JP2003296145A - System control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide security in the transition to maintenance operation mode of a computer system to contribute to the improvement in reliability of a system by enabling the prevention of forgetting the switching instruction from maintenance operation mode to general operation mode by the control of a firmware in the maintenance operation of the computer system, and enabling the prevention of a malfunction of the computer system due to that a customer or general user executes a privilege operation by mistake. <P>SOLUTION: The firmware stores the time of the transmission to maintenance operation mode of the computer system, and monitors the elapsed time from the transmission to the maintenance operation mode. When no instruction from maintenance operation mode to general operation mode is given within a predefined time, the operation mode is automatically transferred to general operation mode by the control of the firmware. When the maintenance operation mode is to be further maintained, the switching instruction to maintenance operation mode is clearly executed again by an operator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to maintenance of a computer system, and relates to a processing program for controlling an operation mode of the computer system by firmware and a computer system. [0002] To maintain a computer system,
A plurality of operation modes, such as a general user operation mode, an administrator operation mode, and a maintenance operation mode, can be switched according to an operator's instruction. In some of these operation modes, the normal operation of the computer system is stopped immediately, There is a computer system having an operation mode in which a privileged operation different from normal operation can be performed, such as erasing fault information and returning data relating to a system operation set by a user to a factory default value. In order to prevent such a privileged operation mode from being erroneously changed by a general user, the operation mode can be switched by a key, a switch, or a command input. Further, when the operation mode is switched, security is taken into consideration. Many computer systems have a password protection mechanism. These controls are
It is controlled by firmware provided in the system. [0004] Technologies related to this type of control method include:
There is a technique described in JP-A-2000-207048. [0005] In the above-mentioned prior art, during maintenance of the system, an operator issues an instruction to switch from a normal operation mode to a maintenance operation mode, and the firmware control causes a transition to the operation mode. Let it. As the switching instruction, a so-called key opening operation such as twisting a key, pressing a switch, inputting a command, and inputting a password is required. Also,
After the intended maintenance work is performed, an operation to close the key, such as giving an instruction to switch from the maintenance operation mode to the normal operation mode, is required. [0006] If the operation of closing the key is forgotten, the computer system is operated while the privileged operation is enabled, causing a problem that the computer system malfunctions. [0007] It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem by firmware and to provide a system for automatically transitioning from a maintenance operation mode of a computer system to a normal operation mode. According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the firmware stores a time when the computer system transits to the maintenance operation mode, and the firmware transits to the maintenance operation mode. Monitor the time elapsed since. If there is no instruction from the maintenance operation mode to the normal operation mode within a predetermined time, the mode is automatically shifted to the normal operation mode by firmware control. If the operator wants to maintain the maintenance operation mode, the operator explicitly issues an instruction to switch to the maintenance operation mode again. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system showing one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a computer system for performing maintenance. Reference numeral 2 denotes firmware for controlling the present invention, which is generally stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory (for example, FEEPROM) and mounted on the system. Reference numeral 3 denotes an internal clock, and the time can be read by the firmware 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a storage medium, for example, a non-volatile memory, FD, HD, DAT
, And can be recorded and read by the second firmware. Reference numeral 5 denotes a console connected to the system, and an operator issues an operation mode switching instruction. Reference numeral 6 denotes a network interface, which connects to a network when operating the system from a remote location. Reference numeral 7 denotes a remote operation terminal, which is connected to a network when the system is operated from a remote place via the network interface 6. FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram to each operation mode showing one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes an event for an instruction to switch to the maintenance operation mode by the operator, which is generated when the operator gives an instruction from 5; console, 7; Numeral 210 denotes an event for instructing switching to the normal operation mode by the operator.
5; console; 7; generated by giving an instruction from a remote control terminal. Reference numeral 220 denotes an event for instructing switching to the normal operation mode by the firmware, which is generated according to an embodiment of the present invention. Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a flowchart from the switching instruction to the maintenance operation mode by the operator's instruction to the execution of the switching to the normal operation mode by the firmware. Since the elapsed time until the transition to the normal operation mode by the firmware is determined by the maintenance work time of each computer system, the time is not defined in the present invention and is described as δt. First, an operator issues an instruction to switch from the normal operation mode to the maintenance operation mode in order to perform maintenance of the computer system (step 30).
0). When the firmware detects an instruction to switch to the maintenance operation mode, it records the time (step 310). Switching from the normal operation mode to the maintenance operation mode is performed by the firmware (step 32).
