公开(公告)号：US06430687B1

公开(公告)日：2002-08-06

申请号：US09292192

申请日：1999-04-15

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Norbert M. Blam ,  Michael Edward Criscolo ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  John William Gorrell, Jr. ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Norbert M. Blam ,  Michael Edward Criscolo ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  John William Gorrell, Jr. ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F126

CPC分类号： G06F9/4416 ,  G06F11/1417

摘要： A computer network that includes a network server and a network client. The network server includes a storage medium configured with boot code data preferably comprising operating system software for the network client. The network client includes a power status indicator and is configured to query the power status indicator as part of a boot code sequence that is initiated in response to a boot event. The network client is configured to schedule retrieval of boot code data from the network server based upon the power status indicator. Preferably, the power status indicator includes a power fail circuit that indicates whether power to the network client has failed since a previous boot event. In one embodiment, the power fail circuit includes a flip flop arranged such that the output of the flip flop is preset when power is restored to the network client after a power failure. Preferably the clear input of the flip flop is programmably assertable. The power status indicator preferably further includes a power mode indicator that conveys information about the last known power mode of the network client. Preferably, the power mode indicator includes at least one nonvolatile memory bit.

摘要翻译： 包括网络服务器和网络客户端的计算机网络。 网络服务器包括配置有引导代码数据的存储介质，优选地包括用于网络客户端的操作系统软件。 网络客户端包括电源状态指示符，并且被配置为将电源状态指示符作为响应于引导事件而启动的引导代码序列的一部分进行查询。 网络客户端被配置为基于电源状态指示器来计划从网络服务器检索引导代码数据。 优选地，电源状态指示器包括电源故障电路，其指示对于网络客户端的电源是否从先前引导事件失败。 在一个实施例中，电源故障电路包括触发器，其被布置为使得在电源故障之后电力恢复到网络客户端时触发器的输出被预设。 优选地，触发器的清晰输入是可编程地可断言的。 电源状态指示符优选地还包括功率模式指示符，其传达关于网络客户端的最后已知功率模式的信息。 优选地，功率模式指示符包括至少一个非易失性存储器位。

公开(公告)号：US06691195B1

公开(公告)日：2004-02-10

申请号：US09519340

申请日：2000-03-06

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  Yuan-Chang Lo ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  Yuan-Chang Lo ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F1324

CPC分类号： G06F11/2733

摘要： A compact connector for a data processing system motherboard facilitates the performance of diagnostics on data processing system components. The connector includes first, second, and third terminals in communication with respective first, second, and third lines in the motherboard for serial port interrupts, system data, and keyboard interrupts, respectively. In an illustrative embodiment, the first and second lines comprise lines of an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, and the compact connector also includes a fourth terminal in communication with a fourth line in the motherboard for real-time-clock interrupts. This embodiment allows the motherboard to receive real-time-clock interrupts via the connector, so that a startup program of the data processing system may boot to an operating system that requires a real-time-clock. That operating system may then be utilized to test the motherboard. In addition, this embodiment allows one or more input devices in communication with the connector to be utilized to interact with the motherboard.

摘要翻译： 用于数据处理系统主板的紧凑型连接器有助于数据处理系统组件的诊断性能。 连接器包括与主板中的相应的第一，第二和第三线分别与串行端口中断，系统数据和键盘中断相通信的第一，第二和第三终端。 在说明性实施例中，第一和第二线包括工业标准架构（ISA）总线的线，并且紧凑连接器还包括与母板中的第四线通信的第四终端，用于实时时钟中断。 该实施例允许主板经由连接器接收实时时钟中断，使得数据处理系统的启动程序可以引导到需要实时时钟的操作系统。 然后可以使用该操作系统来测试主板。 此外，该实施例允许与连接器通信的一个或多个输入设备用于与主板交互。

公开(公告)号：US06799316B1

公开(公告)日：2004-09-28

申请号：US09534427

申请日：2000-03-23

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F9455

CPC分类号： G06F9/45537

摘要： Initially, a SMI trap detects an application accessing a memory location associated with a physical hardware device. The SMI trap receives the device address for the address bus and compares that address with memory addresses for hardware devices being virtualized by virtual device simulators. If the address matches an available virtual device, the SMI caches the address, hooks and caches the corresponding IO instruction for the memory address and issues a SMI. A SMI handler receives the SMI and determines which virtual device simulator to call. Once activated by the SMI handler, the virtual device simulator interacts with the application and then returns control to the processor.

