JPH1063385A - Bus extender - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bus extender where an extension board where initialization is required is exchanged without turning-off the power of the computer mainbody from a computer mainbody. SOLUTION: An instruction for separating the extension board is inputted from an extension board separating instruction input part 5, bus separating mechanism 2 and a power disconnecting mechanism 3 separates the extension board 11 from an extension bus 10 and the extension board 11 is exchanged. After that, when the input for indicating the separation of the extension board is stopped, power disconnecting mechanism 3 supplies power to the extension board 11 and, then, an extension board initializing part 6 initializes the extension board 11 in accordance with initializing procedure which is stored in an initialization procedure storage part 7. When initialization is ended, bus separating mechanism 2 connects the extension board 11 to the extension bus 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a bus extender, and more particularly to a bus extender capable of replacing an extension board without turning off a power source of an information processing apparatus such as a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a bus extender of this kind can replace an expansion board in which an abnormality has occurred without stopping the operation of a computer main body as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-260342. It is used for the purpose of doing. JP-A-61-26034 mentioned above
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2 (1999) -1995 discloses a bus extender that includes a bus control circuit, a sequence control circuit, a power supply control circuit, a driver / receiver control circuit, and an insertion / removal detection circuit, and facilitates checking for abnormalities and replacing defective packages during operation. A configuration has been proposed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional bus extender. 1. In FIG. 5, 01 is a central processing unit, 102 is a system bus, 10
3 is an address bus, 104 is a data bus, 105 is a control bus, 106 is a bus control circuit for interfacing with the system bus 102, 107 is a sequence control circuit, 108 is an address bus 103, a data bus 104,
And a driver / receiver circuit for connecting / disconnecting the control bus 105; 109, a power supply control circuit for connecting / disconnecting power from the system bus 102; 110, insertion / removal for detecting insertion / removal of a package. Detection circuit,
111 is an input / output control device, 112 is a bus extender,
113 is a power supply line.

Next, the operation of the conventional bus extender shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

When a hardware abnormality is found in the input / output control device 111 by the check of the input / output control device 111 by the central processing device 101, the central processing device 101
Then, the bus extender 112 is notified that the abnormality has been detected.

The bus control circuit 106 is a central processing unit 101
And sends it to the sequence control circuit 107. Upon receiving the output from the bus control circuit 106, the sequence control circuit 107
08, the system bus 102 and the input / output controller 1
11 to output a control signal for disconnecting the bus.

The driver / receiver circuit 108 which has received the control signal disconnects the address bus 103, the data bus 104, and the control bus 105 from the system bus 102 to the input / output control device 111.

Next, a control signal is output from the sequence control circuit 107 to the power supply control circuit 109 to instruct the power supply line 113 supplied from the system bus 102 to the input / output control device 111 to be disconnected.

The power supply control circuit 1 receiving this control signal
In step 09, the power supply line 113 connected to the input / output control device 111 is disconnected.

At this point, the input / output control device 111 is disconnected from the system bus 102 and can be inserted and removed by the bus extender 112.

In this state, the package of the input / output control device 111 in which an abnormality has been recognized is transferred to the bus extender 112.
Remove it and replace it with a normal package.

This insertion / extraction operation is detected by the insertion / removal detection circuit 110, and information on the insertion / removal is output to the sequence control circuit 107.

After the exchange with a normal package, the sequence control circuit 107 receives the information indicating the completion of the insertion from the insertion / removal detection circuit 110 and supplies the power supply control circuit 109 to the input / output control device 111 from the system bus 102. And outputs a control signal for connecting the power supply line 113.

Power supply control circuit 109 receiving this control signal
Connects a power supply line from the system bus 102 to the input / output control device 111 and restarts power supply from the system bus 102.

The input / output control device 111 which receives power supply
In response to this, the sequence control circuit 107 outputs a control signal for device initialization on the control bus 105,
The initialization of the receiver circuit 108 and the input / output control device 111 is instructed.

The input / output control device 111 which has received the control signal initializes itself and outputs data indicating the end of the initialization to the sequence control circuit 107 via the control bus 105 when the initialization is completed. I do.

The sequence control circuit 107 receives data indicating the end of initialization from the input / output control device 111.
Outputs a control signal to the driver / receiver circuit 108 to instruct the system bus 102 and the input / output control device 111 to connect the bus.

