JPH07248937A - Self-diagnostic system for information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute neither too much nor too little self-diagnosis corresponding to the time of use without manual aid by providing a time monitoring part for measuring the using time of a corresponding diagonosis object device from the time of previous self-diagnostic program execution. CONSTITUTION:The time monitoring parts 5-8 provided respectively corresponding to the respective diagnosis object devices 1-4 measure the using time of the corresponding diagnosis object devices 1-4 and when the measured using time becomes more than a diagnostic interval intrinsic to the corresponding diagnosis object devices 1-4, a self-diagnostic program is executed and the self- diagnosis of the corresponding diagnosis object devices 1-4 is performed. Also, the execution timing is judged by the stipulated time such as an average fault interval or the like for the first execution of the self-diagnostic program of a newly mounted or repaired diagnosis object device and the execution timing is judged by the diagnostic interval shorter than the stipulated time for the second and succeeding execution of the self-diagnostic program. Thus, neither too much nor too little diagnosis corresponding to the using time of the respective diagnosis object devices is automatically performed without the manual aid.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-diagnosis method of an information processing apparatus for performing self-diagnosis of a central processing unit, a main storage unit and peripheral devices which are components of the information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a self-diagnosis program is used to detect a failure in a central processing unit, a main storage unit, and a peripheral unit that constitute an information processing apparatus.
As the time, for example, it is general that the power is turned on as seen in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-22145.

[0003]

By performing a diagnosis by a self-diagnosis program when the information processing apparatus is powered on, it is possible to confirm whether or not there is a failure in the central processing unit, the main storage unit, and the peripheral apparatus before the information processing apparatus starts operating. If a failure occurs, the business program will not run in the state where the peripheral device or the like has a failure by repairing or replacing the business program before the operation.

However, even if no failure occurs when the power is turned on, there is a possibility that the failure easily occurs due to aging over a long period of use and the failure may occur during operation. For this reason, regular maintenance is performed, and a self-diagnosis program is started during the regular maintenance to make a diagnosis. However, such regular maintenance has the following problems.

There is a problem in that it is necessary to manually manage when the regular maintenance is performed, which makes the management complicated. In addition, since the periodic maintenance is performed every fixed period, the devices that have been used for a long period of time and the devices that have been used for a short period of time will be diagnosed uniformly, and the periodic maintenance will be performed according to the used time. There is a problem that a complete diagnosis cannot be performed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a self-diagnosis method for an information processing apparatus, which can perform self-diagnosis according to usage time without excess or deficiency without manual intervention.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus comprising a central processing unit, a main storage unit and peripheral devices connected by a bus. Of the main storage device and the peripheral device,
Corresponding to each device pre-determined as a diagnosis target device, the usage time of the corresponding diagnosis target device from the time of the previous self-diagnosis program execution is measured, and the diagnosis unique to the diagnosis target device corresponding to the measured usage time is performed. A time monitoring unit that executes a self-diagnosis program and performs self-diagnosis of the corresponding diagnosis target device when the interval is longer than the interval is provided.

Further, the present invention aims to enable the measured usage time of the device to be diagnosed to be measured as a cumulative value from the time before the power is cut off without being lost due to the power cut of the information processing device. The monitoring unit has an execution timing determination information storage unit including a non-volatile memory, and holds the measured usage time in the execution timing determination information storage unit.

In addition to the presence / absence of a fault in the device to be diagnosed, the present invention also detects a state that is highly likely to cause a fault, such as a fault that does not result in normal operation but must be retried a predetermined number of times. For the purpose of enabling more reliable repair and replacement of the device to be diagnosed before the occurrence of a failure, the self-diagnosis program causes a failure although the presence or absence of the failure of the device to be diagnosed and the failure do not occur. Use a program that detects the presence or absence of a likely condition.

