JPS60101647A - Modification history controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a controller of a system to collect and check automatically the secondary number of each component device, by using a nonvolatile memory which stores said secondary number within each component device by means of digital codes. CONSTITUTION:A secondary number register 23 is provided to each component device (unit) and serves as a nonvolatile memory consisting of a switch, a jumper line or an ROM, etc. A control program is started by a secondary check command of an operator, and each unit transfers its designated own register 23 to a read system controller 3 to store it there. A list of the latest secondary number information of each unit is stored previously to a floppy disk device of the controller 3 as the reference information. Then the collected secondary number information is collated with the reference information read out of the floppy disk device. As a result, if an error is detected, this error is displayed to a character display device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a modification history management device for managing and checking the modification history of each unit 7) constituting a computer system.

[Prior art]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer system.
In the figure, (1) is the central processing unit, (2) is the main memory, (3) is the system control unit, (4) is the channel processing unit, (5) is the input/output control unit, and (6) is the input/output unit. ,(
7) is a common path.

Central processing unit (1), main storage device (2), channel processing device (4), input/output control device (5), and input/output device (
The configuration and operation of 6) are well known, so their explanation will be omitted.

The system control device (3) is an independent processor that performs basic control for the operation of this system, including various keys for turning the power on and off, starting initial program loading, inputting and displaying control information, Controls lamps, display devices, etc. In addition to the program memory that stores a unique control program that is read and executed by the independent processor, there is also a control side panel equipped with a keyboard, and a character display as a display device.
It also has a floppy disk device as a non-volatile storage device, and is configured to allow interactive input/output with the system operator.

It is normal for each component device (hereinafter referred to as a unit) of the system shown in Figure 1 to have its functions added or modified several times during the end of its product life. It is necessary to manage whether or not the modification has been carried out, and for the purpose of this management, a subnumber corresponding to the modification l1ffi history information is assigned to each unit.

Figure 2 is a front view and a side view showing the conventional method of assigning sub-numbers, where u9 is the unit, 02 is the stamped sub-number, and (13 is the sub-number sticker affixed. In the conventional method, in order to check the sub-number, it must be visually confirmed, but in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the sub-inspection seal 03 shown in the front view can be confirmed even in the mounted state. However, the stamp 02 must be visually checked after removing the unit (1]l.

Note that the number of sub-numbers is not limited to one, but it is common to use multiple types depending on the purpose. For example, there are sub-numbers classified by compatibility and sub-numbers classified by repair work status.

Conventional sub-number assignment is performed as described above, so when shipping a computer system, it is necessary to check whether each unit in the shipping system has the latest sub-number, or to check whether or not each unit in the shipping system is in operation after shipping. Checking what the subnumber is for each unit in the system must be done visually, which requires going to the location where the unit is located, opening the door, and looking at the subnumber. The disadvantage was that the checking work was inconvenient.

[Summary of the invention]

This invention was made in order to eliminate the drawbacks of the conventional system as described above.In this invention, a non-volatile storage device is provided in which the subnumber of each unit is stored in a digital code, and the system control device The subnumber of each unit is automatically collected and checked.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and the parts m, (2), +51, and (6) in FIG. is the second
Although it also exists in the configuration of the figure, it is omitted from the drawing of FIG. 2. (g) is a sub-number register provided in each unit. The sub-number register 1 is a nonvolatile memory composed of switches, jumper wires, ROM, etc., which can be easily read by the system control device (3) and can be easily changed when the modification history changes.

Next, a method of checking the subnumber in the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be explained. When the operator of this system inputs a signal instructing a sub-number check from the keyboard on the open side 1 panel connected to the system control device (3), the control program corresponding to the sub-number check is activated and each unit Then, one by one, the address of the unit is specified and the sub-number register (c) is read and the system controller (3) is instructed to input it.

If the specified address indicates its own unit, each unit decodes the read instruction of the subnumber register elG by hardware or firmware,
The contents of the sub-number register ct4 are taken and transferred to the system control device (3).

The contents of the sub-number register (c) of each unit, which are sequentially transferred in this way, are stored in the storage circuit of the system control device (3). This storage circuit also stores subnumber information of the system control device 13) itself.

Standard information (for example, a table of the latest sub-number information for each unit) is stored in the floppy disk device of the system control unit (3) in advance.

System control device (3) J-1: Performs a sub-number check by comparing the collected sub-number information with the reference information read from the floppy disk device.

If an error is detected as a result of this check, it is displayed on the character display device.

Further, if necessary, the subnumber information of all units can be displayed on the character display device.

In the above embodiment, the control program corresponding to the subnumber check is stored in the program memory of the system control unit (3), but in the case of a small-scale computer system, the central processing unit (11 operating system A subnumber check may be performed as a function of .

In addition, each unit that constitutes a computer system may be further divided into multiple subunits, and each subunit may also be assigned a subnumber, and the unit referred to in this specification refers to such cases. It also includes subunits.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, since the sub-number corresponding to the modification history of each unit constituting the computer system is stored as a digital code in the non-volatile memory of the unit, the sub-number can be stored by the computer system itself. The number check can be executed accurately and in a short time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer system, FIG. 2 is a front view and side view showing a conventional method, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. (1) to (6)...respectively Uni/), (11...
Central processing unit, (3)...System control unit K, (7)
...Bus, Kan...Subnumber register. Note that the same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same or corresponding parts. Agent Masuo Oiwa Figure 1 Procedural Amendment (Voluntary) Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office 3 Relationship to the case of the person making the amendment To Patent Applicant Representative Hitoshi Katayama Department 4 Agent (1) “Details of the Invention” in the specification "Explanation" column 6, contents of amendment (2) Page 6 of the specification, line 1, ``Figure 2'': 3
"Fig." is corrected. (that's all)

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A sub-number register, which is provided in each unit constituting the computer system and is composed of non-volatile memory, stores a digital code representing a sub-number corresponding to the modification history of the unit, and commands a sub-number check. By inputting a signal, the corresponding control program is activated, the addresses of each of the above units are sequentially specified, the contents of the sub-number register of the unit are read and transferred, and the contents of each transferred sub-number register are stored in the storage circuit. A sub-examination information collection means for writing, a non-volatile memory device for storing reference information serving as a reference for the sub-number information of each unit, and the reference information read from the non-volatile memory device and the sub-number information collection means. A modification history management device comprising comparison means for comparing subnumber information written in a storage circuit. (2) The modification history management device according to claim 1, wherein the subnumber information collection means is provided in a system control device that performs system control of the computer system. (3) The modification history management device according to claim 1, wherein the subnumber information collection means is provided in a predetermined central processing unit in the computer system. (4) The modification according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-volatile memory device for storing the reference information is formed by using a Yamaki disk device (direction of the history management device).