JP2000267982A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of preventing hindrance of normal operation due to connection of an unexpected unit in a system in which mutual connection to allow change of data transfer overhead between units by the number of units to exist in the system or connection topology is adopted. SOLUTION: Unit information of the unit to permit connection is stored as a connection permissible unit list in a flash memory 3. The unit information is read from each unit and compared with the connection permissible unit list. A unit, which does not exist in the connection permissible unit list, is a connection impermissible unit. When the connection impermissible unit is judged to be a leaf unit from system topology, the connection impermissible unit is separated from the system and operated only by a specified unit. In addition, the connection impermissible unit is not the leaf unit, a start processing is interrupted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which constituent units are connected by an interconnection in which data transfer overhead changes depending on the number of constituent units or connection topology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional information processing apparatuses are, for example, PCI
To represent a PCI bus defined by Special Interest Group as a representative, even if a unit that is not assumed in advance exists in the interconnection between the units constituting the information processing apparatus, an interconnection method that allows the unit has been developed. Have been. In this PCI bus, as long as it satisfies the physical and logical standards of interconnection and is listen-only (a state in which a bus transaction is not mainly performed), even if there is a unit that is not assumed in advance,
It does not affect the data transfer speed between the connection permitting units.

However, recently, there is an interconnection standard that allows the data transfer overhead between units to change depending on the number of units existing in the system or the connection topology of the units. One such interconnect standard is IEEE 1394. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-304007 discloses this IEEE
An example in which units are connected using an E1394 bus is shown.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the IEEE 1394 bus protocol. FIG.
4 shows two consecutive asynchronous sub-actions (sub-action 1 and sub-action 2) specified in FIG. Each subaction transmits a packet after synchronizing by the arbitration phase, and receives an acknowledgment (ack) after a lapse of an ack gap. Further, between each sub-action, an interval of a predetermined time or more must be provided as a sub-action gap.

In IEEE 1394, basically, any unit can be connected and can be used by performing a bus transaction. However, if an unexpected unit is connected and issues an unexpected bus transaction to a system that is optimized to function by data transfer between known units that are assumed in advance, the data transfer that is assumed in advance is performed. May not be performed. For example, assume that subaction 1 in FIG. 10 is a read request issued by a legitimate unit, and subaction 2 in FIG. 10 is a read response issued by a legitimate unit. At this time, it is conceivable that a bus transaction intervenes after the sub-action 1, and in that case, the sub-action 2 is delayed. There is a problem that the connection of the unit not assumed in this way reduces the data transfer response and the transfer bandwidth of the regular unit. Such a decrease in the response and transfer bandwidth of data transfer between known units causes problems such as buffer overruns on known units,
This may cause the system to malfunction.

In IEEE 1394, FIG.
The subaction gap, arbitration phase, ack gap, and the like indicated by 0 increase depending on the increase in the number of hops indicating the maximum number of interconnecting segments of the longest path between units. When a data transfer transaction shown in FIG. 10A is being performed in a certain connection state, after another unit is connected and performs a bus transaction, for example, as shown in FIG. The arbitration phase, ack gap, etc. may become long. As described above, when the sub-action gap, arbitration phase, ack gap, and the like become longer, the data transfer bandwidth decreases. That is, the data transfer bandwidth will decrease depending on the number of hops.

As described above, in a system that employs an interconnection such as IEEE 1394 and is optimized for the unit type and the number of units assumed in advance, when an unexpected unit is connected, the data transfer bandwidth decreases. However, there is a problem that a normal operation may be hindered by a change in response time.

On the other hand, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-48614, a configuration has been developed for a LAN or the like that detects an unauthorized computer when the computer is connected. However, in a LAN or the like, even if an unauthorized computer is connected to the LAN and becomes communicable, the above-described problems such as a delay in data transfer response and a decrease in data transfer bandwidth do not occur. It does not cause any malfunction.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been made in consideration of the fact that the data transfer overhead between units changes depending on the number of units existing in the system or the connection topology of the units. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus capable of preventing a normal operation from being hindered by unexpected connection of a unit in a system employing an allowable interconnection.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus in which constituent units are connected to each other by an interconnection in which data transfer overhead varies depending on the number of constituent units or a connection topology. At the start-up of the apparatus, unit information of other constituent units is obtained by the unit information obtaining means, and a comparison with the connection permitted unit list in the connection permitted unit list storage means is performed for each of the other constituent units. It is determined whether connection is permitted.

