Electronic device, data transfer method, control unit, and power supply unit

Abstract

To enable easy and appropriate backup of the control unit's configuration information. [Solution] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a power supply unit detachably mounted on a backplane and a control unit detachably mounted on or mounted on the backplane, wherein the control unit and the power supply unit each have their own memory, and the control unit performs backup processing to record the setting information currently recorded in its own memory into the memory of the power supply unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, a data transfer method, a control unit, and a power supply unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a communication device that can export the setting information of a non-volatile memory built into a control module to a portable storage device. According to the communication device of Communication Document 1, by using the information stored in the portable storage device by the control module to execute startup settings and management programs, the setting information of the previous control module can be inherited.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the backup process using a portable storage device as in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is complicated for the user to manage which storage device and how much data has been transferred. In view of such conventional problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device or the like that can easily and appropriately back up the setting information of a control unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an electronic apparatus comprising a power supply unit detachably mounted on a backplane and a control unit detachably mounted on or mounted on the backplane, wherein the control unit and the power supply unit each have their own memory, and the control unit performs backup processing to cause the setting information currently recorded in its own memory to be recorded in the memory of the power supply unit.

[0006] This disclosure can be implemented not only as a system and apparatus having the characteristic configuration described above, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute such characteristic configuration. Furthermore, this disclosure can be implemented as a semiconductor integrated circuit that implements part or all of the system and apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the configuration information of the control unit can be backed up easily and appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of a communication device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a communication device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection configuration for inter-unit communication. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a connection configuration for inter-unit communication. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of communication control 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of communication control 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of communication control 2. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of communication control 3. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of communication control 4. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the first backup process. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the first restoration process. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the second backup process. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the third backup process. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the second restoration process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Summary of the embodiments of this disclosure> The embodiments of this disclosure are outlined below. (1) The apparatus according to this embodiment is an electronic apparatus comprising a power supply unit detachably mounted on a backplane and a control unit detachably mounted on the backplane or mounted on the backplane, wherein the control unit and the power supply unit each have their own memory, and the control unit performs backup processing to record the setting information currently recorded in its own memory into the memory of the power supply unit.

[0010] According to the electronic device of this embodiment, the control unit performs a backup process to record the setting information currently stored in its own memory to the memory of the power supply unit, thereby transferring the data to the power supply unit, of which at least one is required for the electronic device. Consequently, an electronic device is obtained that can easily and appropriately back up the setting information of the control unit.

[0011] (2) In the electronic device described in (1) above, the power supply unit may be made redundant by a plurality of units, and the backup process may be performed for each of the plurality of power supply units. In this way, each of the redundant plurality of power supply units will have the setting information of the control unit. Therefore, even when any one of the power supply units is removed, data restoration can be performed from the remaining power supply units.

[0012] (3) In the electronic device of (2) above, the power supply unit is connected so as to enable unit - to - unit communication with other power supply units, and data requested to be written to the self - unit from the control unit may be transferred to the other power supply units. In this way, it is sufficient for the control unit to request writing of different data to each of the plurality of power supply units. Therefore, data backup can be performed quickly.

[0013] (4) In the electronic device of (3) above, the control unit may allocate data numbers requested to be read to the plurality of power supply units so as to be mutually exclusive. In this way, it is sufficient for the control unit to request reading of different data from each of the plurality of power supply units. Therefore, data restoration can be performed quickly.

[0014] (5) The method of this embodiment is a data transfer method executed in the electronic devices of (1) to (4) above. Therefore, the data transfer method of this embodiment has the same operational effects as the electronic devices of (1) to (4) above.

[0015] (6) The device of another aspect of this embodiment is a control unit that is a component (sub - combination) of the electronic devices of (1) to (4) above. The control unit of this embodiment has the same operational effects as the electronic devices of (1) to (4) above.

[0016] (7) The device of another aspect of this embodiment is a power supply unit that is a component (sub - combination) of the electronic devices of (1) to (4) above. The power supply unit of this embodiment has the same operational effects as the electronic devices of (1) to (4) above.

[0017] <Details of the embodiments of this disclosure> The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. At least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any way.

[0018] [Example of communication device structure] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of communication device 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of communication device 1. The communication device 1 of this embodiment is an example of an electronic device of the present disclosure and consists of a hot-swapping communication device. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the communication device 1 comprises a housing 2, a backplane 3, a control unit 4, a line unit 5, a power supply unit 6, and a fan unit 7.

[0019] Enclosure 2 is, for example, a 1U-sized metal casing. Enclosure 2 has a front opening 21 and a rear opening 22 through which units 4, 5, 6, and 7 can be inserted and removed. A backplane 3 is incorporated inside the enclosure 2. The backplane 3 is a circuit board that is long in the left-right direction and has almost the same shape as the cross-section of the enclosure 2. The backplane 3 is located almost in the center in the front-to-back direction inside the enclosure 2 and acts as a wall that divides the enclosure 2's housing space into roughly two halves in the front-to-back direction.

