JPH04336636A - Debugging system for input/output controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the erasion of trace information due to the superscription of information. CONSTITUTION:A trace collection means 7 is provided to secure the firmware trace for each of input/output ports connected to an input/output device together with a trace information saving means 8 which saves the trace in a memory of an input/output controller when an error is detected in the controller, and a trace data output instruction means 9 which instructs the output of the trace data on the input/output controller by means of a hardware switch of the input/ output controller. Then the trace data saved in the memory are decoded and converted into the significant character strings by a trace data conversion output means 10 when the output of the trace data is instructed. Then the means 10 outputs the converted character strings to a printer device connected to the input/output controller.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a debugging method for an input/output control device, and more particularly to the storage and output of trace information.

0002

[Prior Art] In this type of conventional debugging method, the firmware that controls the input/output control device has a trace area in memory for storing trace information for each input/output port, as shown in FIG. Firmware trace information is cyclically stored in the trace area for each port, and when the trace area becomes full, the initially stored trace information is overwritten.

Trace information is continuously stored for each operation of an input/output device connected to a port until it is instructed to output trace information, and when output is instructed, trace information for all ports stored in hexadecimal numbers is stored. Information is output as is to an output device (printer, floppy disk, etc.).

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional debugging method for input/output control devices described above, trace information is stored continuously until an output instruction is issued. If the port has been operating continuously, when the trace information is collected (output), the trace at the time of the error occurrence may already be overwritten and lost.

[0005]Furthermore, when outputting trace information, it is output in hexadecimal format, so there is a problem in that it takes time to analyze during debugging.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A debugging method for an input/output control device according to the present invention includes a trace collection means for taking a firmware trace for each input/output port to which an input/output device is connected, and a debugging method for the input/output control device. trace information saving means for saving the trace in the memory of the control device when an error is detected; and trace data output for instructing the input/output control device to output trace data by means of a hardware switch provided in the input/output control device. instruction means;
trace data conversion output means for decoding the trace data saved in the memory, converting it into a meaningful character string, and outputting it to a printer device connected to the control device when outputting the trace data is instructed; has.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an input/output control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an input/output control device, which controls data input/output between the input/output devices 3 to 6 connected via the input/output port section 2 and the host system. The input/output control device 1 is provided with a trace collection means 7, a trace information saving means 8, a trace data output instruction means 9, and a trace data conversion output means 10.

FIG. 2 shows a part of the memory map of the input/output control device 1, which is trace-collecting means 7 provided in the firmware that controls the input/output control device 1.
Traces of the operations of the input/output devices 3-6 are stored in trace areas 11-14 corresponding to each port.

When the input/output control device 1 detects an error during operation of the device, the contents of the trace areas 11 to 14 at that time are stored in the trace storage area 15 on the memory by the trace information saving means 8.

Next, when the HW switch provided in the input/output control device 1 is turned ON or OFF, the trace data output instruction means 9 instructs the control firmware to output trace information, and the control firmware converts the trace data. Using the output means 10, the trace information stored in the trace storage area 15 is decoded starting from the newest trace information, and converted into a meaningful character string. Output to a printer device.

An example of decoding is shown in FIG. When 4 bytes of data 16 are stored by the trace collection means 7 as trace information for one operation of the input/output device, byte 0 is used for issuing commands to the input/output device, transferring data, and data from the input/output device. This indicates the type of operation such as receiving a report, and bytes 1 to 3 indicate accompanying information.

For example, if byte 0 is a code indicating data transfer, bytes 1 to 3 indicate input/output and data transfer amount, and as a result of being decoded by the trace data conversion output means 10, they are converted into a character string 17. and output to a printer device.

[0015]

Effects of the Invention As explained above, the present invention stores trace information when an error occurs in a separate area on the memory, thereby preventing the trace information from being lost when an error occurs, and preventing the trace information from being lost. By converting and outputting to a character string when outputting, it has the effect of shortening debugging time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a memory map diagram showing storage of trace areas.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of decoding trace information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional trace area.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Input/output control device 2 Input/output port sections 3 to 6 Input/output device 7 Trace collection means 8 Trace information saving means 9 Trace data output instruction means 10 Trace data conversion and output means 11 to 14 Trace area 15 Trace storage area

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A trace collecting means for taking a firmware trace for each input/output port to which an input/output device is connected, and saving the trace in the memory of the control device when an error is detected in the input/output control device. trace information saving means; trace data output instructing means for instructing the input/output control device to output trace data by a hardware switch provided in the input/output control device; A debugging method for an input/output control device having a trace data conversion/output means for decoding trace data saved in a memory, converting it into a meaningful character string, and outputting the converted character string to a printer device connected to the control device.