[0011] For example, when there is a component unit whose connection is not permitted (connection non-permission unit), it is determined whether or not the connection non-permission unit can be disconnected without affecting the operation of the apparatus. If it is determined that the unit can be disconnected without affecting the operation of the device, the connection-disallowed unit is disconnected from the device. As a result, it is possible to operate the system with an optimized system configuration using only known configuration units that have been assumed in advance, to prevent a change in data transfer overhead due to connection of a configuration unit for which connection is not permitted, and to prevent normal operation. Operational hindrance can be prevented.

Further, for example, when there is a component unit not permitted to be connected (connection non-permission unit), it is determined whether or not the connection non-permission unit can be disconnected without affecting the operation of the apparatus, and the connection is determined. If it is detected that the unauthorized unit cannot be separated without affecting the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus startup processing is interrupted. As a result, it is possible to prevent operation in a state where normal operation is not guaranteed due to a change in data transfer overhead due to connection of a component unit for which connection is not permitted.

Whether or not the connection-disallowed unit can be disconnected without affecting the operation of the apparatus depends on whether the connection-disabled unit indicates a connection mode between constituent units.
What is necessary is just to determine whether or not it is the leaf unit at the end of the topology. When the connection non-permission unit is a leaf unit, it can be determined that the connection can be disconnected without affecting the operation of the apparatus.

Further, as described above, when disconnecting the connection-disallowed unit or interrupting the start-up process of the apparatus, information for identifying the connection-disabled unit and a message indicating that the connection-disabled unit is to be disconnected, Alternatively, it is possible to display on the display means that the start-up operation of the device is to be stopped, or to notify another device.

[0015] The connection permission unit list storage means can be configured to be rewritable, or can be configured as non-volatile storage means.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1,
12, 13 are units, 2 is a CPU, 3 is a flash memory, 4 is a memory, 5 is a display unit, 6 is a communication unit, 7 is a communication path, 8 is an internal bus, 9 is a LINK, 10 is a PHY, 1
Reference numerals 4 and 15 are IEEE1394 interconnects. In the example shown in FIG. 1, unit 1 is an IEEE 1394 interconnect 1
4 and connected to the unit 12 and IEEE 139
It is connected to the unit 13 by four interconnections 15.
Further, the unit 1 is also connected to a communication path 7.

The unit 1 has a CPU 2, a flash memory 3, a memory 4, a display unit 5, a communication unit 6, a LINK 9 and the like, and these are connected by an internal bus 8. Further, the unit 1 has a PHY 10 and is connected to the LINK 9.

The CPU 2 controls each unit in the unit 1 and controls the operation of the unit 1 or the system operation. The flash memory 3 is a rewritable and nonvolatile storage device that records configuration information of units and systems. The flash memory 3 includes a unit information storage unit that stores unit information for uniquely identifying the unit 1 and a connection permitted unit list that stores a connection permitted unit list indicating a unit permitted to connect to the information processing apparatus. It also functions as storage means. The memory 4 operates as a main storage for the CPU 2. The display unit 5 displays the operation status of the memory 4, the unit or the system. In addition, when a connection-disallowed unit is connected, information for identifying the connection-disallowed unit is displayed together with a message indicating that the unit is to be disconnected or that the start-up operation of the apparatus is to be stopped. The communication unit 6 provides a means for communicating with another device or a host via the communication path 7. The communication path 7 is optional, and may be a host bus, a LAN, a telephone line, or another interconnection.

LINK 9 is an IE between other units.
In order to connect by an interconnection conforming to the IEEE 1394, construction of an IEEE 1394 packet and analysis of a packet header are performed. The PHY 10 functions as a transceiver when connecting with another unit by an interconnection conforming to IEEE 1394.

The units 12 and 13 can be constructed in substantially the same manner as the unit 1, but the display unit 5 and the communication unit 6 are optional. Further, the connection permission unit list and the like need not be stored. Further, each unit 12, 13
May have various configurations necessary for the operation in.

