JPH11259332A - Computer system device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve availability by continuing operation while performing degenerated operation as a whole device even when one part of hardware fails and to attain improvement in maintainability by storing abnormality information. SOLUTION: Based on an initializing processing program 12a, a microprocessor 11 initializes input/output control circuits 15a and 15b. When any abnormality is detected, that input/output control circuit and the abnormality information corresponding to the input/output control circuit are stored in an abnormality information table 13a of a memory 13, and when at least a hardware for operating an operating system(OS) is normal, the move to the OS is performed by continuing the initialization as it is.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a computer system device for improving the availability and maintainability of system operation for a hardware error occurring before an operating system operates.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent computer system devices, I / O cards according to each application are freely combined in order to be applicable to various fields from plant control to office use. A standard input / output control device is mounted on a CPU card for downsizing / price reduction and high-speed input / output control processing.

In such a computer system device, a CPU
If an error occurs during the hardware initialization of the card,
Even if the abnormality is not an event that hinders the operation of the operating system, the initialization process is interrupted because of a hardware abnormality on the CPU card.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional computer system unit. In the figure, 100 is a computer system unit, 100a is a CPU card, 100b, 100
c is an I / O card whose combination can be freely changed for each computer system device 100. In the computer system device 100, 101 is a microprocessor, 10
Reference numeral 2 denotes a memory used when the microprocessor 101 operates, and 103 denotes a ROM in which an initialization processing program 103a for initializing various hardware by the processing of the microprocessor 101 is stored. Reference numeral 104 denotes an input / output bus control circuit.
As a result, the input / output control circuits 105a and 105b and the I / O
O cards 100b and 100c are connected. The input / output control circuits 105a and 105b and the I / O cards 100b and 100c can connect input / output devices 106 to 108, which are peripheral devices such as disks and printers. A monitor device 109 displays a message output by the initialization processing program 103a.

Next, the operation will be described. First, when the computer system device 100 is reset, the microprocessor 101 executes the initialization processing program 1 in the ROM 103.
03a is fetched, and the execution of the initialization process is started. The microprocessor 101, based on the initialization processing program 103a, executes the microprocessor 101 itself for executing the program, the input / output bus control circuit 10
4. Memory 102, input / output control circuits 105a, 105b
In this order, initialization is performed from the basic hardware of the computer system device 100. At this time, the processing of the microprocessor 101 based on the initialization processing program 103a includes, for example, a write / read / compare test of a register used for control of each hardware and a hardware test to check the soundness of each hardware. The hardware checks the processor interrupt operation generated by the microprocessor 101, activates a diagnostic process executed inside each hardware, and executes the initialization process. The microprocessor 101 based on the initialization processing program 103a
When an abnormality is detected in the diagnosis processing, the abnormality is notified to the operator through the monitor device 109, and the initialization processing of the computer system device 100 is stopped.

Then, the operator specifies an abnormal location based on the information of the abnormal message output by the initialization processing program 103a, and after the repair / replacement of the abnormal location, restarts the system.

[0007]

Since the conventional computer system apparatus is configured as described above, the use of a plurality of input / output control circuits 105a and 105b increases the hardware and reduces the probability of occurrence of an abnormality. There is a problem in that the entire computer system device 100 becomes unusable due to an increase in the number of hardware, and in particular, an abnormality in some hardware. In addition, when there are abnormalities in a plurality of locations of various hardware, the above-mentioned work must be repeatedly performed, and there has been a problem that the efficiency of the repair work is significantly reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to increase the availability by performing a degenerate operation as a whole and continuing the operation even if some hardware fails. It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer system device capable of improving the maintainability by storing abnormality information.

[0009]

A computer system apparatus according to the present invention performs initialization processing of various hardware based on an initialization processing program, and detects hardware in which an abnormality is detected and an abnormality corresponding to the hardware. And a microprocessor for storing the information in the abnormality information table of the second memory and, if the hardware for operating the operating system is at least normal, continuing the initialization processing as it is and shifting to the operating system. It is a thing.

