Server Booting Control Unit for Sequential CPU Initialization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In server systems with multiple CPUs, if one CPU malfunctions or delays during booting, it can cause operation errors throughout the system, as the booting process is not synchronized, leading to incomplete or faulty system startup.
Innovation Solution
A server design with a BIOS chip and a control unit that outputs a booting signal to each CPU, where the control unit manages connections between the BIOS chip and CPUs, ensuring that once a CPU is booted, it disconnects from the BIOS and reconnects to the next CPU, allowing all CPUs to complete their booting tasks sequentially.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple CPUs execute BIOS independently or in parallel, then booting speed is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to undetected malfunctions and operation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic booting mechanism where the control unit switches the connection between BIOS and CPUs based on real-time booting status. After one CPU completes booting, the control unit dynamically redirects the BIOS connection to the next CPU, creating a sequential booting process that maintains system reliability while ensuring complete CPU initialization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where CPUs send booting status signals to the control unit. The control unit receives these feedback signals and uses them to determine when to switch connections, ensuring that booting proceeds only when ready and preventing operation errors from undetected malfunctions
2Productivity
If a timing-based parallel booting approach is used, then booting efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves as an intermediary between BIOS and multiple CPUs, managing all connection switching operations. This intermediary approach simplifies the system by centralizing control logic, eliminating the need for complex distributed synchronization mechanisms that would otherwise be required for parallel booting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the booting process into sequential stages, with each CPU booting in turn through controlled connection switching. This segmentation transforms a potentially complex parallel synchronization problem into a series of simple, manageable sequential operations controlled by the central control unit
Data Source
AI summary
A server including a basic input output system (BIOS) chip, a control unit and multiple central processing units (CPUs), and a booting method are provided. The BIOS chip outputs a booting signal. One of the CPUs receives the booting signal to execute a booting program, and outputs a successful signal after being booted. The control unit is coupled between the BIOS chip and the CPUs, and receives the successful signal to control a connection between the BIOS chip and the one of the CPUs. When the control unit receives the successful signal, the control unit replaces a connection between the BIOS chip and current one of the CPUs with a new connection between the BIOS chip and next one of the CPUs according to the successful signal, and the next CPU then receives the booting signal.