US5313628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Component replacement control for fault-tolerant data processing system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-12-30
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Granted: 1994-05-17
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Expires: 2011-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is described for component replacement control in a data processing system, with each component being assigned a label that includes a component identifier and a replacement generation value. The apparatus includes a plurality of tables for redundantly storing replacement generation values for each component. The tables that store the replacement generation values are then updated to indicate the incremented replacement generation value for the new component. Circuitry then increments the replacement generation value assigned to a component identity that is replaced by a new component. The circuitry modifies the new component's label to indicate the incremented replacement generation value. When the system is subsequently started, the replacement generation values in each component's label are compared with the replacement generation values in the tables and wherever a match is not found, the component is rejected.
Inventors
- 👤 Noah R. Mendelsohn
- 👤 James Perchik
- 👤 Thomas R. Hancock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:18
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/202; G06F11/2023; G06F11/2025; G06F11/2041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for component replacement control in a data processing system, each component assigned a label including a component identifier and a replacement generation value, said apparatus comprising: table means for storing replacement generation values for each said component; means for incrementing a replacement generation value assigned to a component that is replaced by a new component, and modifying said new component's label to indicate said incremented replacement generation value and said replaced component's component identifier; and means for updating said table means to indicate said incremented replacement generation value for said component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for component replacement control in a data processing system, each component assigned a label including a component identifier and a replacement generation value, said apparatus comprising: table means for storing replacement generation values for each said component; means for incrementing a replacement generation value assigned to a component that is replaced by a new component, and modifying said new component's label to indicate said incremented replacement generation value and said replaced component's component identifier; and means for updating said table means to indicate said incremented replacement generation value for said component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising: means for matching the replacement generation value in each component's label with a replacement generation value derived for each said component from said table means, and for any component where a match is not found, providing a mismatch indication.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising: means responsive to said mismatch indication to reject said component having said mismatching replacement generation value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said table means comprises: a plurality of tables distributed about said apparatus, each said table including replacement generation values for each component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising: coordinator means responsive to activation of said data processing system for matching the replacement generation values for each component in each said table and upon finding a mismatch for a component, modifying said table to indicate the greatest replacement generation value indicated for the component in said tables.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said component label indicates a system identifier designating a system for which said component is to be utilized, and wherein said coordinator means is responsive to system activation to compare said system identifier in each component's component label with said system identifier to determine if a match is present, and if not, to reject said mismatched component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said table means are updated to indicate said incremented replacement generation value prior to said new component's label being modified to indicate said incremented replacement generation value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein a said component comprises a memory system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said memory system comprises a disk drive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein a said component includes a central processing unit in addition to said disk drive.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for component replacement control in a data processing system wherein each component is assigned a label including a component identifier and a replacement generation value, said method comprising the steps of: storing replacement generation values for each said component in a plurality of tables; incrementing a replacement generation value for a new component that is substituted for a replaced component, said incremented replacement generation value being greater than the generation value assigned to the replaced component; assigning to the replacement component the identity of the replaced component; and updating the tables to indicate the incremented replacement generation value.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for component replacement control in a data processing system wherein each component is assigned a label including a component identifier and a replacement generation value, said method comprising the steps of: storing replacement generation values for each said component in a plurality of tables; incrementing a replacement generation value for a new component that is substituted for a replaced component, said incremented replacement generation value being greater than the generation value assigned to the replaced component; assigning to the replacement component the identity of the replaced component; and updating the tables to indicate the incremented replacement generation value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of: modifying the new component's label to further indicate the incremented replacement generation value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of: matching the replacement generation value in each component's label with a replacement generation value derived for each component from the tables and providing a mismatch signal for any component where a match is not found.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising an initialization step of: matching replacement generation values, upon system activation, for each component in each said table, and upon finding a mismatch, modifying the tables to indicate the greatest replacement generation value indicated in the tables for a said component.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method as recited in claim 14 wherein each said component label includes a system identifier designating a system in which said component is to be utilized and including the step: comparing the component label system identifier for each component with the system's identifier to determine if a match is present and, if not, de-enabling the component having a system identifier that does not match the system in which it is connected.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-16 | 1997-11-15 | 1998-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-16 | 2001-11-15 | 2002-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-16 | 2005-11-15 | 2006-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |