Patent ID: 6192434
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: G06F,H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
An operational computer capable of hot swapping an adapter, comprising:a memory;at least one input/output (I/O) device;a standard programmable adapter connected to the operational computer, wherein the standard programmable adapter controls the input/output to the I/O device;a user interface program which receives a hot swap request for the standard programmable adapter, wherein the hot swap request causes suspension of communications and power disablement to the standard programmable adapter;a configuration manager, responsive to the hot swap request, suspending the communications to the standard programmable adapter on the operational computer, and storing a configuration information associated with the standard programmable adapter in the memory of the operational computer; anda hot plug hardware, responsive to the hot swap request, disabling the power to the standard programmable adapter before the standard programmable adapter is disconnected from the operational computer and enabling the power to a replacement standard programmable adapter that replaces the standard programmable adapter, wherein the hot plug hardware comprises at least one programmable data processor for receiving requests from a central processing unit and for controlling the power to the standard programmable adapter in response to requests from the central processing unit, and the programmable data processor determines whether the received request is to disable or enable power.