Patent ID: 6487623
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer system having hot-pluggable components, said system comprising:a central processing unit; a component controller connected to said central processing unit; a component bus connected to said component controller; a plurality of component connectors adapted to receive component modules; a plurality of component bus switches connected between said component bus and said plurality of component connectors; a plurality of component power switches connected between said plurality of component connectors and a power source; a first component module installed in a one of said plurality of component connectors; and a logic circuit connected to said component bus, said plurality of component connectors, said plurality of component bus switches and said plurality of component power switches, wherein when said component controller determines that said first component module is failing but still operational, said component controller asserts a system management interrupt to said central processing unit; when said central processing unit receives the system management interrupt, said central processing unit runs a system management program which determines whether a second component module is installed in another one of said plurality of component connectors; if said second component module is not installed then the system management program continues determining until said second component module is installed; if said second component module is installed then the system management program causes said central processing unit to transfer information stored in said first component module to said second component module until all information is transferred, the transfer of information is done as a background operation which does not materially affect other programs running in said central processing unit; said logic circuit causing some of said plurality of component bus switches to disconnect said first component module from said component bus after all of the information is transferred; and said logic circuit causing some of said plurality of component power switches to disconnect said first component module from said power source after the some of said plurality of component bus switches has disconnected said first component module from said component bus.