Background technology
Comprise multiple assembly in the computer system; Heat abstractors such as microprocessor, mainboard, internal memory, display card, sound card, fan for example; Also comprise various chips on the mainboard; For example south bridge (south bridge, SB), north bridge (north bridge) and Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (basic input/output system is called for short BIOS) etc.
Yet server is different from other consumption electronic products, because its development stage is long, the maintenance phase is longer, requires also higher for follow-up maintenance.For corresponding above-mentioned requirements, so can reserve the relevant error detection circuit or the connector of signal, South Bridge chip (south bridge on the main frame; SB) in start process; The start detection signal on the mainboard be can export, low stitch quantity (Low Pin Count, LPC) interface output for example seen through.Generally speaking, the debug detection to start process has two kinds of ways:
One, when the original design mainboard, be about to separate the translation subassembly and the seven-segment display of LPC signal, design on mainboard.By the start detection signal of translation subassembly reception SB, be decoded as 8 signals again and produce corresponding error code (error code) with the control seven-segment display.But this way inconvenience is, if the maintenance personal be will keep in repair error detection the time, need open host housing and other device is removed, just may observe error code.
Two, on mainboard, design the connector of the start flow process signal of a reception SB in addition.When the debug error detection, the maintenance personal is connected in extra signal cable on the error detection card (debug card) of connector and outside with the observation error code.The inconvenience that this way is also suitable.
Summary of the invention
The present invention provides a kind of Error Detection Unit and method of server; Through substrate controller (Baseboard Management Controller; Abbreviation BMC) is the RS232 signal with Port 80 conversion of signals, lets the user can see through the RS232 connector and (be the serial port (serial port) on the computing machine, be called COM Port again; Usually adopt the RS232 standard) read Port 80 signals, increase the convenience of user when maintenance and the design cost that reduces mainboard by this.
Hold above-mentionedly, the present invention proposes a kind of Error Detection Unit of server, comprises that a South Bridge chip, a baseboard management controller, a signal changeover module and switch switch.Wherein, South Bridge chip is via low pin count (Low Count Pin is called for short LPC) interface output start detection signal (for example Port 80 signals), and baseboard management controller is coupled to South Bridge chip; In order to reception start detection signal, and be converted into a RS232 signal.Wherein the substrate controller has two universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COMs, exports RS232 signal and RS232 signal originally that the start detection signal is changed respectively.The signal changeover module is coupled between baseboard management controller and the RS232 connector, in order to transmit RS232 signal that the start detection signal changes or RS232 signal originally to the RS232 connector.Change-over switch is coupled to the signal changeover module, and the signal of being failed in order to decision signal changeover module is RS232 signal or the RS232 signal originally that the start detection signal is changed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, above-mentioned start detection signal is a Port 80 signals, and above-mentioned signal changeover module can be a complex programmable logic assembly.Above-mentioned change-over switch is a button for example then, and when pushing button, the RS232 signal that signal changeover module output is changed by the start detection signal is to the RS232 connector; When discharging button, signal changeover module output RS232 signal originally is to the RS232 connector.
In an embodiment of the present invention, above-mentioned Error Detection Unit also comprises a display device, is coupled to the RS232 connector, and the RS232 signal of being changed by the start detection signal in order to decoding also shows the RS232 signal after deciphering.
In an embodiment of the present invention, above-mentioned display device comprises: a RS232 code translator and a seven-segment display, wherein the RS232 code translator is shown in it on seven-segment display in order to decipher the RS232 signal of being changed by the start detection signal then.
From another viewpoint; The present invention proposes a kind of error-detecting method of server in addition; Be suitable for server, server comprises South Bridge chip, baseboard management controller, signal changeover module, RS232 connector and change-over switch, and error-detecting method comprises the following steps: at first; South Bridge chip is started shooting detection signal to baseboard management controller via a low pin count interface output one; The baseboard management controller detection signal of will starting shooting converts a RS232 signal and the 2nd RS232 signal that meets the RS232 interface into then, the start detection signal of a RS232 signal after wherein for conversion, and the 2nd RS232 signal be the RS232 signal of script.After conversion of signals was accomplished, baseboard management controller saw through a universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COM and transmits a RS232 signal and the 2nd RS232 signal respectively to this signal changeover module.Next, the signal changeover module judges whether to get into the error detection pattern according to the state of change-over switch, to confirm that output the one RS232 signal or the 2nd RS232 signal are to the RS232 connector.