[0020] The backplane 3 has a plurality of connectors 31 for inter-unit communication. The connectors 31 are, for example, female type. The backplane 3 has a plurality of vents 32 for circulating cooling air from the fan in the front-to-back direction. In the example diagram, five connectors 31 are arranged in a single row horizontally on the front of the backplane 3. Although hidden in Figure 1, five connectors 31 are also arranged in a single row horizontally on the back of the backplane 3. Note that the number of connectors 31 installed on the backplane 3 is not limited to 10 and can be designed arbitrarily.

[0021] The communication device 1 is a unit that can be connected to the connector 31 of the backplane 3 and comprises a control unit 4, which is the main monitoring unit for status monitoring via inter-unit communication, and a plurality of controlled units 5, 6, and 7 that are the targets of monitoring. In other words, the control unit 4 is a unit that monitors the status of the other units 5, 6, and 7 mounted on the backplane 3, and the line unit 5, power supply unit 6, and fan unit 7 are the units that the control unit 4 monitors.

[0022] The communication standard for inter-unit communication is not particularly limited as long as it enables digital communication, but for example, HDLC (High-Level Data Link Control), I2C, Ethernet, etc. can be used. In this embodiment, HDLC will be used.

[0023] In the structural example shown in Figure 1, one control unit 4 and three line units 5 are mounted on the front side of the backplane 3, and two power supply units 6 and three fan units 7 are mounted on the rear side of the backplane 3. However, the number of each unit 4, 5, 6, and 7 installed is not particularly limited. However, since the power supply unit 6 is a unit that supplies power to the communication device 1, at least one power supply unit 6 must always be installed on the backplane 3 in order to maintain the operation of the device.

[0024] [Internal configuration of the control unit] As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 4 comprises a circuit board 40 and a connector 41 provided on the edge of the circuit board 40. The connector 41 is, for example, a male connector that can be attached to and detached from the connector 31 of the backplane 3. The control unit 4 may also include a housing that covers the circuit board 40.

[0025] The control unit 4 comprises a signal processing unit 42, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 43, a memory 44, a communication processing unit 45, a management port 46, and a power supply unit 47 as electronic components mounted on a circuit board 40. These electronic components are electrically connected by the wiring patterns of the circuit board 40 shown by solid lines in Figure 2.

[0026] The signal processing unit 42 is an electronic circuit that includes, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The FPGA is configured with a signal processing circuit for inter-unit communication that conforms to a predetermined communication standard such as HDLC. The CPU 43 is an arithmetic processing unit that comprehensively controls the operation of the control unit 4. For example, the CPU 43 makes setting changes to the signal processing unit 42, the communication processing unit 45, etc., based on predetermined setting information recorded in the memory 44.

[0027] The communication processing unit 45 is, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) chip. The management port 46 is, for example, an RJ-45 connector. A management computer owned by the communications administrator, or a router connected to the internet, is connected to the management port 46. The communication processing unit 45 is connected not only to its own unit's CPU 43 but also to the CPU 53 of the line unit 5 via a management signal line 33. The communication processing unit 45 receives Ethernet frames ("Ethernet" is a registered trademark) containing management information from the management computer.

[0028] If the management information contained in the received frame is the configuration information of its own unit, the communication processing unit 45 transmits the configuration information to the CPU 43 of its own unit. The CPU 43 records the received configuration information in the memory 44. If the management information contained in the received frame is the configuration information of the line unit 5, the communication processing unit 45 transmits the configuration information to the CPU 53 of the line unit 5. The CPU 53 records the received configuration information in the memory 54.

[0029] The power supply unit 47 is, for example, an electronic circuit including a DC / DC converter. The DC / DC converter converts the DC voltage of the DC distribution line 34 to a predetermined voltage and supplies the converted DC voltage to an electronic circuit including active elements mounted on the circuit board 40.

[0030] [Internal configuration of the line unit] As shown in Figure 2, the line unit 5 comprises a circuit board 50 and a connector 51 provided on the edge of the circuit board 50. The connector 51 is, for example, a male connector that can be attached to and detached from the connector 31 of the backplane 3. The line unit 5 may also include a housing that covers the circuit board 50.

[0031] The line unit 5 includes a signal processing unit 52, a CPU 53, a memory 54, a switch unit 55, an external port 56, and a power supply unit 57 as electronic components mounted on the circuit board 50. These electronic components are electrically connected by the wiring pattern of the circuit board 50, which is shown by solid lines in Figure 2.

[0032] The signal processing unit 52 is an electronic circuit including, for example, an FPGA. The FPGA is configured with a signal processing circuit for inter-unit communication that conforms to a predetermined communication standard such as HDLC. The CPU 53 is a processing unit that comprehensively controls the operation of the line unit 5. For example, the CPU 53 makes setting changes to the signal processing unit 52, the switch unit 55, etc., based on predetermined setting information recorded in the memory 54.

[0033] The switch unit 55 is, for example, a high-speed Ethernet switch LSI (Large Scale Integration), such as a 10 Gigabit switch. The external port 56 consists of a connector that allows for the insertion and removal of, for example, a pluggable optical transceiver (not shown). The power supply unit 57 is, for example, an electronic circuit including a DC / DC converter. The DC / DC converter converts the DC voltage of the DC distribution line 34 to a predetermined voltage and supplies the converted DC voltage to an electronic circuit including active elements mounted on the circuit board 50.

[0034] [Internal configuration of the power supply unit] As shown in Figure 2, the power supply unit 6 comprises a circuit board 60 and a connector 61 provided on the edge of the circuit board 60. The connector 61 is, for example, a male connector that can be attached to and detached from the connector 31 of the backplane 3. The power supply unit 6 may also include a housing that covers the circuit board 60.

[0035] The power supply unit 6 includes a signal processing unit 62, a first voltage conversion unit 63, and a second voltage conversion unit 64 as electronic components mounted on the circuit board 60. These electronic components are electrically connected by the wiring pattern of the circuit board 60, which is shown by solid lines in Figure 2. The signal processing unit 62 is an electronic circuit including, for example, an FPGA. The FPGA is configured with a signal processing circuit for inter-unit communication that conforms to a predetermined communication standard such as HDLC.

[0036] The first voltage conversion unit 63 is an electronic circuit including, for example, an AC / DC converter. The first voltage conversion unit 63 converts AC supplied from a commercial power source or the like into DC of a predetermined voltage and outputs the converted DC to the DC distribution line 34 and the second voltage conversion unit 64. The second voltage conversion unit 64 is, for example, an electronic circuit including a DC / DC converter. The second voltage conversion unit 64 converts the DC supplied from the first voltage conversion unit 63 into DC of a predetermined voltage and supplies the converted DC to an electronic circuit including active elements mounted on the circuit board 60.

[0037] The signal processing unit 62 is provided with a memory 65 that serves as a backup function for the setting information managed by the control unit 4. The signal processing unit 42 of the control unit 4 performs a backup process by transferring the current data contents of the control unit 4's memory 44 to memory 65 via inter-unit communication with the signal processing unit 62 of the power supply unit 6. Details of the backup process will be described later.

[0038] [Internal configuration of the fan unit] As shown in Figure 2, the fan unit 7 comprises a circuit board 70 and a connector 71 provided on the edge of the circuit board 70. The connector 71 is, for example, a male connector that can be attached to and detached from the connector 31 of the backplane 3. The fan unit 7 may also include a housing that covers the circuit board 70.

[0039] The fan unit 7 includes a signal processing unit 72, a cooling fan 73, and a power supply unit 74 as electronic components mounted on the circuit board 70. These electronic components are electrically connected by the wiring pattern of the circuit board 70, which is shown by solid lines in Figure 2. The signal processing unit 72 is an electronic circuit including, for example, an FPGA. The FPGA is configured with a signal processing circuit for inter-unit communication that conforms to a predetermined communication standard such as HDLC.

[0040] The cooling fan 73 is a fan whose airflow can be adjusted by controlling the rotation speed of an electric motor. The rotation speed of the cooling fan 73 is controlled by a control signal from the signal processing unit 72. The power supply unit 74 is an electronic circuit including, for example, a DC / DC converter. The DC / DC converter converts the DC voltage of the DC distribution line 34 to a predetermined voltage and supplies the converted DC voltage to the signal processing unit 72 and the electric motor of the cooling fan 73.

[0041] [Power supply unit relay function] As shown in Figure 2, the power supply unit 6 of this embodiment functions as a relay unit capable of relaying the second control signal among the following first and second control signals. First control signal: A control signal used for monitoring itself (power supply unit 6). Second control signal: A control signal used for monitoring controlled units other than itself (power supply unit 6) (here, fan unit 7 is used as an example).

[0042] In other words, the signal processing unit 62 of the power supply unit 6 is configured to perform signal processing that does not relay the first control signal but relays the second control signal to other units. Therefore, when the control unit 4, power supply unit 6, and fan unit 7 are mounted on the backplane, the inter-unit communication includes the following first and second communications.

[0043] First communication: The control unit 4 and the power supply unit 6 transmit and receive the first control signal without relaying. Second communication: The control unit 4 and the fan unit 7 transmit and receive the second control signal using the power supply unit 6 as a relay node.

