US5860002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for assigning boot strap processor in symmetric multiprocessor computer with watchdog reassignment
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
•
Filing: 1996-07-12
•
Granted: 1999-01-12
•
Expires: 2016-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A boot strap assignment system is disclosed for a symmetric multiprocessor computer in which the role of the boot strap processor is assigned to one of the working processors by a central agent as part of power-on configuration. The system includes a system management processor which monitors the operation of the multiprocessor computer and controls a switching circuit that selectively transmits the boot strap assignment signal from the central agent to the working processors. Since the management processor monitors environmental conditions and shut-down events, it can predict the failure of working processors and assign the bootstrapping function appropriately. A watch dog timer is also provided in case the bootstrapping fails so that another working processor can be assigned the task of booting up the computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur Huang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/177; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4405; G06F9/46; G06F9/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of assigning a bootstrapping among multiple working processors in a multiprocessor computer in which a central agent generates a boot strap assignment signal, the method comprising intercepting the boot strap assignment signal from the central agent; determining which of the multiple working processors should perform the bootstrapping; and transmitting the boot strap assignment signal among the working processors so that the determined one of the working processors is signaled to perform the bootstrapping.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of assigning a bootstrapping among multiple working processors in a multiprocessor computer in which a central agent generates a boot strap assignment signal, the method comprising intercepting the boot strap assignment signal from the central agent; determining which of the multiple working processors should perform the bootstrapping; and transmitting the boot strap assignment signal among the working processors so that the determined one of the working processors is signaled to perform the bootstrapping.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as described in claim 1, further comprising transmitting the boot strap assignment signal to one of a plurality of bus request lines that are rotated between the working processors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method as described in claim 1, wherein transmitting the boot strap assignment signal to the working processors comprises: receiving the boot strap assignment signal at a plurality of switches that connect to the separate bus request lines that pass between the working processors; and selectively closing one of the switches to pass the boot strap assignment signal to only one of the bus request lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as described in claim 1, further comprising determining which of the multiple working processors should perform bootstrapping in response to environmental conditions for the computer and previous shut-down events.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as described in claim 1, further comprising generating a boot strap assignment signal in a bus arbitration controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as described in claim 1, further comprising: activating a watch dog timer in response to reset; and resetting the watch dog timer upon finishing bootstrapping the multiprocessor computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as described in claim 6, further comprising assigning a new processor as the boot strap processor in response to the watch dog timer timing-out after the previous boot strap processor failed to boot strap the multiprocessor computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-11 | 2002-07-13 | 2003-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-11 | 2006-07-13 | 2007-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-07-13 | 2011-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |