Arithmetic Processing Device Replacement via Logical-Physical Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems face challenges in automatically replacing failed arithmetic processing devices without disrupting system operations or requiring manual intervention, especially in environments where maintenance is difficult.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with multiple arithmetic processing devices, storage devices, and control units that manage connection changes and correlation information to automatically replace a failed device with a spare, maintaining continuous system functionality and communication without altering logical addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical connections of arithmetic processing devices are changed to replace a failed device, then the failed device can be replaced with another one, but information set in each arithmetic processing device must be updated, requiring manual intervention and disrupting system operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting failures and preparing replacement configurations before actual device replacement occurs. The control device updates connection information and invalidates correlation information in advance, so that when the physical replacement happens, the system can seamlessly switch to the new device without requiring manual intervention or disrupting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the arithmetic processing devices and the switch unit. It manages the correlation information that maps logical addresses to physical device identifiers, translating between logical device identities and actual physical connections. This intermediary layer allows physical replacements without affecting logical system operations.
2Reliability
If arithmetic processing devices are replaced in difficult-to-maintain environments such as underwater or space-based installations, then system reliability can be improved, but manual intervention becomes impractical or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service capabilities through automated failure detection, correlation information management, and connection reconfiguration. The control device automatically detects when an arithmetic processing device fails, invalidates the corresponding correlation information, and updates connection mappings without requiring human intervention. This enables the system to maintain itself autonomously in environments where manual maintenance is impractical.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by transitioning from static physical device identities to dynamic logical addressing with flexible mapping. The correlation information structure allows the same logical device identifier to map to different physical device identifiers over time, enabling seamless replacement. The switch unit's connection information is dynamically updated to reflect new physical connections while maintaining logical system continuity.
3Reliability
If correlation information is updated to reflect new physical connections after device replacement, then communication between devices can be restored, but the system requires complex information management and validation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the mapping logic from the physical device identities and places it in the control device's correlation information structure. By separating the logical addressing layer from the physical connection layer, the system simplifies information management. When devices are replaced, only the correlation information needs to be updated in the control device, rather than reconfiguring information across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs preliminary validation and preparation of correlation information before physical device replacement. It invalidates existing correlation information for failed devices and prepares new mappings in advance, ensuring that communication can be immediately restored upon replacement without complex post-replacement configuration or validation processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a switch unit configured to connect some of the arithmetic processing devices and some of the storage devices in accordance with connection information, a first control unit being configured to output physical information converted from the logical information of the arithmetic processing device at the transmission destination and the physical information of the corresponding arithmetic processing device via a transfer path in accordance with the correlation information, a second control unit configured to change the connection information in response to occurrence of a failure of some arithmetic processing device in the system, and to control the switch unit such that the failed arithmetic processing device is replaced with another one included in the plural arithmetic processing devices.