JP4593135B2 - Computer system, peripheral device, and peripheral device testing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer system, a peripheral device, and a peripheral device testing method.

  In electronic devices and the like, devices (circuits) that follow main devices (circuits) are often connected via connectors. In such a case, it is necessary for the main device to check connectivity with the secondary device in order to test the operability of the secondary device, and several techniques for checking are known. ing.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector connection confirmation device that can confirm a connection state of a mother board / back panel equipped with a connector for mounting a printed circuit board and a printed circuit board when the printed circuit board is connected. ing. This device switches the connection of the signal line connecting the printed circuit board and the motherboard / back panel with a switch provided on the printed circuit board and the motherboard / back panel, and confirms the connection of the switched signal line, It detects contact failure when a printed circuit board is inserted into a motherboard / back panel.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a bus connector connection state check circuit for connecting a main system and a subsystem with a bus connector. This circuit is provided with a connection check memory storing data for checking the connector connection state on the subsystem side, and can output data from the connection check memory onto the data bus during the check.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses an interface apparatus that can easily test whether or not the pins of the interface device and the board terminals are normally connected. This apparatus includes an interface device having a plurality of pins connected to a test terminal and a board terminal, and has a mode switching terminal for switching a connection destination of an internal loopback.

  Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses a data communication apparatus with good data communication reliability and connection check reliability. In this apparatus, the information terminal includes a connector and an interface control unit that performs communication control. The connector has a data terminal for transmitting and receiving data and a connection detection terminal for detecting connection and disconnection with the communication device. Thus, since data communication and connection check are realized by separate terminals, both signals are not mixed, and both the reliability of data communication and the reliability of connection check can be improved.

JP-A-11-296261 (FIG. 2) JP-A-1-321539 (FIG. 1) JP 2003-37532 A (FIG. 1) JP 2000-217151 A (FIGS. 1 and 2)

  In a highly available system, hot-swapping that does not require a system stop is used when adding a peripheral device (hereinafter also referred to as “device”) at the time of failure or replacing a failed device. When inserting or removing a device that can be hot-plugged, if there is an abnormality in the connection of the connector, the computer device is operating and the signal becomes invalid, and the device does not operate as expected. Therefore, when the device is inserted or removed, there is a possibility that a failure that leads to abnormal operation of the device or stop of the computer apparatus may occur.

  On the other hand, in a system in which devices are made redundant in order to improve availability, a failover process is performed in which a bus protocol error or the like is detected on the device side and processing such as automatic disconnection by the device itself is performed. Failover functions only when a failure occurs and is not used in normal operation. Therefore, if there is a failure in the failover control unit, even if an abnormality occurs in the failover control unit, the abnormality may not be detected. In such a state, when failover actually operates, the failover is not performed normally, and sometimes causes the entire system to stop. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm whether failover functions normally with the device mounted in the apparatus.

  However, in the conventional known technology, the main purpose is to check the connection state of the connector between the computer apparatus and the device, and when the device detects an abnormality in the signal input / output from the connector to the device, I disconnected the device and couldn't confirm if there was an abnormality in the connector or the device itself.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a system, an apparatus, and a method for performing a connection confirmation of a connector and an operation confirmation of the peripheral device in a state where the peripheral device is not operating in a peripheral device connected to a computer device by a connector.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect, the peripheral device of the present invention is connected to the computer device via a connector. The peripheral device includes a peripheral device body and a connector connected to the computer device. In addition, a switching unit is provided that performs any one set of connections selected from the connection between the connector and the peripheral device body, the connection between the connector and the check unit, and the connection between the check unit and the peripheral device body. Further, when the switching unit connects the connector and the check unit, the connectivity of the connector with the computer device is checked, and when the switching unit connects the check unit and the peripheral device main unit, the peripheral device main unit is connected. A check unit for performing an operation check is provided.

  According to a second aspect, a computer system of the present invention comprises a computer device and a peripheral device connected to the computer device. The computer apparatus includes one of a computer main body, a first connector connected to the peripheral device, a connection between the first connector and the computer main body, or a connection at the first connector. A first switching unit for performing The peripheral device includes a peripheral device main body and a second connector connected to the first connector. Further, the peripheral device is one set selected from the connection between the second connector and the peripheral device body, the connection between the second connector and the check portion, and the connection between the check portion and the peripheral device body. A second switching unit for connecting is provided. Further, in the peripheral device, when the second switching unit connects the second connector and the check unit, the first switching unit performs the connection in the first connector so that the second connector and the second connector are connected. A check unit is provided that checks connectivity by turning back through one connector, and checks the operation of the peripheral device main unit when the switching unit connects the check unit and the peripheral device main unit.

  Further, according to the third aspect, the peripheral device testing method of the present invention is a peripheral device testing method connected to a computer device via a connector. In this test method, the computer device gives an instruction for checking the connectivity with the peripheral device to the check unit of the peripheral device, and the check unit connects the connector and the check unit by the switching unit of the peripheral device. The step of issuing an instruction to the switching unit, and the switching unit that has received the instruction disconnects the main body of the peripheral device connected to the connector, connects the connector and the check unit, and the check unit includes: A step of sending a test signal to the computer device via the connector and checking the connectivity to the connector by returning the test signal in the computer device, and the check unit has an abnormality in the connectivity as a result of the connectivity check. In some cases, notifying the computer device accordingly.

  Furthermore, according to the fourth aspect, the peripheral device testing method of the present invention is a peripheral device testing method connected to a computer device via a connector. In this test method, the computer device gives a peripheral device operation check instruction to the peripheral device check unit, and the check unit connects the peripheral device body unit and the check unit by the peripheral device switching unit. A step of issuing an instruction to the switching unit, and a switching unit that receives the instruction disconnects the main body of the peripheral device connected to the connector and connects the main body of the peripheral device and the check unit. The check unit sends a predetermined signal to the main body of the peripheral device to check the operation, and the check unit checks the computer device if there is an abnormality in the main body of the peripheral device as a result of the operation check. And notifying the fact.

  According to the present invention, the connection of the connector actually used for signal transmission is confirmed by switching the signal line while the peripheral device is mounted on the computer device, and an abnormal signal is transmitted to the signal line. In this case, the failover operation can be confirmed without affecting the computer device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the computer system includes a computer device 20 and a peripheral device (device) 10 connected to the computer device 20. The computer device 20 includes a computer main body 21, a connector 23 connected to the peripheral device 10, and a switching unit 22. The switching unit 22 performs either one of connection between the connector 23 and the main body unit 21 or connection by turning back at the connector 23.

  The peripheral device 10 includes a main body 11 of the peripheral device, a connector 14 connected to the connector 23, a switching unit 12, and a check unit 13. The switching unit 12 performs any one set of connections selected from the connection between the connector 14 and the main body unit 11, the connection between the connector 14 and the check unit 13, and the connection between the check unit 13 and the main body unit 11. When the switching unit 12 connects the connector 14 and the checking unit 13 to each other, the check unit 13 makes a connection in which the switching unit 22 is folded at the connector 23, and the connector unit is connected to the connector portion by folding back through the connector 14 and the connector 23. Check connectivity. Further, when the switching unit 12 connects the check unit 13 and the main body unit 11, the check unit 13 checks the operation of the main body unit 11 (operation at the time of device abnormality, that is, failover operation).

  In FIG. 1, the computer device 20 and the peripheral device 10 are illustrated in a separated state. However, in the mounted state, the connector 14 and the connector 23 are coupled.

  Examples will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer system in the normal state according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a mounting state in which the computer device 20 and the peripheral device 10 in the computer system shown in FIG. Yes. The reference numerals in FIG. 2 are the same as those in FIG. 1, and the description of those described in FIG. 1 is omitted. The main body 21 of the computer apparatus 20 includes a signal line 41 including a plurality of signal lines connecting the main body 21 and the switching unit 22, a switching unit 22, and a plurality of signal lines connecting the switching unit 22 and the connector 23. The signal line 42, the connector 23, the connector 14 connected to the connector 23, the signal line 32 composed of a plurality of signal lines connecting the connector 14 and the switching unit 12, the switching unit 12, the switching unit 12 and the main body unit 11 are connected. It is connected to the main body 11 of the peripheral device 10 through a signal line 31 composed of a plurality of signal lines. In this connected state, the main body 21 and the main body 11 function as a computer main body and a peripheral device main body, respectively, and normal operations as a computer system are performed. The connectors 14 and 23 are assumed to accommodate a plurality of signal lines.

  Next, a connection check between the connector 23 and the connector 14 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer system in the connector connection confirmation state according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the main body 21 of the computer apparatus 20 includes a signal line 45 that connects the main body 21 and the connector 23, a connector 23, a connector 14 that connects the connector 23, and a signal line that connects the connector 14 and the check unit 13. The connector connection confirmation instruction is issued to the check unit 13 via 36.

  Upon receiving the instruction, the check unit 13 disconnects the connection between the signal line 32 and the signal line 31, and one signal line 32 a in the signal line 32 and one signal line in the signal line 33 including a plurality of signal lines. 33a is transmitted to the switching unit 12 via the signal line 34 connecting the check unit 13 and the switching unit 12 so as to be connected. In addition, the check unit 13 disconnects the connection between the signal line 41 and the signal line 42 and connects the signal line 42 a and the signal line 43 in the signal line 42, so that the check unit 13 and the switching unit 22 are connected. Is transmitted to the switching unit 22 via the signal line 44 that connects.

  When the switching unit 12 and the switching unit 22 operate, the check unit 13, the signal line 33a, the signal line 32a, the signal line 42a, and the signal line 43 are coupled in a loop shape, and the check unit 13 receives a confirmation signal ( The connection check of the connector 23 and the connector 14 is performed by flowing a test signal. The check unit 13 transmits the check result to the main body unit 21 through the signal line 36 and the signal line 45.

  Next, operation confirmation (device confirmation) of the main body 11 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer system in the device confirmation state according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the main unit 21 of the computer apparatus 20 issues a device confirmation instruction to the check unit 13 via the signal line 45, the connector 23, the connector 14, and the signal line 36.

  Upon receiving the instruction, the check unit 13 notifies the switching unit 12 via the signal line 34 so that the connection between the signal line 32 and the signal line 31 is disconnected and the signal line 33 and the signal line 31 are connected.

  When the switching unit 12 operates, the check unit 13 is connected to the main body unit 11 via the signal line 33 and the signal line 31, and the check unit 13 sends an operation confirmation signal or an illegal operation to the main body unit 11. Send a signal. As a result, a pseudo abnormal state is formed in the main body 11, and a device abnormality detection function and a failover operation check are performed. The check unit 13 transmits the result of the operation confirmation to the main body unit 21 through the signal line 36 and the signal line 45.

  Next, the operation when checking the connector will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation in the connection confirmation state of the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the main body 21 issues a connector connection confirmation instruction to the check unit 13. Upon receiving the instruction, the check unit 13 instructs the switching unit 12 and the switching unit 22 to switch the signal line. Upon receiving the instruction, the switching unit 12 and the switching unit 22 disconnect the signal line connecting the peripheral device 10 and the computer device 20 from the connectors 23 and 14, and via the check unit 13, the signal line 33 a, the signal line 32 a, the signal The line 42a and the signal line 43 are connected so as to be coupled in a loop (step S11).

  The check unit 13 transmits a confirmation signal to the route established for confirmation in step S11. The transmitted confirmation signal is input to the check unit 13 via the connectors 23 and 14, and the check unit 13 confirms the input signal to confirm whether or not the connection of the connector is normal (step S12).

  The switching unit 12 and the switching unit 22 switch the signal line among the signal line 33, the signal line 32, and the signal line 42, respectively, and switch to a path for checking other connection points of the connectors 23 and 14 (step S13).

  Steps S12 and S13 are sequentially performed on the connection points of the connectors 23 and 14, and connection confirmation is sequentially performed on predetermined connection points of the connectors 23 and 14 included in the signal line 32 and the signal line 42 (step S14). .

  When all the connection points of the connector are normally connected (Y in step S15), the switching unit 12 disconnects the signal line 32 from the check unit 13, and the switching unit 22 disconnects the signal line 42 from the signal line 43. . Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the signal line 41 connecting the main body 21 and the switching unit 22, the switching unit 22, the signal line 42 connecting the switching unit 22 and the connector 23, the connector 23, and the connector 23 are connected. The path through the connector 14, the signal line 32 connecting the connector 14 and the switching unit 12, the switching unit 12, and the signal line 31 connecting the switching unit 12 and the main body unit 11 is connected, and the main body unit 11 and the main body unit are connected. 21 is connected (step S16).

  When an abnormality is confirmed in any of the connector connection portions (N in step S15), the check unit 13 disconnects the signal line 32 from the signal line 33 and the signal line 31 by the switching unit 12, and the main body of the computer apparatus 20 The unit 21 is notified of the abnormality (step S17).

  Next, the operation at the time of device confirmation will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of device confirmation according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the main body unit 21 issues a device confirmation instruction to the check unit 13. Upon receiving the instruction, the check unit 13 instructs the switching unit 12 to switch the signal line. Upon receiving the instruction, the switching unit 12 disconnects the main body 11 and the main body 21 and connects the check unit 13 and the main body 11 via the signal line 33 and the signal line 31 as shown in FIG. S21).

  The check unit 13 transmits an operation confirmation signal or an illegal operation signal to the main body unit 11 (step S22).

  The main body 11 returns a response to the check unit 13 via the signal line 33 and the signal line 31 in response to the signal transmitted from the check unit 13. At this time, when the signal transmitted from the check unit 13 is for operation confirmation, the main body unit 11 performs normal processing. If the transmitted signal is an illegal operation signal, the main body 11 detects an abnormality and performs a failover (step S23).

  The check unit 13 confirms whether the main body 11 is normal from the response returned from the main body 11 (step S24).

  When the main body 11 is normal (Y in step S24), the switching unit 12 reconnects the main body 11 and the main body 21 as shown in FIG. 2 (step S25).

  When the main body 11 is abnormal in the operation check (N in step S24), the check unit 13 notifies the main body 21 that the main body 11 is abnormal while the main body 11 is disconnected from the main body 21 ( Step S26).

  As described above, the connector connection confirmation process described with reference to FIG. 5 and the device confirmation process described with reference to FIG. 6 may be performed independently or sequentially. By executing both processes, the connection of the connector that is actually used for signal transmission is confirmed in the state where the device is mounted on the computer device, and when an abnormal signal is sent to the signal line, the failover operation is performed. This confirmation is performed without affecting the computer device.

  The present invention can be applied to a computer system having a device capable of hot-swapping in a highly available system in which the system cannot be stopped.

It is a block diagram showing the structure of the computer system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the computer system in the normal state based on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the computer system in the connection confirmation state of the connector which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the computer system in the device confirmation state based on the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement in the connection confirmation state of the connector which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure showing the operation | movement at the time of the device confirmation which concerns on the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Peripheral device 11, 21 Main-body part 12, 22 Switching part 13 Check part 14, 23 Connector 20 Computer apparatus 31, 32, 32a, 33, 33a, 34, 35, 36, 41, 42, 42a, 43, 44, 45 Signal line

Claims (11)

A peripheral device connected to a computer device via a connector,
Peripheral device body,
A connector connected to the computer device;
A switching unit that performs any one set of connections selected from the connection between the connector and the peripheral device body, the connection between the connector and the check unit, and the connection between the check unit and the peripheral device body;
When the switching unit connects the connector and the check unit, check the connectivity of the connector with the computer device, and when the switching unit connects the check unit and the peripheral device body unit Is the check unit for checking the operation of the peripheral device main body,
A peripheral device comprising:   The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the check unit issues an instruction to the switching unit to select the set of connections based on an instruction from the computer device.   If the connectivity is abnormal as a result of the connectivity check, the check unit notifies the computer device to that effect, and maintains the peripheral device main body not connected to the connector. The peripheral device according to claim 1.   If the result of the operation check is that there is an abnormality in the peripheral device main unit, the check unit notifies the computer device to that effect, and the peripheral device main unit is maintained in a state where it is not connected to the connector. The peripheral device according to claim 1. The computer system includes a computer device and a peripheral device connected to the computer device,
The computer device includes:
A computer body,
A first connector connected to the peripheral device;
A first switching unit that performs either one of connection between the first connector and the computer main body, or connection at the turn-back of the first connector;
With
The peripheral device is:
Peripheral device body,
A second connector connected to the first connector;
Any one set of connections selected from the connection between the second connector and the peripheral device body, the connection between the second connector and the check unit, and the connection between the check unit and the peripheral device body. A second switching unit for performing
When the second switching unit connects the second connector and the check unit, the first switching unit makes a connection in a folded state at the first connector, and the second connector and the Checking connectivity by turning back through the first connector, and when the switching unit connects the check unit and the peripheral device body, the check unit that checks the operation of the peripheral device body,
A computer system comprising:   The computer main body unit gives an instruction for checking the connectivity to the check unit, and the check unit to which the instruction is given is such that the second switching unit includes the second connector and the check unit. 6. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein an instruction is issued to the second switching unit so as to connect.   If the connectivity is abnormal as a result of the connectivity check, the checking unit notifies the computer main unit to that effect, and the peripheral device main unit is not connected to the second connector. 6. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein the computer system is maintained.   The computer main body unit gives an operation check instruction of the peripheral device main body unit to the check unit, and the check unit to which the instruction is given, the second switching unit, the check unit and the peripheral device 6. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein an instruction is issued to the second switching unit to connect the main body unit.   If the result of the operation check of the peripheral device main body is an abnormality in the peripheral device main body, the check unit notifies the computer main body to that effect, and the peripheral device main body is connected to the second connector. 6. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein the computer system is kept in a state where it is not connected to the computer. A test method for a peripheral device connected to a computer device via a connector,
The computer device provides an instruction for checking connectivity with the peripheral device to a check unit of the peripheral device;
The check unit issues an instruction to the switch unit so that the switch unit of the peripheral device connects the connector and the check unit;
Upon receiving the instruction, the switching unit disconnects the main body of the peripheral device connected to the connector, and connects the connector and the check unit;
The check unit sends a test signal to the computer device via the connector, and checks connectivity to the connector by turning back the test signal in the computer device;
The check unit, as a result of the connectivity check, if there is an abnormality in the connectivity, notifying the computer device to that effect,
A method for testing a peripheral device, comprising: The computer device gives an instruction to check the operation of the peripheral device to the check unit of the peripheral device;
The check unit issues an instruction to the switch unit so that the switch unit of the peripheral device connects the main body unit of the peripheral device and the check unit;
The switching unit that has received the instruction disconnects the main body of the peripheral device connected to the connector, and connects the main body of the peripheral device and the check unit;
The check unit sends a predetermined signal to the main body of the peripheral device to perform an operation check; and
The check unit, as a result of the operation check, if there is an abnormality in the main body of the peripheral device, notifying the computer device of the abnormality
The peripheral device test method according to claim 10 , further comprising:

Images