As described above, in the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the units 1 and 12 and the units 1 and 13 are connected to the IEEE 1394 interconnects 14 and 1 respectively.
5 are connected. Therefore, the number of hops indicating the longest number of interconnect segments is 2 in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Becomes

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
When the power is turned on to the information processing apparatus as shown in FIG.
In accordance with the IEEE 1394 regulations, a bus reset is performed on the IEEE 1394 interconnects 14, 15, followed by a configuration. The configuration includes a tree identification process (hereinafter, referred to as a tree ID process) in S21 and a self identification process (hereinafter, referred to as a self ID process) in S22.

In the tree ID process, the leaf nodes connect the IEEE 1394 interconnect with the parent-notif
By setting it to the y state, it is indicated as a leaf, and its own port is labeled p (peer).

The node receiving the parent-notify attaches a c (child) label to its own port, and if there is a connection port that is not labeled, puts the port into the parent-notify state and attaches a p-label. Unconnected ports are labeled OFF. In the same way, label all ports. After all ports are labeled, the node with all ports labeled c becomes the root.

When the root node is determined by the tree ID process, a signal of grant from the root is output to one port. The grant signal is the node p
The data is received by the port, output from the port c, and propagated one after another. Then, when the node having no c port (that is, the leaf node) receives the grant signal, it sets its own physical ID to 0 and broadcasts a self ID packet.

The node which receives the self ID packet and whose physical ID is undetermined increments the self ID count value. That is, the self ID count value is equal to the number of self ID packets received by the node. A node in which the physical IDs of itself and its own children are all determined puts the p-port in the identity-done state.

The node that has received the identity-done issues a grant signal to a port whose physical ID is undetermined. Identify-done to all own c ports
Is detected, the node that detects that the physical IDs of all its own children have been determined transmits a self ID packet using the current self ID count value as its own physical ID, and sets the p port to the identity-done state. . By repeating this process, every node has a unique physical ID
Can be attached.

For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, first, the units 12 and 13 as leaf nodes put the IEEE1394 interconnects 14 and 15 into a parent-notify state. This indicates that the units 12, 13 are leaves. Units 12 and 13 also label their ports with p (peer) labels.

From the units 12 and 13, parent-n
The unit 1 that has received the authy is the unit 12, 1
Label the port connected to 3 with a c (child) label. Finish labeling because there are no other ports. At this point, unit 1 with all ports labeled c is the root.

When the unit 1 as the root node outputs a grant signal to the port connected to the unit 12, the unit 12 as the leaf node receives the grant signal, sets its physical ID to 0, and sets a self ID packet. Broadcast.

The unit 1 and the unit 13 which have received the self ID packet and whose own physical ID is undecided increment the self ID count value to 1. The unit 12 connects the p port connected to the unit 1 to the
Set to t-done state.

The unit 1 then outputs a grant signal to the unit 13. The unit 13 sets its own physical ID to 1, which is the self-ID count value, broadcasts a self-ID packet, and sets the p port connected to the unit 1 to the identity-done state.

The unit 1 receives the self ID packet broadcast from the unit 13 and
The D count value is incremented to 2. At this point, all the c-ports of unit 1 have an identity-do
ne is detected. As a result, it is detected that the physical IDs of all the children have been determined. The unit 1 transmits a self ID packet with its current self ID count value of 2 as its physical ID. In this way, the physical ID is uniquely determined for all the units.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the self ID packet, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the port information in the self ID packet. The format of the self ID packet shown in FIG. 3 is based on IEEE1394. In FIG. 3, the leading “10” indicates that this packet is a self-ID packet, and the phy-ID field indicates its own physical ID.

In the first self-ID packet shown in FIG. 3A, p0 to p2 indicate port information of the node. As shown in FIG. 4, the port information is information indicating whether each port is connected to a child node, connected to a parent node, not connected, or not present. In the first packet, port information about three ports can be transmitted. If the number of ports is larger than three, the subsequent self ID
The first field of the self ID packet is set by setting the m field indicating that there is a packet, and the second to fourth packets shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D are transmitted according to the number of ports.

According to the procedure described above, IEEE 139 is used.
When the configuration of the four interconnections is completed, information can be exchanged between the individual units. Each unit transmits and receives information between the individual units by transmitting a read request packet specifying a destination node ID and an address, and receiving a read response packet associated therewith.

