Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Gordon R Clark

Dinesh K Sharma

Wesley M Ellinger

R Scott Gready

Lawrence E Alton

Siamak Tavallaei

Louis R Gagliardi

George H Myers

A communication system is presented whereby sequences of video screens sent from a host CPU to a video controller can be stored and subsequently retrieved by a terminal located remote from the host CPU. The host CPU and video controller form part of a server arranged within a distributed computing system. An administrator situated at the remote terminal can retrieve select video screens produced during server operations to determine information regarding the server configuration and possible causes of server failure or future failure. The sequence of video screens thereby represent video screen changes stored upon a server controller adapted for coupling to the server expansion bus. The video screen changes represent a sequence of video screen changes occurring prior to server failure or after server reset. Those changes provide beneficial information to an administrator located remote from the server, and allows the administrator to communicate with the server using several possible communication protocols. The server controller snoops display data written from the host CPU to the video controller and mirrors the display data upon buffers within the server controller. Information within the buffers can be called upon by a remotely situated administrator regardless of whether server power is lost in the interim.

Server controller configured to snoop and receive a duplicative copy of display data presented to a video controller

Server controller for storing and retrieving sequences of video screens forwarded by a server host computer

A printed circuit board includes an edge connector operable to be coupled to an expansion bus. An integrated circuit is mounted on the printed circuit board and is coupled to the edge connector. The integrated circuit is operable to snoop memory operations on the expansion bus and cause selected memory data to be stored in a memory on the printed circuit board. A first power conductor extends across a first portion of the printed circuit board and is coupled to the integrated circuit. A second power conductor extends across a second portion of the printed circuit board and is also coupled to the integrated circuit. The circuit board also includes a decoupling unit connected between the first power conductor and the second power conductor. The decoupling unit causes disconnect of the first power conductor from the second power conductor during times in which voltage within the first power conductor is less than voltage within the second power conductor.

Printed circuit board having conductors which can be decoupled for

System for storing display data during first time period prior to

A communication system is presented whereby sequences of video screens sent from a host CPU to a video controller can be stored and subsequently retrieved by a terminal located remote from the host CPU. Detection logic, controller memory, processor and a communication unit are compiled as a system configured upon a PCB. The PCB is configured to maintain certain vital functions even if power supplied from an expansion bus ceases. The PCB may employ a battery which maintains processor and controller memory activities and communication therebetween for a period of time sufficient to sustain video screen information stored within the controller memory. Thus, decoupling circuitry is present which prevents drain upon the battery if the communication unit is not being used. The decoupling unit separates power and signal conductors between portions of the printed circuit board. A power status signal is indicative of the voltage level within power conductors of one portion relative to a voltage level within power conductors of another portion to effectuate decoupling therebetween.

Growing community of inventors

The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Gordon R Clark