Patent US5831770A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5671441A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5671441A
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Method and apparatus for automatic generation of I/O configuration descriptions
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1994-11-29
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2014-11-29
Abstract
Abstract Automatic machine methods and apparatus for determining which components of an I/O configuration are shared by other components of the configuration. The information can be obtained through the use of existing self-description facilities and unique identifiers. By noting which channel paths are used to obtain configuration-data records and examining the unique identifiers provided for each I/O items it can be determined which I/O devices are accessible through the same control unit, and which control units provide access to the same I/O device. Furthermore, by examining the unique identifiers provided, it can be determined which I/O subsystems and which control units or channel subsystems are accessible through the same dynamic switch and which dynamic switches provide access to the same I/O subsystem of channel subsystem. A programmable subchannel is provided to enable communication between a CEC and an electrically-connected I/O item not represented in the current I/O configuration description being used by the CEC. Without the programmed subchannel, the CEC cannot access any I/O item not represented in the CEC's current I/O configuration description.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven Gardner Glassen
- 👤 Marten Jan Halma
- 👤 Eugene Paul Hefferon
- 👤 Francis Edward Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
280 words
A method in a computer system with a central electronics complex (CEC), having at least one I/O channel subsystem, a plurality of channel paths and a plurality of I/O items, said I/O items being attachable to said subsystem via said channel paths in different ways as to provide a plurality of different system configurations, the method performed by the CEC for accessing information associated with said I/O items, said method comprising the following CEC-performed steps: structuring in the CEC an amorphous subchannel not defined in a current I/O configuration definition for the I/O channel subsystem, using the amorphous subchannel to test for the existence of each I/O item connected to one or more channel paths of said CEC by simulating a plurality of I/O item addresses by the amorphous subchannel without the CEC using the current I/O configuration definition for accessing the I/O item, attempting to access the I/O item addressed by the using step, determining characteristics of each of said I/O items by accessing self-description information provided for each of said I/O items; determining the channel paths usable to access each of said I/O items; storing the self-description information about said attached I/O items and storing information for each channel path connection to each I/O item in an I/O item configuration record; examining said I/O item configuration record to determine if any of said I/O items are shared by said channel paths or said I/O items, and using said I/O item configuration record to build an I/O configuration definition, wherein the amorphous subchannel previously contained no fixed I/O configuration definition information, and allows information about said I/O items to be stored, modified, or retrieved when I/O commands are issued.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
280 words
A method in a computer system with a central electronics complex (CEC), having at least one I/O channel subsystem, a plurality of channel paths and a plurality of I/O items, said I/O items being attachable to said subsystem via said channel paths in different ways as to provide a plurality of different system configurations, the method performed by the CEC for accessing information associated with said I/O items, said method comprising the following CEC-performed steps: structuring in the CEC an amorphous subchannel not defined in a current I/O configuration definition for the I/O channel subsystem, using the amorphous subchannel to test for the existence of each I/O item connected to one or more channel paths of said CEC by simulating a plurality of I/O item addresses by the amorphous subchannel without the CEC using the current I/O configuration definition for accessing the I/O item, attempting to access the I/O item addressed by the using step, determining characteristics of each of said I/O items by accessing self-description information provided for each of said I/O items; determining the channel paths usable to access each of said I/O items; storing the self-description information about said attached I/O items and storing information for each channel path connection to each I/O item in an I/O item configuration record; examining said I/O item configuration record to determine if any of said I/O items are shared by said channel paths or said I/O items, and using said I/O item configuration record to build an I/O configuration definition, wherein the amorphous subchannel previously contained no fixed I/O configuration definition information, and allows information about said I/O items to be stored, modified, or retrieved when I/O commands are issued.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said self-description information provided by each of said I/O items has a unique identifier including type and distinguishing characteristics of said I/O item.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said amorphous subchannel is a programmable subchannel used to contain parameters to enable use of the programmable subchannel for obtaining self-description information from I/O items; and said programmable subchannel having no fixed I/O configuration definition of its own.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein each of said channel paths has a channel identifier (CHPID) usable by said CEC; and information exits about which CHPIDs are usable by said CEC.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said I/O items and their channel paths are located by executing a program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1, wherein I/O items are tested using the entire range of device addresses for a single link destination address and a single channel address, prior to testing a next link destination address, wherein the entire range of link destination addresses are tested prior to testing a next channel path address until all channel path addresses have been tested.