Returning to FIG. 2, in S23, a system showing the connection form of each unit in this information processing apparatus is shown.
Create a topology. In the above-described configuration process, a self-ID packet is broadcast every time the physical ID of each unit is determined. By analyzing the self ID packet in at least one unit in the information processing apparatus, there are several ports corresponding to the physical ID, and connection information such as whether the port is a p port or a c port. Can be obtained. From the obtained connection information, the interconnection topology of each unit in this information processing apparatus can be obtained.

The IEEE 1394 standard conforms to the ISO / IEC
It adopts the CSR (Control-Status Register) architectural standard of -13213, and defines the format of the configuration ROM of the unit. In this example, the flash memory 3 shown in FIG. 1 is used as a configuration ROM.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the format of the configuration ROM. FIG. 5 shows only a portion related to the description of this operation. One quadlet is composed of 4 bytes and 32 bits.

The configuration ROM 13
15th byte (node_vendor_id)
Is set with a vendor ID capable of uniquely identifying a node or unit vendor. Similarly, the 16th to 20th byte parts (chip_id_hi, chip_id
_Lo) is set with a chip ID capable of uniquely identifying a unit manufactured by the vendor indicated by the vendor ID. By combining the vendor ID and the chip ID, the unit can be used as an ID for uniquely identifying the unit.

Such a configuration ROM
Is provided for each unit, and read requests,
By the read response transaction, an arbitrary unit can read the vendor ID and the chip ID from the arbitrary unit.

On the other hand, at least one unit in the information processing device stores a connection permitted unit list indicating units permitted to connect to the information processing device. In this connection permitted unit list, the combination of the vendor ID and the chip ID of the unit permitted to be connected may be held in an array. The connection permission unit list is
For example, it can be stored in the flash memory 3 of each unit. More specifically, vendor- in the format of the configuration ROM shown in FIG.
It can be stored at a prescribed address in the dependent-information area.

At least one unit in the information processing apparatus of the present invention analyzes the self ID packet issued by each unit in S23 of FIG. 2 as described above, and creates a connection topology for system interconnection. further,
In S24, the vendor ID and chip ID are sequentially read from each unit as described above. Then, in S25, the read vendor ID and chip ID are compared with the vendor ID and chip ID of the unit permitting the connection held at the specified address in the flash memory 3 in itself or another unit.

As a result of the comparison, if the combination of the vendor ID and the chip ID of the read unit matches one of the combination of the vendor ID and the chip ID in the connection permission list, the unit is a valid unit to which the connection is permitted. Therefore, the connection state is maintained as it is.

If the combination of the vendor ID and the chip ID of the read unit does not exist in the connection permission list, the unit is a connection non-permission unit whose connection is not permitted. If a connection-disapproved unit is detected, it is determined in S26 whether or not the connection-disapproved unit is a leaf unit from the system topology obtained by analyzing the self ID packet at the time of configuration. If the connection-disallowed unit is a leaf unit, it can be disconnected from this information processing device without affecting other units. In step S27, a message indicating that the connection-disallowed unit is to be disconnected is displayed on the display unit 5, for example, to notify the user of the vendor ID and chip ID of the connection-disallowed unit or related information. Further, the same information is notified from the communication unit 6 to another device via the communication path 7. Display on the display unit 5,
The notification to the other device may be performed on either one or both.

Thereafter, in S28, a process of disconnecting the connection-disallowed unit is performed. The disconnection processing of the connection non-permission unit is performed by the PHY of the connection non-permission unit or the unit directly connected to the connection non-permission unit.
This can be performed by setting (or resetting) a prescribed bit of a prescribed register in (corresponding to PHY 10 in FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the PHY register.
FIG. 7 shows Port Status in the PHY register.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a page format. For example, in IEEE P1394a Draft 2.0,
The format of the PHY register as shown in FIG. 6 is defined. By setting the port number for performing the disconnection process in the Page-Select field of the address 0x7 of the PHY register shown in FIG. 6, the port status related to the port for performing the disconnection process is set.
s page can be selected. port Status
The page has a format as shown in FIG. 7, and the Disabled bit of the address 0x8 and bit7 is used.
By setting "1" to the port, the port can be disconnected.

Returning to FIG. 2, in this way, for one unit, whether it is a legitimate unit or a connection-disallowed unit, and if the connection-disabled unit is a leaf unit, a disconnection process is performed. Finish the process. In S29, it is determined whether or not such processing has been performed for all units, and if unprocessed units remain, the process returns to S24.

