Arrangement for loading the parameters into active modules in a computer system

Claim 1

For use in a computer system, a combination comprising: a plurality of system assemblies (MA, CB, I/O); a serial system support bus (SSBA) connected to each of said system assemblies; each of said system assemblies having one or more active modules and a parameter controller thereon; a parameter controller (PC) on a particular system assembly (CB) including a first port (P0) for receiving digitally-coded, multi-bit words and a second port (P1) for sending digitally-coded, multi-bit words; first means (EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4) for specifying first configuration parameters which provide information specific to said active modules (BXUA, BXUB, . . . ) on said particular system assembly (CB) and specific to said particular system assembly (CB); said first means being connected to said first port (P0) such that parameters specific to said particular assembly (CB) can be inputted to said parameter controller; said parameter controller (PC) on a particular system assembly (CB) further including a third port (P2) connected to said one or more active modules (BXUA, BXUB, . . . ) on said system assembly (CB); said parameter controller (PC) on a particular system assembly (CB) further including a connection means (SSB) to said system support bus (SSBA), said connection means (SSB) creating a connection to other parameter controllers on others (MA, I/O) of said plurality of system assemblies through said connection means (SSB) such that said system support information may be sent to said other parameter controllers on others (MA, I/O) of said plurality of system assemblies and other system support information may be received from said other parameter controllers on said others (MA, I/O) of said plurality of system assemblies; said first means being connected to said second port (P1) such that said system support information can be inputted to said parameter controller; said third port (P2) having a number of communication connections (COM) to said active modules (BXUA, BXUB, . . . ) on said system assembly (CB) through which serial communication codes (COM-WORDS) can be sent in a serial mode to a register at each active module to thereby load information derived from both said first configuration parameters and said system support information.