摘要翻译： 最初，SMI陷阱检测到访问与物理硬件设备相关联的存储器位置的应用。 SMI陷阱接收地址总线的设备地址，并将该地址与由虚拟设备模拟器虚拟化的硬件设备的存储器地址进行比较。 如果地址与可用的虚拟设备匹配，则SMI会缓存地址，挂起并缓存相应的IO指令用于内存地址并发出SMI。 SMI处理程序接收SMI并确定要调用哪个虚拟设备模拟器。 一旦由SMI处理程序激活，虚拟设备模拟器将与应用程序交互，然后将控制权返回给处理器。

公开(公告)号：US06636918B1

公开(公告)日：2003-10-21

申请号：US09606638

申请日：2000-06-29

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F1300

CPC分类号： G06F1/1632

摘要： A mobile computing device and associated base stations are disclosed. The mobile computing device includes a system-on-chip (SOC) device that includes a general purpose processor core and a plurality of peripheral cells suitable for controlling a plurality of peripheral units. The mobile computing device further includes a system memory and a base unit interface. The base unit interface is suitable for connecting the mobile computing device to a base unit that includes a display adapter suitable for controlling a video display. The SOC is connected to and enabled to control the display adapter when the mobile computing device is connected to the base unit. The base unit interface may comprise a PCI interface that connects the SOC device to the base unit via a PCI bus. The plurality of peripheral units may include an audio adapter, a flash device, a wireless suitable for transmitting and receiving wireless information, and a liquid crystal display suitable for displaying text messages. The mobile device preferably further includes a battery suitable for powering the mobile computing device. The base unit suitably includes an interface configured to connect to the base unit interface of the mobile computing device and a display adapter enabled to control a display. The display adapter is connected to the interface unit via a peripheral bus that is connected to the SOC when the mobile computing device and the base unit are connected. The base unit may comprise a desktop base unit that includes a hard disk adapter, a CD ROM drive, a floppy diskette drive, a network device base unit that includes a network adapter, controlled by the SOC, that enables the base unit to communicate with a network server, or an internet appliance base unit that includes a modem controlled by the SOC and configured to enable the system to connect to the internet.

摘要翻译： 公开了移动计算设备和相关联的基站。 移动计算设备包括片上系统（SOC）设备，其包括通用处理器核和适于控制多个外围单元的多个外围单元。 移动计算设备还包括系统存储器和基本单元接口。 基本单元接口适用于将移动计算设备连接到包括适于控制视频显示器的显示适配器的基本单元。 当移动计算设备连接到基本单元时，SOC连接到并且能够控制显示适配器。 基本单元接口可以包括通过PCI总线将SOC设备连接到基本单元的PCI接口。 多个外围单元可以包括音频适配器，闪存设备，适用于发送和接收无线信息的无线电，以及适于显示文本消息的液晶显示器。 移动设备优选地还包括适于为移动计算设备供电的电池。 基本单元适当地包括被配置为连接到移动计算设备的基本单元接口的接口和能够控制显示器的显示适配器。 当移动计算设备和基站连接时，显示适配器经由连接到SOC的外围总线连接到接口单元。 基本单元可以包括桌面基本单元，其包括硬盘适配器，CD ROM驱动器，软盘驱动器，包括由SOC控制的网络适配器的网络设备基本单元，其使得基座单元能够与 网络服务器或互联网设备基本单元，其包括由SOC控制并被配置为使得系统能够连接到因特网的调制解调器。

公开(公告)号：US06779110B1

公开(公告)日：2004-08-17

申请号：US09710923

申请日：2000-11-09

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  Roy Moonseuk Kim ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F924

CPC分类号： G06F9/4416

摘要： A method and system for booting a user station in a computer network in which a first set of operating system information retrieved from the user station is used to attempt to boot the user station from a remote server. If the boot attempt fails, an iterative process is initiated in which a next set of operating system information is retrieved and used to attempt to boot the user station until a boot attempt is successful. Upon successfully booting the user station, the operating system information is modified to prioritize the set of information that resulted in a successful boot such that the successful set of information is selected first during a subsequent boot attempt. The operating system information may include a directory path of the remote server in which the user station attempts to locate an operating system kernel.

