Silicon Graphics, Incorporated

Richard T Ingebritson

Martin M Deneroff

Michael Brown

Mark Larson

Robert W Cutler

Steven Hein

Kim Gustafson

A modular computer system includes at least two processing functional modules each including a processing unit adapted to process data and adapted to input/output data to other functional modules through at least two ports with each port including a plurality of data lines. At least one routing functional module is adapted to route data and adapted to input/output data to other functional modules through at least two ports with each port including a plurality of data lines. At least one input or output functional module is adapted to input or output data and adapted to input/output data to other functional modules through at least one port including a plurality of data lines. Each processing, routing and input or output functional module includes a local controller adapted to control the local operation of the associated functional module, wherein the local controller is adapted to input and output control information over control lines connected to the respective ports of its functional module. At least one system controller functional module is adapted to communicate with one or more local controllers and provide control at a level above the local controllers. Each of the functional modules adapted to be cabled together with a single cable that includes a plurality of data lines and control lines such that control lines in each module are connected together and data lines in each unit are connected together. Each of the local controllers adapted to detect other local controllers to which it is connected and to thereby collectively determine the overall configuration of a system.

System and method for a hierarchical system management architecture of a highly scalable computing system

Diagnostic environments designed for ccNUMA computing systems require different capabilities than conventional diagnostic programs. Since most conventional operating systems do not permit sufficient access to hardware by application programs, a diagnostic microkernal is distributed to all of the processors of all of the nodes of the computing system. Instead of dumping output to a user interface, diagnostic programs executing under control of the diagnostic microkernal store formatted data in shared memory. A shell process executing at an interface node is notified of errors and informs the user who selects the formatted data in shared memory to be accessed by the shell process for output via a user interface by little more than echoing the data. Either a dumb terminal or a desktop computer or workstation which adds further formatting capabilities may be used for display of the data.

Diagnostic system and method for a highly scalable computing system

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Bloomer, WI, United States of America

Richard T Ingebritson