Further, according to the present invention, it is noted that the device to be diagnosed after repair and replacement does not often have a failure for a while, so that the diagnosis is performed in the same use time as after the use is continued. In order to prevent the above, in an information processing device configured by connecting a central processing unit, a main storage device and a peripheral device by a bus, among the central processing device, the main storage device and the peripheral device, Corresponding diagnosis target devices corresponding to the respective devices predetermined as the diagnosis target devices, after the corresponding diagnosis target devices are mounted or repaired until the first execution of the self-diagnosis program. Of the corresponding diagnostic target device is executed by executing the self-diagnosis program when the measured operating time exceeds the specified time peculiar to the corresponding diagnostic target device. After the diagnosis is performed and the self-diagnosis program has already been executed, the usage time of the corresponding diagnostic target device from the time of the previous execution of the self-diagnosis program is measured, and the measured usage time is shorter than the specified time. A time monitoring unit that executes a self-diagnosis program and performs self-diagnosis of a corresponding diagnosis target device when the diagnosis interval is longer than the peculiar diagnosis interval of the diagnosis target device.

Further, the present invention is carried out at the optimum time when the first self-diagnosis after the device to be diagnosed is mounted or repaired does not interfere much with normal processing and the fault can be detected quickly. The specified time is the mean time between failures for the purpose of

[0012]

In the self-diagnosis method of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the time monitoring unit provided corresponding to each diagnosis target device measures the usage time of the corresponding diagnosis target device, When the measured usage time becomes equal to or longer than the diagnostic interval specific to the corresponding diagnostic target device, the self-diagnosis program is executed to perform the self-diagnosis of the corresponding diagnostic target device. The self-diagnosis program detects the presence / absence of a failure in the device to be diagnosed, and also detects the presence / absence of a state that is not likely to cause a failure but is likely to cause a failure.

Regarding the execution of the first self-diagnosis program of the newly installed or repaired device to be diagnosed, its execution timing is judged by a prescribed time such as a mean failure interval, and the self-diagnosis of the second and subsequent self-diagnosis programs. Regarding the execution of the program, the execution timing is determined at a diagnostic interval shorter than the specified time.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a central processing unit 1, a main storage unit 2, and peripheral units 3 and 4 such as a magnetic disk unit and a floppy disk unit.
Time monitoring units 5 to 8, a display device 9, an output device 10,
It comprises a central processing unit 1, a main memory device 2, peripheral devices 3, 4, a display device 9 and a bus 11 for connecting an input device 10.

The time monitoring unit 5 has a self-diagnosis program for performing a self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1, and from the time the central processing unit 1 is newly mounted or repaired until the first self-diagnosis program is executed. , The usage time of the central processing unit 1 is measured, and the self-diagnosis program is executed when the measured usage time is equal to or longer than the average failure interval of the central processing unit 1 to perform the first self-diagnosis for the central processing unit 1. After the first self-diagnosis, the usage time of the central processing unit 1 from the time of the previous execution of the self-diagnosis program is measured, and the measured usage time is less than the diagnostic interval Each time, the self-diagnosis program is executed.

The time monitoring unit 6 has a self-diagnosis program for performing a self-diagnosis of the main storage device 2, and is provided after the main storage device 2 is newly mounted or repaired until the first self-diagnosis program is executed. , Measuring the use time of the main storage device 2, and executing the self-diagnosis program by performing the first self-diagnosis on the main storage device 2 when the measured use time exceeds the average failure interval of the main storage device 2. After the first self-diagnosis, the usage time of the main storage device 2 from the time of the last execution of the self-diagnosis program is measured, and the measured usage time is smaller than the average failure interval Each time, the self-diagnosis program is executed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the time monitoring unit 5 responsible for self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 and the time monitoring unit 6 responsible for self-diagnosis of the main storage unit 2.

The time monitoring units 5 and 6 are MPU 5 respectively.
1, 61, self-diagnosis program storage units 52 and 62,
It is composed of execution timing determination information storage units 53 and 63, timer units 54 and 64, and interval setting units 55 and 65.

The self-diagnosis program storage units 52 and 62 store self-diagnosis programs for self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 and the main storage unit 2, respectively.
Here, the self-diagnosis program detects the presence / absence of a failure such that normal processing cannot be executed, and the presence / absence of a status that does not lead to such a failure but is likely to cause a failure.
Note that a preventive maintenance is difficult, but a self-diagnosis program that detects only the presence or absence of a failure that makes it impossible to execute normal processing may be used.

Execution timing determination information storage units 53 and 63
Are each composed of a non-volatile memory, and as shown in FIG. 3, a mean failure interval, a usage time, a diagnostic interval,
The flags and are stored.

The mean time between failures is the average value of the time between adjacent failures and is the total operating time divided by the total number of failures during that period. Then, this mean failure interval is used to determine the execution timing of the first self-diagnosis program performed after the central processing unit 1 and the main memory 2 are newly mounted or repaired. In the execution timing determination information storage unit 53 in the time monitoring unit 5 that is in charge of self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1, the mean failure interval MTBF1 of the central processing unit 1 is in the time monitoring unit that is in charge of self-diagnosis of the main storage unit 2. In the execution timing determination information storage unit 63 of 6, the mean failure interval MTBF2 of the main storage device 2 is stored at the time of initial setting.

The usage time is a cumulative value of the time from the turning on of the power to the turning off of the power. However, it is set to “0” after completion of the self-diagnosis program and after completion of repair. Also, at the time of initial setting, it is set to "0".

The diagnostic interval is information indicating how long after the self-diagnosis program is executed, the self-diagnosis program is executed. That is, the diagnostic interval is used to determine the execution timing of the second self-diagnosis program. In the execution timing information storage unit 53 in the time monitoring unit 5 which is in charge of self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1, for example, a value of about 1/100 of the mean failure interval MTBF1 of the central processing unit 1 is stored in the main storage unit 2. The time monitoring unit 6 in charge of self-diagnosis stores, for example, a value of about 1/100 of the mean failure interval MTBF2 of the main storage device 2.

The flag is information indicating whether to determine the execution timing of the self-diagnosis program by using the mean failure interval or the diagnosis interval, which is turned off at the time of initial setting and at the completion of repair. It is turned on at the end of the first execution of the self-diagnosis program.

The execution timing judgment information storage unit 53,
In the initial setting of 63, the operator inputs the setting contents from the input device 10 at the start of use of the information processing device, and the central processing unit 1 sends the setting contents to the time monitoring units 5 and 6 via the bus 11, The setting contents sent by the MPUs 51 and 61 in the monitoring units 5 and 6 are stored in the execution timing determination information storage units 53 and 6, respectively.
By writing to 3.

The time monitoring units 7 and 8 have self-diagnosis programs for performing self-diagnosis of the peripheral devices 3 and 4, respectively, and are the first self-diagnosis programs after the peripheral devices 3 and 4 are newly mounted or repaired. Until the execution, the usage time of the peripheral devices 3 and 4 is measured, and the self-diagnosis program is executed when the measured usage time is equal to or longer than the average failure interval to execute the first self-diagnosis for the peripheral devices 3 and 4. After performing the first self-diagnosis, the usage time of the peripheral devices 3 and 4 from the time of the previous execution of the self-diagnosis program is measured, and the measured usage time is smaller than the average failure interval. It has a function of executing a self-diagnosis program each time the diagnosis interval is exceeded.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the time monitoring unit 7 which is in charge of self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3.
1, a self-diagnosis program storage unit 72, an execution timing determination information storage unit 73, an address register 74, a comparator 75, a clock 76, and a decoder 77. The time monitoring unit 8 that is in charge of self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 4 has the same configuration.

The self-diagnosis program storage unit 72 stores a self-diagnosis program for self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3. This self-diagnosis program is similar to the self-diagnosis program for self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 and the main memory 2, and the presence / absence of a failure such that normal processing cannot be executed and such a failure does not occur. It may be one that detects a state that is likely to occur or that only detects the presence or absence of a failure that makes it impossible to execute normal processing.

The execution timing judgment information storage section 73 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and as shown in FIG. 5, a mean failure interval, a usage time, a usage start time, a diagnosis interval,
The flags and are stored.

The average failure interval MTBF3 of the peripheral device 3 is set at the time of initial setting. The average failure interval MTBF3 is used to determine the execution timing of the first self-diagnosis program performed after the peripheral device 3 is newly mounted or repaired.

