatic board configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a flow of such a conventional single board automatic configuration method. As shown in Figure 2, the system board runs the board configuration management module on a hardware environment compatible with CompactPCI (Small External Device Interconnect). After the board configuration management module is started, all the boards on this frame are generated according to the saved configuration file. A small database of information, and then wait for the kernel launcher running on the board to report messages or files. A board compatible with the CompactPCI specification runs the kernel boot program after power-on. The kernel boot program is small and is a simple Linux kernel. After booting, it will first check the hardware information of the board or report it to the board of the system board by message. Configuration management module, or use RCP (Remote Copy Protocol) technology to write to a specific file on the Linux (Lynix) file system on the system board over an IP (Internet Protocol) network. When the board configuration management module of the system board receives a message or detects that a specific file is created, the module controls the kernel startup program to replace the kernel in real time with Linux based on the received content and the contents of the small database that holds the board information. The technology loads and runs another true Linux kernel file containing applications on a single board. In this way, the automatic discovery and configuration of the board is realized.

In this method, there are two disadvantages of relying on the Linux real-time replacement kernel technology and too long startup time. The real-time replacement kernel technology is used to switch from one running Linux kernel to another running Linux kernel. This technology must be built on the Linux platform, so Linux's hardware support has become a key factor restricting this method. Real-time replacement Kernel technology support for the Linux version is also a limiting factor; this method will increase the boot time of the board in two places at startup time. The first board has completely launched the kernel boot program before loading the real kernel, which is equivalent to a board It experienced two full startups; the time consumed by the second Linux real-time replacement kernel technology.

Another existing method for automatic board configuration is based on the improved BOOTP (Booting Protocol) protocol to realize the automatic board configuration.

The system board runs the board configuration management module. After the board configuration management module is started, a small database of all board information on the frame is generated according to the saved configuration file. Same The system board is configured as a BOOTP server. The improved BOOTP protocol program on the board will send a BOOTP request after startup. After receiving the BOOTP request, the system board will check if the MAC (Media Access Control) address contained in the BOOTP already exists in the configuration. If it already exists in the configuration, it responds to the board with the IP used before the MAC; if the MAC address does not exist in the configuration, it takes an address response from the IP address pool configured by the system board as a BOOTP server. In addition to the IP address, the information returned to the board also includes the subnet mask, the default route, the kernel image file name, the TFTP server address, and the configuration file name. Other boards or hosts running a BOOTP server program may also return a BOOTP response, but since these BOOTP responses do not contain the above-mentioned simultaneous response information, they will be discarded by the improved BOOTP protocol program on the board. After the board obtains the correct response, it will retrieve the specified kernel image and configuration file from the TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) server specified in the response, and start it based on these files. After the board is started, it will send a Cisco (Cisco) Discovery Protocol (CDP) report to the system board to confirm that the configuration is complete. At this time, the board is fully discovered and configured automatically.

The disadvantage of this method is that (1) the BOOTP request contains no additional information except the MAC address, so the MAC of each board needs to be configured into the configuration database during configuration, which will increase the difficulty of configuration. (2) The improved BOOTP server process must be running on the system board.

In summary, the prior art has the disadvantages of long startup and configuration time and not easy configuration. Summary of the Invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for automatically configuring a single board in a communication system. The establishment of a configuration library is easy to operate. After the configuration library is established, the system board can actively discover and identify the single board inserted into the system, and according to the configuration library, Automatically configure boards In order to achieve the above and other advantages, according to the purpose of the present invention, a method for reporting the hardware type of a board is provided, which includes: the system board actively discovers that a board is inserted; the system board reads the hardware information of the board through the CompactPCI configuration space, including Supplier information and equipment information. These information are fixed in the board after the board hardware is completed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for automatically configuring a single board compatible with the CompactPCI specification is provided. The method includes: inserting a single board into a chassis; a system board obtaining hardware information of the inserted board; and the system board according to the obtained The information finds the matching board configuration information in the board configuration database; the system board writes the obtained board configuration information into the SROM space of the board through the CompactPCI space; the board according to the written information in the SROM space Complete the automatic configuration.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for reporting a hardware type of a single board compatible with the CompactPCI specification is provided. The method includes: detecting whether a single board is inserted, and if there is a single board inserted, powering on the inserted single board by snatching The SROM token of the board confirms that the board hardware initialization is completed; the SROM token is seized, and the variables of the board written in advance by the supplier of the hardware are read through the CompactPCI space, and then retrieved in the board information database according to these variables Boot parameters to the board; Configure boot parameters to the board SROM through the CompactPCI space; Set the "boot parameter ready" flag in the board SROM.

