Patent ID: 6574695
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for converting a device from a non-hot-swap-capable configuration to a hot-swap-capable configuration wherein software drivers which are configured to control the device in the non-hot-swap-capable configuration can be used to control the device in the hot-swap-capable configuration, the method comprising:providing a device, wherein said device uses one or more pre-existing circuits and wherein said one or more pre-existing circuits are configured to be controlled by one or more corresponding pre-existing software drivers; installing a hot-swap-capable bus bridge in said device, wherein I/O between said pre-existing circuits and said pre-existing software drivers is conveyed through said bus bridge; configuring said bus bridge to transparently convey said I/O between said pre-existing circuits and said pre-existing software drivers; controlling said pre-existing circuits with said pre-existing software drivers; and providing an operating system driver, wherein said operating system driver is configured to control said bus bridge to emulate a transparent bridge during normal operations of said system.