The usage time is a cumulative value of the times actually used by the peripheral device 3 for reading and writing data. However, it is set to “0” after completion of the self-diagnosis program and after completion of repair. Also, at the time of initial setting, it is set to "0".

The use start time indicates the latest time when the use of the peripheral device 3 is started. In addition, at the time of initial setting, NULL is set.

The diagnostic interval is information indicating how long after the self-diagnosis program is executed, the self-diagnosis program is executed. That is, the diagnostic interval is used to determine the execution timing of the second self-diagnosis program. In the execution timing information storage unit 73 in the time monitoring unit 7 which is in charge of self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3, for example, the mean failure interval MTBF of the peripheral device 3 is set.
A value of about 1/100 of 3 is stored. Whether the flag uses the mean failure interval MTBF3 to determine the execution timing of the self-diagnosis program, or the diagnosis interval MTBF3 / 1
This is information indicating whether to use 00.

The initialization of the execution timing judgment information storage unit 73 is performed by the execution timing judgment information storage units 53 and 63.
The same is done as.

In the address register 74, the address assigned to the peripheral device 3 is set.

The comparator 75 compares the address of the peripheral device 3 set in the address register 74 with the address on the bus 11 and, if there is a comparison match, has a function of notifying the MPU 71 of the start of use of the peripheral device 3. Have.

When the decoder 77 decodes the operation end notification output from the peripheral device 3 to the bus 11, it informs the MPU of this.
71 has the function of notifying.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a processing example of the time monitoring unit 7 in charge of self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3, FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a processing example at the time of executing the self-diagnosis program, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the time monitoring unit 6 in charge of diagnosis, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the time monitoring unit 5 in charge of self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1, and FIG.
11 is a flow chart showing a processing example of the central processing unit 1 when it is determined that it is time to perform the self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1, and FIG. 11 is the central processing unit 1 when the self-diagnosis for the central processing unit 1 ends normally. Is a flow chart showing a processing example of the above, and the operation of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to each drawing.

First, the operation of the time monitoring unit 7 which is in charge of self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3 will be described.

At the start of use of the peripheral device 3, the central processing unit 1
When the address, instruction, etc. of the peripheral device 3 are output from the bus 11 to the bus 11, the comparator 75 in the time monitoring unit 7 finds that the address on the bus 11 matches the address set in the address register 74. , And notifies the MPU 71 that the use of the peripheral device 3 has started.

When the MPU 71 receives this notification (YES in step S1 in FIG. 6), the time T1 indicated by the clock 76 is displayed.
Is read and the time T1 is written in the execution timing determination information storage unit 73 as the use start time (step S
2). After that, the MPU 71 returns to the process of step S1.

On the other hand, the peripheral device 3 which has received the instruction from the central processing unit 1 performs an operation in accordance with the instruction, and when the operation is completed, it sends an end notification to the central processing unit 1 via the bus 11. This end notification also includes information indicating the peripheral device 3.

When the end notification is output from the peripheral device 3 to the bus 11, the decoder 77 decodes it and notifies the MPU 71 of it.

Upon receiving this notification (YES in step S3), the MPU 71 reads the time T2 from the clock 76, and the difference from the use start time T1 stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 73 (T2-T1). Is calculated (step S4), and the difference (T2-T1) is accumulated in the usage time stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 73 (step S5).

After that, the MPU 71 determines whether the flag stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 73 is OFF, that is, the self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3 after the peripheral device 3 is newly mounted or repaired. It is determined whether or not the self-diagnosis program for performing is executed (step S6).

When it is determined that the flag is ON (NO in step S6), the MPU 71 determines that the peripheral device 3 stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 73
Compare the cumulative value of the usage time of and the diagnostic interval MTBF3,
It is determined whether or not usage time ≧ diagnosis interval (step S7).

When it is determined that the use time ≧ diagnosis interval is not satisfied (NO in step S7), the process returns to step S1.

If it is determined that the use time ≧ diagnosis interval (YES in step S7), the peripheral device 3
After notifying the central processing unit 1 that the self-diagnosis is started (step S8), the self-diagnosis program stored in the self-diagnosis program storage unit 72 is executed to perform the self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3 (step S9). ).

Here, the notification that the central processing unit 1 starts the self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3 is to prevent the central processing unit 1 from using the peripheral device 3 during the self-diagnosis. Is.

During execution of the self-diagnosis program, the MPU 71
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the diagnosis of a predetermined part of the peripheral device 3 is executed by a method of outputting a signal for operating the part, for example (step S21). Here, the predetermined part means an individual part or function when there are a plurality of parts or functions to be diagnosed in the peripheral device 3.

When the self-diagnosis ends abnormally (NO in step S22), the MPU 71 determines that there is a failure (step S23). Here, the case where the diagnosis ends abnormally means that the same diagnosis is retried a predetermined number of times γ but no normal result is obtained, and a retry is performed less than the number γ of times to obtain a normal result. If so, it is not judged to be a failure at this stage, and it is judged to be normal as in the case where a normal result is obtained without a retry.

In step S22, the diagnosis is normally completed,
That is, when it is determined that there is no failure, the number of retries performed in step S21 and the maximum number of retries that are held (0 is held when the self-diagnosis program is started).
If the number of retries performed in step S21 is larger, the maximum number of retries is updated to the number of retries performed in step S21. If not, the maximum number of retries is left unchanged (step S24). .

After that, the number of retries performed in step S21 is accumulated to the retained number of retries (0 is retained when the self-diagnosis program is started).
(Step S23).

The MPU 71 repeats the above-described processing until the diagnosis portion is completed (until step S26 becomes YES).

When the diagnosis of all the diagnosis parts of the peripheral device 3 is completed (YES in step S26), M
The PU 71 determines whether or not there is a failure (step S
27).

When it is determined that there is a failure (YES in step S27), the CPU 1 is notified of the abnormal end (step S30).

If it is determined that there is no failure (NO in step S27), it is determined whether at least one of the conditions of maximum retry count> α and cumulative retry count> β is satisfied. It is determined that the peripheral device 3 is not in the state of failure but is highly likely to cause the failure (step S28). Here, α is a value slightly smaller than the value γ that is determined to be a failure. This is because there is a high possibility that a part that does not operate normally unless it is retried several times will cause a failure. In addition, comparing the cumulative number of retries with β indicates that each part of the peripheral device 3 must be retried, and there is a high possibility that a failure will occur in the near future. This is because it is considered.

When the MPU 71 determines that the peripheral device 3 is in a state in which there is a high possibility of causing a failure (YES in step S28), it issues an abnormal end notification to the central processing unit 1 (step S30). If not (step S28 is NO), the central processing unit 1
A normal end notification is issued to (step S29).

When the abnormal end is notified, the central processing unit 1 displays the diagnosis result on the display device 9 to prompt the maintenance staff to repair the peripheral device 3, and when the normal end is notified, the diagnostic result is displayed. Is displayed on the display device 9, and the process using the peripheral device 3 is restarted.

When the execution of the self-diagnosis program is completed, the MPU 71 executes the execution timing judgment information storage unit 7
The use time stored in 3 is set to "0" (step S10).

After that, if the execution result of the self-diagnosis program performed in step S9 is normal termination (YES in step S11), the process returns to step S1. If it is abnormal termination, the process in step S14 is performed. Do

When it is determined that the flag is OFF (YES in step S6), the MPU 71 compares the use time stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 73 with the mean failure interval MTBF3 (step S6). S1
2) If the condition of usage time ≧ mean failure interval is satisfied, after turning on the flag (step S13), the process of step S8 is performed, and if the condition of usage time ≧ mean failure interval is not satisfied ( Step S12 is NO) The process of step S1 is performed.

When the display device 9 displays a diagnostic result indicating that the self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3 has been abnormally terminated,
The maintenance staff repairs the peripheral device 3, and when the repair is completed, inputs a repair completion notification of the peripheral device 3 from the input device 10.

When the MPU 71 in the time monitoring unit 7 in charge of self-diagnosis of the peripheral device 3 receives the repair completion notice of the peripheral device 3 (YES in step S14), it is stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 73. After turning off the flag (step S15), the process returns to step S1. Further, when the central processing unit 1 receives the repair completion notification of the peripheral device 3, it restarts the process using the peripheral device 3.

