Logical Partition Startup via Persistent Resource Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing logically partitioned computer systems face delays and potential crashes during startup due to the need for all resources to be powered up and initialized before any logical partition can begin, and non-deterministic delays from resource unavailability or temporary disconnections.

Innovation Solution

A partition manager with a resource detection mechanism that uses a persistent resource database to identify required resources for each logical partition, allowing it to start only when all necessary resources are detected, avoiding the need for a preset delay and preventing startup crashes from missing resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a preset delay period is used to ensure all resources are powered up and initialized, then resource availability is improved, but startup time is significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource availabilityVSAvoidstartup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting resource availability status before initiating the startup sequence. The partition manager queries the resource detection mechanism to identify which resources are already powered up and ready, allowing it to proceed with startup without waiting for a preset delay period, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring resource availability and reducing startup time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring resource availability status through the resource detection mechanism. The partition manager receives real-time feedback about which resources are ready and adjusts the startup sequence accordingly, eliminating the need for fixed delay periods while ensuring all necessary resources are available before partition startup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If all logical partitions wait for all resources to be ready before starting, then resource completeness is improved, but partition startup speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource completenessVSAvoidpartition startup speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by dividing the startup process into independent steps for each logical partition. Instead of waiting for all partitions to be ready simultaneously, the partition manager independently detects resources for each partition and starts them as soon as their required resources are available, thereby improving overall startup speed while maintaining resource completeness through individual partition assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces dynamics by making the startup sequence adaptive rather than static. The partition manager dynamically adjusts the startup timing of each logical partition based on real-time resource availability detection, allowing partitions to start at different times depending on when their resources become ready, thus optimizing both completeness and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a fixed delay period is implemented, then resource initialization is ensured, but adaptability to non-deterministic resource availability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource initializationVSAvoidadaptability to resource availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the resource detection mechanism to adapt the startup sequence to actual resource availability conditions. Rather than relying on a fixed delay period, the partition manager continuously queries resource status and adjusts partition startup timing accordingly, providing adaptability to non-deterministic resource availability while ensuring proper initialization through active detection and response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If logical partitions start without resource detection, then startup speed is improved, but crash risk from missing resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestartup speedVSAvoidcrash prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the preliminary action of resource detection before partition startup. The partition manager queries the resource detection mechanism to verify that all necessary resources are available before initiating partition startup, thereby preventing crashes from missing resources while maintaining fast startup speeds through immediate detection and decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7475218B2Apparatus and method for autonomically detecting resources in a logically partitioned computer system

Publication Date: 2009.01.06 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A partition manager includes a resource detection mechanism that uses a persistent resource database to determine which resources were seen previously, and to determine which resources are required for a logical partition to start. Once all required resources for a logical partition are detected, the logical partition is started. In this manner, a logical partition may be started as soon as all of its resources are available, without waiting on the resources of other logical partitions. In addition, a missing required resource will prevent a logical partition from starting, thus avoiding the crash of a logical partition due to missing resources.