Patent ID: 6311273
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer system comprising:a first processor having respective address signals, data signals and a plurality of control signals coupled thereto, said plurality of control signals provided to/from said first processor on a respective plurality of control signal lines including a first control signal line being one of said respective plurality of control signal lines, said first control signal line including a first control signal;a second processor;a logic controller, said logic controller including apparatus for intercepting said first control signal to/from said first processor and substituting a second control signal to/from said second processor in place of said first control signal such that said logic controller captures control of said first processor, said logic controller isolates said first processor from the remainder of said computer system, and said logic controller obtains separate control over both said first processor and the remainder of said computer system; andwherein said second processor, said logic controller, and operation of circuitry associated with said second processor and said logic controller are invisible to all other portions of said computer system, with the exception of a BIOS extension associated with said logic controller.