[0010] A computer system device according to the present invention performs initialization processing of the microprocessor itself and a plurality of input / output control circuits based on an initialization processing program, and detects an abnormality in the input / output control circuit and its input / output control circuit. The abnormality information corresponding to the circuit is stored in the abnormality information table of the second memory, and if the microprocessor itself and the input / output control circuit for operating the operating system are at least normal, the initialization process is continued as it is. It is provided with a microprocessor for performing a transition to the operating system.

In the computer system according to the present invention, the second memory is a non-volatile memory.

A computer system apparatus according to the present invention has a third initialization processing control table storing a preset initialization processing control table for stopping or continuing initialization processing in the event of an abnormality in each of the hardware. The microprocessor determines whether to stop or continue the initialization process based on the initialization process control table when the hardware of the initialization process is abnormal.

In the computer system according to the present invention, the second memory is a non-volatile memory, and the initialization process is stopped corresponding to the plurality of input / output control circuits when the plurality of input / output control circuits are abnormal. And a third memory storing an initialization processing control table preset to determine whether or not to continue, and the microprocessor performs initialization based on the initialization processing control table when the input / output control circuit of the initialization processing is abnormal. This is for determining whether to stop or continue the processing.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a computer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a computer system, 11 denotes a microprocessor (hardware), and 12 denotes a ROM (first memory).
And stores an initialization processing program 12a for performing initialization processing of various hardware. Reference numeral 13 denotes a memory (second memory) used when the microprocessor 11 operates, and an abnormality information table for storing hardware in which an abnormality is detected and information on the abnormality during initialization processing based on the initialization processing program 12a. 13a is stored. Reference numeral 14 denotes an input / output bus control circuit (hardware). The input / output bus control circuit 14 connects input / output control circuits (hardware) 15a and 15b. These input / output control circuits 15a and 15b can connect input / output devices 16 and 17, which are peripheral devices such as a disk, a printer, and a monitor.

Next, the operation will be described. First, by resetting the computer system apparatus 1, the microprocessor 11 prefetches the initialization processing program 12a from the ROM 12, and resets the initialization processing program 12a.
Start running. The microprocessor 11 starts an initialization process from hardware necessary for its own execution based on the initialization process program 12a. That is, the microprocessor 11, the input / output bus control circuit 14, the memory 1
The order is 3. The microprocessor 11 based on the initialization processing program 12a initializes hardware necessary for its own execution, and then controls the input / output control circuits 15a and 15b.
Start initialization of. At this time, the initialization processing program 1
2a performs a write / read / compare test on a control register for a software interface provided in the input / output control circuits 15a and 15b, for example, to check the soundness of the hardware. The connection / function of the interrupt line of the input / output control circuits 15a and 15b is confirmed by checking the connection of the address / data line of the input / output control circuit 15b and intentionally generating an interrupt generated by the input / output control circuits 15a and 15b to the microprocessor 11. Check it.

If a test abnormality or an abnormality detected by the hardware itself occurs while the initialization processing program 12a is performing the diagnosis for each piece of hardware, the microcontroller based on the initialization processing program 12a is used. The processor 11 collects an error code corresponding to an abnormal state of each hardware defined in the computer system device 1 and abnormal information that can be collected at that time, and
In the abnormality information table 13a. The abnormal information collected at this time is, for example, the address of a hardware register at the time of occurrence, data written or read,
Error information defined by the hardware itself.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an abnormality information table. The data structure of the abnormality information table 13a is, for example, an error occurrence flag for simply indicating the occurrence of an error for each hardware and a detailed error content for understanding the error content. It is divided into detailed error information.