The driver / receiver circuit 108 that has received the control signal sets the address bus 103, the data bus 104, and the control bus 105 connected to the system bus 102 to a state in which they are connected to the input / output control device 111.

At this time, the replaced input / output control device 1
11 is connected to the system bus 102 and becomes operable.

Next, the sequence control circuit 107 sends an interrupt request to the central processing unit 101 to the bus control circuit 10.
6 and receives the interrupt request, the bus control circuit 106 acquires the right to use the system bus 102, and
An interrupt is issued to the central processing unit 101.

In response to the interrupt from the bus control circuit 106, the central processing unit 101 completes the exchange of the input / output control device 111 connected below the bus extender 112 and enters a state where the input / output control device 111 can be used. And it is possible to output a command to the input / output control device 111.

[0022]

However, the above-described conventional bus extender has the following problems.

(1) The first problem is that only an extension board in which an abnormality is recognized can be replaced. As a result, the expansion board in which an abnormality has been recognized and the normal expansion board cannot be used in the inspection work of the expansion board which needs to be replaced. For this reason, in the inspection work, when exchanging an extension board, it is necessary to turn off the power of the computer main body each time, replace the extension board, and turn on the power of the computer main body again. Generally, it takes time from when the power of the computer is turned on until the computer becomes usable.

For this reason, the inspection time per one extension board becomes long.

The reason is that, in the above-mentioned conventional system, the power of the main body of the central processing unit is turned off based on the notification from the central processing unit only for the expansion board in which the abnormality is detected on the central processing unit side. This is because the board can be inserted and removed, but the power supply of the computer main body is turned on and there is no means for replacing a normal expansion board.

(2) The second problem is that when an expansion board that needs to be initialized from the computer body is replaced,
This means that after replacing the expansion board, the expansion board must be initialized from the computer.

This is because the means for initializing the expansion board is not provided on the bus extender.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to replace a normal expansion board without turning off the power of the computer main body, and to inspect the expansion board. An object of the present invention is to provide a bus extender that reduces the time required for work.

Another object of the present invention is that it is not necessary to initialize the expansion board from the computer main body even when the expansion board which must be initialized from the computer main body is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body. To provide a bus extender for

[0030]

In order to achieve the above object, a bus extender according to the present invention comprises a means for inputting an instruction to disconnect an expansion board, and a power supply for a computer when an instruction to disconnect an expansion board is input. Means for exchanging the extension board without breaking the extension board.

The present invention further comprises means for initializing the expansion board in a bus extender into which the expansion board is inserted / removed, wherein the expansion board which needs to be initialized from the computer main body is connected to a power supply of the computer main body. When the replacement is carried out without cutting, the initialization means initializes the newly inserted expansion board, so that the initialization operation from the computer main body side becomes unnecessary.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, means for inputting an instruction to disconnect an expansion board (5 in FIG. 1) and means for electrically disconnecting an expansion bus (2 in FIG. 1)
And

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the expansion board is replaced without turning off the power of the computer, the expansion board is initialized on the bus extender side. Specifically, means for storing an initialization procedure
(7 in FIG. 1) and means for initializing the expansion board (6 in FIG. 1)
And

In the embodiment of the present invention, an instruction to disconnect the expansion board is issued from the input means (6 in FIG. 1).
The bus disconnecting means (2 in FIG. 1) is set to a non-conductive state, and the expansion board (11 in FIG. 1) is connected to the expansion bus (1 in FIG. 1).
Disconnect from 0). Therefore, regardless of whether the expansion board is normal or abnormal, the computer main unit (FIG. 1)
8) The extension board can be replaced without turning off the power, and the inspection time can be reduced by using the extension board for inspection.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the expansion board is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body, the initialization means (6, 7 in FIG. 1) on the side of the bus extender (1 in FIG. 1). Initialize the newly inserted expansion board from. For this reason, even if the expansion board that needs to be initialized from the computer main body is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body, the computer main body does not need to initialize the expansion board.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when the computer is replaced without turning off the power,
There is provided a means for changing the initialization procedure when initializing the inserted expansion board (see the initialization procedure input unit 21 in FIG. 2 and the initialization procedure storage unit 7 in FIG. 1).

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, when an expansion board is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body, a plurality of types of procedures for initializing the inserted expansion board are stored (see FIG. 3). 7a to 7n), and means (31 in FIG. 3) for selecting a procedure for initializing the expansion board from the plurality of procedures.

