Abstract:
A multi-computer system and configuration method therefor are provided, which are suitable for use in configuring multi-computer systems into operating in combination. The respective computer system is provided with at least one processor and a plurality of electronic devices to form a computer system that can operate independently. By operating in combination, it indicates that to combine the various computer systems and their respective system resources to function and operate as a single computer system. The main feature of the method lies in connecting the various computer systems, and determining and selecting whether the computer systems operate independently or in combination by making use of a switch. In case that the combination mode is utilized, then proceed with the setting and designating of the authority of overall control of the basic input/output systems while operating in combination.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a multi-computer system and configuration method therefor, and in particular to a multi-computer system and a method therefor, that is capable of selectively controlling and configuring the multi-computer system to function independently or in combination. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Nowadays, with the rapid progress and development of the information-oriented society, the data processing capacity of the data processing device, such as computer system, has been increasing rapidly, and the contents of data processing have become more complicated. As such, the computer system requires even more powerful data processing capability. 
         [0005]    However, in recent years, the speed required for the increase of data processing capability has outpaced the speed that can be achieved in improving the processor&#39;s capability and performance. 
         [0006]    Since the development of high performance processor is pretty time consuming, thus the improvement of processor&#39;s performance can not be realized in a rather short period of time. In this respect, the conventional main machine board having on which the processor, such as the single Central Processing Unit (CPU), is not able to meet the requirement of the present-day application of computer system. For this reason, a kind of multi-processor computer system is proposed and developed to improve the overall data processing capability of the computer system. The multi-processor computer system includes a plurality of interconnected processors, such that a data processing task can be broken down into a plurality of sub-tasks, and the workloads of data processing are shared among the respective processors in the computer system, as such the data processing capability can be improved significantly over the conventional single-processor computer. Presently, there are the existences of 2-processor and 4-processor computer systems in the industry, and tremendous efforts are underway for the research and development toward multi-processor computer system of 8 processors, or even 16 processors. 
         [0007]    In the prior art, the configuration method of the multi-processor computer system is realized through the expansion of processor numbers. Namely, at least one processor is provided on a main machine board, and a CPU board having at least one processor thereon is coupled and connected to an expansion slot of the main machine board, so as to realize a multi-processor computer system. In the above description, the CPU board used for expanding processors is itself not a wholly integral system that can function independently, thus it must be connected to the existing main machine board to function. For this reason, although through coupling and connecting to the main machine board, the CPU board may realize the function and effectiveness of a multi-processor computer system, yet when the CPU board is not coupled and connected to the existing main machine board, the CPU board may not achieve any of its functions. Apparently, this kind of configuration may not fully utilize the hardware resources. In this regard, supposing that another main machine board is used to replace the CPU board with a single processor, so that this main machine board may function as an independent computer system even though it not being coupled and connected to the existing main machine board, as such, both of the main machine board&#39;s may be utilized to function independently as two separate computer systems. Namely, when the two main machine boards are not being connected together, the two computer system may function independently. Therefore, how to combine two of such computer systems into a multi-processor computer system capable of functioning in combination is one of the most urgent task that must be solved in this field. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art, the invention provides a multi-computer system and configuration method therefor. Such configuration method can be applied on two independent computer systems, thus selectively controlling and configuring each of the multi computer systems in operating independently or in combination, hereby effectively utilizing the entire system resources. 
         [0009]    The invention disclosed a multi-computer system, including at least a first computer system and a second computer system, each having at least one processor and a plurality of electronic components, thus forming the respective computer systems that are capable of functioning independently. The technical contents and characteristics of the multi-computer system and configuration method therefor are described as follows. 
         [0010]    When the first computer system and the second computer system are connected together by making use of a first connector and a second connector respectively, a switch provided on the first computer system may be used to determine if the first computer system and the second computer system are to be operated independently or in combination. In case that the option of operation in combination is selected; then a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) provided in the first computer system is utilized to determine the pin of the first connector connecting that switch is at low voltage potential; subsequently, a control operation is performed to bring the two computer systems into operating in combination. Moreover, the designation of the authority of overall control for the operation in combination is realized through a ROM-based Setup Utility (RBSU), and that is used to determine if the first Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) of the first computer system or the second Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) of the second computer system is given the authority to activate and initialize the operations of multi-computer system. 
         [0011]    Further scope of applicability of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow for illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the invention, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a system block diagram of a multi-computer system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of potential vs. time relating to the electric potential of the pins for a first connector and a second connector; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the steps of a multi-computer system configuration method according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The purpose, construction, features, and functions of the invention can be appreciated and understood more thoroughly through the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings. 
         [0017]    Firstly, refer to  FIG. 1  for a system block diagram of a multi-computer system according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the multi-computer system includes a first computer system  10  and a second computer system  11 . Wherein, the first computer system  10  includes at least one first processor  101   a  and  101   b , and the electronic components such as a switch  102 , a CPLD  103 , a first BIOS  104 , and a first connector  105 , thus forming a first computer system  10  that is capable of functioning independently. The connections between various electronic components are defined and realized as follows: the first processors  101   a  and  101   b  are connected to the first connector  105 , the switch  102  is connected to a first pin  106  of the first connector  105 , the CPLD  103  is connected to the first BIOS  104 , and the first BIOS  104  is connected to the first connector  105 . 
         [0018]    Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the second computer system  11  includes at least one second processor  111   a  and  111   b , and the electronic components such as a second BIOS  114 , and a second connector  115  having a second pin  116 , thus forming similarly a second computer system  11  that is also capable of functioning independently. The connections between various electronic components are defined and realized as follows: the second processor  111   a  and  111   b  is connected to the second connector  115 , and the second connector  115  is connected to the second BIOS  114 . 