When it is determined in S26 that the connection-disallowed unit is not a leaf unit, it is determined that the connection-disallowed unit cannot be disconnected without affecting the system. In this case, in S30, the vendor ID and chip ID of the connection-disallowed unit or related information and a message indicating that the start-up process is to be interrupted are transmitted via the display unit 5 or the communication unit 6, for example.
It is displayed or notified to another device such as a user or a host. Either one of the display on the display unit 5 and the notification to the other device may be performed, or both may be performed. After such display or notification is made, the start-up processing of this information processing apparatus is interrupted.

In the above description of the operation, the detection of the system topology by analyzing the self ID packet, the reading of the vendor ID and chip ID of the configuration ROM of each unit, the reading of the vendor ID and chip ID from each unit, and the like. Processing such as comparison of the connection permission unit list with the connection permission unit list and determination of whether or not the connection non-permission unit can be disconnected can be executed by the CPU 2 that is present in at least one of the information processing apparatuses.

Next, the above-mentioned operation, in particular, the judging operation for each unit will be described using a specific example. FIG.
1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing apparatus to which units have been added. In the figure, reference numeral 16 denotes an additional unit. It is assumed that the formal system configuration is as shown in FIG. 1, and that the vendor IDs corresponding to the units 1, 12, and 13,
It is assumed that a combination of chip IDs is held in the connection permission unit list. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the additional unit 16 is connected to the unit 13.

For example, when the vendor IDs and chip IDs of the units 1 and 12 and the unit 13 are read from the unit 1 and compared with the connection permitted unit list in the flash memory 3, there is a matching combination. The state is maintained.

When the vendor ID and chip ID are read from the additional unit 16 and compared with the connection permitted unit list, the combination of the vendor ID and chip ID of the additional unit 16 does not exist in the connection permitted unit list. Therefore, it is determined that the additional unit 16 is a connection non-permission unit.

Further, from the system topology obtained by analyzing the self ID packet at the time of configuration, it is detected that the additional unit 16 is a leaf unit. Therefore, it is determined that the additional unit 16 can be separated without affecting the information processing device. It sends the display unit 5 and the communication unit 6 a vendor ID and a chip ID of the additional unit 16 or the related information and a message indicating that the additional unit 16 is to be disconnected, and causes the display unit or another device to transmit the message. Thereafter, the additional unit 16 is separated from the information processing device.

After the additional unit 16 is disconnected in this manner, a normal start-up operation is performed. by this,
The operation can be performed by a preset configuration including only units other than the additional unit 16, that is, the units 1, 12, and 13. Therefore, the data transfer overhead changes due to the connection of the additional unit 16 and normal operation is not hindered, and the information processing apparatus can be operated normally and in an optimal state.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram showing another example of an information processing apparatus to which units have been added. In the figure, reference numeral 17 denotes an additional unit. Also in this example, it is assumed that the formal system configuration is as shown in FIG. 1, and that a combination of a vendor ID and a chip ID corresponding to the units 1, 12, and 13 is held in the connection permitted unit list. . In the example shown in FIG.
3 shows an example in which an additional unit 17 is connected.

For example, when the vendor IDs and chip IDs of the units 1 and 12 and the unit 13 are read from the unit 1 and compared with the connection permitted unit list in the flash memory 3, there is a matching combination. The state is maintained.

When the vendor ID and the chip ID are read from the additional unit 17 and compared with the connection permitted unit list, the combination of the vendor ID and the chip ID of the additional unit 17 does not exist in the connection permitted unit list. Therefore, it is determined that the additional unit 17 is a connection non-permitted unit.

Further, from the system topology obtained by analyzing the self ID packet at the time of configuration, it is detected that the additional unit 17 is not a leaf unit. Therefore, this additional unit 17
It is determined that the information processing device cannot be separated without affecting the information processing device. In this case, the display unit 5 and the communication unit 6
, The vendor ID and chip ID of the additional unit 17
It sends the message itself or related information and a message indicating that the start-up process is interrupted, and causes the display or transmission to another device. Thereafter, the start-up processing of the information processing device is interrupted.

