Method and apparatus for configuring a selected adapter unit on a common

Abstract

In a computer system having a central processing unit which employs software drivers as part of a host for controlling peripheral units and including a bus for connecting with adapters for the peripheral units, wherein each adapter has distributed intelligence means for interpreting simple command information and a nonvolatile storage element for storing default configuration information, including a default port address for communication, a method is provided for configuring such intelligent adapters connected to the bus. The method includes initializing the intelligent adapters by applying power to the bus or by issuing a global reset signal and causing a driver to be loaded by the central processing unit so that the host broadcasts a start key via a sequence of write commands via the bus to any adapters on the bus and to elicit responses from the intelligent adapters in an interactive manner to narrow communication between the intelligent adapters and the host to a single intelligent adapter without first specifying a unique port address. The narrowing process involves causing the intelligent adapters to first rank themselves for communication with the host by referring to unique ordered value information, e.g., an identification serial number, stored in the nonvolatile storage element, such as an EEPROM element, placed on the adapter.