         [0019]    Subsequently, refer to  FIG. 2  for a schematic diagram of the electric potential of the pins for a first connector  105  and a second connector  115 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the longitudinal axis represents electric potential, and the horizontal axis represents time. According to an embodiment of the invention, the potentials of the pins of the first connector  105  and second connector  115  are utilized to determine whether the first connector  105  and the second connector  115  are connected. 
         [0020]    When the first connector  105  and the second connector  115  are not connected together (namely, the first computer system  10  is not connected to the second computer system  11 ), then the second pin  116  of the second connector  115  is at a first potential, such as a low potential or a 0 potential; while the first pin  106  of the first connector  105  is at the second potential, such as a high potential or a positive potential (as a non-limiting example, at this time, the first potential may also be a high potential or a positive potential, and the second potential may also be a low potential or a 0 potential). At this time, even if it is selected by the user that the first computer system  10  and the second computer system  11  are to operate in a combination mode and turning on the switch  102 . As such, the CPLD  103  and the switch  102  are both in the ON state, and may define that the potential of the first pin  106  of the first connector  105  is at the second potential. Since, at this time, the second pin  116  of the second connector  115  is at the first potential, consequently, that indicates that the first computer system  10  and the second computer system  11  are not connected together, so that the first computer system  10  and the second computer system  11  are still both in an independent operation mode. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, when the first connector  105  and the second connector  115  are connected together (namely, the first computer system  10  and the second computer system  11  are connected together), then the first pin  106  of the first connector  105  is at a first potential, such as a low potential or a 0 potential. At this time, if it is selected by the user that the first computer system  10  and the second computer system  11  are to operate in a combination mode and turning on the switch  102 . As such, the CPLD  103  and the switch  102  are both in an ON state, thus the CPLD  103  may define the potential of the first pin  106  of the first connector  105  (namely, the first potential). Then, the CPLD  103  sends out a signal to the first BIOS  104 . Upon receiving such a signal, the first BIOS  104  operates and shuts down the operations of the second BIOS  114 . Moreover, as a non-limiting example, when the first computer system  10  and the second computer system  11  operate in a combination mode, it is selected and designated by the user that the first BIOS  104  is given the authority of overall control in executing the activation and initialization of the multi-computer system. Namely, the first BIOS  104  are authorized to take actions required to close down the operations of the second BIOS  114 . However, the user may switch the authority of overall control of the BIOS by making use of a ROM-based Setup Utility (RBSU). As a further non-limiting example, if it is selected and designated by the user that the second BIOS  114  is given the authority of overall control of the system. Then, upon receiving a signal, the first BIOS  104  informs the second BIOS  114  to take actions to shut down the operations of the first BIOS  104 . On the other hand, when the switch  102  is turned off, then the CPLD  103  and the switch  102  are both in an OFF state. At this time, though the first computer system  10  is connected to the second computer system  11 , the CPLD  103  is not able to define the potential of the first pin  106  of the first connector  105 . As such, the first computer system  10  and the second computer system  11  both remain in an independent operation mode. 
         [0022]    In addition, the invention discloses a multi-computer system configuration method that can be applied on the afore-mentioned first computer system  10  and second computer system  11 , and is suitable for use in the operation before the start and activation of a multi-computer system. Refer to  FIG. 3  for a flowchart of the steps of a multi-computer system configuration method according to an embodiment of the invention that is used to indicate the various steps of configuring the first computer system  10  and second computer system  11  according to an embodiment of the invention. At beginning, a first computer system and a second computer system are connected together by a user through utilizing a first connector and a second connector (step S 1 ). Next, the operation mode of a multi-computer system is selected by the user by means of a switch  102 . The operation mode includes an independent mode and a combination mode of the first computer system  10  and second computer system  11 . In case that a combination mode is selected, then the switch  102  must be switched on, however, in case that an independent mode is selected, then the switch  102  must be switched off (step S 2 ). Then, in case that the user selects the independent mode in operating the first computer system  10  and second computer system  11 , then the switch  102  is turned off, so that the first computer system  10  and second computer system  11  operate separately as two independent systems (step S 3 ). However, in case that the user selects the combination mode in operating the first computer system  10  and second computer system  11 , then the switch  102  is turned on. At this time, the switch  102  and the CPLD  103  are both turned on, thus the CPLD  103  is utilized to determine whether the first pin  106  is at the first potential or the second potential (step S 4 ). If the first pin  106  is at the second potential, then the first computer system  10  and second computer system  11  still operate separately as two independent systems (step S 5 ). If the first pin  106  is at the first potential/low potential, then the first computer system  10  and the second computer system  11  proceed with their operations in combination. At this time, the CPLD  103  transmits a signal to the first BIOS  104  of the first computer system  10  (step S 6 ). And finally, the first BIOS  104  of the first computer system  10  takes actions to shut down the operations of the second BIOS  114  of the second computer system  11  (step S 7 ). 
         [0023]    Through the application of the multi-computer system configuration method of the invention, when two computer systems are connected together, the two computer systems may be configured as a single computer system, or two independent computer systems. In case that it is configured to a single computer system, then the various electronic components of the two computer systems are combined to perform as a single computer system. Thus the configured single computer system is provided with more processors than either the first computer system  10  or the second computer system  11 , hereby enhancing the efficiency of data processing. 
         [0024]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.