Operating System Adjunct Processor Message Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

In computer systems, lost messages due to adjunct processor resets or malfunctions are not detectable, leading to inefficiencies and errors as applications and operating systems are unaware of queue changes, causing incorrect message counts and potential program hangs.

Innovation Solution

The operating system receives status information from adjunct processor message queues, calculates the number of lost request messages by comparing software and hardware message counts, and re-enqueues these messages using the recovery service to maintain message integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an external reset operation is performed on the AP crypto card, then the queue is cleared and system stability is improved, but message loss occurs and message integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidmessage loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores the software message count before the reset operation occurs. This preliminary recording of the message queue state enables the system to detect and recover lost messages after the reset, resolving the contradiction between performing necessary resets and preventing message loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the operating system compares the stored software message count with the hardware message count after reset operations. This feedback loop detects message loss and triggers recovery procedures, maintaining message integrity despite reset operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the operating system does not track AP message queue changes, then system complexity is reduced, but message count accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidmessage count accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the AP crypto card to self-report its message queue status through hardware message counts. This self-service approach allows the operating system to obtain accurate message count information without implementing complex tracking mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the application is unaware of reset operations, then ease of operation is improved, but detection capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidreset detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the operating system as an intermediary between the AP crypto card and the application. The OS handles the complexity of detecting reset operations and message loss through hardware status registers, while presenting a simplified interface to the application. This resolves the contradiction by shielding the application from complexity while maintaining detection capability at the OS level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11556345B2Detecting and recovering lost adjunct processor messages

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A method, computer program product, and computer system are provided. An operating system (OS) receives a status at completion of a cryptographic adjunct process (AP) instruction directed to an AP message queue on a cryptographic AP. The status includes a return code, a reason code, a queue full indicator, a queue empty indicator, and the count of enqueued request messages on the AP message queue. The OS determines a number of lost request messages on the AP message queue, based on a count of enqueued request messages on the AP message queue received in the status. The OS re-enqueues the number of lost request messages to the AP message queue. The OS recovers the number of lost request messages on the AP message queue.