Abstract:
An unused state detection circuit is disclosed that detects an unused state in a semiconductor circuit. A semiconductor circuit is nullunusednull when the unused state detection circuit has not been permanently cleared. When a semiconductor circuit is first powered up, the unused state detection circuit will detect that the semiconductor circuit has not previously been nullusednull and can automatically activate a boot up procedure or a testing procedure (or both). After the semiconductor circuit is used, the unused state detection circuit provides an indication that the semiconductor circuit is no longer unused. The unused state detection circuit uses the state of a dedicated non-volatile memory array or a dedicated region of the general non-volatile memory portion of the semiconductor circuit to detect whether the semiconductor circuit has been previously unused.
Abstract:
A system for processing circuit card events includes a circuit board having a first connector and a second connector. The circuit board generates connector information indicating whether a first circuit card is coupled to the first connector and whether a second circuit card is coupled to the second connector. A memory stores a plurality of software modules and a first state of the circuit board. A processor coupled to the circuit board and the memory determines a second state of the circuit board based upon the connector information. The processor further selects at least one software module for execution based upon the first state and the second state of the circuit board.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a data processing system and method for providing support and maintenance services to a computer with at least reduced and preferably minimal user interaction. Data, that ordinarily would be inaccessible to a non-trusted applet, is, prior to any use of that data by such a non-trusted applet collated with the permission of the user of the computer by a trusted applet. The trusted applet has a greater range of access to system configuration as compared to the non-trusted applet. However, invoking a trusted applet requires user interaction; namely, the user must grant permission for the trusted applet to access the system configuration information and platform identification data. The necessary system configuration information that is required for the provision of support and maintenance services is harvested by the trusted applet and stored within a cookie. Therefore, the non-trusted applet can be downloaded and can access the relevant information without having involve the user.
Abstract:
A memory capacity test method capable of confirming the memory capacity of an actually mounted memory in a short time in a memory system which mounts a memory only on a portion of a memory space. The method writes first data to a check address which is an n-th power of two, and then second data to the address 0, where the second data differs from the first data, and decides that the memory is not mounted on the check address if the data read from the check address disagrees with the first data. This is based on the fact that the check address actually points the address 0 when the memory is not mounted on the check address of the nth power of two, and hence the second data is written over the first data on the address 0 in that case.
Abstract:
A mass storage system has a host computer connecting over a standard bus to a storage controller. The storage controller connects also to an array of disk drives. The host computer and the storage controller modify standard bus diagnostic commands for transmitting selected, non-diagnostic commands, and responses to each other. In this manner, a standard bus protocol is expanded to enable a host computer and storage controller to communicate, for example, configuration data, status, and some command information, particularly enabling the user at the host computer to control operational aspects of the storage controller.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for estimating the time needed to install software. Configuration information about the data processing system is obtained, as well as information about data needing conversion that is stored on the system. The stand-alone installation time for each portion of the software to be installed is determined and a menu of the installation options is displayed for selection. In response to the selection of options, a determination of whether the installation will be non-linear is made. Non-linear installation involves the ability to install several portions of the software simultaneously, such as in, for example, multiprocessing, multithreading, or parallel processing. In response to a presence of non-linear processing, installation time is determined for the selected options and displayed to the user.
Abstract:
A digital computer system that contains redundant communication paths between two or more computer components. Each computer component has an interface logic that communicates with other interface logic units to determine if the redundant communication paths are correctly coupled between the components.
Abstract:
Systems and devices can include an error injection register comprising error injection parameter information. The systems and devices can also include error injection logic circuit to read error injection parameter information from the error injection register, and inject an error into a flow control unit (Flit); and protocol stack circuitry to transmit the Flit comprising the error on a multilane link. The injected error can be detected by a receiver and used to test and characterize various aspects of a link, such as bit error rate, error correcting code, cyclic redundancy check, replay capabilities, error logging, and other characteristics of the link.
Abstract:
A start test method executed by a system including a calculation device and a management device that manages failure information on the calculation device, the start test method includes storing, by a first processor included in the management device, a failure rate that has been calculated for each of parts of the calculation device based on the failure information received from the calculation device as performance information, associating with time information and a part of the calculation device; obtaining a failure rate of each of the parts at a time of start of the calculation device based on the performance information and a time when the calculation device is to be started; notifying the calculation device of the obtained failure rate; and executing, by a second processor included in the calculation device, a start test of the calculation device in accordance with the notified failure rate.
Abstract:
A method, system and computer program product are provided for detecting state and sparing of optical Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-Express or PCIE) cable channels attached to an IO drawer. System firmware is provided for implementing health check functions and state detection and sparing functions. One or more optical cables are connected between a host bridge and an PCIE enclosure, each optical cable includes one or more spare optical channels. An identified failed optical channel is rerouted to the spare optical channel.