Information processing device and control method

Abstract

To obtain identification information of a fan mounted in an information processing device, with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A fan cools a heating unit and a storage unit stores identification information of the fan. A connection destination switch switches a connection destination of a signal cable to either the fan or the storage unit. A fan control unit controls the fan via the signal cable in a state where the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch; and reads the identification information from the storage unit via the signal cable in a state where the connection destination is switched to the storage unit by the connection destination switch.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control technique, for example, to a technique for controlling a fan. [Background technology]

[0002] An information processing device (computer) such as a server includes components such as a central processing unit (CPU), memory, and auxiliary storage device. These components are the main source of heat in the information processing device. To reduce the impact of heat on the performance and lifespan of the components, a fan installed inside the housing of the information processing device draws in outside air to cool the components.

[0003] In air cooling of components, a BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) in an information processing device monitors the temperature of each component and adjusts the fan's airflow by changing the fan's rotation speed according to the temperature.

[0004] In relation to fan control in information processing devices, a fan motor drive circuit equipped with a temperature control circuit used in personal computers and the like is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Electronic devices that allow easy management of power supplies to multiple electronic devices and have a small inrush current are also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Range hoods that determine whether a fault has occurred during normal operation to improve availability are also known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-15567 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-345608 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-190779 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In an information processing device, hardware may be added for each fan so that the BMC can acquire fan identification information. In this case, as the number of fans installed in the information processing device increases, the amount of added hardware also increases.

[0007] This problem does not only occur when the BMC acquires the fan identification information, but also when various control units that control the fans acquire the fan identification information.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention aims to obtain, with a simple configuration, identification information of a fan mounted in an information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one example, the information processing device includes a heat-generating unit, a fan, a memory unit, a connection switch, and a fan control unit. The fan cools the heat-generating unit, and the memory unit stores identification information of the fan. The connection switch switches the connection destination of the signal cable between the fan and the memory unit.

[0010] The fan control unit controls the fan via a signal cable when the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch, and reads out identification information from the memory unit via the signal cable when the connection destination is switched to the memory unit by the connection destination switch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect, it is possible to obtain identification information of a fan mounted in an information processing device with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of a server of a comparative example. [Figure 2]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating error and warning thresholds for a fan. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of a control process. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a server according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the connection of signal lines when controlling a fan. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first operation sequence. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second operation sequence. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a first control process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of a second control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Fig. 1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a server of a comparative example. Server 101 in Fig. 1 includes fans 111-1 to 111-N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1), a power supply 112, and a BMC 113. Server 101 also includes heat-generating components such as a CPU, memory, and auxiliary storage device (not shown). These components are hardware and are mounted on a system board.

[0015] Fans 111-i (i=1 to N) include input units 121-i and output units 122-i. Power supply 112 supplies power to fans 111-1 to 111-N. BMC 113 includes output units 131-1 to 131-N, read units 132-1 to 132-N, CPU 133, and memory 134.

[0016] The CPU 133 executes a program (firmware) using the memory 134 to monitor the temperature of each heat-generating component and control the output unit 131-i according to the temperature. The CPU 133 also controls the readout unit 132-i by executing the firmware.

[0017] The output unit 131-i modulates the control signal by pulse width modulation (PWM) in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 133. Then, the output unit 131-i outputs the modulated pulse-shaped control signal to the fan 111-i, thereby controlling the rotation speed of the fan 111-i.

[0018] The input unit 121-i of the fan 111-i receives the control signal output from the output unit 131-i and changes the rotation speed of the fan 111-i in accordance with the received control signal, thereby adjusting the airflow rate of the fan 111-i.

[0019] The output unit 122-i of the fan 111-i outputs a pulse signal indicating the rotation speed of the fan 111-i to the BMC 113. The read unit 132-i of the BMC 113 receives the pulse signal output from the output unit 122-i, calculates the rotation speed of the fan 111-i from the received pulse signal, and outputs the calculated value to the CPU 133. As a result, the rotation speed of the fan 111-i is read out.

[0020] The fan 111-i and the power supply 112 are connected via a cable, and the fan 111-i and the BMC 113 are also connected via a cable. As the connector on the fan 111-i side, for example, a 4-pin or 6-pin connector is used.

[0021] In the case of a 4-pin connector, pin 2 is used for connection to the power supply 112, pin 1 is used for connection to the output unit 131-i of the BMC 113, and pin 1 is used for connection to the readout unit 132-i of the BMC 113. In the case of a 6-pin connector, pin 4 is used for the same purpose as the 4-pin connector, and the remaining 2 pins are used as the + and - terminals of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) (not shown) provided in the fan 111-i.

[0022] The server 101 may use industry-standard field-replaceable units (FRUs) as components. The fan 111-i is one example of an FRU. Identification information such as a serial number that identifies the FRU may be written to a non-volatile memory mounted on each FRU. For example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) is used as the non-volatile memory. In this case, as the number of FRUs increases, the number of non-volatile memories mounted on the server 101 also increases.

[0023] When nonvolatile memory is installed in each FRU, the BMC 113 can read the FRU identification information from the nonvolatile memory through I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) communication. I2C communication uses a cable containing two signal lines. Therefore, as the number of nonvolatile memories increases, the number of signal lines for I2C communication increases, and the number of cables used also increases.

[0024] For example, in high-price servers 101, non-volatile memory is often installed even if the number of FRUs increases in order to take advantage of the benefits of non-volatile memory. On the other hand, in low-price servers 101, non-volatile memory is often not installed in order to suppress an increase in hardware.

[0025] Next, the maintenance and replacement work of the fan 111-i will be described. When the rotation speed of the fan 111-i falls below the error threshold, the BMC 113 notifies the user of the failure of the fan 111-i by one of the following methods.