摘要翻译： 一种用于在计算机网络中引导用户站的方法和系统，其中使用从用户站检索的第一组操作系统信息来尝试从远程服务器引导用户站。 如果引导尝试失败，则启动迭代过程，在该过程中，检索下一组操作系统信息并将其用于尝试引导用户站，直到启动尝试成功。 在成功地引导用户站之后，修改操作系统信息来优先化导致成功启动的信息集，使得在随后的引导尝试期间首先选择成功的信息集。 操作系统信息可以包括用户站尝试定位操作系统内核的远程服务器的目录路径。

公开(公告)号：US06892297B1

公开(公告)日：2005-05-10

申请号：US09527398

申请日：2000-03-16

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F9/445 ,  G06F15/177 ,  H04L29/08 ,  A06F11/30

CPC分类号： H04L67/34 ,  G06F8/65 ,  G06F9/4406 ,  H04L69/329

摘要： A method and apparatus for updating a current boot code in a data processing system in which the current boot code is used to load an operating system from a storage device. The storage device is searched for an updated boot code for the operating system in response to starting the data processing system. The current boot code is updated prior to loading the operating system for the data processing system if the updated boot code is present in the storage device.

摘要翻译： 一种用于在数据处理系统中更新当前引导代码的方法和装置，其中当前引导代码用于从存储设备加载操作系统。 响应于启动数据处理系统，搜索存储设备用于操作系统的更新的引导代码。 如果存储设备中存在更新的引导代码，则在加载数据处理系统的操作系统之前，更新当前引导代码。

公开(公告)号：US06272628B1

公开(公告)日：2001-08-07

申请号：US09211367

申请日：1998-12-14

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F9445

CPC分类号： G06F9/4401 ,  G06F11/1417

摘要： A boot code storage device configured with computer instructions for executing a boot code validity check in response to a boot event to facilitate local recovery of a computer such as a network computer. In response to the boot event, such as powering up a computer in which the boot code storage device is located, an image of a boot code is copied from a first storage medium to the boot code storage device if the validity check is negative. Remaining portions of the boot code, including a start up sequence, are executed if the validity check is positive. In one embodiment, the boot code validity check determines the presence or absence of a boot code jumper in a motherboard to which the boot code storage device is connected. In the preferred embodiment, the boot code storage device comprises a flash memory device, preferably including a plurality of sectors. In the preferred embodiment, the boot code validity check is part of a boot block of the boot code residing in a first sector of the flash memory device. The boot block and boot code reside in contiguous memory of the boot code storage device in one implementation. The first storage medium from which the boot code is copied, in one embodiment, is a compact flash card configured with an image of the boot code.

摘要翻译： 一种引导代码存储设备，其配置有用于响应于引导事件执行引导代码有效性检查的计算机指令，以便于诸如网络计算机之类的计算机的本地恢复。 响应于引导事件，例如为启动代码存储设备所在的计算机供电，如果有效性检查为否定的话，将引导代码的图像从第一存储介质复制到引导代码存储设备。 如果有效性检查为正，则执行引导代码的剩余部分，包括启动序列。 在一个实施例中，引导代码有效性检查确定引导代码存储设备连接到的主板中是否存在引导代码跳线。 在优选实施例中，引导代码存储设备包括闪存器件，优选地包括多个扇区。 在优选实施例中，引导代码有效性检查是驻留在闪存器件的第一扇区中的引导代码的引导块的一部分。 在一个实现中，引导块和引导代码驻留在引导代码存储设备的连续存储器中。 在一个实施例中，复制引导代码的第一存储介质是配置有引导代码的图像的紧凑型闪存卡。

公开(公告)号：US06973447B1

公开(公告)日：2005-12-06

申请号：US09533301

申请日：2000-03-23

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F9/445 ,  G06F17/30

CPC分类号： G06F9/441 ,  Y10S707/99931

摘要： A system, apparatus and method for supporting multiple file systems in boot code of a computer. The boot code according to the present invention first identifies file systems used by a boot disk and then identifies operating systems associated with the identified file systems. Based on the identified operating systems, the boot sector for an appropriate operating system is located and loaded. Thereafter, the boot code relinquishes control to the loaded operating system. The boot code is capable of supporting multiple file systems, multiple operating systems located in a plurality of partitions of a boot disk, and multiple operating systems using the same file system.

