Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Digital data processing system initialization or configuration – Loading initialization program
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-02
2001-04-10
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
Loading initialization program
C713S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216226
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and system for data processing or information handling systems in general and, in particular, to a method and system for dynamically selecting a boot process in a computer system. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for automatically performing extended hardware diagnostics during a boot sequence after a system failure has occurred within a network environment without user intervention.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Due to today's complex server systems or multi-processor system designs, an effort to improve overall system availability by designing for rapid initial program load (IPL) operations has become a necessary requirement by the end users of these systems. In the prior art, speed and availability was achieved by curtailing, or removing the system Power-On Self Test (POST) operations entirely. In removing or curtailing POST, system integrity was comprised and if the system developed a problem, the end user would not be aware of it until the failing part was used, or after damage was done to the user's data. Therefore, maintaining system integrity and determining when the system has problems are important requirements. Furthermore, performing system POST with its extended diagnostics on every boot for large complex server systems increases the boot time typically by a factor of three to four times in a normal day-to-day end user environment, an unacceptable situation.
Therefore, there is a need for performing subsequent minimum boot operations during power-on after extended diagnostics required in a full POST operation have been completed. Furthermore, there is a need for automatically invoking extended diagnostics without end user intervention when a system failure has been detected and after the failure has been corrected, returning to subsequent minimum boot operations. The subject invention herein solves all of these problems in a new and unique manner that has not been part of the art previously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for faster initial program loads in a computer system or information handling system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for dynamically switching a boot process in cases where a system failure has occurred within a network environment.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for automatically performing extended hardware diagnostics during a boot sequence after a system failure has occurred within a network environment without user intervention.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, faster initial program loads are achieved by normally booting a data processing system without extended diagnostic tests. A service processor is provided and located within the data processing system to monitor the data processing system during runtime operations for a system failure. When a system failure occurs, the service processor enables a diagnostic flag located in non-volatile memory. On the first or next boot of the data processing system after repair or subsequent reboot of the system failure, the diagnostic flag indicates to the service processor to perform an extended diagnostics test. Upon completion of the extended diagnostics test, the diagnostic flag is disabled and the service processor once again monitors the data processing system for a system failure.
All objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.
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Agha Salim
Mehta Chetan
Patel Maulin Ishwarbhai
Felsman Bradley Vaden Gunter & Dillon, LLP
International Business Machines - Corporation
Lee Thomas
Patel Nitin
VanLeeuwen Leslie A.
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