FRU Slot Identification Through PCIe Cable Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of accurately locating a field replaceable unit (FRU) device in a computer system is exacerbated by the varying designs of slots in different computer models, leading to poor user experience due to the lack of a mature method for determining the correct slot.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a pre-stored correspondence relation between Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) cable numbers and slot numbers across various computer models, enabling quick and accurate determination of the FRU slot by obtaining the computer model and PCIe cable number upon a fault alarm, and employing multiple correspondence relations and protocols to verify and prompt the slot number.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mature method for determining FRU slot is used, then slot location accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to needing multiple correspondence relations and verification protocols for different computer models
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a unified slot determination system that works across multiple computer models through a standardized correspondence relation between PCIe cable numbers and slot numbers. The system uses a universal software platform that can handle different computer models (e.g., RH8880H5, RH8880H7 series) by storing model-specific correspondence relations in a database, allowing one system to serve multiple functions without requiring separate determination methods for each model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing correspondence relations between PCIe cable numbers and slot numbers for different computer models in a database before actual fault occurrence. When a fault alarm is received, the system quickly retrieves the pre-stored correspondence relation matching the computer model, enabling rapid slot determination without real-time computation or manual mapping, thus improving response speed while maintaining accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple correspondence relations are used to verify slot number, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple lookup operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores multiple correspondence relations (first correspondence relation between PCIe cable numbers and slot numbers, second correspondence relation between BDF numbers and slot numbers) in advance in the database. When determination is needed, both relations are retrieved and used simultaneously for cross-verification, ensuring high reliability through multiple validation paths without requiring sequential lookup operations that would consume time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using multiple correspondence relations to cross-verify the determined slot number. The first correspondence relation (PCIe cable number to slot number) and second correspondence relation (BDF number to slot number) provide feedback mechanisms that validate each other, ensuring the determined slot is correct before final output, thus improving reliability through self-verification.
3Ease of operation
If a universal software platform is deployed across different computer models, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability decreases due to varying slot designs across models
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by storing model-specific correspondence relations in the database, where each computer model (e.g., RH8880H5, RH8880H7) has its own customized mapping between PCIe cable numbers/BDF numbers and slot numbers. The universal software platform retrieves and applies the appropriate local correspondence relation based on the detected computer model, ensuring each model receives tailored configuration data while using the same software interface, thus maintaining both ease of operation and model-specific adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure discloses a method, apparatus and device for determining a slot of a field replaceable unit device, and a nonvolatile readable storage medium, and belongs to the field of computer devices. The method is configured to locate a slot of a field replaceable unit in a computer device. In consideration of the facts that peripheral component interconnect express topologies of different models of computer devices vary, and in a computer device that has a definite peripheral component interconnect express topology, slots of field replaceable unit devices have fixed correspondence relations with peripheral component interconnect express cable numbers, a set of programs is preset in the disclosure, and includes first correspondence relations between peripheral component interconnect express cable numbers and slot numbers of different models of computer devices. In this way, a slot may be quickly and accurately determined through this set of programs when field replaceable units of various types of computer device give a fault alarm, and user experience is improved accordingly.