Host Resource Reservation for External Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems struggle to reserve resources for external devices that are not available during startup, such as those that are powered off or disconnected, leading to operational issues when these devices are connected or powered on later, as resource assignment is typically done at startup and cannot be arbitrarily re-assigned.
Innovation Solution
Implementing device resource software that reserves bus numbers and memory addresses during the host computer's startup process for external devices, allowing them to use these resources when they become available, enabling correct operation even if powered on or connected after the host computer has started.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resource assignment is performed at startup of the host computer, then resources are assigned to devices that are currently connected, but external devices that are not available at startup cannot receive resources and cannot operate correctly when powered on later
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary resource reservation at host computer startup for external devices that may not yet be available. The device resource software identifies potential external devices and reserves necessary resources (bus numbers, memory addresses) in advance, so that when these devices are later powered on or connected, they can immediately use the pre-reserved resources and operate correctly without requiring re-assignment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the external chassis must be powered on at the same time as the host computer, then resources can be properly assigned, but users cannot power the external chassis on and off independently
Solution Approach 1:
The device resource software performs preliminary resource reservation during host computer startup for external devices that will be powered on later. This allows the external chassis to be powered on independently at any time after host startup, while ensuring resources are already reserved and ready for immediate assignment when the external device becomes available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the availability status of external devices. When an external device that was previously unavailable becomes available (powered on or connected), the device resource software detects this change and automatically assigns the pre-reserved resources to the device, ensuring proper operation while maintaining independent power management capability.
3Ease of operation
If resources are assigned only to devices available at startup, then the resource assignment procedure is simple, but external devices powered on later cannot obtain resources and fail to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The device resource software performs preliminary resource reservation at startup for external devices that may not yet be connected or powered on. This maintains a simple resource assignment procedure during startup while ensuring that external devices can obtain their required resources when they become available, guaranteeing their proper operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring to detect when external devices become available after startup. Upon detection, the device resource software automatically completes the resource assignment process for these devices, maintaining both operational simplicity and device functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reserving resources of a host computer for use by an external device configured to be coupled to an expansion bus of the host computer are described. The host computer may be configured to execute device resource software that operates at a startup of the host computer to reserve one or more resources for the external device. The external device may not be available during the startup of the host computer, e.g., because the external device is not powered on or is not physically connected to the host computer. The device resource software may subsequently detect that the external device becomes available after the startup of the host computer. In response, the device resource software may enable the external device to use the one or more resources that were previously reserved at the startup of the host computer.