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 3 wherein an information gathering step is performed during which said parameters in said programmable subchannel are used to select each I/O item from which information is to be retrieved; and said information gathering step also using said parameters to enable the use of said programmable subchannel to determine if said I/O item is a dynamic switch or a control unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said I/O items honor a Sense ID command independent of any type of I/O item.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said programmable subchannel is programmed, and I/O commands are issued to each I/O item to determine presence and characteristics of each I/O item.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said unique identifier provided by each of said I/O items provides information about a node at which point said I/O item is attached to each of said channel paths; said unique identifier identifying said node by the use of a plurality of node descriptors (NDs), a plurality of associated node qualifiers (NQs), a plurality of node-element descriptors (NEDs), and a plurality of associated node qualifiers (NEQs); and said self-description information being retrieved by a plurality of commands to read said configuration data, set a plurality of interface identifiers, and read and store a node identifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a computer system with a central electronics complex (CEC), a plurality of subchannels and a plurality of connected I/O items, a programmable subchannel initially having no fixed I/O configuration definition, said programmable subchannel being capable of containing parameters and being independent of an I/O configuration program (IOCP), said programmable subchannel further comprising: a storage location for storing configuration information about a plurality of I/O items; said configuration information being usable to establish logical paths which enable the CEC to use said I/O items; and means for allowing information about said I/O items to be stored, modified, or retrieved when I/O commands are issued.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a computer system with a central electronics complex (CEC), a plurality of subchannels and a plurality of connected I/O items, a programmable subchannel initially having no fixed I/O configuration definition, said programmable subchannel being capable of containing parameters and being independent of an I/O configuration program (IOCP), said programmable subchannel further comprising: a storage location for storing configuration information about a plurality of I/O items; said configuration information being usable to establish logical paths which enable the CEC to use said I/O items; and means for allowing information about said I/O items to be stored, modified, or retrieved when I/O commands are issued.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The programmable subchannel of claim 11, wherein a said programmable subchannel is identifiable by said system by a special type field provided in a subchannel information block (SCHIB) within said programmable subchannel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The programmable subchannel of claim 11, containing addressing information for routing data between a CEC-resource logical partition and an I/O item.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The programmable subchannel of claim 11, wherein after said programmable subchannel contains configuration information, I/O commands are issued to said I/O item to determine presence and characteristics of said I/O item.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
137 words
A mechanism for locating I/O items and their associated channel paths in a Central Electronic Complex (CEC) of a computer system, said mechanism comprising: at least one channel subsystem attaching said I/O items via said channel paths in different ways to provide a plurality of different system configurations; self-description information being provided by each of said I/O items; means for collecting data associating said I/O items with channel paths; means for collecting characteristics information for said I/O items; said storage location, a storage location for storing a configuration description indicating a plurality of I/O items and their characteristics and their attachment to said channel subsystem by channel paths, wherein said mechanism does not depend on any prior fixed I/O configuration definition in the system, and means for using said storage location to build an I/O configuration definition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
137 words
A mechanism for locating I/O items and their associated channel paths in a Central Electronic Complex (CEC) of a computer system, said mechanism comprising: at least one channel subsystem attaching said I/O items via said channel paths in different ways to provide a plurality of different system configurations; self-description information being provided by each of said I/O items; means for collecting data associating said I/O items with channel paths; means for collecting characteristics information for said I/O items; said storage location, a storage location for storing a configuration description indicating a plurality of I/O items and their characteristics and their attachment to said channel subsystem by channel paths, wherein said mechanism does not depend on any prior fixed I/O configuration definition in the system, and means for using said storage location to build an I/O configuration definition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mechanism of claim 15, further comprising means for examining said configuration description for determining if any of said I/O items share any of said channel paths, and if any of said channel paths share said I/O items.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
96 words
The mechanism of claim 15, wherein each of said I/O items provide a unique identifier including type and characteristics of said I/O item; each of said I/O items provides self-description information about a node by the use of a node descriptor (ND), a plurality of associated node qualifiers (NQs), a plurality of node-element descriptors (NEDs), and a plurality of associated node-element qualifiers (NEQs); and said CEC including a plurality of commands to read said configuration description, set a plurality of interface identifiers, and read and store a node identifier associated with each of said I/O items.
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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) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |