JPH0798686A - Extended board setting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent malfunction, and to improve reliability by automatically setting a set content between an extended board and a computer. CONSTITUTION:ID setting and transmitting means 1 and 4 successively transmit each ID to a bus 2, and ID assigning means 5 and 71-73 successively transmit a strobing signal to each extended board 31-33 synchronously with each transmitted ID. When the peculiar space of each extended board is individually set from each ID transmitted from the ID setting and transmitting means and each strobing signal transmitted from the ID assigning means, a set information setting means sets set information related to a bus based on the board information in the peculiar space. A setting program for setting the peculiar information related to the extended board is stored in a setting program storage means, and a peculiar information setting means sets the peculiar information of the extended board based on the setting program stored in the setting program storage means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an expansion board setting method for a computer system to which expansion boards can be connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a computer system in which an expansion board can be connected to a computer, it is possible for the computer to execute processing using the expansion board by accurately setting the expansion board and the computer. There is.

Further, some computer systems of this type do not support automatic setting (hereinafter referred to as automatic configuration) between the expansion board and the computer, and some support automatic configuration.

A computer system that is not automatically configured is operated by an operator so that hardware resources such as a memory space, an I / O space and an interrupt line do not overlap with each other. Is set.

On the other hand, in a computer system that supports automatic configuration, a space unique to a slot is recognized by a select signal of a slot corresponding to each slot number, and a file depicting the setting information of each expansion board is used as the setting information. , The expansion board is auto-configured through this space.

[0006]

However, in the above computer system, if automatic configuration is not supported, the operator may make an incorrect setting when setting the setting information of a plurality of expansion boards. is there.

On the other hand, in a computer system that supports automatic configuration, there is a possibility that a file storing the setting information of each expansion board will be erased by an incorrect command operation.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and by automatically setting the setting contents between the extension board and the computer, malfunction of the extension board can be prevented and reliability can be improved. The purpose is to provide a scheme.

Another object of the present invention is to lose the compatibility of the bus by sending the strobe signal using the existing signal line of the bus when setting the setting contents between the expansion board and the computer. It is to provide an expansion board setting method that can realize the bus function at normal times. Another object of the present invention is to provide an expansion board setting method capable of quickly setting the settings between the expansion board and the computers when the computer is restarted.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of expansion boards are connected to a computer via a bus, and a unique space in which board information of each expansion board is stored and the board information In a computer system in which the computer executes processing by using each expansion board by setting corresponding setting information and unique information of each expansion board, it is provided in the computer and individually corresponds to each expansion board. When a unique ID is set, the ID setting sending means for sending the respective IDs to the bus sequentially, and when the IDs are set in the ID setting sending means, are synchronized with the sent IDs. As described above, strobe signals are sequentially sent to each expansion board individually, and an ID allocating means is provided individually to each expansion board and sent from the ID setting sending means. When the peculiar space of each expansion board is individually set by each ID and each strobe signal sent by the ID assigning means, the setting information for the bus is set based on the board information in the peculiar space. Information setting means, a non-volatile setting program storage means that is individually provided in each expansion board, and stores a setting program for setting unique information about the expansion board, and a non-volatile setting program storage means stored in the setting program storage means. This is an expansion board setting method provided with unique information setting means for setting unique information of the expansion board based on a setting program.

The invention according to claim 2 is the above I.
The D assigning means sequentially generates strobe signals when the IDs are set in the ID setting means, and sends the strobe signals individually to the expansion boards via the signal lines of the bus. This is an expansion board setting method that consists of hardware circuits.

Further, in the invention corresponding to claim 3, the board information in the unique space provided in the computer, the setting information set by the setting information setting means, and the unique information set by the unique information setting information are set. Expansion board information storage means for storing information via the bus, and board information read from the expansion board via the bus when the computer is started and stored in the expansion board information storage means. When the board information is read out and both are compared, and when the comparison results are in agreement, the system starting means for setting the expansion board based on the setting information and the unique information stored in the expansion board information storage means is provided. This is an expansion board setting method corresponding to claim 1 or 2.

[0013]

Therefore, according to the invention corresponding to claim 1, by taking the above-mentioned means, when the ID setting transmitting means sets the unique ID individually corresponding to each expansion board,
Each ID is sequentially sent to the bus, and the ID assigning means
When each ID is set in the setting sending means, strobe signals are sequentially sent individually to each expansion board so as to be synchronized with each ID sent, and the setting information setting means sends each strobe signal from the ID setting sending means. When the eigenspace of each expansion board is individually set by the ID and each strobe signal sent by the ID allocating means, the setting information regarding the bus is set based on the board information in the eigenspace, and the non-volatile setting is performed. The program storage means stores a setting program for setting the unique information about the expansion board, and the unique information setting means stores the unique information of the expansion board based on the setting program stored in the setting program storage means. Since the information is set, malfunctions can be prevented by automatically setting the settings between the expansion board and the computer. Can be improved-reliability.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the ID assigning means sequentially generates strobe signals when each ID is set in the ID setting means, and sends each strobe signal through the signal line of the bus. Since it is a hardware circuit that sends out sequentially to each expansion board, by sending a strobe signal using the existing signal line of the bus when setting the settings between the expansion board and the computer, The bus function can be realized under normal conditions without compromising compatibility.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is provided with an expansion board information storage means for storing the setting information set by the setting information setting means and the unique information set by the unique information setting information via the bus. When the computer is booted, the system boot means reads the board information from the expansion board via the bus and the board information stored in the expansion board information storage means, compares the two, and the comparison result is the same. In this case, since the expansion board is set based on the setting information and the unique information stored in the expansion board information storage means, when the computer is restarted, the setting contents between the expansion board and the computers can be quickly set. be able to.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are configuration diagrams of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This computer system is
3 on the computer system board 1 via the system bus 2
Two expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ are connected. The system bus 2 is composed of a data bus 2a, an address bus 2b and a control signal bus 2c.

Here, the system board 1 has an expansion board specific space setting area 4, a slot select signal generating circuit 5 and a total expansion board setting data area 6.
The expansion board specific space setting area 4 is for each expansion board 3 ₁
Unique IDs corresponding to ₃ to 3 ₃ are individually set, and each set ID has a function of sequentially transmitting to the system bus 2.

The slot select signal generating circuit (ID allocating means) 5 stores each ID in the expansion board specific space setting area 4.
, The slot select signals (strobe signals) are sequentially generated, and each slot select signal is sent to the existing interrupt signal line (IRQ) 7 of the system bus 2.
_{The data} is sent individually to each of the expansion boards 3 ₁ to ₃ 3 via any of _{1 to} 7 ₃ .

Specifically, the slot select signal generating circuit 5 has an S terminal for inverting input, an R terminal for inverting input, and a D terminal.
First to third D-type flip-flops 8 ₁ to 8 _{3 each} having a terminal, an inverted output Q terminal, and a clock input terminal
(Hereinafter, referred to as D-FF) is arranged in series.

Here, the clock input terminals are connected to each other, and the write pulse WR can be input at the same time.
The respective R terminals are connected to each other and can be reset at the same time. Each S terminal and a first D-FF8 ₁ D terminal are connected to each other, setting the effective signal is enabled input.
The 8 ₁ Q terminal of the _first D-FF is the D of the second D-FF 8 ₂ .
The Q terminal of the _second D-FF8 ₂ is connected to the terminal, and the Q terminal of the _second D-FF8 ₂ is connected to the D terminal of the third D-FF8 ₃ .

Further, the _first to _third D-FFs 8 ₁ to 8 ₃
Q terminals of are individually connected to the control terminals of the open collector type buffers 9 _{1 to} 9 ₃ with tri-state control,
The output terminals of the buffers 9 _{1 to} 9 ₃ are the expansion boards 3 ₁ to
Corresponding to 3 ₃ , it is connected to any of the interrupt signal lines 7 _{1 to} 7 ₃ . The buffers 9 _{1 to} 9 ₃ output signals Q1 to Q1 from the Q terminals of the corresponding D-FFs 8 ₁ to 8 ₃ , respectively.
When Q3 is received, the corresponding slot select signal S1
It has a function of outputting to one of the interrupt signal line 7 _{1-7 3} to S3.

The entire expansion board setting data area (expansion board information storage means) 6 is non-volatile and is an area for storing the setting contents of all the expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ .
Here, information in the board information area 10 and the setting information area 12, which will be described later, can be stored.

On the other hand, each of the expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ has a board information area 10, an expansion board specific setting program area 11 and a setting information area 12. The board information area 10 is non-volatile and, for example, the manufacturer name,
Board type, hardware revision, firmware version, required memory space capacity, need / not need of interrupt, D
Board information indicating the necessity / unnecessity of MA and presence / absence of unique setting is stored in advance in the unique space and can be read from the system board 1 via the system bus 2.

The expansion board specific setting program area (setting program storage means) 11 is non-volatile and has expansion boards 3 ₁ to ₃ 3 having contents not related to the system bus 2.
A setting program for setting the unique information is stored in advance and can be read from the system board 1 via the system bus 2.

A RAM is used for the setting information area 12, for example, a memory space base address, an interrupt number, a DM.
This is an area in which setting information related to the system bus 2 such as the A number and unique information not related to the system bus 2 are stored, and can be read and written from the system board 1 via the system bus 2.

Next, the expansion board setting method of the computer system configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that here, after the outline is described with reference to FIG.
A detailed description will be given with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the operator
The extension boards 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ are connected (mounted) to the system bus 2 and the power is turned on (ST1). The system board 1 performs its own initial setting and self-diagnosis (ST
2).

Thereafter, the system board 1 sets the eigenspace of each of the expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ (ST3). The system board 1 also automatically configures the expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ (ST4).

When the automatic configuration of all expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ is completed, the OS is booted and started.
Start up the computer system (ST5). This allows
Computer can execute processing using the extension board 3 ₁ to 3 _3.

Next, such automatic configuration will be described in detail. In addition, first, the first automatic configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
Subsequently, the second and subsequent automatic configurations will be described with reference to FIG.

Now, assume that the above-mentioned ST2 is completed.
Subsequently, the system board 1 sets the IDs of the expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3 _{3 in} the expansion board specific space setting area 4 (S
T3). When the setting is completed, as shown in FIG.
The slot signal generation circuit 5 is reset (time t1), and thereafter, a setting valid signal is generated as shown in FIG. 4 (b) (time t2).

The setting valid signal enables the _first to _third D-FFs 8 ₁ to 8 ₃ of the slot signal generation circuit 5 to operate, and as shown in FIGS. 4 (c) and 4 (d), they are not shown. Expansion board specific space setting area 4 by CPU
Is designated on the address bus 2b, and the ID set in ST3 is sequentially transmitted to the data bus 2a (ID setting transmitting means). Furthermore, the first to third D-F
The write pulse WR shown in FIG. 4E is input to F8 ₁ to 8 ₃ .

When the write pulse WR rises at time t3, the first D-FF 8 ₁ outputs the output signal Q1 to the buffer 9 ₁ and the second D-FF 8 ₁ as shown in FIG. 4 (f).
Send to ₂ .

When the buffer 9 ₁ receives this output signal Q1, as shown in FIG. 4 (i), the slot select signal S
1 is sent to the extension board 3 ₁ via the interrupt signal line 7 ₁ .

When the expansion board 3 ₁ receives the slot select signal S1, it receives the ID1 on the data bus 2a, and uses the ID1 as an address for the board information area 10.
The eigenspace of is set.

In the same manner, the system board 1 allocates ID2 and ID3 to other extension boards and individually sets the unique space of each board information area 10. After the setting of the unique space of the board information area 10, the slot select signal generation circuit 5 enables the interrupt signal lines 7 _{1 to} 7 ₃ to realize a normal operation function.

Next, the system board 1 is, as shown in FIG. 5, a board information area 10 for each expansion board 3 _{1 to} 3 _3.
The board information stored in the
T11), for items that require hardware settings for the system bus 2, setting information for the system bus 1 is set in the setting information area 12 (ST12: setting information setting means).

[0038] Subsequently, the system board 1, for all expansion boards 3 ₁ to 3 ₃ requiring the setting of specific information, reads the setting program from the expansion board specific setting program area 11 of the extension board 3 ₁ to 3 _3, Based on this setting program, the unique information inside the expansion board is set in the setting information area 12 (ST13: unique information setting means).

[0039] Further, the system board 1, for all expansion boards 3 ₁ to 3 _3, read and board information stored in the board information area 10, and the setting information and the specific information set in the setting information area 12 At the same time, the board information, the setting information and the unique information are stored in the entire extension board setting data area 6 (ST14).

As a result, all expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃
Auto-configuration is completed. After that, the process goes to ST5 described above, and the computer system is activated and the process can be executed.

Next, the automatic configuration of the second and subsequent expansion boards will be described with reference to FIG. Now, it is assumed that ST2 ends and the system board 1 has performed its own initial settings and self-diagnosis.

[0042] Subsequently, the system board 1 reads with reading board information from board information area 10 of the extension board 3 _1, the board information of the extension board 3 _{corresponding} ones from all expansion boards setting data area 6, the boards The information is compared (ST21: system starting means) and it is determined whether or not the configuration of the expansion board has changed from that at the time of the previous automatic configuration (ST22: system starting means).

In ST22, when the determination result shows that there is a change, the system board 1 determines ST12 to ST described above.
When the processes up to 14 are executed (ST23 to 25) and the determination result shows that there is no change, the setting information and the unique information of the expansion board are read from all the extension board setting data areas 6 and the setting information and the unique information are read Is set in the setting information area 12 of this expansion board (ST26: system starting means).

Hereinafter, the system board 1 is such an S
The automatic configuration from T21 to ST26 is executed for the other expansion boards 3 ₂ and 3 ₃ . Further, when the automatic configuration of all expansion boards 3 ₁ to 3 ₃ are completed, as before went to ST5, the process computer system is started can be executed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when each ID is set in the expansion board specific space setting area 4,
Each ID transmitted by the slot select signal generation circuit 5
The slot select signals S1 to S3 are sequentially sent individually to the respective expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3 _{3 so} as to be synchronized with the IDs, and the IDs received in synchronization with the slot select signals S1 to S3 are received.
When the peculiar space of the board information area 10 is individually set by the system board 1, the system board 1 sets the setting information regarding the bus 2 in the setting information area 12 based on the board information, and the expansion board peculiar setting program area 11 Based on the setting program, the expansion boards 3 _{1 to} 3
_Since the unique information of ₃ is set in the setting information area 12, malfunction can be prevented and reliability can be improved by automatically setting the setting contents between the expansion board and the computer.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the slot select signal generating circuit 5 is arranged so that each slot select signal S1 to S
3 since such is sent via an existing interrupt signal line 7 _{1-7 3} bus 2 to each expansion board 3 ₁ to 3 _3, without impairing the compatibility of the bus, realizing bus function during normal Can be made.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the system board 1 stores the setting information and the unique information in the setting information area 12 in the entire expansion board setting data area 6, and when the computer is started, the bus 2 is set. expansion board 3 ₁ to 3 ₃ through
The board information stored in all expansion board setting data areas 6 is read out, and the board information stored in all expansion board setting data areas 6 is read. Since the expansion board is set based on the above, it is possible to quickly set the settings between the expansion board and the computer when the computer is restarted.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the board information area 10, the expansion board specific setting program area 11 and the entire expansion board setting area 6 are realized by the non-volatile memory, so that erasure due to an erroneous operation can be prevented. You can