Thus, the operation in a state where the additional unit 17 which may affect the operation of the information processing apparatus is not performed is not performed. Therefore, the normal operation is not hindered by the connection of the additional unit 17.

In the above description, the connection permitted unit list is stored in the flash memory 3. By storing the connection permitted unit list in the rewritable storage means as described above, it is possible to update the connection permitted unit list when the connection permitted unit is updated. Also, by storing the connection permitted unit list in the non-volatile storage means,
Even if the power is turned off, the connection permission unit list can be retained and used immediately upon startup. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a connection permitted unit list may be stored in the external storage unit. In this case, it is necessary to load the connection permitted unit list from the external storage means every time the computer is started up.

[0062]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an interconnection which allows the data transfer overhead between units to vary depending on the number of units existing in the system or the connection topology of the units. In the system adopted, do not allow any units that could make the system operation unstable to be connected,
There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the normal operation from being hindered by unexpected connection of the unit. Further, there is a secondary effect that an information processing apparatus in which it is difficult for others to monitor transactions on the interconnection can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a self ID packet.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of port information in a self ID packet.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a format of a configuration ROM.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a PHY register.

FIG. 7: Port Status in the PHY register
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a page format.

FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing apparatus to which units have been added.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram showing another example of the information processing apparatus to which a unit is added.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the IEEE 1394 bus protocol.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 12, 13 unit, 2 CPU, 3 flash memory, 4 memory, 5 display unit, 6 communication unit, 7 ...
Communication path, 8 internal bus, 9 LINK, 10 PHY,
14, 15, ... IEEE 1394 interconnects, 16, 17, ...
Additional unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Nakatani 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Saito 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.F-term ( (Reference) 5B014 HC02 HC04 HC06 HC07 5B045 AA00 BB02 BB12 BB22 BB28 BB30 BB42 BB47 5B077 AA03 NN08 5K033 AA05 CB03 DA12 DA16 DB12 DB14 DB17 EA06 EA07 EB08 EC01 EC02

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus in which constituent units are connected by an interconnection in which data transfer overhead varies depending on the number of constituent units or connection topology, at least one constituent unit uniquely identifies a constituent unit. A unit information storage unit for storing information, a unit information obtaining unit for obtaining unit information from another constituent unit, and a connection permission unit for storing a connection permission unit list indicating a unit permitted to connect to the information processing apparatus A list storage unit and unit information acquisition unit for acquiring unit information of other constituent units by the unit information acquisition unit when the apparatus is started up, and comparing the unit information with the connection permitted unit list in the connection permitted unit list storage unit for each of the other constituent units. Whether the component unit is authorized to connect An information processing apparatus comprising control means for judging the condition. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein, as a result of a comparison with a connection permitted unit list in said connection permitted unit list storage unit, if a configuration unit that does not match said connection permitted unit list exists in the apparatus, said component unit Is determined as a connection non-permission unit, and whether the connection non-permission unit can be disconnected without affecting the operation of the device is determined, and it is determined that the connection non-permitted unit can be disconnected without affecting the operation of the device. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection non-permission unit is disconnected in the case. 3. The control unit detects a system topology indicating a connection mode between constituent units, and determines whether or not the connection-disallowed unit can be disconnected without affecting the operation of the device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the connection non-permission unit is a leaf unit at the end of the system topology, it is determined that the connection non-permission unit can be separated, and the connection non-permission unit is separated. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display information for identifying the connection-disallowed unit and a message indicating that the unit is to be disconnected before disconnection of the connection-disallowed unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, prior to disconnection of the connection-disallowed unit, the control unit notifies another device that the connection-disabled unit is to be disconnected, together with information for identifying the connection-disallowed unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3. 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit interrupts a start-up process of the apparatus when it is detected that the connection non-permission unit cannot be disconnected without affecting the operation of the apparatus. The information processing device according to claim 3. 7. The display device further comprising a display unit, wherein the control unit informs the user that the start-up operation of the apparatus is to be stopped together with the information for identifying the connection-disallowed unit before the start-up processing of the apparatus is interrupted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information is displayed on the information processing apparatus. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit notifies another device that the start-up operation of the device is to be stopped together with the information for identifying the connection-disallowed unit before the start-up process of the device is interrupted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information processing apparatus performs the processing. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connection permission unit list storage means is rewritable. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connection permission unit list storage means is nonvolatile.