Next, the operation of the time monitoring unit 6 which is in charge of self-diagnosis of the main storage device 2 will be described.

When the power of the information processing apparatus is turned on, the MPU 61 in the time monitoring unit 6 starts the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, and first, the flag stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 63 is turned on. It is determined whether or not it is OFF, that is, whether or not the self-diagnosis program for performing the self-diagnosis of the main storage device 2 is executed after the main storage device 2 is newly mounted or repaired (step S31).

When it is determined that the flag is OFF, that is, when the self-diagnosis program has not been executed even once (YES in step S31), the average failure from the execution timing determination information storage unit 63 is detected. Interval MTB
F2 is read and set in the interval setting unit 65 (step S
32), if it is determined that the flag is ON (NO in step S31), the execution timing determination information storage unit 63
The diagnostic interval MTBF1 / 100 is read from and is set in the interval setting unit 65 (step S33).

After that, the MPU 61 reads the usage time stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 63 and passes it to the timer unit 64 (step S34).

When the usage time is passed from the MPU 61, the timer section 64 starts time measurement with the usage time as an initial value, and the measurement time is set to the time set in the interval setting section 65 (mean failure interval or diagnostic interval). Then, MPU61
Notify that to.

When the MPU 61 receives the above notification from the timer section 64 (YES in step S35), it notifies the central processing unit 1 that the self-diagnosis of the main storage device 2 will be started (step S36). Here, the purpose of notifying the central processing unit 1 of the start of the self-diagnosis of the main storage device 2 is to prevent the main storage device 2 which is performing the self-diagnosis from being used.

After that, the MPU 61 executes the self-diagnosis of the main memory 2 according to the self-diagnosis program stored in the self-diagnosis program storage unit 62 and notifies the central processing unit 1 of the diagnosis result (step S37).

When the MPU 61 notifies the self-diagnosis result of the main storage device 2, the central processing unit 1 performs the same process as when the MPU 71 notifies the self-diagnosis result of the peripheral device 3.

When the self-diagnosis of the main memory 2 is completed, M
The PU 61 sets the usage time stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 63 to "0" (step S38),
Then, determine whether the flag is OFF
(Step S39).

When it is determined that the flag is ON (NO in step S39), it is determined whether the self-diagnosis of the main storage device 2 is normally completed (step S41).

If it is determined that the flag is OFF (YES in step S39), the flag is turned ON.
After that (step S40), the process of step S41 is performed.

If it is determined in step S41 that the self-diagnosis for the main storage device 2 is normally completed, the process returns to step S31. If it is determined that the self-diagnosis is abnormally completed, a repair completion notification for the main storage device 2 is issued. Wait for input
(Step S42).

When the maintenance person repairs the main memory device 2 and inputs a repair completion notification of the main memory device 2 from the input device 10 (YES in step S42), the time monitoring unit in charge of self-diagnosis of the main memory device 2. The MPU 61 in 6 sets the use time stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 63 to "0" (step S43), and further turns off the flag.
(Step S44), and then the process returns to step S31.

Further, the MPU 61, when the information processing apparatus is powered off (YES in step S45), the timer unit 6
4 is read (step S46), and the read time is written in the execution timing determination information storage unit 63 as the usage time.

Next, the operation of the time monitoring unit 5 which is in charge of self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 will be described.

When the information processing apparatus is powered on, the MPU 51 in the time monitoring unit 5 which is in charge of self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 starts the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Whether the flag stored in the storage unit 53 is OFF, that is, the central processing unit 1
Is newly mounted or repaired, and then it is determined whether or not a self-diagnosis program for self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 is executed (step S51).

If it is determined that the flag is OFF, that is, if it is determined that the self-diagnosis program is not executed after mounting or repairing the central processing unit 1 (YES in step S51), the interval setting section 55 is instructed. When the mean failure interval MTBF1 is set (step S52) and it is determined that it is ON (step S51 is NO), the diagnostic interval MTBF1 / 100 is set in the interval setting unit 65 (step S53).

After that, the MPU 51 reads the usage time stored in the execution timing determination information storage section 53 and passes the read usage time to the timer section 54 (step S54).