After storing the abnormality information in the abnormality information table 13a, the initialization processing program 12a continues the processing for the hardware that needs to be initialized next, and starts the computer system apparatus 1. Transfers processing to the operating system. The operating system performs the processing by using the abnormality information table 13
By referring to “a”, an abnormal state of hardware can be easily grasped, and occurrence of an abnormality caused by hardware can be prevented beforehand.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, if the hardware for operating the operating system is at least normal, the initialization process is continued and the transition to the operating system is performed. 1
The computer system apparatus 1 is prevented from becoming unusable due to an abnormality in the input / output control circuit at the location, and the abnormal location can be easily specified by referring to the abnormality information table 13a.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a computer system apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 18 denotes a non-volatile memory (second memory) which stores an abnormality information table 18a. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

Next, the operation will be described. In the second embodiment, a non-volatile memory 18 whose contents are not erased even when the power of the computer system apparatus 1 is turned off is provided, and the same abnormality information table 18a as the abnormality information table 13a shown in the first embodiment is stored in the non-volatile memory 18. When the microprocessor 11 and the input / output bus control circuit 14, which are hardware for the computer system apparatus 1 to operate at a minimum, are normal, the memory 13
Even if an abnormality occurs, abnormality information can be recorded, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of trouble in identifying an abnormal part.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, by providing the abnormality information table 18a in the nonvolatile memory 18, even if an abnormality occurs in the memory 13, the abnormality information can be recorded. It is possible to reduce a problem that the location is obstructed. Further, since the abnormality information is retained even when the power of the computer system apparatus 1 is turned off or reset, at least the abnormality information at the time of the previous start-up of the computer system apparatus 1 is recorded, so that the past abnormality information is grasped. Thus, the amount of information at the time of abnormality can be increased, which can be useful for abnormality analysis. Further, since the memory 13 used by the operating system or the application program is not used, the use restriction on the memory 13 can be eliminated.

Embodiment 3 FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a computer system device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 19 denotes a flash EEPROM (third memory) which corresponds to various hardwares and has an abnormality in those hardwares. Whether the initialization process is to be stopped or to be continued when the initialization process control table 19a is set in advance.
Is stored. Other configurations are described in Embodiment 1.
Since it is the same as that described above, the duplicate description is omitted.

Next, the operation will be described. In the third embodiment, a flash EEPROM 19 is provided. When the microprocessor 11 based on the initialization processing program 12a detects a hardware abnormality, the flash EEPROM 19 is used as storage information. An initialization process control table 19a defined for each is provided. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an initialization processing control table, in which whether or not the initialization processing is stopped or continued when an abnormality occurs in each hardware is set in advance by an error occurrence permission flag.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the initialization processing control table 19a is stored in the flash EEP
By providing the ROM 19, when the operating system executes processing, or when an application system subsequent to the operating system executes processing, reference to failure information for hardware which is minimum or depends on each system / The determination processing can be eliminated, and the initialization processing program 12
a can also define the processing mode for each computer system device 1 by this initialization processing control table 19a, so that the operating system, application programs, and initialization processing program 12a can have versatility. Processing program 12
a can be easily managed / maintained.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a computer system device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, an abnormality information table 18a is stored in a nonvolatile memory 18 as described in the second embodiment. In addition, as shown in the third embodiment, the initialization process control table 19a is stored in the flash EEPROM 19. Other configurations are the same as those of the second and third embodiments, and thus the duplicate description will be omitted.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the abnormality information table 18a is provided in the nonvolatile memory 18, and the initialization processing control table 19a is stored in the flash EEPROM.
By providing the ROM 19, the effects of the third embodiment in addition to the effects of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, if the hardware for operating the operating system is at least normal, the initialization process can be continued and the transition to the operating system can be performed. . Further, by referring to the abnormality information table, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to easily identify an abnormal part of hardware.

According to the present invention, if at least the hardware for operating the operating system is normal, the initialization process can be continued and the transition to the operating system can be performed. Further, by referring to the abnormality information table, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to easily identify an abnormal portion of the input / output control circuit.

According to the present invention, the abnormal information is retained even when the power of the computer system device is turned off or reset, so that past abnormal information can be grasped, and the amount of information at the time of abnormality can be increased. An effect that can be used for abnormality analysis is obtained.