In the above embodiment, the slot select signals S1 to S3 are sent to the extension boards 3 ₁ to ₃ 3 via the interrupt signal lines 7 _{1 to} 7 ₃ , but the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect as the present invention can be obtained by using other control signals. In addition, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0050]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, when the unique IDs corresponding to the respective expansion boards are set by the ID setting and sending means, the respective IDs are sequentially sent to the bus. , ID assigning means sends each ID to this ID setting sending means.
Is set, strobe signals are sequentially and individually sent to the respective expansion boards so as to be synchronized with the respective IDs to be sent, and the setting information setting means uses the IDs and ID allocation means sent from the ID setting sending means. When the eigenspace of each expansion board is individually set by each strobe signal transmitted, the setting information regarding the bus is set based on the board information in the eigenspace, and the nonvolatile setting program storage means A setting program for setting the unique information about the expansion board is stored, and the unique information setting means sets the unique information of the expansion board based on the setting program stored in the setting program storage means. Therefore, by automatically setting the settings between the extension board and the computer, malfunctions are prevented and reliability is improved. It is able to provide an expansion board setting method.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the ID assigning means sequentially generates the strobe signal when each ID is set in the ID setting means, and sends each strobe signal through the signal line of the bus. Since it is a hardware circuit that sends out sequentially to each expansion board, by sending a strobe signal using the existing signal line of the bus when setting the settings between the expansion board and the computer, It is possible to provide an expansion board setting method that can realize a bus function at normal times without impairing compatibility.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, there is provided an expansion board information storage means for storing the setting information set by the setting information setting means and the unique information set by the unique information setting information via the bus. When the computer is booted, the system boot means reads the board information from the expansion board via the bus and the board information stored in the expansion board information storage means, compares the two, and the comparison result is the same. In this case, since the expansion board is set based on the setting information and the unique information stored in the expansion board information storage means, the setting contents between the expansion board and the computers can be quickly set when the computer is restarted. An expansion board setting method can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a computer system in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... system board, 2 ... system bus, 3 ₁ to 3 ₃ ...
Expansion board, 4 ... Expansion board specific space setting area, 5 ...
Slot select signal generation circuit, 6 ... All expansion board setting data area, 7 _{1 to} 7 ₃ ... Interrupt signal line, 8 ₁ to 8
₃ ... D-FF, 9 _{1 to} 9 ₃ ... Buffer, 10 ... Board information area, 11 ... Expansion board specific setting program area, 12 ... Setting information area.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of expansion boards are connected to a computer via a bus, and a unique space in which board information of each expansion board is stored, setting information corresponding to the board information, and unique information of each expansion board are stored. By being defined, in a computer system in which the computer executes processing using each of the expansion boats, when a unique ID provided in the computer and individually corresponding to each of the expansion boards is set, the corresponding ID is set. An ID setting transmitting means for sequentially transmitting to the bus, and when each ID is set in the ID setting transmitting means,
ID assigning means for sequentially sending strobe signals to the expansion boards individually in synchronization with the IDs sent, and IDs sent from the ID setting sending means individually provided for the expansion boards. And, when the eigenspace of each expansion board is individually set by each strobe signal sent by the ID assigning means, setting information setting for setting the bus-related setting information based on the board information in the eigenspace. Means, a non-volatile setting program storage means that is provided for each of the expansion boards, and stores a setting program for setting unique information about the expansion board, and a setting program stored in the setting program storage means. The expansion board is provided with unique information setting means for setting unique information of the expansion board based on De-setting method. 2. The ID assigning means sequentially generates strobe signals when the IDs are set in the ID setting means, and sends the strobe signals to the expansion boards via signal lines of the bus. 2. The expansion board setting system according to claim 1, wherein the expansion board setting system comprises a hardware circuit for sending out sequentially and individually. 3. The board information provided in the computer, the board information in the unique space, the setting information set by the setting information setting means, and the unique information set by the unique information setting information are stored via the bus. Expansion board information storage means and, when the computer is started, reads board information from the expansion board via the bus, reads board information stored in the expansion board information storage means, and compares the two. 3. When the comparison result is coincident with each other, the system further comprises a system starting means for setting the expansion board based on the setting information and the unique information stored in the expansion board information storage means. Expansion board setting method described.