International Business Machines Corporation

Thomas M Walker

Peter Anthony Franaszek

Gregory Michael Nordstrom

Christos J Georgiou

Martin W Sachs

Charles Porter Geer

Frank G Soltis

Ting D Cheng

Merle E Houdek

Kenton J Lynne

Eugene R Jones

Anujan Mangala Varma

Thomas K Philips

Nicholas Samra

Lam Q Dang

John A Soyring

A method and system in a data processing system for managing a hierarchical error diagnostic system having a plurality of diagnostic modules for diagnosing a component failure within a target system having a predetermined group of components within each of a plurality of hierarchical levels. After the identification of selected hierarchical levels within the target system, and identification of the components within each hierarchical level, a first blackboard data storage area is initialized for utilization during a diagnostic session. Thereafter, a diagnostic analysis of a first predetermined group of components within a first selected hierarchical level is initiated. The diagnostic analysis utilizes the first blackboard data storage area and multiple diagnostic modules assigned to diagnose the components within the first selected hierarchical level. Upon conclusion of the diagnostic analysis, a diagnostic result is determined from selected information learned during the first diagnostic analysis. In preparation for a second diagnostic analysis of a second group of components in a second hierarchical level, which were selected in response to a result from the initial diagnostic analysis, a second blackboard data storage area is initialized utilizing selected information learned from the initial diagnostic analysis. Thereafter, a second diagnostic analysis of a second predetermined group of components within a second selected hierarchical level is automatically initiated. The second diagnostic analysis utilizes selected information learned during the initial diagnostic session, which is stored within the second blackboard data storage area during initialization, and multiple diagnostic modules within the second selected hierarchical level.

Method and system for data processing system error diagnosis utilizing

Dynamic switch protocols are implemented on a token bus protocol in a shared medium network to improve the basic token bus functional capabilities and link utilization, and to produce a uniform transaction protocol that supports both token bus and dynamic switch networks. Frame formats common to both token bus and dynamic switch protocols are utilized, and circuit switched protocols are superimposed on a token bus protocol in interlocked and data transmissions to establish a circuit switched path between a token holder sender node and a destination node. An initial frame transmission uses a normal link header and establishes the circuit switched path between the sender node and the destination node. Subsequent data frames contain no link header information, thereby improving transmission efficiency, and the last frame in such a transmission disconnects the switched circuit path, thereby allowing other transmissions to resume. The use of circuit switched protocols within a token bus protocol allows more general transmission sequences and improves the utilization of token bus bandwidth.

Dynamic switch protocols on a shared medium network

Apparatus for compressing and buffering large amounts of data, transferring the buffered data to a slower speed storage device and controlling the stopping and starting of the central processing unit (CPU) is provided for a virtual storage computer system where the data is collected in real time; the data being collected are all storage addresses to facilitate address tracing. Each real main storage address is collected to the external interface between the central processing unit (CPU) and main storage and converted to a virtual address. The virtual address is compressed and entered into a large buffer via buffer control logic. The buffer control logic sends a signal to stop the CPU when the buffer becomes full and restarts it at the exact point it had stopped after the buffer has been emptied by the transfer of data from it to a slower speed storage device.

Apparatus for compressing and buffering data

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Rochester, MN, United States of America

Thomas M Walker