[0044] [Backplane wiring structure] The printed circuitry of backplane 3 includes a wiring structure that assumes the three units 4, 6, and 7 perform the first and second communications described above. In other words, the printed circuitry of the backplane 3 includes, in addition to the management signal lines 33 and DC distribution lines 34, monitoring signal lines 35 for monitoring the status of each unit 5, 6, and 7. The monitoring signal lines 35 include at least the following three types of signal lines.

[0045] 1st signal line 35A: At least two signal lines electrically connect the control unit 4 and the power supply unit 6. Second signal line 35B: At least two signal wires that electrically connect the power supply unit 6 and the fan unit 7. Third signal line 35C: At least two signal lines electrically connect the control unit 4 and the line unit 5.

[0046] Specifically, when the control unit 4, line unit 5, and power supply unit 6 are attached to the designated numbered connectors 31 on the backplane 3, the signal processing unit 42 of the control unit 4 and the signal processing unit 62 of the power supply unit 6 are connected by the first signal line 35A. Similarly, the signal processing unit 62 of the power supply unit 6 and the signal processing unit 72 of the fan unit 7 are connected by a second signal line 35B, and the signal processing unit 42 of the control unit 4 and the signal processing unit 52 of the line unit 5 are connected by a third signal line 35C.

[0047] Thus, if the control unit 4, power supply unit 6, and fan unit 7 perform the first and second communications described above, the connection configuration (topology) of these units 4, 6, and 7 can be such that the control unit 4 and power supply unit 6 are connected one-to-one, and the power supply unit 6 and fan unit 7 are connected one-to-one.

[0048] Furthermore, if the power supply unit 6 is made redundant, the monitoring signal line 35 printed on the backplane 3 will include the following fourth signal line 35D. 4th signal line 35D: At least two signal wires that electrically connect the power supply units 6 to each other.

[0049] Note that in Figure 2, for the sake of illustration simplicity, the circuit configuration is shown as an example where there is one control unit 4, one line unit 5, one power supply unit 6, and one fan unit 7. Therefore, the number of first, second, and third signal lines 35A, 35B, and 35C that should be wired to the backplane 3 increases depending on the number of units that can be mounted on the backplane 3 (the number of connectors 31 that can be installed).

[0050] For example, if four connectors 31 for line units 5 are provided, that is, if up to four line units 5 can be connected to one control unit 4, the number of third signal lines 35C wired to the backplane 3 will be four times the number shown in the diagram (e.g., five lines). The same applies to the first and second signal lines 35A and 35B. The advantages of using the power supply unit 6 as a relay unit in this embodiment will be explained below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0051] [Connection configuration for inter-unit communication] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection configuration for inter-unit communication (hereinafter referred to as "Connection Configuration 1"). Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a connection configuration for inter-unit communication (hereinafter referred to as "Connection Configuration 2").

[0052] In Figures 3 and 4, "CT" refers to the control unit 4, "LN" to the line unit 5, "PW" to the power supply unit 6, and "FN" to the fan unit 7. The numbers following CT, LN, PW, and FN are identification numbers for the same type of unit, in cases where the same type of unit can be mounted on backplane 3.

[0053] Here, the control signals used for inter-unit communication include the following five types, and each control signal is transmitted over one signal line. Therefore, each arrow in Figure 3 includes at least five signal lines. 1) EXT: Insertion of the unit is complete (attachment to connector 31 is complete) 2) RDY: Activation status of your unit 3) RST: Restart request to the opponent's unit 4) TX: Data transmission 5) RX: Data reception

[0054] In hot-swappable / removable communication devices, the most common configuration is the star connection shown in Figure 3, where the CT is connected one-to-one with the monitored LN, PW, and FN. Therefore, in connection configuration 1, a backplane 3 with a wiring pattern that allows CT1 to connect to 7 units is required. In this case, the number of signal lines required for the connector 31 for the CT is 5 lines × 7 units = 35 lines. However, there are inherent constraints on the size of the backplane 3 that can be housed in, for example, a 1U enclosure 2.

[0055] Therefore, if the connector 31 for the CT becomes enlarged, a structural problem arises in which multiple connectors 31 cannot be placed in desired positions on the backplane 3 (for example, in positions where cooling air from the cooling fan 73 can easily circulate). In contrast, in connection configuration 2 of Figure 4, the PW has a relay function for the second control signal, so the CT and PW are connected by the upper first signal line 35A, and the PW and FN are connected by the lower second signal line 35B, employing a connection configuration in which the PW acts as a relay node.

[0056] In this case, CT1 should adopt a backplane 3 with a wiring pattern that allows it to connect to PW1, PW2, LN1, and LN2 respectively. Therefore, the number of signal lines required for the connector 31 for CT1 is 5 lines × 4 units = 20 lines, which is a significant reduction in the number of signal lines required for the connector 31 for CT1 compared to connection configuration 1 in Figure 3.

[0057] In this way, by connecting the CT and PW with the upper first signal line 35A, and connecting the PW and FN with the lower second signal line 35B, the number of signal lines in the connector 31 for the CT can be reduced. Therefore, compared to connection configuration 1, where LN, PW, and FN are all connected to the CT, the connector 31 for the CT can be made more compact. This makes it easier to position the connector 31 at a desired location on the backplane 3, which has the advantage of improving the design flexibility of the communication device 1.

[0058] For example, by making the connector 31 for the CT more compact, the size of the ventilation opening 32 of the backplane 3 can be increased or its shape changed, thereby improving the airflow of cooling air inside the communication device 1. Furthermore, when considering new communication equipment, there is a high possibility that only the PW (Power Wave) will need to be newly designed, while the CT (Critical Turn Signal) and FN (Functional Network) units will be reused from those of communication equipment 1.

[0059] To address the redundancy of PW and FN, a backplane 3 should be adopted with wiring that allows PW1 and PW2 to connect to CT1, FN1, FN2, and FN3 respectively, and also allows PW1 and PW2 to connect to each other. In this case, the number of signal lines required for the PW connector 31 is 5 lines × 5 units = 25 lines. However, this number is still less than the number of signal lines required for the CT1 connector 31 in connection configuration 1 of Figure 3 (= 35 lines).

[0060] [Communication control in connection type 2] As described above, adopting connection configuration 2, which uses the PW as a relay unit, has the structural advantage of allowing the connector 31 for the CT to be made more compact. However, in connection configuration 2, where a relay unit is provided, it is necessary to employ the following multiple communication controls in order to ensure proper communication between units.

[0061] (Communication control 1) Communication control 1 is a control that transmits the first control signal and the second control signal to the first signal line 35A without collision. Communication control 1 includes downlink time division multiplexing (Figure 5) and uplink time division multiplexing (Figure 6). (Communication control 2) Communication control 2 is a control method in which the relay unit PW adds the EXT (insertion complete) status of its subordinate FN to the RDY (startup status) that the CT periodically notifies it of.

[0062] (Communication control 3) Communication control 3 is a control in which the monitoring CT adds FN identification information (for example, the FN connector number) to the RST (restart request) sent to the PW. (Communication control 4) Communication control 4 is a control that autonomously switches the operating state (= relay function) of the redundant PW1 and PW2 when the PW is configured redundantly.

[0063] The following describes the embodiments of each communication control described above with reference to Figures 5 to 9. In Figures 5 to 9, "HDLC_TX" represents the transmission function of a communication frame compliant with HDLC containing a predetermined control signal (hereinafter abbreviated as "communication frame"). "HDLC_RX" represents the reception function of a communication frame.

[0064] In Figures 5 through 9, "QiRj_HDLC" written below the arrows refers to the name of the physical wiring between the units, where the unit connected to the transmitter is Qi and the unit connected to the receiver is Rj. Furthermore, the rectangle above the arrow and the "SiTj" inside it represent a communication frame where the source is Si and the destination is Tj.

[0065] "XXk_EXT" represents a communication frame that notifies the insertion of unit XXk (connection to connector 31). "YYl_RDY" represents a communication frame that notifies the startup status of unit YYl. "ZZm_RST" represents a communication frame that notifies a restart request for unit ZZm.

[0066] However, Q to T are variables representing the first letter of one of the units CT, PW, and FN, and XX, YY, and ZZ are variables representing one of the units CT, PW, and FN. Also, i to m are variables representing the identification number of the same type of unit.

[0067] [Example of communication control 1] Figures 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams showing an embodiment of communication control 1. Specifically, Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of time-division multiplexing in the downlink direction. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of time-division multiplexing in the uplink direction.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, when CT1 transmits a communication frame to four units, for example PW1, FN1, FN2, and FN3, it sends C1P1, C1F1, C1F2, and C1F3, which it has generated, one by one to C1P1_HDLC (first signal line 35A) in time division multiplexing. In this case, C1P1 is the first downlink control signal, and C1F1, C1F2, and C1F3 are the second downlink control signals.

[0069] Next, PW1 performs the following processing on the received downlink communication frame. Process 1: Receive a communication frame (first control signal) addressed to itself. Process 2: Provided that the unit is in an operational state (Act), it forwards a communication frame (second control signal) for monitoring non-relay units in the downstream direction.

[0070] Therefore, in the example in Figure 5, PW1 receives C1P1 and performs the processing requested by this communication frame. Furthermore, if PW1 is in an operational state (Act), it sends C1F1, C1F2, and C1F3 to the second signal line 35B, which is P1F1_HDLC, P1F2_HDLC, and P1F3_HDLC respectively, and broadcasts them to FN1, FN2, and FN3.

[0071] In this case, FN1, FN2, and FN3 should accept the communication frame received from PW1 if it is addressed to them, and discard it if it is not. In this way, by performing downlink transmission to the PW in a time-division manner, the CT can transmit the first and second control signals in the downlink direction to the first signal line 35A without collision.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6, PW1 has multiple (four in the example) input-1-output switching circuits SW. The input side of the switching circuits SW is connected to multiple uplink transmit buffers BF1 to BF4.

[0073] The transmit buffer BF1 stores the communication frames received from FN1. These communication frames are the uplink second control signals generated by FN1. The transmit buffer BF2 stores the communication frames received from FN2. These communication frames are the uplink second control signals generated by FN2.

[0074] The transmit buffer BF3 stores the communication frames received from FN3. These communication frames are the uplink second control signals generated by FN3. The transmit buffer BF4 stores the communication frames generated by the frame processing unit of the device (PW1). The frame processing unit generates P1C1 addressed to CT1 in response to C1P1 addressed to itself and places them in the transmit buffer BF4. This communication frame is the first uplink control signal.

[0075] PW1 has an output control unit that inputs switching information to the switching circuit SW. Based on the communication frame accumulation status of the transmit buffers BF1, BF2, BF3, and BF4, the output control unit determines which communication frames from transmit buffers BF1, BF2, BF3, and BF4 to transmit in the uplink direction.

[0076] For example, if P1C1_HDLC is not currently sending a communication frame, and a communication frame is stored in the transmit buffer BF4, the switching information of the transmit buffer BF4 is input to the gate of the switching circuit SW, and it is selected as an uplink communication frame to be sent by P1C1 to P1C1_HDLC.

[0077] Similarly, if no communication frames are currently being sent to P1C1_HDLC and communication frames are stored in the transmit buffer BF1, the switching information of the transmit buffer BF1 is input to the gate of the switching circuit SW, and F1C1 is selected as the uplink communication frame to be sent to P1C1_HDLC. The same selection process as described above also applies when communication frames are stored in transmit buffers BF2 and BF3.

[0078] Since CT1 transmits downlink communication frames one by one using time-division multiplexing, the gate input to the switching circuit SW due to the accumulation of communication frames in the transmit buffers BF1, BF2, BF3, and BF4 occurs at approximately the same frequency as the downlink frame transmission interval. In this way, by performing the uplink transmission to the CT in a time-division manner, the first and second uplink control signals can be transmitted to the first signal line 35A without collision.

[0079] [Example of communication control 2] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of communication control 2. As shown in Figure 7, assume that only FN1 is inserted under PW1, and that the insertion information (for example, the connector number corresponding to FN1) is recorded in the memory of PW1 via inter-unit communication between PW1 and FN1. In this case, PW1 adds FN1_EXT to the data area of ​​PW1_RDY, which is used to notify its own startup status, and sends the modified PW1_RDY to P1C1_HDLC, which then sends it to CT1.

[0080] Upon receiving the above PW1_RDY, CT1 decodes the communication frame, extracts FN1_EXT, and records the extracted information in memory. This allows CT1 to check the insertion information of FN1, which is not directly connected to itself, and to store the insertion information of FN1.

[0081] [Example of communication control 3] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of communication control 3. As shown in Figure 8, CT1 sends FN1_RST to C1P1_HDLC to notify FN1 of a restart request. As mentioned above, FN1_RST contains identification information (e.g., slot number) of the FN1 to be restarted.

[0082] Upon receiving the above FN1_RST, PW1 decodes the communication frame and, if it determines that it is not a communication frame addressed to itself, it broadcasts FN1_RST to P1F1_HDLC, P1F2_HDLC, and P1F3_HDLC.

[0083] In this case, as a result of decoding the communication frame, only FN1 will perform a reboot in response to an RST addressed to itself, while FN2 and FN3 will discard RSTs that are not addressed to themselves. In this way, PW1 broadcasts an RST (which includes the identification information of FN1) downstream to its subordinate FN1, allowing CT1 to have PW1 act on its behalf to send restart requests (RSTs) to FN1 that are not directly connected to it.

[0084] [Example of communication control 4] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of communication control 4. In Figure 9, "unit insertion position information" represents the insertion position of the unit relative to the backplane 3, and PW1 and PW2 hold position information values ​​according to, for example, the connector number of the backplane 3 into which the unit is inserted. Here, we assume that when the position information of PW1 is [1] and the position information of PW2 is [0], the unit with the larger number becomes operational and the unit with the smaller number remains inactive.

[0085] As shown in Figure 9, PW2 sends P2P1 containing location information = 0 to PW1. Upon receiving P2P1, PW1 compares its own location information = 1 with PW2's location information = 0 to determine its own operating state. In this case, since the position information of PW1 is greater than that of PW2, PW1 sets its own operating state to the operating state (Act).

[0086] Conversely, PW1 sends P1P2, which includes location information=1, to PW2. Upon receiving P1P2, PW2 compares its own location information=0 with PW1's location information=1 to determine its own operating state. In this case, since the position information of PW2 is smaller than that of PW1, PW2 sets its operating state to the idle state (Stby).

[0087] When PW1 is operational, it broadcasts downlink communication frames (second control signals) to its subordinate FNs, but when PW2 is inactive, it does not transmit downlink or uplink communication frames. This prevents downlink and uplink communication frames from being delivered to the FN or CT twice.

[0088] Even if the dormant PW2 is removed, the active PW1 continues to relay communication frames, thus maintaining communication between the CT and FN. When the active PW1 is removed, the dormant PW2 becomes active due to the loss of communication with PW1 and begins relaying downstream communication frames. Therefore, even if PW1 is removed, communication between the CT and FN is maintained.

[0089] Figure 9 illustrates the case with two PWs, but the PWs may be redundant with N (N≧3) units. In this case, among the N PWs, the unit that determines through the inter-unit communication described above to have the maximum unit insertion position information enters an operational state (Act) and functions as a relay unit.

[0090] [First backup process] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the first backup process. The first backup process in Figure 10 can be executed, for example, at predetermined backup intervals (e.g., every 10 minutes).

[0091] In Figure 10, WRITE[i] (i: data identification number) is a communication frame that requests the other party to write the data i to be transmitted. ACK[i] is a communication frame that acknowledges the completion of writing data i. Here, we assume that 100 data items, from data 0 to 99, are being backed up.

[0092] For example, CT1 instructs PW1 to write 10 data points from 0 to 9 via C1P1_WRITE[0] to C1P1_WRITE[9], and PW1 responds with P1C1_ACK[0-9] to indicate completion of the write operation. By repeating the above process 10 times until the final data 99 is reached, data 0 to 99 are copied to memory 65 of PW1.

[0093] The memory 65 of PW1 is made redundant with a two-sided configuration consisting of a first memory 65A and a second memory 65B. In other words, CT1 performs backup processing on both the first memory 65A and the second memory 65B for each PW1. Therefore, the data 0 to 99 in the memory 44 of the control unit 4 are copied to both the first memory 65A and the second memory 65B.

[0094] [First Restoration Process] Figure 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the first restoration process. The first restoration process shown in Figure 11 may be performed, for example, when the CT1 is first started after being attached to the connector 31 of the backplane 3.

[0095] In Figure 11, READ[i] (i: data identification number) is a communication frame that requests the other party to read the transmitted data i. ACK[i] is a communication frame that responds with confirmation that data i has been read. Here, we assume that 100 data points, from data 0 to 99, are to be recovered.

[0096] For example, CT1 instructs PW1 to read 10 data points from 0 to 9 via C1P1_READ[0-9], and PW1 then sends the requested data via P1C1_ACK[0] to P1C1_ACK[9]. By repeating the above process 10 times until the final data 99 is reached, data 0 to 99 are restored to memory 65 of CT1.

[0097] As mentioned above, the memory 65 of PW1 is redundant with a two-sided configuration consisting of a first memory 65A and a second memory 65B. Therefore, CT1 may choose to restore data from either the first memory 65A or the second memory 65B.

[0098] [Second backup process] Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the second backup process. The second backup process shown in Figure 12 can be executed, for example, at predetermined backup intervals (e.g., every 10 minutes).

[0099] In the second backup process shown in Figure 12, the power supply unit 6 to be backed up is made redundant by having two units, PW1 and PW2. In this case, CT1 simultaneously executes the backup process shown in Figure 10 for both PW1 and PW2, causing both PW1 and PW2 to retain data 0 to 99 in memory 44.

[0100] [Third backup process] Figure 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the third backup process. The third backup process shown in Figure 13 can be executed, for example, at predetermined backup intervals (e.g., every 10 minutes).

[0101] In the third backup process shown in Figure 13, the power supply unit 6 is made redundant with two units, PW1 and PW2. Furthermore, in the third backup process, PW1 (or PW2) adopts a protocol in which it transfers the data requested by CT1 to the other PW2 (or PW1). If this protocol is adopted, CT1 only needs to send data 0-49 to PW1, for example, and data 50-99 to PW2. Therefore, the backup process between CT1 and PW1 and PW2 can be sped up.

[0102] [Second Restoration Process] Figure 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the second restoration process. The second restoration process shown in Figure 14 may be performed, for example, when the CT1 is first started after being attached to the connector 31 of the backplane 3.

[0103] In the second restoration process shown in Figure 14, CT1 assigns data numbers to PW1 and PW2 to be read in a mutually exclusive manner. For example, CT1 requests PW1 to read data 0-49 and PW2 to read data 50-99. In this case, each of PW1 and PW2 sends the requested data 0-99 to CT1, thereby restoring each of the data 0-99 to memory 44.

[0104] [First variation] In the above embodiment, the non-relay unit connected to the relay unit (power supply unit 6) may be the line unit 5, not just the fan unit 7. In this case, the power supply unit 6 may be equipped with a communication processing unit (management communication LSI) 45, the communication processing unit 45 of the control unit 4 may be connected to the communication processing unit 45 of the power supply unit 6 via a management signal line 33, and the communication processing unit 45 of the power supply unit 6 may be connected to the CPU 53 of the line unit 5 via the management signal line 33.

[0105] In this way, not only the monitoring signal line 35 but also the management signal line 33 can be avoided from being concentrated on the control unit 4 due to the increase in the number of line units 5, and the connector 31 for the control unit 4 can be made more compact. Therefore, the communication medium for inter-unit communication in this embodiment is not limited to the monitoring signal line 35, but can be any signal line that can be implemented on the backplane 3, such as the management signal line 33 mentioned above. In addition, the monitoring control signal also includes management information for setting the communication function.

[0106] [Other variations] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations described in the claims. For example, in the above embodiment, the unit to be protected from high temperatures may be not only the line unit 5, but also other units included in the communication device 1, such as the power supply unit 6.

[0107] In the above-described embodiment, a unit other than the power supply unit 6 may be used as the relay unit. However, even in the case of an electronic device with a plug-and-play live-wire system, the installation of the power supply unit 6 is essential, so it is preferable that the relay unit be the power supply unit 6. Furthermore, the electronic device in this disclosure may be not only the communication device 1, but also a computer device such as a server. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0108] 1 Communication equipment (electronic equipment) 2 cabinets 3 Backplane 4. Control Unit 5 Line Units 6 Power supply unit 7 Fan Units 21 Front opening 22 Rear opening 31 Connectors 32 Ventilation hole 33 Management signal line 34 DC distribution line 35 Monitoring signal line 35A 1st signal line 35B 2nd signal line 35C 3rd signal line 40 Circuit boards 41 Connectors 42 Signal Processing Unit 43 CPU 44 memory 45 Communication Processing Unit 46 Management Ports 47 Power supply section 50 Circuit boards 51 Connectors 52 Signal Processing Unit 54 memory 55 Switch section 56 External Ports 57 Power supply section 60 Circuit boards 61 Connectors 62 Signal Processing Unit 63 First Voltage Conversion Unit 64 Second Voltage Conversion Section 65 memory 65A Memory No. 1 65B Second Memory 70 Circuit boards 71 Connectors 72 Signal Processing Unit 73 Cooling fan 74 Power supply section

Claims

1. A power supply unit that is detachably attached to the backplane, An electronic device comprising a control unit that is detachably attached to or mounted on the backplane, The control unit and the power supply unit each have their own memory. The control unit is An electronic device that performs a backup process to record the setting information currently being stored in its own memory to the memory of the power supply unit.

2. The aforementioned power supply unit is It is redundant across multiple units. The aforementioned backup process is: The electronic device according to claim 1, which is performed on each of the multiple power supply units.

3. The aforementioned power supply unit is The electronic device according to claim 2, which is connected to other power supply units to enable inter-unit communication, and which transfers data requested to be written from the control unit to the other power supply units.

4. The control unit is The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein data numbers to be read from a plurality of power supply units are distributed in a manner that is mutually exclusive.

5. A power supply unit that is detachably attached to the backplane, A data transfer method performed in an electronic device comprising a control unit detachably attached to or mounted on the backplane, The control unit and the power supply unit each have their own memory. A data transfer method comprising the step of the control unit performing a backup process to cause the control unit to record the setting information it is recording in its own memory into the memory of the power supply unit.

6. A control unit that is detachably attached to or mounted on a backplane, The signal processing unit for communication between the backplane and the unit, A control unit comprising: a control unit that performs backup processing to record the setting information being recorded in its own memory to the memory of the power supply unit via the aforementioned inter-unit communication.

7. A power supply unit that is detachably attached to a backplane, A control unit that is detachably attached to or mounted on the backplane and a signal processing unit for inter-unit communication, A power supply unit comprising: a memory used for backup processing, which causes the setting information being recorded in the memory of the control unit to be recorded in the memory of the power supply unit via the aforementioned inter-unit communication.

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