Based on above-mentioned; It is the signal of RS232 interface with Port 80 conversion of signals of LPC interface that the present invention sees through BMC; Let on the mainboard the RS232 connector can according to the output of user's demand originally the RS232 signal or by Port 80 signals after the conversion; The user can show the internal work state of understanding device corresponding to the cresset of Port 80 signals with the display device of decoding usefulness in the main frame outside, increases convenience and the reduction design cost of user when maintenance by this.
For letting the above-mentioned feature and advantage of the present invention can be more obviously understandable, hereinafter is special lifts embodiment, and conjunction with figs. elaborates as follows.
Embodiment
First embodiment
Please with reference to Fig. 1; Fig. 1 is the Error Detection Unit calcspar according to the server of first embodiment of the invention; Error Detection Unit 100 mainly comprises two parts; In mainboard 110, mainly comprise South Bridge chip 112, baseboard management controller 114 (Baseboard Management Controller, BMC), signal changeover module 116, RS232 connector and change-over switch 118.Baseboard management controller 114 is coupled between South Bridge chip 112 and the signal changeover module 116, and RS232 connector 117 is coupled to signal changeover module 116 respectively with 118 of change-over switches.Comprise RS232 code translator 152 and seven-segment display 154 in the display device 150, seven-segment display 154 is coupled to the RS232 code translator, in order to the signal after 152 decodings of demonstration RS232 code translator.When the user need read start during detection signal, can display device 150 be connected to RS232 connector 117 on the mainboard 110 to show error code.In the time need not reading the start detection signal, then can display device 150 be disassembled.
In mainboard 110; South Bridge chip 112 can be via LPC interface output start detection signal to inform the hardware effort state in the start flow process present in user's mainboard 110; Baseboard management controller 114 can see through the LPC interface and receive the start detection signal that South Bridge chip 112 is exported, and converts its start detection signal that meets the LPC interface originally into meet the RS232 interface signal (abbreviating the RS232 signal as).Have two universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COMs (UART1, UART0) on the baseboard management controller 114; Export RS232 signal RS1, RS2 respectively to signal changeover module 116; Wherein RS232 signal RS1 is by the RS232 signal after the LPC conversion of signals that has start detection message, and RS232 signal RS2 then is a RS232 signal originally.Signal changeover module 116 can be according to the state decision output RS232 signal RS1 or RS232 signal RS2 to the RS232 connector 117 of change-over switch 118.So-called RS232 signal originally is meant existing RS232 signal in the legacy system, just RS232 connector 117 originally the signal that will transmit.
In other words; In the present embodiment; Signal changeover module 116 on the mainboard 110 can switch two kinds of user modes according to user's demand, and one of which is a normal mode, promptly receives RS232 signal RS2 originally; This moment, RS232 connector 117 was general with traditional mode of operation, can normally export RS232 signal RS2; It is two for the error detection pattern, and this moment, signal changeover module 116 can receive the LPC signal after the conversion, and RS232 signal RS1 also exports RS232 connector 117 to, let the user can be directly by RS232 connector 117 acquisition RS232 signal RS1 and show it.The mode switch of signal changeover module 116 can be switched by change-over switch 118, and 118 of change-over switches for example are a button.
Therefore, the user need not open the shell of server, as long as display device 150 is connected to RS232 connector 117, just can see the represented cresset of start detection signal on the display device 150 by the outside connection.In addition, in the present embodiment, when change-over switch 118 was a button, button can be arranged at the outside of server, let the user can carry out the switching of signal via the server outside.When pushing button, signal changeover module 116 output RS232 signal RS1 to RS232 connectors 117.When discharging button, signal changeover module 116 output RS232 signal RS2 to RS232 connectors.From another perspective, the state of change-over switch 118 switches and can be considered a kind of switching signal, and whether the switching that signal changeover module 116 promptly carries out mode of operation according to this switching signal exports start detection signal after the conversion to RS232 connector 117 with decision.Signal changeover module 116 is in present embodiment, and reset button and power key that can mainboard 110 be reached, and reset button and power key and signal changeover module 116 electrically connect.When maintenance personal decision makes signal changeover module 116 get into to the error detection pattern, can pin behind the reset button again by power key.Reaching of right signal changeover module 116, the button that original host capable of using has cooperate reaches, and non-ly exceeds with above-mentioned.