[0026] (A1) The BMC 113 displays an error as the status of the fan 111-i on the management screen of the Web UI (User Interface).

[0027] (A2) The BMC 113 sends an email to the user's terminal device notifying the user of the failure of the fan 111-i.

[0028] The maintenance replacement worker replaces the fan 111-i notified of the failure with a new fan 111-i, and then performs a fan test using the BMC 113. In the fan test, the BMC 113 performs the following process.

[0029] (B1) The BMC 113 changes the duty ratio of the control signal and checks whether the rotation speed of the fan 111-i is the expected rotation speed for each of a plurality of duty ratios.

[0030] (B2) The BMC 113 checks whether the fan 111-i rotates to the maximum rotational speed.

[0031] The rotation speed of each fan 111-i varies from one fan to another, and even if a control signal with the same duty ratio is input, the rotation speed of each fan 111-i is not necessarily the same. The rotation speed of each fan 111-i for a specific duty ratio varies depending on the characteristics unique to each fan 111-i.

[0032] During operation of the server 101, the BMC 113 performs a warning determination by comparing the rotation speed of each fan 111-i with a warning threshold. If the rotation speed falls below the warning threshold, the BMC 113 notifies the user of a warning.

[0033] As the continuous operation time of the fan 111-i increases, the lubrication performance of the motor shaft of the fan 111-i deteriorates, and the rotation speed of the fan 111-i decreases. For this reason, it is desirable to set a warning threshold specific to each fan 111-i when the fan 111-i is first installed in the server 101. Therefore, the BMC 113 executes the following process to set the fan 111-i when a new fan 111-i is installed.

[0034] (C1) The BMC 113 outputs a control signal with a predetermined duty ratio to the fan 111-i, reads the rotation speed of the fan 111-i, and determines that the fan 111-i is faulty if the read rotation speed is less than the error threshold. On the other hand, if the read rotation speed is equal to or greater than the error threshold, the BMC 113 determines that the fan 111-i is normal.

[0035] (C2) The BMC 113 sets a warning threshold specific to each fan 111-i according to the rotation speed of the fan 111-i that has been determined to be normal.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows examples of error thresholds and warning thresholds for the fan 111-i. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the error threshold for the fan 111-i. The expected value represents the rotation speed of the fan 111-i expected when a control signal with a predetermined duty ratio is input, and the error threshold represents the error threshold corresponding to the expected value. rpm represents the number of rotations per minute. In this example, the error threshold is set to 20% of the expected value.

[0037] FIG. 2(b) shows an example of a warning threshold for fan 111-i. The numbers represent convenient numbers for fan 111-i. FAN#i (i=1 to 3) represents fan 111-i. The rotation speed represents the rotation speed read from fan 111-i when a control signal with a predetermined duty ratio is output to fan 111-i, and the warning threshold represents the warning threshold corresponding to the rotation speed. In this example, the warning threshold is set to 70% of the rotation speed.

[0038] If each component is equipped with a nonvolatile memory, the BMC 113 can determine whether a component has been replaced by reading the identification information from the nonvolatile memory and comparing the read identification information with the identification information previously read and stored. For example, a system board, a PSU (Power Supply Unit), etc., have a nonvolatile memory that stores identification information.

[0039] On the other hand, the fan 111-i does not necessarily have a nonvolatile memory. If the fan 111-i does not have a nonvolatile memory, it is difficult for the BMC 113 to detect the replacement of the fan 111-i.

[0040] In this case, after replacing the fan 111-i with a new fan 111-i, the maintenance replacement worker manually performs the above-described fan test using a terminal device connected to the BMC 113. However, in an environment where a large number of servers 101 are installed, such as a data center, manually performing a fan test every time a fan 111-i is replaced increases the burden on the worker and may result in human error.

[0041] Furthermore, when configuring the replaced fan 111-i, the operator identifies the number of the replaced fan 111-i from the numbers of the N fans 111-i and configures the fan 111-i using a terminal device. In this case, the task of identifying the number of the replaced fan 111-i is time-consuming and subject to human error.

[0042] 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. The information processing apparatus 301 in FIG. 3 includes a heat-generating unit 311, a fan 312, a storage unit 313, a connection switch 314, and a fan control unit 315. The fan 312 cools the heat-generating unit 311, and the storage unit 313 stores identification information 321 of the fan 312. The connection switch 314 switches the connection destination of a signal cable 316 between the fan 312 and the storage unit 313.

[0043] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing performed by the information processing device 301 in Fig. 3. With the connection destination of the signal cable 316 switched to the storage unit 313 by the connection destination switch 314, the fan control unit 315 reads out the identification information 321 from the storage unit 313 via the signal cable 316 (step 401).

[0044] The fan control unit 315 controls the fan 312 via the signal cable 316 in a state where the connection destination of the signal cable 316 has been switched to the fan 312 by the connection destination switch 314 (step 402).

[0045] According to the information processing device 301 of FIG. 3, the identification information 321 of the fan 312 mounted on the information processing device 301 can be acquired with a simple configuration.

[0046] Fig. 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a server according to an embodiment. The server 501 in Fig. 5 includes CPUs 511-1 to 511-M (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), memories 512-1 to 512-K (K is an integer equal to or greater than 1), and an auxiliary storage device 513. The server 501 further includes fan units 514-1 to 514-N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1), switches 515-1 to 515-N, an I2C switch 516, a power supply 517, and a BMC 518. These components are hardware and are mounted on a system board.

[0047] The CPU 511-j (j=1 to M) performs information processing by executing a program using the memory 512-k (k=1 to K). The memory 512-k is a semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM), and the auxiliary storage device 513 is a hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), etc. The power supply 517 supplies power to the fan units 514-1 to 514-N.