When the usage time is passed from the MPU 51, the timer unit 54 sets the time as an initial value and starts measuring the time, and the measurement time is set to the mean failure interval or diagnostic interval set in the interval setting unit 55. By becoming, MPU51
Notify that to.

When the MPU 51 receives the notification from the timer section 54 (YES in step S55), the central processing unit 1
Is notified of the start of self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 (step S56).

Upon receiving this notification, the central processing unit 1
As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 10, in order to restore the current state after self-diagnosis, the contents of the register are saved to the magnetic disk device or the like (step S71). After that, the central processing unit 1 notifies the time monitoring unit 5 of the evacuation completion (step S72) and suspends the processing (step S73).

Upon receipt of the evacuation completion notification from the central processing unit 1 (YES in step S57), the MPU 51 executes the self-diagnosis program stored in the self-diagnosis program storage unit 52 to perform the self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1. Is executed (step S58).

Here, when the self-diagnosis program is executed, MP
U51 performs almost the same process as the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, but the normal end is determined in step S29 by the central processing unit 1.
To the central processing unit 1 instead of notifying the central processing unit 1 that the self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 has ended normally, and instead of notifying the central processing unit 1 of the abnormal end in step S30, the self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 ends abnormally. This is displayed on the display device 9 to prompt the maintenance staff to repair the central processing unit 1.

When the self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 is completed,
The MPU 51 sets the use time stored in the execution timing determination information storage unit 53 to "0" (step S5
9) Then, determine whether the flag is OFF
(Step S60).

When it is determined that the flag is ON (NO in step S60), it is determined whether the self-diagnosis performed in step S58 is normally completed (step S62), and the flag is OFF. If you decide
(YES in step S60), after changing the flag to ON (step S61), the process of step S62 is performed.

If it is determined in step S62 that the self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 has been completed normally, the MPU 50
Returns to the processing of step S51 after notifying the central processing unit 1 of the normal end.

When the normal end is notified, the central processing unit 1
Is, as shown in the flow chart of FIG.
The information saved in 71 is restored (step S81), and then the process is restarted (step S82).

In step S62, the central processing unit 1
If it is determined that the self-diagnosis of
The U51 waits until a repair completion notification is input from the input device 9 (step S64).

When the display unit 9 displays that the self-diagnosis of the central processing unit 1 is abnormally completed, the maintenance staff repairs the central processing unit 1. When the repair is completed, a maintenance completion notice is input to the input unit 10. Enter from.

When the repair completion notice of the central processing unit 1 is input from the input unit 10, the central processing unit 1 restores the contents saved in step S71 of FIG. 10 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Step S81), the process is restarted
(Step S82).

When the repair completion notice of the central processing unit 1 is input to the MPU 51 (YES in step S64).
S), the usage time of the execution timing determination information storage unit 53 is set to "0", and the flag is turned off (step S6).
5, S66), and then the process returns to step S51.

Further, when the power of the information processing device is turned off (YES in step S67), the MPU 51 causes the timer unit 5 to operate.
4 is read (step S68), the read time is written as the use time in the execution timing determination information storage unit 53 (step S69), and the process is ended.

In the above-described embodiment, the first self-diagnosis of the diagnosis target device which has been started to be used after the diagnosis target device is newly mounted or repaired, the usage time is equal to or longer than the average failure interval. However, it goes without saying that a time other than the mean failure interval may be used. However, the use of the mean failure interval makes it possible to detect a failure quickly without significantly hindering normal processing.

[0099]

As described above, according to the present invention, the usage time of the device to be diagnosed is measured, and automatically every time the usage time from the previous diagnosis exceeds the predetermined diagnostic interval. Since the self-diagnosis program is executed, there is an effect that a proper diagnosis according to the usage time of each diagnosis target device can be automatically performed without manual intervention.

Further, since the time monitoring unit holds the measured usage time in the execution timing judgment information storage unit composed of the non-volatile memory, the measured usage time of the diagnosis object device is lost due to the power-off of the information processing device. There is an effect that the control can be performed according to the accumulated use time from the time before the power is turned off.