摘要翻译： 一种用于在计算机的引导代码中支持多个文件系统的系统，装置和方法。 根据本发明的引导代码首先识别引导盘使用的文件系统，然后识别与所识别的文件系统相关联的操作系统。 基于所识别的操作系统，定位并加载适当操作系统的引导扇区。 此后，启动代码放弃对加载的操作系统的控制。 引导代码能够支持多个文件系统，位于引导盘的多个分区中的多个操作系统，以及使用相同文件系统的多个操作系统。

公开(公告)号：US06728875B1

公开(公告)日：2004-04-27

申请号：US09710924

申请日：2000-11-09

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F9445

CPC分类号： G06F9/4416

摘要： A method and system for booting a multiple network adapter user station in a computer network are disclosed. The user station includes at least first and second network adapters. Initially, one of the adapters is selected based upon an ordering of the adapters. The user station then determines whether the selected adapter is connectable to the computer network. If the selected adapter is not connectable to the network, an iterative process is initiated in which a next adapter is selected and a determination made as to whether the next adapter is connectable to the network. Upon successfully determining which adapter is connectable to the network, the adapters are re-ordered to prioritize the adapter connectable to the network such that the network connectable adapter is selected first during a subsequent boot attempt. Determining whether the selected adapter is connectable to the computer network may include attempting to boot the user station from a remote server using the selected adapter. The ordering of the adapters may be recorded in and retrieved from a list in a nonvolatile storage device of the user station. The adapter list may be edited by a user to re-order the list of adapters. At least one of the network adapters may comprise an Ethernet adapter while at least one other adapter may comprise a token ring adapter.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于在计算机网络中引导多个网络适配器用户站的方法和系统。 用户站至少包括第一和第二网络适配器。 最初，根据适配器的顺序选择其中一个适配器。 用户站然后确定所选择的适配器是否可连接到计算机网络。 如果所选择的适配器不能连接到网络，则会启动迭代过程，在该过程中选择下一个适配器，并确定下一个适配器是否可连接到网络。 在成功确定哪个适配器可连接到网络之后，重新排序适配器以优先考虑可连接到网络的适配器，使得在随后的引导尝试期间首先选择网络可连接适配器。 确定所选适配器是否可连接到计算机网络可能包括尝试使用所选择的适配器从远程服务器引导用户站。 适配器的顺序可以记录在用户站的非易失性存储设备中的列表中并从其中检索。 适配器列表可以由用户编辑以重新排列适配器列表。 网络适​​配器中的至少一个可以包括以太网适配器，而至少一个其他适配器可以包括令牌环适配器。

公开(公告)号：US06785807B1

公开(公告)日：2004-08-31

申请号：US09519339

申请日：2000-03-06

申请人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

发明人： Maximino Aguilar ,  Sanjay Gupta ,  James Michael Stafford

IPC分类号： G06F15177

CPC分类号： G06F11/2294 ,  G06F9/4411

摘要： A data processing system with bootcode support for communicating with a noncompliant external device has a motherboard, non-volatile memory connected to the motherboard, a volatile memory, processing resources, a communications port that utilizes a first communications protocol, and one or more buses interconnecting those components. Startup instructions obtained from the non-volatile memory load a device driver for the external device from the non-volatile memory into the volatile memory. However, unlike the communications port, the external device utilizes a second communications protocol. Diagnostic instructions then utilize the device driver to communicate with the external device via the communications port. In an illustrative embodiment, the communications port is a USB port, the external device is a serial terminal, the device driver is a serial terminal driver, and the diagnostic instructions utilize the serial terminal driver to communicate with the serial terminal via the USB port while no operating system is present in the volatile memory.

摘要翻译： 具有用于与不合规的外部设备进行通信的引导代码支持的数据处理系统具有连接到母板的主板，非易失性存储器，易失性存储器，处理资源，利用第一通信协议的通信端口以及互连的一个或多个总线 那些组件。 从非易失性存储器获得的启动指令将外部设备的设备驱动器从非易失性存储器加载到易失性存储器中。 然而，与通信端口不同，外部设备利用第二通信协议。 诊断指令然后利用设备驱动程序通过通信端口与外部设备进行通信。 在说明性实施例中，通信端口是USB端口，外部设备是串行端子，设备驱动器是串行终端驱动器，并且诊断指令利用串行终端驱动器经由USB端口与串行端口通信， 在易失性存储器中不存在操作系统。