Further, in still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided means (41 in FIG. 4) for detecting a procedure for initializing an expansion board, and the expansion board which needs to be initialized from the computer main body is provided. When the computer body is replaced without turning off the power, the inserted expansion board is initialized from the computer body side, and a means (41 in FIG. 4) for detecting a procedure for initializing the extension board performs the initialization procedure. Detected and stored in the initialization procedure storage means (7 in FIG. 1).

[0039]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the embodiments of the present invention.

Embodiment 1 The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bus extender 1 according to the present embodiment is connected between an expansion board 11 which must be initialized from a computer main body 8 and an expansion bus 10 of the computer main body 8, and is provided by an operator. An extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5 that generates an extension board disconnection instruction signal when an instruction to disconnect the extension board 11 is input. The expansion board disconnection instruction input unit 5 is configured by, for example, a switch that connects a power supply and a ground to two input terminals, and selects and outputs one of them.

The control unit 4 is connected to the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5 and outputs a bus disconnection instruction signal and a power supply disconnection instruction signal when an extension board disconnection instruction signal is input from the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5. Then, when the output of the extension board disconnection instruction signal from the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5 is stopped, an initialization instruction signal is output. The control unit 4 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer or the like that performs program control of such operations.

The bus disconnecting mechanism 2 is provided between the extension bus 10 and the extension board 11, and controls the electrical disconnection / connection of the extension board 11 from the extension bus 10 by a bus disconnection instruction signal. It is composed of an IC and a receiver IC.

The power-off mechanism 3 is provided between the expansion bus 10 and the expansion board 11, and interrupts and restarts the power supply from the expansion bus 10 to the expansion board 11 in response to a power-off instruction signal. The power-off mechanism 3 may be, for example, a relay switch that disconnects input and output in response to a power-off instruction signal.

The initialization procedure storage unit 7 stores a procedure for initializing the expansion board 11, and outputs an initialization procedure signal. The initialization procedure storage unit 7 is composed of, for example, a read only memory (ROM).

The extension board initialization section 6
When an initialization instruction signal is input, the expansion board 11 is initialized in accordance with an initialization procedure signal, and includes, for example, a microcomputer.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the operation when the power of the computer 8 is turned on will be described. The computer main body 8 is turned on with the instruction to disconnect the extension board not being input to the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5. Since the instruction to disconnect the extension board has not been input to the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5, no extension board disconnection instruction signal is output.

Since the extension board disconnection instruction signal is not input (the extension board disconnection instruction signal is not in the active state), the control section 4 does not output the bus disconnection instruction signal, the power supply disconnection instruction signal, and the initialization instruction signal.

The bus separation mechanism 2 electrically connects the expansion bus 10 and the expansion board 11 because the bus separation instruction signal is not input. In addition, power-off mechanism 3
Supplies power from the expansion bus 10 to the expansion board 11 because the power-off instruction signal is not input. The extension board initialization unit 6 does not initialize the extension board because the initialization instruction signal has not been input. In the above state, the central processing unit 9 initializes the expansion board 11.

Next, the operation when replacing the extension board 11 will be described.

An instruction to disconnect an extension board is input to the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5, and the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5 generates an extension board disconnection instruction signal. The control unit 4 receives an extension board disconnection instruction signal from the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5 and outputs a bus disconnection instruction signal and a power supply disconnection instruction signal.

The bus disconnection mechanism 2 receives the bus disconnection instruction signal from the control unit 4 and electrically disconnects the extension bus 10 from the extension board 11. The power-off mechanism 3 is
Upon receiving a disconnection instruction signal from the power supply control unit 4, the extension bus 1
From 0, the power supply to the expansion board 11 is interrupted.

In this way, the extension board 11 is separated from the extension bus 10 and becomes ready for replacement. In this state, the extension board 11 is replaced.

After the extension board 11 is replaced, the input of the extension board disconnection instruction input to the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5 is stopped, and the extension board disconnection instruction input unit 5 receives the instruction. The output of the disconnect instruction signal is stopped.

The control unit 4 stops the output of the power-off instruction signal in response to the suspension of the output of the extension-board disconnection instruction signal from the extension-board disconnection instruction input unit 5.

The power-off mechanism 3 resumes power supply from the expansion bus 10 to the expansion board 11 in response to the stoppage of the power-off instruction signal from the power control unit 4. The control unit 4
Receives the stop of the extension board disconnection instruction signal input so far, stops outputting the power-off instruction signal, and then outputs the initialization instruction signal.