In addition to the presence / absence of a fault in the device to be diagnosed, the self-diagnosis program also detects the presence / absence of a state that is not likely to cause a fault but has a high possibility of causing a fault. The target device can be repaired and replaced.

Furthermore, the execution of the first self-diagnosis program of the device to be diagnosed, which is started to be used after being newly mounted or repaired, is performed after a longer use time is measured than the second and subsequent startups. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to make a diagnosis at a timing that matches the actual situation in which a new device to be diagnosed after repair or replacement is unlikely to fail for a while.

Furthermore, since the first self-diagnosis program is executed at the timing when the usage time of the diagnosis target device is equal to or longer than the mean failure interval, the normal processing is not disturbed so much and the failure is prevented. This has the effect of enabling rapid detection.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of time monitoring units 5 and 6.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of contents of execution timing determination information storage units 53 and 63.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a time monitoring unit 7.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of contents of an execution timing determination information storage unit 73.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the MPU 71.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing example when a self-diagnosis program is executed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the MPU 61.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the MPU 51.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the central processing unit 1 at the start of self-diagnosis.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the central processing unit 1 when the self-diagnosis ends normally.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 ... Central processing unit 2 ... Main storage device 3, 4 ... Peripheral device 5-8 ... Time monitoring unit 9 ... Display device 10 ... Input device 11 ... Bus 51, 61, 71 ... MPU 52, 62, 72 ... Self-diagnosis program storage unit 53, 63, 73 ... Execution timing determination information storage unit 54, 64 ... Timer unit 55, 65 ... Interval setting unit 74 ... Address register 75 ... Comparator 76 ... Clock 77 ... Decoder

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus comprising a central processing unit, a main storage unit and a peripheral unit connected by a bus, wherein a diagnosis target is selected from among the central processing unit, the main storage unit and the peripheral unit. For each device defined as a device, measure the usage time of the corresponding diagnostic target device from the time of the previous self-diagnostic program execution, and measure the measured usage time as a diagnostic interval or more specific to the corresponding diagnostic target device. Accordingly, a self-diagnosis method for an information processing apparatus, comprising a time monitoring unit that executes a self-diagnosis program and self-diagnoses a corresponding diagnosis target device. 2. The time monitoring unit has an execution timing determination information storage unit composed of a non-volatile memory, and has a configuration for holding the measured usage time in the execution timing determination information storage unit. The self-diagnosis method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The self-diagnosis program is a program for detecting the presence / absence of a fault in the device to be diagnosed and the presence / absence of a state that is not likely to cause a fault but is likely to cause a fault. Self-diagnosis method for information processing equipment. 4. An information processing apparatus comprising a central processing unit, a main storage unit and a peripheral unit connected by a bus, wherein the central processing unit, the main storage unit and the peripheral unit are diagnosed in advance. Corresponding to each device defined as a device, from the time the corresponding device to be diagnosed is mounted or repaired until the first time the self-diagnosis program is executed, the usage time of the corresponding device to be diagnosed after being mounted or repaired When the measured usage time exceeds the specified time specific to the corresponding diagnostic target device, the self-diagnosis program is executed to perform the self-diagnosis of the corresponding diagnostic target device, and the self-diagnosis program has already been executed. After that, measure the usage time of the corresponding diagnostic target device from the time of the previous self-diagnosis program execution, and the measured usage time is shorter than the specified time. The self-test of the information processing apparatus is characterized by comprising a time monitoring unit for executing a self-diagnosis program and performing self-diagnosis of the corresponding diagnosis target apparatus when the diagnosis interval is longer than the peculiar diagnosis interval of the corresponding diagnosis target apparatus. Diagnostic method. 5. The self-diagnosis method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the prescribed time is a mean failure interval. 6. The time monitoring unit has an execution timing information storage unit configured by a non-volatile memory, and is configured to hold the measured usage time in the execution timing information storage unit. Item 5. A self-diagnosis method for an information processing apparatus according to item 5. 7. The self-diagnosis program is a program for detecting the presence / absence of a failure of the device to be diagnosed and the presence / absence of a state that is not likely to cause a failure but is likely to cause a failure. Self-diagnosis method for information processing equipment.