[0048] The fan unit 514-i (i = 1 to N) includes a fan 521-i, a switch 522-i, a switch control unit 523-i, and a storage unit 524-i. The fan 521-i includes an input unit 525-i and an output unit 526-i, and the switch control unit 523-i includes a timer 527-i. The fan 521-i, the switch 522-i, the switch control unit 523-i, the storage unit 524-i, and the timer 527-i are hardware.

[0049] Each fan 521-i is used to cool some of the components among the CPUs 511-1 to 511-M, the memories 512-1 to 512-K, and the auxiliary storage device 513.

[0050] The BMC 518 includes output units 531-1 to 531-N, read units 532-1 to 532-N, switch control units 533-1 to 533-N, an I2C control unit 534, a CPU 535, a memory 536, a timer 537, and a storage unit 538. The output units 531-i, read units 532-i, switch control units 533-i, the I2C control units 534, the CPU 535, the memory 536, the timer 537, and the storage unit 538 are hardware.

[0051] The memory 536 is a semiconductor memory such as RAM, and the storage unit 524-i and the storage unit 538 are non-volatile memories such as EEPROMs. The storage unit 524-i and the storage unit 538 may be flash memories. The storage unit 524-i stores identification information of the fan 521-i. The identification information of the fan 521-i is written to the storage unit 524-i, for example, when the fan unit 514-i is assembled in a factory.

[0052] The server 501 corresponds to the information processing device 301 in Fig. 3, and the CPU 511-j, memory 512-k, and auxiliary storage device 513 correspond to the heat generating unit 311 in Fig. 3. The fan 521-i, the storage unit 524-i, the switch 522-i, and the BMC 518 correspond to the fan 312, the storage unit 313, the connected switch 314, and the fan control unit 315 in Fig. 3, respectively.

[0053] The reading unit 532-i is an example of a first reading unit, and the I2C control unit 534 is an example of a second reading unit. The switch 515-i is an example of a source switch, and the switch control unit 523-i is an example of a destination switch control unit. The CPU 535 is an example of a processor.

[0054] The input unit 525-i and switch 522-i included in the fan 521-i of the fan unit 514-i are connected by a signal line 541-i, and the output unit 526-i and switch 522-i are connected by a signal line 542-i. The memory unit 524-i and switch 522-i of the fan unit 514-i are connected by a signal line 543-i and a signal line 544-i.

[0055] The switch 522-i and the switch 515-i are connected by a signal line 545-i and a signal line 546-i, which correspond to the signal cable 316 in FIG.

[0056] The switch 515-i and the output unit 531-i of the BMC 518 are connected by a signal line 547-i, and the switch 515-i and the readout unit 532-i are connected by a signal line 548-i. The switch 515-i and the I2C switch 516 are connected by a signal line 549-i and a signal line 550-i. The signal lines 549-i and 550-i are an example of a bus for reading out the identification information of the fan 521-i.

[0057] The I2C switch 516 and the I2C control unit 534 are connected by a signal line 551 and a signal line 552 .

[0058] The switch 522-i switches the connection destination of the signal line 545-i to either the signal line 541-i or the signal line 543-i, and switches the connection destination of the signal line 546-i to either the signal line 542-i or the signal line 544-i.

[0059] When power is supplied from the power supply 517, the switch control unit 523-i controls the switch 522-i to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 543-i and the connection destination of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 544-i, and starts the timer 527-i. The timer 527-i counts a predetermined time. The predetermined time is set to, for example, a time that is sufficiently longer than the time it takes for the BMC 518 to read the identification information of each fan 521-i from the storage units 524-1 to 524-N. The predetermined time may be several seconds.

[0060] The switch 515-i switches the connection source of the signal line 545-i to either the signal line 547-i or the signal line 549-i, and switches the connection source of the signal line 546-i to either the signal line 548-i or the signal line 550-i.

[0061] The I2C control unit 534 controls the I2C switch 516 via signal lines 551 and 552 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 535. The I2C switch 516 switches the connection destination of the signal line 551 to one of signal lines 549-1 to 549-N, and switches the connection destination of the signal line 552 to one of signal lines 550-1 to 550-N in accordance with instructions from the I2C control unit 534.

[0062] The CPU 535 of the BMC 518 executes firmware using the memory 536 to monitor the temperatures of the CPU 511-j, memory 512-k, and auxiliary storage device 513, and controls the output unit 531-i according to the temperatures. The CPU 535 also executes firmware to control the read unit 532-i, switch control unit 533-i, I2C control unit 534, and timer 537.

[0063] The BMC 518 reads the identification information of the fan 521-i from the storage unit 524-i, for example, within a predetermined time period after the power supply 517 supplies power to the fan unit 514-i.

[0064] At this time, the switch control unit 533-i controls the switch 515-i to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 549-i and to switch the connection source of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 550-i in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 535. Then, the I2C control unit 534 controls the I2C switch 516 to switch the connection destination of the signal line 551 to the signal line 549-i and to switch the connection destination of the signal line 552 to the signal line 550-i in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 535.

[0065] As a result, the signal line 543-i is connected to the I2C control unit 534 via the switch 522-i, the signal line 545-i, the switch 515-i, the signal line 549-i, the I2C switch 516, and the signal line 551. In addition, the signal line 544-i is connected to the I2C control unit 534 via the switch 522-i, the signal line 546-i, the switch 515-i, the signal line 550-i, the I2C switch 516, and the signal line 552.

[0066] The I2C control unit 534 reads the identification information of the fan 521-i from the storage unit 524-i via the switch 522-i, the switch 515-i, and the I2C switch 516 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 535, and outputs the read identification information to the CPU 535. The CPU 535 stores the identification information output from the I2C control unit 534 in the storage unit 538.

