Patent ID: 6205497
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An apparatus in a computer, for activating an input/output (I/O) board in the computer, the apparatus comprising:a processor;an I/O bus electrically coupled to the processor and the I/O board;the processor adapted to send an I/O command and an address over the I/O busthe I/O board adapted to receive the I/O command and the address;the processor configured to send a particular sequence of I/O commands and addresses over the I/O bus wherein addresses within the particular sequence are not all identical;the I/O board configured to compare the particular sequence of I/O commands and addresses to a predetermined sequence; andthe I/O board configured to activate at least a portion of the I/O board when the particular sequence of I/O commands and addresses matches the predetermined sequence.