Electronic I/O Resource Reassignment for Expansion Drawers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems face challenges in efficiently reassigning I/O resources between hosts, particularly in scenarios where a host fails, requiring manual intervention or physical relocation of expansion drawers, which is time-consuming and undesirable.
Innovation Solution
An electronic assignment service that manages I/O Expansion Drawers across multiple hosts, allowing dynamic reassignment of resources, secure access, and power management, enabling flexible configuration and remote management of I/O resources without physical relocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual physical relocation of I/O Expansion Drawer is used to reassign resources between hosts, then resource reassignment can be achieved, but it is time-consuming and requires administrative intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of physically moving I/O Expansion Drawers with an automated electronic system. The host controller electronically identifies and assigns expansion drawers to appropriate hosts through software-based resource management, eliminating the need for administrators to manually relocate hardware components. This substitution of mechanical relocation with electronic control achieves rapid resource reassignment without physical intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If I/O Expansion Drawer is shared among multiple hosts, then resource flexibility and sharing capability are improved, but resource contention and access conflicts may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The host controller implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the status and assignment of I/O expansion drawers. When a drawer is assigned to a host, the controller tracks this assignment and prevents conflicting access requests from other hosts. The system provides feedback about resource availability and current assignments, enabling intelligent decision-making about resource allocation and preventing contention by ensuring only authorized hosts access assigned resources.
3Ease of operation
If electronic assignment service is implemented for remote management, then administrative burden is reduced and remote access is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The host controller implements self-service functionality by automatically managing I/O expansion drawer assignments without requiring external administrative intervention. The system autonomously identifies available expansion drawers, assigns them to appropriate hosts based on system needs, and updates resource allocation records. This self-service capability enables remote management and reduces administrative burden while the added complexity is contained within the automated control logic rather than requiring complex external infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing assembly includes one or more hosts connected to one or more I/O Expansion Drawers. Assignment state information is stored on the Expansion Drawer to convey the assignment state of Expansion Drawer(s) resources to the hosts. The host retrieves the assignment state and, from it, determines, for each Expansion Buss cable connected to the host, the number of Expansion Cards in the Expansion Drawer to configure. A change in the number of Expansion Cards in the expansion apparatus may necessitate a change in the assignment state, which can be electronically accommodated (as opposed to a manual reconfiguration). Similarly, a failure of an Expansion Buss cable is addressed by electronically reassigning resources to another host or to the same host over a different Expansion Buss cable without the need for further manual intervention. The assembly is capable of verifying correct cable connection between a host and the Expansion Drawer.