[0067] After the identification information of the fan 521-i is read, the CPU 535 starts the timer 537, and the timer 537 counts the same predetermined time as the timer 527-i.

[0068] Fig. 6 shows an example of signal line connections when the BMC 518 in Fig. 5 controls the fans 521-1 to 521-N. In controlling the fan 521-i, the BMC 518 controls the rotation speed of the fan 521-i and also reads out the rotation speed of the fan 521-i.

[0069] After a predetermined time counted by the timer 527-i has elapsed, the switch control unit 523-i of the fan unit 514-i changes the connection destinations of the signal lines 545-i and 546-i. At this time, the switch control unit 523-i controls the switch 522-i so as to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 541-i and the connection destination of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 542-i.

[0070] Furthermore, after a predetermined time counted by the timer 537 has elapsed, the CPU 535 of the BMC 518 changes the connection sources of the signal lines 545-i and 546-i. At this time, the switch control unit 533-i controls the switch 515-i in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 535 to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 547-i and to switch the connection source of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 548-i.

[0071] As a result, the input unit 525-i is connected to the output unit 531-i via the signal line 541-i, the switch 522-i, the signal line 545-i, the switch 515-i, and the signal line 547-i. Also, the output unit 526-i is connected to the readout unit 532-i via the signal line 542-i, the switch 522-i, the signal line 546-i, the switch 515-i, and the signal line 548-i.

[0072] When a predetermined time has been counted by the timers 527-i and 537, the switches 522-i and 515-i are switched, so that the server 501 can automatically transition to a state in which the fan 521-i can be controlled.

[0073] The output unit 531-i modulates the control signal by pulse width modulation in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 535. Then, the output unit 531-i outputs the modulated pulse-shaped control signal to the input unit 525-i, thereby controlling the rotation speed of the fan 521-i.

[0074] The input unit 525-i receives the control signal output from the output unit 531-i and changes the rotation speed of the fan 521-i in accordance with the received control signal, thereby adjusting the airflow rate of the fan 521-i.

[0075] The output unit 526-i outputs a pulse signal indicating the rotation speed of the fan 521-i to the readout unit 532-i. The readout unit 532-i receives the pulse signal output from the output unit 526-i, calculates the rotation speed of the fan 521-i from the received pulse signal, and outputs the calculated value to the CPU 535. In this way, the rotation speed of the fan 521-i is read out.

[0076] The BMC 518 can check whether the rotation speed of the fan 521-i has fallen below the error threshold or warning threshold by reading the rotation speed of the fan 521-i. If the rotation speed has fallen below the warning threshold, the BMC 518 notifies the user of a warning. If the rotation speed has fallen below the error threshold, the BMC 518 notifies the user of a failure of the fan 521-i.

[0077] 5 and 6, by providing a storage unit 524-i in a fan unit 514-i, the BMC 518 can read the identification information of the fan 521-i from the storage unit 524-i. The BMC 518 can then compare the read identification information with the previously read identification information stored in the storage unit 538 to determine whether the fan unit 514-i has been replaced.

[0078] By providing the switches 522-i and 515-i, the signal lines 545-i and 546-i can be used both to control the fans 521-i and to read the identification information of the fans 521-i. This allows the BMC 518 to obtain the identification information of the fans 521-i with a simple configuration, without increasing the number of signal lines connected to the fan unit 514-i.

[0079] Furthermore, because the BMC 518 can detect the replacement of the fan unit 514-i, the BMC 518 can automatically perform a fan test and settings for the replaced fan 521-i, thereby reducing the burden on the operator and preventing human error.

[0080] Fig. 7 shows an example of a first operation sequence in server 501 of Fig. 5. In Fig. 7, switches 515-1 to 515-N are represented by a single rectangle for convenience of explanation. The same applies to switches 522-1 to 522-N, input units 525-1 to 525-N, output units 526-1 to 526-N, switch control units 523-1 to 523-N, and storage units 524-1 to 524-N.

[0081] A period T1 represents a period during which the I2C control unit 534 of the BMC 518 can access the memory unit 524-i of any one of the fan units 514-i (i = 1 to N). A period T2-i represents a period during which the identification information of the fan 521-i can be read from the memory unit 524-i.

[0082] A period T3 represents a period during which the input section 525-i of each fan unit 514-i can receive a control signal. A period T4 represents a period during which the output section 526-i of each fan unit 514-i can output a pulse signal.

[0083] In the operation sequence of FIG. 7, the identification information of the fan 521-i is read and the fan 521-i is controlled in the following procedure.

[0084] (P1) The CPU 535 of the BMC 518 turns on the power supply 517, thereby instructing the power supply 517 to start supplying power.

[0085] (P2) The power supply 517 supplies power to the fan units 514-1 to 514-N, thereby supplying power to the switches 522-1 to 522-N and the switch control sections 523-1 to 523-N.

[0086] (P3) The switch control unit 523-i of each fan unit 514-i controls the switch 522-i to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 543-i and to switch the connection destination of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 544-i. Then, each switch control unit 523-i activates the timer 527-i, and the timer 527-i starts counting a predetermined time.

[0087] (P4) Each switch control unit 533-i of the BMC 518 controls the switch 515-i to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 549-i and to switch the connection source of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 550-i.

[0088] (P5) The I2C control unit 534 controls the I2C switch 516 so as to switch the connection destination of the signal line 551 to the signal line 549-1 and the connection destination of the signal line 552 to the signal line 550-1.

[0089] (P6) The I2C control unit 534 reads the identification information of the fan 521-1 from the storage unit 524-1 of the fan unit 514-1, and outputs the read identification information to the CPU 535. The CPU 535 stores the identification information output from the I2C control unit 534 in the storage unit 538.

[0090] The I2C control unit 534 repeats the same processes as steps (P5) and (P6) for the fan units 514-2 to 514-N. As a result, the identification information of the fan 521-i is read from the storage unit 524-i of the fan unit 514-i (i=2 to N) and stored in the storage unit 538.

[0091] After the identification information of the fans 521-1 to 521-N is read, the CPU 535 starts the timer 537, and the timer 537 starts counting a predetermined time.

[0092] (P7) When the timer 527-i of each fan unit 514-i finishes counting a predetermined time, each switch control unit 523-i changes the connection destinations of the signal lines 545-i and 546-i. At this time, each switch control unit 523-i controls the switch 522-i to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 541-i and the connection destination of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 542-i.

[0093] (P8) When the timer 537 of the BMC 518 finishes counting a predetermined time, the CPU 535 changes the connection sources of the signal lines 545-i and 546-i. At this time, each switch control unit 533-i controls the switch 515-i to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 547-i and to switch the connection source of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 548-i.

[0094] (P9) The CPU 535 compares the identification information of the fan 521-i read from each memory unit 524-i in step (P6) with the identification information of the fan 521-i read previously and stored in the memory unit 538. If the identification information of the fan 521-i read in step (P6) is the same as the identification information of the fan 521-i read previously, the CPU 535 determines that the fan unit 514-i has not been replaced.

[0095] On the other hand, if the identification information of the fan 521-i read in step (P6) differs from the identification information of the fan 521-i read previously, the CPU 535 determines that the fan unit 514-i has been replaced. Then, the CPU 535 executes a test program to perform a fan test on the fan 521-i and configures the fan 521-i.

[0096] For example, the CPU 535 executes the same processes as (B1) and (B2) described above in the fan test of the fan 521-i, and executes the same processes as (C1) and (C2) described above in the setting of the fan 521-i.

[0097] (P10) Thereafter, the CPU 535 monitors the temperatures of the CPU 511-j, memory 512-k, and auxiliary storage device 513, and controls the fan 521-i. In controlling the fan 521-i, the CPU 535 periodically controls each output unit 531-i in accordance with the temperature, and the output unit 531-i outputs a control signal to the input unit 525-i of the fan unit 514-i. The read unit 532-i receives a pulse signal output from the output unit 526-i, and thereby reads out the rotation speed of the fan 521-i.

[0098] Fig. 8 shows an example of a second operation sequence in the server 501 of Fig. 5. The operation sequence of Fig. 8 shows the procedure when hot replacement of the fan unit 514-1 is performed while the server 501 is operating.

[0099] Periods T11 and T15 represent periods during which the input section 525-i of each fan unit 514-i can receive a control signal, and periods T12 and T16 represent periods during which the output section 526-i of each fan unit 514-i can output a pulse signal.

[0100] A period T13 represents a period during which the I2C control unit 534 of the BMC 518 can access the storage unit 524-i of any one of the fan units 514-i (i=1 to N). A period T14 represents a period during which the identification information of the fan 521-1 can be read from the storage unit 524-1.

[0101] In the operation sequence of FIG. 8, the identification information of the fan 521-1 is read and the fan 521-i is controlled in the following procedure.

[0102] (P21) The CPU 535 monitors the temperatures of the CPU 511-j, the memory 512-k, and the auxiliary storage device 513, and controls the fan 521-i.

[0103] (P22) The maintenance replacement worker performs hot replacement to replace the fan unit 514-1 with a new fan unit 514-1.

[0104] (P23) Read unit 532-1 of BMC 518 detects that the pulse signal from output unit 526-1 has ceased. Then, switch control unit 533-1 controls switch 515-1 to switch the connection source of signal line 545-1 to signal line 549-1 and the connection source of signal line 546-1 to signal line 550-1.

[0105] (P24) When a new fan unit 514-1 is installed in the server 501, the power supply 517 supplies power to the fan unit 514-1, which in turn supplies power to the switch 522-1 and the switch control unit 523-1.

[0106] (P25) The switch control unit 523-1 controls the switch 522-1 to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-1 to the signal line 543-1 and to switch the connection destination of the signal line 546-1 to the signal line 544-1. Then, the switch control unit 523-1 starts the timer 527-1, and the timer 527-1 starts counting a predetermined time.

[0107] (P26) The I2C control unit 534 controls the I2C switch 516 so as to switch the connection destination of the signal line 551 to the signal line 549-1 and the connection destination of the signal line 552 to the signal line 550-1.

[0108] (P27) The I2C control unit 534 reads the identification information of the fan 521-1 from the storage unit 524-1 of the fan unit 514-1, and outputs the read identification information to the CPU 535. The CPU 535 stores the identification information output from the I2C control unit 534 in the storage unit 538.

[0109] After the identification information of the fan 521-1 is read, the CPU 535 starts the timer 537, and the timer 537 starts counting a predetermined time.

[0110] (P28) When the timer 527-1 of the fan unit 514-1 finishes counting a predetermined time, the switch control unit 523-1 changes the connection destinations of the signal lines 545-1 and 546-1. At this time, the switch control unit 523-1 controls the switch 522-1 so as to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-1 to the signal line 541-1 and the connection destination of the signal line 546-1 to the signal line 542-1.

[0111] (P29) When the timer 537 of the BMC 518 finishes counting a predetermined time, the CPU 535 changes the connection sources of the signal lines 545-1 and 546-1. At this time, the switch control unit 533-1 controls the switch 515-1 to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-1 to the signal line 547-1 and to switch the connection source of the signal line 546-1 to the signal line 548-1.

[0112] (P30) The CPU 535 compares the identification information of the fan 521-1 read from the storage unit 524-1 in step (P27) with the identification information of the fan 521-1 stored in the storage unit 538 and read last time.

[0113] In this case, the identification information of fan 521-1 read in step (P27) differs from the identification information of fan 521-1 read previously, so CPU 535 determines that fan unit 514-1 has been replaced. Then, CPU 535 executes a test program to perform a fan test on fan 521-1 and configures fan 521-1.

[0114] For example, the CPU 535 executes the same processes as (B1) and (B2) described above in the fan test of the fan 521-1, and executes the same processes as (C1) and (C2) described above in the setting of the fan 521-1.

[0115] (P31) After that, the CPU 535 monitors the temperatures of the CPU 511-j, the memory 512-k, and the auxiliary storage device 513, and controls the fan 521-i.

[0116] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control process performed by the BMC 518 in the operation sequence of Fig. 7. The CPU 535 of the BMC 518 performs the control process of Fig. 9 by executing firmware.

[0117] First, the CPU 535 turns on the power supply 517 to instruct the power supply 517 to start supplying power (step 901). As a result, the switch control unit 523-i of each fan unit 514-i controls the switch 522-i to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 543-i and the connection destination of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 544-i. Then, the timer 527-i starts counting a predetermined time.

[0118] Next, the CPU 535 instructs each switch control unit 533-i to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-i and the signal line 546-i (step 902). In accordance with the instruction from the CPU 535, each switch control unit 533-i controls the switch 515-i so as to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 549-i and the connection source of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 550-i.

[0119] Next, the CPU 535 repeats the processes of steps 903 to 905 for i=1 to N.

[0120] First, the CPU 535 instructs the I2C control unit 534 to switch the connection destination of the signal line 551 to the signal line 549-i and to switch the connection destination of the signal line 552 to the signal line 550-i (step 903). The I2C control unit 534 controls the I2C switch 516 to switch the connection destination of the signal line 551 to the signal line 549-i and to switch the connection destination of the signal line 552 to the signal line 550-i.

[0121] Next, the CPU 535 instructs the I2C control unit 534 to read the identification information of the fan 521-i (step 904). The I2C control unit 534 reads the identification information of the fan 521-i from the storage unit 524-i of the fan unit 514-i in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 535, and outputs the read identification information to the CPU 535.

[0122] Next, the CPU 535 stores the identification information of the fan 521-i in the storage unit 538 (step 905).

[0123] When the processing of steps 903 to 905 for i=1 to N is completed, the CPU 535 starts the timer 537, and the timer 537 starts counting a predetermined time.

[0124] When the timer 527-i of each fan unit 514-i finishes counting a predetermined time, each switch control unit 523-i changes the connection destination of the signal line 545-i and the signal line 546-i. At this time, each switch control unit 523-i controls the switch 522-i so as to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 541-i and the connection destination of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 542-i.

[0125] When the timer 537 finishes counting the predetermined time, the CPU 535 instructs each switch control unit 533-i to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-i and the signal line 546-i (step 906). In accordance with the instruction from the CPU 535, each switch control unit 533-i controls the switch 515-i so as to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-i to the signal line 547-i and the connection source of the signal line 546-i to the signal line 548-i.

[0126] Next, CPU 535 repeats the process of step 907 for i = 1 to N. In step 907, CPU 535 compares the identification information of fan 521-i read from each storage unit 524-i in step 904 with the identification information of fan 521-i that is stored in storage unit 538 and that was previously read.

[0127] If the identification information of the fan 521-i read in step 904 is the same as the identification information of the fan 521-i read previously (step 907, YES), the CPU 535 increments i by 1 and repeats the process of step 907.

[0128] If the identification information of the fan 521-i read in step 904 is different from the identification information of the fan 521-i read previously (step 907, NO), the CPU 535 performs a fan test and setting of the fan 521-i (step 908).Then, the CPU 535 increments i by 1 and repeats the process of step 907.

[0129] For example, the CPU 535 executes the same processes as (B1) and (B2) described above in the fan test of the fan 521-i, and executes the same processes as (C1) and (C2) described above in the setting of the fan 521-i.

[0130] When the process of step 907 is completed for i=1 to N, the CPU 535 monitors the temperatures of the CPU 511-j, memory 512-k, and auxiliary storage device 513, and controls the fan 521-i (step 909).

[0131] In step 908, the CPU 535 may perform either a fan test or settings for the fan 521-i.

[0132] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control process performed by the BMC 518 when hot replacement of a fan unit 514-x (x=1 to N) is performed during operation of the server 501. The CPU 535 of the BMC 518 performs the control process of FIG. 10 by executing firmware.

[0133] First, the CPU 535 monitors the temperatures of the CPU 511-j, the memory 512-k, and the auxiliary storage device 513, and controls the fan 521-i (step 1001).

[0134] Next, the maintenance replacement worker performs active replacement to replace the fan unit 514-x with a new fan unit 514-x (step 1002).

[0135] Next, the CPU 535 receives a notification from the readout unit 532-x indicating that the pulse signal from the output unit 526-x has ceased, and instructs the switch control unit 533-x to switch the connection sources of the signal lines 545-x and 546-x (step 1003). In accordance with the instruction from the CPU 535, the switch control unit 533-x controls the switch 515-x to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-x to the signal line 549-x and to switch the connection source of the signal line 546-x to the signal line 550-x.

[0136] When a new fan unit 514-x is installed in the server 501, the power supply 517 supplies power to the fan unit 514-x. As a result, the switch control unit 523-x controls the switch 522-x to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-x to the signal line 543-x and the connection destination of the signal line 546-x to the signal line 544-x. Then, the timer 527-x starts counting a predetermined time.

[0137] Next, the CPU 535 instructs the I2C control unit 534 to switch the connection destination of the signal line 551 to the signal line 549-x and to switch the connection destination of the signal line 552 to the signal line 550-x (step 1004). The I2C control unit 534 controls the I2C switch 516 to switch the connection destination of the signal line 551 to the signal line 549-x and to switch the connection destination of the signal line 552 to the signal line 550-x.

[0138] Next, the CPU 535 instructs the I2C control unit 534 to read the identification information of the fan 521-x (step 1005). The I2C control unit 534 reads the identification information of the fan 521-x from the storage unit 524-x of the fan unit 514-x in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 535, and outputs the read identification information to the CPU 535.

[0139] Next, the CPU 535 stores the identification information of the fan 521-x in the storage unit 538 (step 1006). Then, the CPU 535 starts the timer 537, and the timer 537 starts counting a predetermined time.

[0140] When the timer 527-x of the fan unit 514-x finishes counting a predetermined time, the switch control unit 523-x changes the connection destinations of the signal lines 545-x and 546-x. At this time, the switch control unit 523-x controls the switch 522-x so as to switch the connection destination of the signal line 545-x to the signal line 541-x and the connection destination of the signal line 546-x to the signal line 542-x.

[0141] When the timer 537 finishes counting the predetermined time, the CPU 535 instructs the switch control unit 533-x to switch the connection sources of the signal lines 545-x and 546-x (step 1007). In accordance with the instruction from the CPU 535, the switch control unit 533-x controls the switch 515-x to switch the connection source of the signal line 545-x to the signal line 547-x and to switch the connection source of the signal line 546-x to the signal line 548-x.

[0142] Next, the CPU 535 compares the identification information of the fan 521-x read from the storage unit 524-x in step 1005 with the identification information of the fan 521-x that was previously read and is stored in the storage unit 538 (step 1008).

[0143] If the identification information of the fan 521-x read in step 1005 is the same as the identification information of the fan 521-x read previously (step 1008, YES), the CPU 535 performs the process of step 1010. In step 1010, the CPU 535 monitors the temperatures of the CPU 511-j, the memory 512-k, and the auxiliary storage device 513, and controls the fan 521-i.

[0144] If the identification information of the fan 521-x read in step 1005 is different from the identification information of the fan 521-x read previously (step 1008, NO), the CPU 535 performs a fan test and setting of the fan 521-x (step 1009). Then, the CPU 535 performs the process of step 1010.

[0145] For example, the CPU 535 executes the same processes as (B1) and (B2) described above in the fan test of the fan 521-x, and executes the same processes as (C1) and (C2) described above in the setting of the fan 521-x.

[0146] In step 1009, the CPU 535 may perform either a fan test or setting of the fan 521-x.

[0147] 3 is merely an example, and some of the components may be omitted or changed depending on the use or conditions of the information processing device 301. The configurations of the server 101 in FIG. 1 and the servers 501 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are merely an example, and some of the components may be omitted or changed depending on the use or conditions of the servers. For example, in the server 501, a separate control unit may control the fan 521-i instead of the BMC 518.

[0148] 7 and 8 are merely examples, and some steps may be omitted or changed depending on the configuration or conditions of the server 501. The flowcharts in Figures 4, 9, and 10 are merely examples, and some processes may be omitted or changed depending on the configuration or conditions of the information processing device 301 or the server 501.

[0149] The error and warning thresholds in FIG. 2 are merely examples, and the error and warning thresholds may vary depending on the fan or condition.

[0150] Although the disclosed embodiments and their advantages have been described in detail, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, additions, and omissions without departing from the scope of the invention as clearly set forth in the claims.

[0151] The following notes are further provided regarding the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. (Appendix 1) A heat generating portion; a fan for cooling the heat generating portion; a storage unit that stores identification information of the fan; a connection switch for switching a connection destination of a signal cable to either the fan or the storage unit; a fan control unit that controls the fan via the signal cable when the connection destination switch has switched the connection destination to the fan, and that reads the identification information from the storage unit via the signal cable when the connection destination switch has switched the connection destination to the storage unit; An information processing device comprising: (Appendix 2) The information processing device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the fan control unit retains the read identification information read via the signal cable before reading the identification information from the memory unit, and if the identification information read from the memory unit differs from the read identification information, performs at least one of testing the fan or configuring the fan. (Appendix 3) The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fan control unit reads out the rotation speed of the fan via the signal cable when the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch. (Appendix 4) The fan control unit an output unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the fan; a first reading unit that reads the rotation speed of the fan; a second reading unit that reads the identification information; Including, the information processing device further includes a connection source switch that switches a connection source of the signal cable to one of a combination of the output unit and the first readout unit or a bus that reads out the identification information, the output unit outputs the control signal to the fan via the signal cable in a state in which the connection destination switch is switched to the fan and the connection source switch is switched to a combination of the output unit and the first readout unit, the first readout unit reads out the rotation speed via the signal cable in a state in which the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch and the connection source is switched to a combination of the output unit and the first readout unit by the connection source switch; The information processing device described in Appendix 3, characterized in that the second reading unit reads the identification information from the memory unit via the signal cable and the bus when the connection destination switch switches the connection destination to the memory unit and the connection source switch switches the connection source to the bus. (Appendix 5) The information processing device includes: a power supply for powering the fan; a connection switch control unit that controls the connection switch to switch the connection destination to the storage unit when the supply of power from the power source to the fan starts, and controls the connection switch to switch the connection destination to the fan after a predetermined time has elapsed since the supply of power started; Furthermore, The information processing device described in Appendix 4 is characterized in that the fan control unit instructs the power supply to start supplying the power, and when the power supply starts, controls the connection source switch to switch the connection source to the bus, and after the predetermined time has elapsed since the identification information was read from the memory unit, controls the connection source switch to switch the connection source to a combination of the output unit and the first reading unit. (Appendix 6) a connection destination switch that switches a connection destination of a signal cable to either a fan that cools a heat generating portion or a storage unit that stores identification information of the fan, while the connection destination is switched to the storage unit, reading out the identification information from the storage unit via the signal cable; and controlling the fan via the signal cable in a state where the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch. A control method characterized in that processing is executed by a processor. (Appendix 7) The control method described in Appendix 6, characterized in that if the identification information read from the memory unit is different from the identification information already read through the signal cable before reading the identification information from the memory unit, the processor further executes a process of performing at least one of testing the fan or configuring the fan. (Appendix 8) The control method described in Appendix 6 or 7, characterized in that the process of controlling the fan includes a process of reading out the rotation speed of the fan via the signal cable when the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch. (Appendix 9) the process of reading out the identification information includes a process of reading out the identification information from the storage unit via the signal cable and the bus in a state in which the connection destination is switched by the connection destination switch to the storage unit, and the connection source is switched to the bus by a connection source switch that switches the connection source of the signal cable to one of a combination of an output unit that outputs a control signal to control the fan and a reading unit that reads the rotation speed of the fan or a bus that reads the identification information, the process of controlling the fan further includes a process of outputting the control signal to the fan via the signal cable in a state in which the connection destination switch has switched the connection destination to the fan and the connection source switch has switched the connection source to a combination of the output unit and the readout unit, The control method described in Appendix 8, characterized in that the process of reading out the rotation speed of the fan includes a process of reading out the rotation speed via the signal cable when the connection destination switch is switched to the fan and the connection source switch is switched to the combination of the output unit and the readout unit. (Appendix 10) instructing a power source that supplies power to the fan to start supplying the power; When the supply of power from the power source to the fan starts, the connection source switch is controlled to switch the connection source to the bus; controlling the connection source switch to switch the connection source to a combination of the output unit and the read unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the identification information was read from the storage unit; The processor further executes the process, The control method described in Appendix 9, characterized in that the connection switch switches the connection to the memory unit when the supply of power starts, and switches the connection to the fan after the predetermined time has elapsed since the supply of power started. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 101, 501 servers 111-1~111-N, 312, 521-1~521-N Fans 112 Power supply 121-1 to 121-N, 525-1 to 525-N input section 122-1 to 122-N, 131-1 to 131-N, 526-1 to 526-N, 531-1 to 531-N Output section 132-1 to 132-N, 532-1 to 532-N readout section 133, 511-1 to 511-M, 535 CPU 134 memory 301 Information processing equipment 311 Heat generating part 313, 524-1~524-N, 538 Storage section 314 Destination Switch 315 Fan control unit 316 Signal Cable 321 Identification Information 512-1 to 512-K, 536 memory 513 Auxiliary storage 514-1~514-N Fan Unit 515-1 to 515-N, 522-1 to 522-N Switches 516 I2C Switch 517 Power supply 523-1 to 523-N, 533-1 to 533-N Switch control section 527-1~527-N, 537 Timer 534 I2C control unit 541-1 to 541-N, 542-1 to 542-N, 543-1 to 543-N, 544-1 to 544-N, 545-1 to 545-N, 546-1 to 546-N, 547-1 to 547-N, 548-1 to 548-N, 549-1 to 549-N, 550-1 to 550-N, 551, 552 signal lines T1, T2-1~T2-N, T3, T4, T11~T14 period

Claims

1. A heat generating portion; a fan for cooling the heat generating portion; a storage unit that stores identification information of the fan; a fan control unit that controls the fan; a connection destination switch for switching a connection destination of a signal cable originating from the fan control unit to either the fan or the storage unit; Equipped with The information processing device is characterized in that the fan control unit controls the fan via the signal cable when the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch, and reads the identification information from the memory unit via the signal cable when the connection destination is switched to the memory unit by the connection destination switch.

2. The information processing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the fan control unit retains the read identification information read via the signal cable before reading the identification information from the memory unit, and if the identification information read from the memory unit differs from the read identification information, performs at least one of testing the fan or configuring the fan.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fan control unit reads out the rotation speed of the fan via the signal cable when the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch.

4. The fan control unit an output unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the fan; a first reading unit that reads the rotation speed of the fan; a second reading unit that reads the identification information; Including, the information processing device further includes a connection source switch that switches a connection source of the signal cable to one of a combination of the output unit and the first readout unit or a bus that reads out the identification information, the output unit outputs the control signal to the fan via the signal cable in a state in which the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch and the connection source is switched to a combination of the output unit and the first readout unit by the connection source switch; the first readout unit reads out the rotation speed via the signal cable in a state in which the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch and the connection source is switched to a combination of the output unit and the first readout unit by the connection source switch; The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second reading unit reads the identification information from the memory unit via the signal cable and the bus when the connection destination switch switches the connection destination to the memory unit and the connection source switch switches the connection source to the bus.

5. The information processing device includes: a power supply for powering the fan; a connection switch control unit that controls the connection switch to switch the connection destination to the storage unit when the supply of power from the power source to the fan starts, and controls the connection switch to switch the connection destination to the fan after a predetermined time has elapsed since the supply of power started; Furthermore, The information processing device described in claim 4, characterized in that the fan control unit instructs the power supply to start supplying the power, and when the power supply starts, controls the connection source switch to switch the connection source to the bus, and after the predetermined time has elapsed since the identification information was read from the memory unit, controls the connection source switch to switch the connection source to a combination of the output unit and the first reading unit.

6. a connection destination switch that switches a connection destination of a signal cable, the connection source of which is a fan control unit that controls a fan that cools a heat-generating unit, to either the fan or a storage unit that stores identification information of the fan, with the connection destination switched to the storage unit, reading out the identification information from the storage unit via the signal cable; and controlling the fan via the signal cable in a state where the connection destination is switched to the fan by the connection destination switch. A control method characterized in that processing is executed by a processor.

Images