The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be made clear by the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings provide a further understanding of the present invention, constitute a part of the description, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and explain the principles of the present invention together with the text description.

Figure 1 shows the physical structure of a communication device.

FIG. 2 shows a flow of a conventional method for automatic board configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a flow of a method for automatically configuring a single board according to the present invention. detailed description

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. Fig. 3 shows a flow of a method for automatic board configuration according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, in a chassis compatible with the CompactPCI hardware specification, after a board is inserted, the system is started, a high availability management module (HAM) is run on the system board, and all board information on the chassis is generated according to the saved configuration file. The small single board configuration database waits for information from the single board. HAM uses the configuration file or OMC (Operation and Maintenance Center) method to manage all configured board information. The system board can find the IP address, subnet mask, default route, kernel image file name, FTP server address, and configuration file name corresponding to the board by inserting the hardware type of the board that is compatible with the CompactPCI specification. The address is a range of addresses, and the system board will automatically select unused IPs for allocation.

Once the board is inserted into the frame, the system board will detect that the board is inserted, and the system board will power on the board and rob the SROM token of the board to obtain the right to write information to the board SROM through the CompactPCI configuration space. The SROM token can only be released after the board is powered on and SROM initialization is performed.

The process performed by the system board HAM is described in detail below. The system board HAM performs the following process:

Check whether there is a single board inserted. If there is a single board inserted, power on the inserted board, and determine that the hardware initialization of the board is completed by snatching the SROM token of the board. After obtaining the SROM token, read it from the CompactPCI space. Provide the board variables written by the hardware vendor in advance, such as Device ID, Vendor ID, Sub Device ID, and Sub Vendor ID, and then retrieve the board's startup parameters from the board configuration database according to these variables;

Configure the boot parameters of the board to the board SROM through the CompactPCI space; Set the "boot parameter ready" flag in the board SROM; Release the SROM token.

The board must be started according to the startup parameters in the SROM.

The following describes the process of initializing the SROM of a board's BSP (a large number of simultaneous and parallel) in detail:

(1) Clear the "Startup parameter ready" flag in the SROM space;

(2) release the SROM token and wait for a period of time;

(3) Snatch the SROM token. Once the SROM token is obtained, determine the "Startup parameter is ready" flag. If the flag is not set, go to (2) to continue; if the flag is set, go to (4 )carry on;

(4) Load the kernel image and application program according to the startup parameters;

(5) Startup is complete.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the flow of the automatic configuration of the board is described.

First, insert the board into the chassis. The system board is started, a high availability management module is run on the system board, and a board configuration database is generated according to a configuration file stored in the system board. Then, the system board detects whether a single board is inserted, and if there is a single board inserted, powers on the inserted board. After the board is powered on, the board clears the "startup parameter ready" flag in the SROM space, and at the same time the board releases the SROM token and waits for a period of time. At the same time, the system board determines whether the hardware initialization of the board is completed by robbing the token of the board SROM. After the system board obtains the SROM token, read the variables of the board written in advance by the supplier of the hardware through the CompactPCI space, and then retrieve the board's startup parameters in the board configuration database according to these variables. The system board writes the retrieved startup parameters of the board into the SROM space of the board through the CompactPCI space to configure the startup parameters of the board to the board SROM. Then, the system board sets the "startup parameter ready" flag in the SROM of the board, and after the "startup parameter ready" flag is set in the board SROM, the system board releases the SROM token. Thereafter, the board robs the SROM token, and once the SROM token is obtained, it is judged whether the "startup parameter ready" flag in the board SROM is set. If the bit is not set, the system board continues to wait. If the flag is set, the board loads the kernel image and application according to the startup parameters, thereby completing the automatic configuration.