According to the present invention, when the operating system executes the processing, it is possible to eliminate the reference / judgment processing of the abnormality information for the hardware which is required or dependent at least, and the initialization processing program Since the processing mode for each computer system device can be defined by the initialization processing control table, the operating system and the initialization processing program can have versatility, and management / maintenance of the initialization processing program can be performed. An effect that can be easily obtained is obtained.

According to the present invention, the abnormality information is retained even when the power of the computer system device is turned off or reset, so that past abnormality information can be grasped, and the amount of information at the time of abnormality can be increased. It can be used for abnormality analysis. Further, when the operating system executes the processing, it is possible to eliminate the reference / determination processing of the abnormality information for the hardware which is required or dependent at least, and the initialization processing program is also provided for each computer system device. Since the processing mode can be defined by the initialization processing control table, the operating system and the initialization processing program can have versatility, and the management / maintenance of the initialization processing program can be facilitated. The effect is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a computer system device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an abnormality information table.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a computer system device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a computer system device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an initialization processing control table.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a computer system device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional computer system device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Computer system device, 11 Microprocessor (hardware), 12 ROM (first memory), 12
a initialization processing program, 13 memories (second memory), 13a, 18a abnormality information table, 14 input / output bus control circuit (hardware), 15a, 15b input / output control circuit (hardware), 16, 17 input / output Device, 18 non-volatile memory (second memory), 19
Flash EEPROM (third memory), 19a
Initialization processing control table.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first memory storing an initialization processing program for performing initialization processing of various kinds of hardware, hardware in which an abnormality is detected during initialization processing based on the initialization processing program, and information on the abnormality. And a second memory storing an abnormality information table for storing various types of hardware, based on the initialization processing program, performing initialization processing of various kinds of hardware, and detecting hardware in which an abnormality is detected and abnormality information corresponding to the hardware. And a microprocessor for storing the above information in the abnormality information table and, if the hardware for operating the operating system is at least normal, continuing the initialization process and shifting to the operating system as it is. . 2. A first memory storing a plurality of input / output control circuits for controlling input / output devices by processing of a microprocessor and an initialization processing program for performing initialization processing of the microprocessor and the plurality of input / output control circuits. And a second memory storing an input / output control circuit in which an abnormality is detected during initialization processing based on the initialization processing program and an abnormality information table for storing the abnormality information. Performs initialization processing of the microprocessor itself and the plurality of input / output control circuits based on the initialization processing program, and detects input / output control circuits in which abnormality is detected and abnormality information corresponding to the input / output control circuits. Is stored in the above-mentioned abnormality information table, and at least the microprocessor itself for operating the operating system is stored. And a computer system device that, if the input / output control circuit is normal, continues the initialization process and shifts to the operating system. 3. The computer system device according to claim 1, wherein the second memory is a non-volatile memory. 4. At least based on hardware that is required to be normal for the operating system to operate, the initialization process is stopped or continued when an abnormality occurs in the hardware corresponding to various types of hardware. A third memory storing a preset initialization processing control table, and the microprocessor stops the initialization processing based on the initialization processing control table when the hardware of the initialization processing is abnormal. 2. The computer system device according to claim 1, wherein whether to continue is determined. 5. A first memory storing a plurality of input / output control circuits for controlling input / output devices by processing of a microprocessor, and an initialization processing program for performing initialization processing of the microprocessor and the plurality of input / output control circuits. And an abnormality information table formed by a nonvolatile memory and storing an input / output control circuit in which an abnormality is detected during initialization processing based on the initialization processing program and information on the abnormality. And, based on the plurality of input / output control circuits, which must be at least normal for the operating system to operate, respond to the plurality of input / output control circuits, and And a third memory storing an initialization processing control table preset to determine whether to stop or continue the initialization processing at a time. The microprocessor performs initialization processing of the microprocessor itself and the plurality of input / output control circuits based on the initialization processing program, and corresponds to the input / output control circuit in which abnormality is detected and the input / output control circuit. A computer system device for storing abnormality information in the abnormality information table and determining whether to stop or continue the initialization process due to an abnormality in the input / output control circuit from the initialization process control table.