The initialization procedure storage unit 7 stores the procedure for initializing the expansion board 11 and outputs an initialization procedure signal. Since the initialization instruction signal has been input, the extension board initialization unit 6 initializes the extension board 11 according to the initialization procedure signal input from the initialization procedure storage unit 7.

When the expansion board initialization unit 6 completes the initialization of the expansion board 11, the control unit 4 stops outputting the bus disconnection instruction signal.

The timing at which the control unit 4 stops outputting the bus disconnection instruction signal is determined, for example, by outputting an initialization end signal to the control unit 4 when the expansion board initialization unit 6 finishes initializing the expansion board 11. This can be achieved by: The bus separation mechanism 2 connects the expansion board 11 to the expansion bus 10 because the bus separation instruction signal is no longer input.

In this embodiment, the control unit 4 and the expansion board initialization unit 6 are divided into different functional blocks. However, for example, both can be realized by one microprocessor. In that case, the initialization instruction signal and the initialization end signal may not be necessary.

Next, the operation and effect of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment of the present invention, by providing means for inputting an instruction to disconnect an extension board,
Regardless of whether the expansion board is normal or abnormal,
The extension board can be replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body, and the time required for inspection work of the extension board can be reduced. Furthermore, since the number of times of turning on and off the power of the computer main body is reduced, there is an advantage that the probability of failure of the computer main body used for the inspection of the extension board is reduced or the life of the apparatus can be extended.

Since the means for initializing the expansion board is provided, even if the expansion board which must be initialized from the computer main body is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body, the computer main body needs to initialize the expansion board. There is also an effect that disappears.

[Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the present embodiment,
An initialization procedure input unit 21 for inputting an initialization procedure to the initialization procedure storage unit 7 is connected.

When exchanging an extension board having a different initialization procedure or an extension board having a different initialization procedure depending on a mounting position on an extension bus without turning off the power of the computer, the initialization procedure needs to be changed.

In this embodiment, since the initialization procedure can be input from the initialization procedure input section 21 to the initialization procedure storage section 7, the initialization procedure depends on the extension board having a different initialization procedure or the mounting position on the extension bus. You can change different expansion boards without turning off the computer. Initialization procedure storage unit 7
Is, for example, an electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory.
It is composed of a rammable lead only memory (EEPROM).

The initialization procedure input section 21 inputs the initialization procedure to the initialization procedure storage section 7. The initialization procedure input unit 21 includes, for example, a keyboard and an EEPROM writing circuit.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the functions and effects of the first embodiment, an extension board having a different initialization procedure,
There is also an effect that even an expansion board having a different initialization procedure depending on a mounting position on the expansion bus can be replaced by the same bus extender without turning off the power of the computer main body.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bus extender 1 according to the present embodiment stores the first initialization procedure storage unit 7a to the n-th initialization procedure storage unit 7n so that n types of initialization procedures can be stored. N initialization procedure storage units. The initialization procedure selection unit 31 is connected to the first initialization procedure storage unit 7a to the n-th initialization procedure storage unit 7n, and selects and extends one of the n initialization procedure signals. Output to the board initialization unit 6.

Normally, expansion boards having different initialization procedures,
If it is attempted to replace an expansion board whose initialization procedure differs depending on the mounting position on the expansion bus without turning off the power of the computer main body, it is necessary to change the initialization procedure.

In this embodiment, since the initialization procedure can be selected from n types of initialization procedures, an expansion board having a different initialization procedure or an extension board having a different initialization procedure depending on the mounting position on the expansion bus can be installed in the computer main body. Can be replaced without turning off the power.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the functions and effects of the first embodiment, an extension board having a different initialization procedure or an extension board having a different initialization procedure depending on a mounting position on an extension bus may be used. Another advantage is that the computer can be replaced with the same bus extender without turning off the power.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the present embodiment,
A bus 42 between the bus disconnecting mechanism 2 and the extension board 11
Is connected to the initialization procedure detection unit 41.

In the second embodiment, when the initialization procedure of the extension board is changed, it is necessary to input the initialization procedure from the initialization procedure input unit 21. Usually, in a computer main body to which an expansion board that needs to be initialized can be connected from the computer main body, the central processing unit initializes the expansion board after the power is turned on.

In this embodiment, after the power to the computer main body 8 is turned on, the central processing unit 9 of the computer main body 8 is turned on.
Detects the procedure for initializing the extension board 11 by the initialization procedure detection unit 41.

The initialization procedure detection section 41 stores the detected initialization procedure in the initialization procedure storage section 7. Thus, when the initialization procedure has to be changed, it is not necessary to input the initialization procedure from the initialization procedure input unit.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention has an effect that it is not necessary to input an initialization procedure in addition to the operation and effect of the second embodiment.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The first effect of the present invention is that the expansion board can be replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body regardless of whether the expansion board is normal or abnormal.

Therefore, the present invention is suitable for use in testing an extension board, and can reduce the time required for testing an extension board. Furthermore, since the number of times of turning on / off the power of the computer main body is reduced, there is an advantage that the failure rate of the computer main body used for the inspection of the expansion board can be reduced or the life of the apparatus can be extended.

The reason is that, in the present invention, means for inputting an instruction to disconnect the extension board is provided.

(2) The second effect of the present invention is that when an expansion board that needs to be initialized from the computer main body is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body,
This means that the computer does not need to initialize the expansion board.

The reason is that, in the present invention, when the extension board is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body,
This is because a means for initializing the expansion board is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a conventional bus extender.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bus extender 2 Bus disconnection mechanism 3 Power supply disconnection mechanism 4 Control part 5 Expansion board disconnection instruction input part 6 Expansion board initialization part 7, 7a-7n Initialization procedure storage part 8 Computer body 9 Central processing unit 10 Expansion bus 11 Expansion board 21 Initialization procedure input section 31 Initialization procedure selection section 41 Initialization procedure detection section 101 Central processing unit 102 System bus 103 Address bus 104 Data bus 105 Control bus 106 Bus control circuit 107 Sequence control circuit 108 Driver / receiver circuit 109 Power supply control Circuit 110 insertion / removal detection circuit 111 input / output control device 112 bus extender 113 power supply line

Claims (9)

[Claims] A means for inputting an instruction to disconnect the extension board; and a means for allowing the extension board to be replaced without turning off the power of the computer when the instruction to disconnect the extension board is input. A bus extender characterized in that: 2. A bus extender into which the expansion board is inserted / removed is provided with means for initializing the expansion board, so that the expansion board which needs to be initialized from the computer main body can be used without turning off the power of the computer main body. A bus extender characterized in that when replaced, the initialization means initializes the newly inserted expansion board from the initialization means, thereby eliminating the need for an initialization operation from the computer main body. A means for inputting an instruction for disconnecting the extension board; a means for enabling replacement of the extension board without turning off the power of the computer when the instruction for disconnecting the extension board is input; Initializing means for initializing, and exchanging the extension board without turning off the power of the computer main body regardless of abnormality / normality of the extension board, and an expansion board which needs to be initialized from the computer main body. A bus extender wherein the inserted expansion board is initialized by the initialization means when the computer is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body. 4. A means for changing an initialization procedure for initializing an inserted expansion board when the expansion board which needs to be initialized from the computer main body is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body. The bus extender according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: 5. A storage device for storing a plurality of types of procedures for initializing an inserted expansion board when the expansion board is replaced without turning off the power of the computer main body, and selecting a procedure for initializing the expansion board. Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.
3. The bus extender according to any one of 3. 6. The computer according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting a procedure for initializing said expansion board, wherein when the expansion board that needs to be initialized from said computer main body is replaced without turning off the power of said computer main body, said insertion board is inserted. The expansion board is initialized from the computer main body side, and a means for detecting a procedure for initializing the expansion board detects the initialization procedure and stores this in an initialization procedure storage means. Item 4. The bus extender according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 7. A bus extender in which an inserted expansion board is connected to a central processing unit via an expansion bus, wherein the expansion board is electrically disconnected and connected to the expansion bus based on an input disconnection instruction signal. Means for controlling the switching of the expansion board, means for enabling the expansion board to be inserted and removed while the power of the computer main body including the expansion bus and the central processing unit is turned on, and means for initializing the inserted expansion board; A bus extender which does not need to initialize the expansion board from a device. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said initialization means includes means for storing an initialization procedure, and means for initializing said expansion board in accordance with the procedure read from said storage means. 7. The bus extender according to 7. 9. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for inputting a procedure to be stored in said means for storing said initialization procedure.
The described bus extender.