It should be noted that all component of the present invention all can use ready-made assembly, like South Bridge chip 112, baseboard management controller 114, signal changeover module 116, RS232 connector and change-over switch 118.Deng.Arbitrary logic module that compiles on the signal changeover module mainboard capable of using can be reached in the function of its firmware adding switching signal again.
Aspect display device 150, RS232 code translator 152 can be used to decipher RS232 signal RS1, sees through seven-segment display 154 then and shows, the user can be seen like the interior start that is built in the mainboard 110 detect cresset.Can be connected through the RS232 connecting line between display device 150 and the mainboard 110, when not needing error detection, as long as remove display device 150.In addition; It should be noted that; The function of signal changeover module 116 can be by complex programmable logic assembly (complex programmable logic device; Be called for short CPLD) to reach, firmware then capable of using (firmware) is reached the function with LPC conversion of signals RS232 signal in the baseboard management controller 114.
Next, cooperate the treatment scheme of the above-mentioned Error Detection Unit 100 of flowchart text when error detection, please with reference to Fig. 2, Fig. 2 is the error-detecting method process flow diagram according to the server of present embodiment.At first South Bridge chip 112 transmits and sees through start detection signal to the baseboard management controller 114 (step S210) that LPC transmits, and then, the baseboard management controller detection signal of will starting shooting converts RS232 signal (step S220) into.After conversion of signals was accomplished, baseboard management controller 114 can see through RS232 signal RS2 that universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COM (UART1 and UART0) transmits start detection signal (being RS1) and script after the conversion respectively to signal changeover module 116 (step S230).Next, signal changeover module 116 can judge whether to get into the error detection pattern according to the state (whether button is not used the person and presses) of change-over switch 118.
If change-over switch 118 is in the error detection pattern, then signal changeover module 116 can receive the RS232 signal RS1 (step S260) that universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COM UART1 is exported, and sends it to RS232 connector 117 (step S262) then.The user just can show the RS232 signal (step S264) after the decoding via the display device 150 that the outside connects; If change-over switch 118 is in normal mode; Then signal changeover module 116 can receive the RS232 signal RS1 (i.e. the RS232 signal of script) that universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COM UART0 is exported, and signal changeover module 116 can transmit RS232 signal RS1 to RS232 connectors 117 (step S255) then.
Second embodiment
The mode of operation of above-mentioned Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 can further be reduced to a kind of error-detecting method of server, and please with reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 3 is the error-detecting method process flow diagram according to the server of second embodiment of the invention.At first, via low pin count (LPC) interface output one a start detection signal (step S310), the detection signal of will starting shooting then convert into one meet the RS232 interface RS232 signal (step S320).Then, produce one via change-over switch and switch signal, this switching signal promptly is the state that is used for representing change-over switch, for example pushes button or discharges button (step S330).Then, according to switching signal, whether decision exports by the RS232 signal changed of start detection signal to RS232 connector (step S340).If then the user can show the RS232 signal (step S350) of decoding back via the display device of outside; If not, then export RS232 signal (step S260) originally.Please with reference to the explanation of above-mentioned Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the present technique field has common knowledge the knowledgeable to all the other implementation details of this error-detecting method, after via exposure of the present invention, should know by inference easily, repeats no more at this.
In sum; The present invention converts the start detection signal of LPC interface into meet the RS232 interface signal; Let the RS232 connector on the server can export the start detection signal, the user can directly be received the start detection signal and shown corresponding message by the RS232 connector.The user need not open the shell of server, just can see the cresset of start detection signal, understands the error code (error code) on the mainboard, increases the convenience when keeping in repair by this and reduces R&D costs.
And another advantage of the present invention is, all component of the present invention all uses ready-made assembly, like south bridge, substrate control manager, RS232 connector and change-over switch etc.And the signal changeover module is reached by CPLD, and CPLD is widely used in the Sever field and R&D process in can use software language to revise its function, existing only in wherein adding the function of switching again.Compared to previous way, can save the cost of additional assemblies.
Though the present invention discloses as above with embodiment; Right its is not in order to limit the present invention; Has common knowledge the knowledgeable in the technical field under any; Do not breaking away from the spirit and scope of the present invention, when doing a little change and retouching, so protection scope of the present invention is when being as the criterion with what claim defined.