0). An operator performs maintenance of the system. Meanwhile, the firmware reads the time (step 330). The firmware compares the time recorded in step 310 with the time read in step 330 to determine whether or not a predetermined maintenance work time δt has elapsed. If δt has not yet elapsed, monitor for an instruction to switch to the normal operation mode from the operator,
If there is no instruction to switch to the normal operation mode from the operator, the process returns to the time reading process of step 330. If δt has already passed, the firmware switches to the normal operation mode (step 340). Also, when an instruction to switch to the normal operation mode is detected from the operator, the switching to the normal operation mode is performed (step 340). According to the present invention, depending on whether the input interface through which the operator issues an instruction to switch to the maintenance operation mode is a console connected to the system or a switching instruction from a remote terminal via a network interface. Let us assume the example of item 3. FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 400 denotes a keyed switch (hereinafter referred to as S) for switching the operation mode by the operator.
W). It is possible to give an instruction to switch between the normal operation mode and the maintenance operation mode depending on the position of the SW. Reference numeral 410 denotes a sensor circuit for detecting the position of the switch. A control motor 420 can drive the position of the SW. 430 is a control circuit of a control motor capable of driving the position of the SW. Reference numeral 440 denotes firmware, which can detect an operation mode switching instruction from the operator by the SW position detection sensor circuit 410. The operation mode can be switched by the SW position control circuit 430 to which the SW position drive control motor 420 is connected. The flow from the switching instruction to the maintenance operation mode by the operator's instruction to the execution of the switching to the normal operation mode by the firmware is as described above (FIG. 3). After switching to the normal operation mode, 43
By controlling the SW position control circuit 0, the SW position drive control motor 420 is driven, and the keyed SW 400 is moved from the position indicating the maintenance operation mode to the position indicating the normal operation mode. FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 500 denotes a keyed SW for switching the operation mode by the operator. It is possible to give an instruction to switch between the normal operation mode and the maintenance operation mode depending on the position of the SW. 510 is a sensor circuit for detecting the position of the SW. An LED 520 indicates that the operation mode at the SW position is invalid. This L
When the ED is lit, it indicates that the operation mode of the SW position is invalid. The LED is one of interfaces that indicate to the operator that the operation mode is invalid, and specific embodiments include a panel, an LCD, and a buzzer. Reference numeral 530 denotes a circuit for controlling turning on and off of the LED. Reference numeral 540 denotes firmware, which can control turning on and off of the LED. The flow from the switching instruction to the maintenance operation mode by the operator's instruction to the execution of the switching to the normal operation mode by the firmware is as described above (FIG. 3). After switching to the normal operation mode, 53
520 LEDs by controlling the 0 LED lighting control circuit
To inform the operator that the maintenance operation mode of the keyed SW 500 and the position of the key indicating the mode are invalid. By the above-described series of processing, in the maintenance operation of the computer system, it is possible to prevent forgetting to instruct to switch from the maintenance operation mode to the normal operation mode by controlling the firmware, and to perform the privileged operation. It is possible to solve the problem of causing the computer system to operate while the computer system is operating with the computer system malfunctioning. As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the maintenance operation of the computer system, it is possible to prevent forgetting the instruction to switch from the maintenance operation mode to the normal operation mode by controlling the firmware. It is. Further, it is possible to prevent a customer or a general user from erroneously executing a privileged operation, thereby preventing a malfunction of the computer system. As described above, security at the time of transition to the maintenance operation mode of the computer system is provided, and the reliability of the system is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system. FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram to each operation mode. FIG. 3 is a flowchart. FIG. 4 is a control diagram of a keyed switch position. FIG. 5 is an invalid circuit control diagram of a keyed switch position. [Explanation of symbols] 1. Computer system 2 ... Firmware 3. Clock 4. Storage medium 5. Console 6 Network interface 7 Remote control terminal

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Tsuboi             456 Sakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Stock             Hitachi Information Technology Co., Ltd.             Inside (72) Inventor Shingo Kato             456 Sakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Stock             Hitachi Information Technology Co., Ltd.             Inside (72) Inventor Takayuki Abe             810 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Stock Association             Hitachi, Ltd. Internet Platform             Team F term (reference) 5B042 GA01 JJ22 JJ29 JJ38 KK02                       KK13 LA08 NN01                 5B076 AA03 AA11 AB18

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A control program for a computer system, which transitions to a plurality of operation modes by firmware, measures an elapsed time from the transition from the first mode to the second mode, and A control program for a computer system, wherein a transition is made to the first mode when the elapsed time of the second mode exceeds a predetermined time.