As can be seen from the above description, compared with the prior art, the present invention has a fast startup speed, and the board is initialized only once; it is not limited to a specific type of board; it is convenient to add a new configuration, and only needs to target one hardware type If you use a MAC address, you need to add each board once.

According to the present invention, the boards can be automatically configured according to the hardware type of the boards provided, so that boards of the same type can complete different functions.

The description above describes the automatic configuration method of the board of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific details and typical embodiments shown and described herein. Based on the above description and the drawings and claims, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and their equivalents. , Modifications and changes.

Claims

1- A method for automatically configuring a board that is compatible with the CompactPCI specification, the method includes:

Insert the board into the chassis;

The system board obtains the hardware information of the inserted board;

The system board finds the matching board configuration information in the board configuration database according to the obtained information;

The system board writes the obtained configuration information of the board into the SROM space of the board through the CompactPCI space;

The board completes the automatic configuration based on the information written in the SROM space.

2. The method for automatically configuring a board according to claim 1, wherein the system board obtains hardware information of the inserted board and the system board finds matching configuration information of the board in the board configuration database according to the acquired information. The steps include:

The system board detects whether a board is inserted, and if a board is inserted, powers on the inserted board;

The board clears the "startup parameter ready" flag in the SROM space;

The board releases the SROM token and waits for a period of time;

The system board determines that the board hardware initialization is completed by grabbing the token of the board SROM;

After the system board obtains the SROM token, it reads the variables of the board written in advance by the supplier of the hardware through the CompactPCI space, and then retrieves the board's startup parameters from the board configuration database according to these variables.

3. The method for automatically configuring a single board according to claim 1, wherein the single board configuration database is generated by running a high availability management module on a system board according to a configuration file stored in the system board.

4. The method for automatically configuring a single board according to claim 1, wherein the system The steps for the board to write the obtained configuration information of the board into the SROM space of the board through the CompactPCI space include:

The system board configures the boot parameters of the board to the SROM of the board by writing the retrieved boot parameters of the board into the SROM space of the board through the CompactPCI space;

The system board sets the "Startup parameter ready" flag in the board SROM; the system board releases the SROM token.

5. The method for automatic configuration of a board according to claim 1, wherein the step of completing the auto configuration by the board according to the information in the SROM space comprises:

The board grabs the SROM token. Once the SROM token is obtained, it is judged whether the "startup parameter ready" flag bit in the board SROM is set. If the flag bit is not set, the system board continues to wait. If the flag bit is set, Then the board loads the kernel image and application according to the startup parameters.

6. The method for automatically configuring a board according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information includes an IP address, a subnet mask, a default route, a kernel image file name, an FTP server address, and a configuration file name.

7- The method for automatic configuration of a board according to claim 2, wherein the variables of the board written in advance by the supplier of the provided hardware include: Device ID, Vendor ID. Sub Device ID and Sub Vendor ID.

8. A method for reporting the type of single board hardware compatible with the CompactPCI specification, the method includes:

Detect whether a board is inserted, and if a board is inserted, power on the inserted board, and determine that the board hardware initialization is completed by robbing the token of the board SROM;

After obtaining the SROM token, read the variables of the board written in advance by the vendor that provides the hardware through the CompactPCI space, and then retrieve the board's startup parameters from the board information database according to these variables;

Configure boot parameters to the SROM of the board through the CompactPCI space; Set the "Startup parameter ready" flag in the SROM of the board; release the SROM token.

9. The method for reporting the hardware type of a single board according to claim 8, wherein the variables of the single board written in advance by the vendor that provides the hardware include: Device ID. Vendor ID, Sub Device ID, and Sub Vendor ID.